Social Media Training: Grow Your Following

Grow Your Following: 10 Ideas to Boost Your Following (plus a bonus one)!

Looking to grow your apartment community’s social media presence without burning out your team?

We've rounded up 10 smart, simple strategies (plus a bonus tip!) to help you boost your following, spark engagement, and turn your residents—and prospects—into loyal fans.

From signage tips to team involvement and quick wins you can implement today, there’s something here for every property. Let’s grow!

 

#1 Link Your Social Media Everywhere

  1. Add social media links to your website, especially the contact page.

  2. Include clickable social media icons in your email signature.

  3. Helps increase visibility organically among residents, prospects, vendors, and local partners.


#2 Activate Your Team

  1. Share team content like “Meet the Team” or personal milestones (with permission).

  2. Encourage staff to share posts that feature them—they’re more likely to re-share.

  3. Get staff involved in creating fun or useful content (e.g., TikTok dances, maintenance highlights).

  4. Highlight team moments like shared lunches or group photos to build community appeal.


#3 Send Social Media Reminder Emails

  1. Include social links in welcome emails to new residents.

  2. Remind current residents and prospects to follow you in regular email touchpoints.

  3. Make social media part of the move-in and ongoing communication flow.

#4 Create Signage as Daily Reminders

  1. Use signs throughout the community (e.g., dog parks, clubhouses) to prompt follows.

  2. Add signs on self-guided tour routes to capture attention mid-tour.

  3. Avoid placing signs in areas where residents may be frustrated (e.g., next to rule notices).

#5 Try “Follower Phishing”

  1. Follow followers of local businesses, influencers, or competitor communities.

  2. Engagement levels matter:

  3. Follow = 14% chance they’ll follow back.

  4. Follow + Like = 22%

  5. Follow + Like + Comment = 34%

  6. Unfollow later if they don’t reciprocate to keep your follower ratio clean.

#6 Use Instagram Highlights

  1. Keep highlights updated and visually appealing.

  2. Use them to quickly showcase your community for curious visitors after you follow them.

#7 Tag Your Location

  1. Utilize location tags and hashtags to increase your visibility in local Instagram feeds.

  2. Helps new people discover your content in their area.

  3. Tag local businesses and use location tags in stories, too.

#8 Run Simple Social Media Contests

  1. Examples: pet photo contest, baking challenge, talent show.

  2. Keep entry steps easy (e.g., “Follow us to enter”).

  3. Match the prize size to the ask—bigger asks = bigger rewards.

  4. Focus on one platform per contest.

  5. Don’ts: avoid requiring shares or tags; don’t run contests from personal staff accounts.

#9 Offer Incentives to Follow

  1. Examples: “Free coffee for a follow.”

  2. Small rewards for a small ask can drive action, especially during tours or events.

#10 Cross-Promote with Local Partners

  1. Feature local businesses and have them feature you in return.

  2. Highlight resident-owned small businesses (like Etsy shops).

  3. Builds goodwill and mutual exposure to new audiences.

BONUS: Just Ask!

  1. Simply ask people to follow you—in person, on calls, via email, or on tours.

  2. Example phrase:

    “Thanks again for stopping by! When you have a chance, follow us on Instagram to stay updated on all the latest happenings at our community! Our handle is @SproutApartments.”

Sprout MarketingSocial Media, July