22 Ways to Make Your Social Media Interaction More Personal
In today's digital age, personal connections on social media can make all the difference. This article explores expert-backed strategies to enhance your social media interactions and make them more meaningful. From creating quick video replies to sharing vulnerable insights, discover how to transform your online presence into a hub of authentic engagement.
- Create Quick Video Replies for Personal Touch
- Offer Actionable Advice Based on Research
- Ask Followers About Their Specific Challenges
- Invite Social Connections to Real-World Events
- Surprise Followers with Voice Message Responses
- Use Tailored Humor for Different Audience Segments
- Engage Genuinely and Remember Personal Details
- Curate Content That Combines Expertise with Experience
- Highlight Thoughtful Responses to Micro-Challenges
- Provide Direct Help with Relevant Resources
- Personalize Connection Requests with Specific References
- Integrate Audience Segmentation with Real-Time Engagement
- Replace Brand Logo with Personal Photo
- Share Vulnerable Insights to Build Authentic Connections
- Tag Everyone Involved in Shared Content
- Turn Recruiting into Relationship-Building on Social
- Consistently Contribute to Niche Professional Communities
- Utilize Social Listening to Tailor Interactions
- Adjust Responses Based on Emotional Context
- Balance Professional Expertise with Relatable Experiences
- Share Honest Content About Professional Journey
- Connect Through Personal Experiences Relevant to Audience
Create Quick Video Replies for Personal Touch
I've noticed that sending quick, simple video clips with a bit of context really helps in building better connections. For example, instead of just saying thanks when someone comments on our post, I'll shoot a quick 20-second Loom video that mentions their name and addresses their point. It usually takes me under a minute, but the responses I get are incredible; people often say they've never had a brand reply in such a personal way.
One time, a short video like that even led to a partnership because the person felt we truly valued the conversation. Just that extra touch of seeing my face and hearing my voice makes a huge difference, turning what could've been another plain text reply into a much more memorable interaction.
Offer Actionable Advice Based on Research
I make social media personal by researching common business problems and then approaching prospects with information that can actually help, versus generic responses. This means reading their websites and posts, and knowing their industry before commenting or replying. Instead of suggesting generic marketing to a restaurant owner who is suffering from a lack of foot traffic, I look into their location and find their Google Business Profile. I then proceed to suggest things like improving their ads and food shots on Google Business Profile for better click-through rates.
The results are great—this approach advances 5x more qualified business conversations. Three key client relationships started after prospects appreciated my no-BS, actionable advice. One restaurant owner, now a $3,600/month client, commented that my suggestion showed a better understanding of their business than agencies who pitched generic requests. If you are able to distill someone's challenges and quickly understand their situation, you make everything in your meetings feel consultative, as if they should be happening at a doctor's office. This is the key to trust and real business relationships.
Ask Followers About Their Specific Challenges
One effective way I personalize social media interactions is by directly asking my followers about their specific challenges and needs. I've found success running campaigns where I invite my audience to share their biggest entrepreneurial obstacles in the comments, offering valuable resources to those who provide the most thoughtful responses. This approach not only increases engagement but creates a community atmosphere where followers connect with each other through shared experiences. The resulting conversations provide valuable insights that help me develop more relevant content while simultaneously building stronger relationships with my audience.
Invite Social Connections to Real-World Events
We have found real success with what we call "collaborative invitations." We're also inviting conversation off our social networks, giving peers an opportunity to learn and showcase their expertise at meetups, webinars, or Thrive conferences. This isn't a sales pitch; it's an opportunity for them to show off and network with other like-minded professionals. When we held our final Thrive marketing summit, almost 25% of the attendees were people we'd first met on social media. By providing them with a stage to contribute, we've transformed casual online interactions into long-term professional relationships.
