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From Vanity to Value: Social Media Post Types That Spark Comments and Shares


Sis, let’s talk about the difference between vanity metrics and the numbers that really matter. While likes and follows might give you a quick ego boost (and let’s be real, who doesn’t love seeing the notification count climb?), they don’t pay the bills or grow your business. Comments and shares, on the other hand, are where the magic happens. These are the engagement metrics that build trust, spark connections, and ultimately lead to monetization.

Think about it: a like takes a second, and half the time, people do it without even reading your post. But a comment means someone took the time to connect with your content. A share? That’s free marketing—your audience is putting your brand in front of their audience. In terms of engagement, comments and shares are the currency that drives conversations, builds relationships, and turns followers into paying customers.

Ready to make it happen? Here are the types of posts that will boost your comments, shares, and ultimately your bag.

1. Hot Takes and Bold Opinions

Want to get people talking? Say something that stands out. Whether it’s a controversial take on industry norms or a bold opinion about a trending topic, hot takes invite debate and discussion. For example:

  • “Unpopular opinion: Free consultations are overrated. Charge for your time, sis!”
  • “Nobody talks about how hard it is to hire your first employee. Let’s discuss!”

Why it works: People love to chime in with their own perspectives, especially when they feel strongly about the topic. Plus, bold posts position you as a thought leader.

2. Relatable Questions and Polls

Questions that tap into shared experiences or struggles can spark comments faster than anything. Examples:

  • “What’s the most ridiculous thing a client has asked you to do for free? Spill the tea!”
  • “If you had to name your business after your first pet and your favorite drink, what would it be? Mine would be Coco Mojito!”

For polls, keep it quick and engaging:

  • “Which is harder: Setting your prices 💰 or saying no to a discount ❌?”

Why it works: People can’t resist sharing their stories, and polls are a low-effort way to engage.

3. Storytelling Posts

Tell a story that resonates with your audience. It could be a funny client moment, a lesson learned the hard way, or even a vulnerable share about your journey. End with an invitation for others to share their own experiences. Example:

  • “I remember my first big client ghosted me right after the proposal. It stung, but I learned how to vet clients better. Have you ever been ghosted? How did you bounce back?”

Why it works: Stories are human. They create emotional connections and make people feel seen.

4. ‘This or That’ and Fill-in-the-Blank Posts

Interactive posts that require a simple response get great engagement. Examples:

  • “Morning hustle or night owl grind—what’s your style?”
  • “My business motto is ______. What’s yours?”

Why it works: These posts are quick, fun, and easy for people to engage with—and they get the comments rolling.

5. Shareable Value Bombs

Create content so valuable people need to share it. Think checklists, tips, or mini-tutorials that solve a problem. For example:

  • “5 tools to automate your business and get more hours back in your day!”
  • “A step-by-step guide to pricing your services like a pro.”

Why it works: When you solve a problem, your audience will want to pass it on to their network, especially other sistahs in business.

6. Community Spotlights and Shout-Outs

Highlight a member of your community or a peer in your industry. Example:

  • “Big shout-out to @JaneDoe who just launched her new product line—sis is making moves! Who’s someone in your circle that deserves a shout-out? Let’s celebrate them!”

Why it works: People love seeing others get their flowers and will often share or tag someone to amplify the recognition.

7. Controversial Myths vs. Facts

Debunk myths or misconceptions in your industry, then ask your audience what myths they’ve encountered. Example:

  • “Myth: You need 10,000 followers to make money on Instagram. Fact: You need strategy, not vanity metrics. Have you fallen for this one?”

Why it works: Busting myths builds your authority and invites others to share their frustrations or questions.

8. Call-Out Posts

Call out a mistake or challenge your audience is facing, and invite them to share their experiences. Example:

  • “Sis, are you still using your personal email for your business? Let’s fix that today!”

Why it works: These posts feel personal and relatable, encouraging people to open up about their struggles.

9. Personal Wins and Fails

Share your own business wins or moments of failure with a lesson learned. Example:

  • “Today I finally hit my revenue goal for the year, but here’s what nobody tells you: It took three years of trial and error to get here.”

Why it works: Authenticity builds trust, and your audience will cheer for your wins or commiserate with your struggles.

10. Challenges or Mini Campaigns

Start a challenge and encourage your audience to participate. For example:

  • “Let’s do a #SmallBizGlowUp challenge! Post your current logo vs. your very first one and tag me. Let’s see the glow-up!”

Why it works: Challenges are inherently shareable and bring your audience together for a common goal.

Sis, building engagement isn’t about chasing vanity metrics; it’s about creating connections that matter. Comments and shares build relationships, grow trust, and ultimately lead to sales. Want to dive deeper into your engagement strategy and level up your monetization game?

Kalea Sanders Wright is the founder and CEO of KSW Social Media, a Sistahbiz member and social media engagement specialist. Kalea helps entrepreneurs like you turn social media into a revenue-generating machine.