If you’re pouring time into LinkedIn posts, Instagram updates, or even blogs but still not seeing traction, you’re not alone. Most people think the answer to growth is chasing strangers online. More strangers must equal more reach, right?
Wrong.
The reality is that shouting into the void rarely works. If you want to grow your channels and increase social media engagement, the smartest strategy is simple: stop chasing strangers and start with the people already in your corner.
This is one of the most overlooked but powerful social media growth hacks..
Why Strangers Don’t Engage (and Why Your Reach Stalls)
Imagine walking into a packed networking event where you don’t know a single person. You could walk up to random groups, pitch yourself, and hand out business cards. But how many people would genuinely care?
That’s exactly what happens when you chase strangers on social media. Cold audiences don’t know you, don’t trust you, and aren’t invested in your success.
If you want real results, the smarter move is to leverage your network – the colleagues, clients, and partners who already know your name.
Social Media Growth Hack: Start With What’s Warm
Here’s the smart hack: if you want more reach, more engagement, and more followers, focus on your warm network first.
Post about projects, collaborations, or wins that involve others – and tag them.
Why? Because when you tag authentically, the people you mention are almost certain to engage. And that early engagement is the signal algorithms look for. On platforms like LinkedIn, fast activity tells the system your post is quality, which means it gets pushed to a wider audience.
This is how you increase social media engagement without spending a penny on ads.
How to Increase Reach without chasing strangers
To put this into action, break it down into four simple but powerful steps:
Share a Story or Insight
Start by sharing something genuine from a recent project – be it what you learned, a challenge you solved, or the measurable impact created. Stories with insights are sticky; they make your content relatable and position you as someone worth following.
Tag the People Involved
Next, tag the clients, colleagues, partners, or collaborators who played a role in the success. Authentic tagging gives credit where it’s due and significantly increases the likelihood of engagement.
Frame the Post Around Them
Shift the spotlight. Instead of making the post about you, highlight their contribution. Celebrate their achievements, show gratitude, and make them the hero of the story. This is how you build authentic engagement that strengthens relationships.
Engage Quickly
Once the post goes live, don’t disappear. Be ready to like, reply, and comment within the first few hours. Fast engagement fuels the algorithm and keeps your content alive in feeds far longer.
The Algorithm Loves Fast Engagement
Here’s the kicker: most social media algorithms are built to amplify content that gains traction quickly. Early likes, comments, and shares signal “quality content.”
So if you want to beat the algorithms and expand audience reach, the best move is to leverage your existing network first. That engagement sparks the fire; the algorithm spreads it further.
Imagine two agents pitching for the same instruction. One has been showing up on video every single week, building trust for months. The other hasn’t. Who do you think gets the instruction?
And it’s not just agents. Suppliers, consultants, PropTech businesses, the same rule applies. If your audience has already seen your face, heard your voice, and connected with your ideas, you’re always going to have the edge.
Keep It Authentic, Keep It Relevant
A quick word of caution: don’t tag people for the sake of it. Nothing kills credibility faster than dragging people into irrelevant posts.
Instead, keep it real. Tag those who were truly part of the story. Share genuine insights and moments that matter. This is how you not only increase engagement but also earn long-term trust.
Final Word: Stop Chasing Strangers, Start Leveraging Your Network
If you want more reach, stop chasing strangers. Instead, use your existing network as the spark.
Do this consistently and two things will happen:
- Your current network becomes more engaged and loyal.
- Strangers will still show up- but this time, they’ll come through the algorithm, attracted by authentic, fast engagement.
Your best chance of growing your audience isn’t about cold chasing. It’s about turning your warm network into the engine of your reach.
That’s the smart hack. That’s how you grow without burning out.