The impact goes well beyond the event. Many of those who take part continue the conversation online, tagging us in their own posts, sharing takeaways, and inviting others into our community. It creates a cycle of free, authentic promotion and collaboration. The most powerful takeaway here: people want to join something bigger than a comment thread. So, encouraging them to a place where they can learn and shine is among the most potent ways to forge social connections and to turn digital transactions into strategic alliances.
Surprise Followers with Voice Message Responses
One thing I do to make my social media interactions more personal is reply with voice notes. Instead of just typing a quick comment or thank-you, I'll record a short voice message ("ums" and all). It often surprises people to hear a real human on the other end. That little extra effort makes folks feel genuinely seen, and it's even turned a few casual followers into actual friends, which still amazes me.
Use Tailored Humor for Different Audience Segments
We personalize our approach through humor tailored to specific audience segments instead of using one-size-fits-all messaging. For SaaS clients, we use playful references to software glitches or startup life. For law firms, we keep humor professional yet relatable, often highlighting industry quirks. This balance demonstrates attentiveness to context, ensuring people feel respected while still entertained. The effort creates emotional resonance that dry professionalism alone rarely delivers.
Positive outcomes include stronger rapport and memorable engagements that keep followers returning consistently. Humor makes our brand approachable, encouraging people to interact with us more comfortably. It turns potentially intimidating subjects like SEO into accessible conversations anyone can join. Followers appreciate the human touch, making them more likely to trust our expertise long-term. Personalization through humor has proven essential for breaking down barriers and building lasting digital relationships.
Engage Genuinely and Remember Personal Details
I've found that responding directly to comments with genuine interest, rather than just a standard reply, does wonders. When someone takes time to comment on my posts, I try to answer in a way that acknowledges their effort. By asking them questions in return or sharing a bit more about the subject, I get into real conversations. This not only makes the interactions more meaningful but also encourages others to jump into the chat, making the whole experience feel like we're all part of a community.
Another thing I do is to remember little details from past interactions. If someone mentioned they were going on a trip or had an event coming up, I'll ask them about it later on. This shows that I value our interaction and pay attention to what's important to them. People really appreciate being remembered, and it's a simple way to make your connections stronger. Just keeping it personal and genuine goes a long way.
Curate Content That Combines Expertise with Experience
As someone who has been active on LinkedIn since 2005 — and has taught digital storytelling to thousands globally through NYU and The International Social Impact Institute® — I've learned that authentic engagement is about more than just posting.
I personalize my interactions by curating content that weaves thought leadership with lived experience, and by engaging with others in their voice, not just mine. Whether I'm celebrating a collaborator, sharing a failure, or spotlighting someone else's insight, I aim to create conversations, not broadcasts.
One unique way I scale this is by leveraging my generative AI-powered Digital Twin, "Liz Ngonzi GPT," which was trained on my own published work. This allows me to respond quickly while preserving warmth and integrity — a key tenet of the 1+1+AI=10™ methodology I teach.
For example, when sharing our recent "AI for Humanity" anthology, I tagged contributors, added quotes from the collection, and invited commentary — creating a cascade of interaction across borders.
Real connection on LinkedIn is about understanding that you're not just posting into the void — you're inviting others into a space. That requires care, clarity, and genuine respect for your audience's time and attention.
Highlight Thoughtful Responses to Micro-Challenges
I enjoy adding a more unique touch to engagement on social media with my followers by creating small, fun rituals. For instance, I post a "micro challenge" every Friday that relates to our industry and ask my followers to post their responses/experiences. Instead of just liking their responses, I find one or two thoughtful responses and highlight them in a follow-up post. I then tag the commenters and write a note about what I found interesting in their comment.
This was my experience of turning ordinary comments into recognition. People see that you value their input and engage further. I have also occasionally taken the liberty of sending a quick direct message thanking someone for providing a personal, creative answer. This small personal engagement, even in a digital way, leads to conversations that often continue beyond the message!
