Ugh! Didn’t you just hate the high school popularity game? We all knew who would be voted Homecoming Queen and who would be elected class president—the popular kids. Sorry, Brian Bates, my kindergarten beau—you didn’t stand a chance, even though I voted for you out of respect.

Well, folks, I’m here to tell you that we’re still playing that game. But instead of it happening in the hallways, it’s happening on Facebook, Instagram, and the other social media platforms. And guess what? They’re still playing favorites.

What does that mean? Well, just because you have 1,000 friends on Facebook doesn’t mean all of them are seeing your posts. Facebook (and other platforms) show your content to the people who’ve interacted with your posts in the past. Think of it like the social media version of the popular kids—your posts are more likely to be seen by the people who already engage with you.

I spent some time researching how many of your “friends” actually see your posts, and the numbers were eye-opening. The number varied between 65% and 90%, but the one I saw most often was a staggering 10%. That’s right—just 10%. Out of your 1,000 Facebook friends, only about 100 are likely to see your post unless you’re actively engaging with them.

So, how do you get noticed in a world where algorithms decide who sees your content? The answer is consistency.

Why Consistency Matters

Just like in high school, where the popular kids were always in the spotlight, social media platforms reward consistent behavior. When you post regularly, you signal to the algorithms that you’re active, relevant, and worth showing to more people. In other words, consistency is key to staying visible and building relationships with your audience.

Tips for Staying Consistent

• Set a Schedule: Whether it’s daily, three times a week, or weekly, stick to a regular posting schedule. This helps you stay on your audience’s radar.
• Quality Over Quantity: Posting frequently is important, but make sure you’re sharing content that resonates with your followers. Engagement matters more than just the number of posts.
• Engage with Your Audience: Don’t just post and leave. Respond to comments, engage with other people’s content, and build meaningful relationships.
• Plan Ahead: Using a content calendar can help you stay organized and ensure you’re posting consistently without scrambling for ideas last minute.

Consistency on social media isn’t about going viral overnight—it’s about building trust, staying visible, and fostering connections. So, be the “popular kid” in the social media game, and remember that showing up regularly is the key to success.

And hey, maybe go give Brian Bates a like. Who knows? He might just be the next social media influencer. 😊