When you post a status on Facebook, your post appears on a limited number (only 16%-17%) of your followers’ news feeds. Use these two easy techniques to increase Facebook reach.

1. Write posts that encourage comments and sharing.

When Facebook sees that people are engaging with your post, that post appears on more of your followers’ news feeds.   One way to encourage interaction is by posing a question to your followers. Posing an open-ended question as your status invites your followers to comment.

Create a Single-Question Survey

You can also create a single-question survey.  To do this,

1. Click on the “Offer, Event” button above the box where you type your status.
2. A pull-down menu will appear with “Question” as one of your options.
3. Select this and you will be given the opportunity to create a multiple-choice survey question.

Use Images, Provide Information and Show your Personality

Facebook also extends greater reach to posts that appear visually “interesting” with photos or video. Write posts that you think your followers are likely to share on their own walls, so that their friends and followers see your post.  A great way to do this is to provide helpful information.  Link to news or industry articles that are of interest to your followers (or link to your blog for a double whammy of increased website traffic).  And don’t be afraid to write or share humorous posts.  They are frequently shared and help craft a more friendly and engageable online personality for your business.

2. Promote your post through Facebook

For as little as $4.99, Facebook will “boost” your post to more of your followers and their friends (previously called ‘Promoted Posts’).

1. Click on the “Boost Post” button at the bottom of the status window to get started.
2. You will be instructed to set a spend limit for that particular post (Facebook will tell you how many people will see your post at each spend level).
3. You’ll then be directed to set up an account.

To get the most bang for your buck, boost posts that call people to action or offer a promotion.  That way, you are more likely to attract followers from the new people who see your posts. See Facebook’s Guidance for Boosting Posts

Helpful hint:  If you have an important post, you can “pin” it to the top of your timeline for one week.  Simply click on your post’s edit icon and select “Pin to Top.”