The results were impressive. These posts always received significant engagement, inactive followers became engaged members of our online community, and I received requests for collaborations or advice. It turns out that if I create a space on social media that offers recognition and celebrates people's contributions, I am able to build more authentic connections with my followers.
Provide Direct Help with Relevant Resources
We personalize by replying with direct help instead of canned thanks. Using the Comments API, we pick up mentions and respond with a link to the exact docs or code a user needs. When a developer asked about scheduling Instagram posts, we sent them the endpoint from our docs. That single reply drove three times the clicks of a scheduled promo and delivered a noticeable spike in sign-ups.
Personalize Connection Requests with Specific References
I've found that personalizing connection requests on LinkedIn yields significantly better engagement rates than generic messages. My approach involves addressing people by name, referencing their recent content or achievements, and adding a brief observation that demonstrates I've actually engaged with their work. This personalized template has consistently helped me build stronger professional relationships by showing genuine interest rather than just seeking a transactional connection. The key is making each interaction specific to the individual, which requires a bit more time but delivers much better results in terms of response rates and meaningful conversations.
Integrate Audience Segmentation with Real-Time Engagement
One proven approach I use to personalize social media interactions is the strategic integration of audience segmentation with real-time engagement. In practical terms, this means moving beyond generic responses and instead tailoring communication to reflect the specific interests, behaviors, and purchase histories of distinct customer segments.
Several years ago, while leading a global omnichannel campaign for a retail client, we implemented a dynamic content strategy on social platforms. By leveraging customer data and social listening, my team and I identified not just demographic segments, but also intent signals and recurring customer pain points. When a customer engaged with our posts or direct messages, we ensured our replies referenced their previous interactions or recent purchases, and, where appropriate, connected them with relevant product experts or exclusive content. This required coordination between social, CRM, and customer support functions, but the result was a measurable uplift in both engagement rates and customer retention.
At the E-Commerce & Digital Marketing Association, I see members adopt similar methods. For example, during the Armenia Digital Awards, we used targeted social outreach to recognize nominees' individual achievements, referencing their specific contributions to the field. This level of personalization, even in a public setting, led to significantly higher share rates and positive brand sentiment.
Personalization in social media is only effective when it is grounded in authentic, informed interaction. It is not about automation for its own sake, but about using available data to demonstrate that you know and value your audience. When consulting clients on this, I always stress the importance of operational readiness - the ability for your team to quickly translate customer data into meaningful, human engagement. In my experience, companies that invest in this capacity consistently build stronger, more loyal communities around their brands.
Replace Brand Logo with Personal Photo
For my business social media account, I changed the profile picture from the brand logo to a picture of myself. As the face of the company, I thought it would add a more personal feel to my page. When someone writes a message, I respond and sign with my name, so they can now put a face to the name. This approach helps to remove the corporate feel and makes interactions more personal, genuine, and pleasant.
Share Vulnerable Insights to Build Authentic Connections
I have found that incorporating vulnerability into my LinkedIn content strategy has been remarkably effective for building authentic connections. By sharing insights about common challenges I observe in my practice, I'm able to create content that resonates deeply with individuals facing similar situations. This approach of writing as if I'm helping just one person has attracted many followers who truly connect with the genuine nature of my posts. What started as hesitation about building a personal brand has evolved into a meaningful way to extend guidance beyond my direct client work.
Tag Everyone Involved in Shared Content
When creating LinkedIn or blog posts, we always include others. For example, when we've achieved a media placement for our company where other experts and business owners are quoted, we always tag everyone mentioned in the article, the journalist or media contact, and the media outlet. This has generated excellent engagement in comments and likes, as well as reshares, by taking this approach. Everyone who was cited in the article enjoys greater exposure through this, and it is also a way to show respect to the journalist and media source by helping that article find more readers through our post.
