Why Engagement Matters More Than Followers

• Written by Kate Shove

3D illustration of a smartphone surrounded by colourful social media icons such as likes, comments, messages, and shares, representing online engagement.

Engagement vs Followers

It is easy to focus on how many followers your salon page has. Many owners look at their follower count as a sign of success, but the truth is, numbers alone do not mean much. What really matters is engagement — how many people are liking, commenting, sharing, and saving your posts.

Think about it this way. If you had 5,000 followers but only ten people ever reacted to your content, how much impact would it really have? On the other hand, if you had just 300 followers but 100 of them regularly liked, commented, or messaged you, that would be far more powerful. Those people are more likely to become loyal clients.

Engagement is about building relationships. When clients comment and you reply, they feel valued. When they share your posts, they help spread your brand to their friends. Every like or comment is a sign that your salon is staying top of mind.

The platforms also reward engagement. The more people interact with your posts, the more the algorithm pushes them to others. That means better reach without spending money on ads.

So, instead of chasing large numbers, focus on creating content your existing audience loves. Build connections, encourage conversations, and turn those interactions into bookings.

Three steps you can take now

  1. Reply to every comment and message within 24 hours.
  2. Ask questions in your captions to invite responses.
  3. Celebrate client engagement by resharing their posts or tagging them.

Engagement is the bridge between followers and clients.

Written by Kate Shove

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