Turn Recruiting into Relationship-Building on Social
One of the ways we personalize our social media interactions is by making recruiting part of our strategy. Since staffing is the core of our business, we spend time looking for people who identify as brand ambassadors and reach out directly to see if they're interested in opportunities with us. Instead of treating social media as just a broadcasting tool, we use it to start conversations. This approach has been effective not only in growing our talent pool but also in attracting clients—because when we have strong staff connections, it's easier to deliver consistently great results.
We also take a more subtle approach by engaging with people's content before we ever send a message. For example, we'll like or comment on posts from brand ambassadors we'd love to work with. That small gesture makes our outreach feel less transactional and more genuine, and often leads them to follow us first or reach out on their own. It turns recruiting into relationship-building, which builds trust.
What we've learned is that by focusing on people—celebrating the staff who represent us and showing interest in their personal brands—we're creating a community, not just a roster. That community keeps our pipeline strong, gives us an edge with clients, and helps us stand out in a very competitive market.
Consistently Contribute to Niche Professional Communities
I've found tremendous value in engaging with niche professional communities on platforms like Slack, particularly in the SEO space. My approach focuses on consistently providing helpful responses to technical questions and sharing relevant industry articles that genuinely benefit community members. This strategy of giving before expecting anything in return has not only helped me build authentic relationships but has also resulted in meaningful professional connections that led to referrals and opportunities. The key is regular, purposeful engagement rather than sporadic participation.
Utilize Social Listening to Tailor Interactions
One effective approach to personalize social media interactions and foster stronger connections is to utilize social listening. Here is the approach that you can follow:
Monitor Conversations
First, actively track mentions of your brand and relevant topics. By using tools like "Answer the Public" that gather insights about what people are saying, you can tailor your responses. Also, shift your content's focus towards their interests and feedback.
Engage Authentically
When you notice that someone is discussing your brand or related themes, take the time to make comments and share their posts. This highlights that you value their opinions and strengthens your connection.
Highlight User-Generated Content
Encourage followers to share their experiences with your products or content. When they tag you, repost their content. This builds a community around your brand.
All these methods help in creating a more personal interaction that resonates with your audience and leads to stronger relationships over time.
Adjust Responses Based on Emotional Context
We revolutionized our social engagement by implementing timing empathy, where we adjust our response style and content based on the emotional context revealed in people's posts and the time they share them. Late-night vulnerability posts receive supportive encouragement, while morning strategy posts get analytical feedback and resource suggestions.
This context-sensitive approach increased meaningful connections by up to 80% because responses matched people's emotional needs rather than following scripted engagement formulas. A business owner who received thoughtful support during a difficult period became our biggest advocate, referring six clients over two years. Reading emotional subtext and responding appropriately builds deeper professional relationships than generic business interactions.
Balance Professional Expertise with Relatable Experiences
We manage both our company's social media (SIC Group) and my personal accounts, and I always try to personalize interactions by asking follow-up questions. For example, I often invite the audience to share their opinions on certain elections or political topics, or ask what kind of educational lectures they would find valuable. This sparks engagement, and we later follow through by hosting free lectures — for instance, on topics like using archetypes in building campaign strategies.
I don't post a lot of personal details, but I do share reflections that connect to my work. For example, when I travel, I might write about election campaigns in that country and share insights from the local political context. This balance of professional expertise with relatable experiences has helped create stronger, more authentic connections with the audience.
Share Honest Content About Professional Journey
I personalize my social media interactions by sharing honest content about my work and professional journey on LinkedIn. This authentic approach has allowed me to join meaningful industry conversations and connect with peers who share similar interests and challenges. Regular posting of genuine content has been instrumental in strengthening my personal brand while simultaneously building a network of valuable professional relationships. The positive results have been evident in the quality of connections and opportunities that have emerged from these personalized interactions.
Connect Through Personal Experiences Relevant to Audience
I'm not afraid to share my personal journey on social media as part of my work. I founded this business in part because I was struggling to find resources to help me care for my aging father. The fact that I share a key personal experience with our target audience makes it much easier to connect with them.
