How to Get People to Follow You on Facebook

Getting more followers on Facebook can feel like shouting into the void, but it doesn't have to be a guessing game. Growing a real, engaged audience comes down to a clear, repeatable strategy, not a set of secret tricks. This guide breaks down that exact strategy, giving you actionable steps to optimize your page, create content people love, and build a community that wants to stick around.

Start with a Strong Foundation: Optimize Your Page for Followers

Before you even think about content, you need to make sure your Facebook Page is set up to make a great first impression. An incomplete or confusing page is the digital equivalent of a closed sign. People won't follow if they can't quickly figure out who you are and what you're about. Here’s how to get it right.

Choose the Right Page Category

This seems small, but it matters. Your Page Category tells Facebook and its users what you do. Are you a "Local Business," "Public Figure," "Brand," or "Community"? Choosing the most accurate category helps Facebook show your page to a more relevant audience and unlocks specific features. For example, a "Local Business" page can display hours, an address, and reviews.

Craft a Clear and Keyword-Rich "About" Section

When someone lands on your page, the "About" section is often the first thing they read to understand what you offer. Don't leave it blank or fill it with fluffy jargon.

• Be Direct: In the first sentence, state exactly who you are and what you do. For example: "A local coffee shop in downtown Austin serving ethically sourced beans and homemade pastries."
• Use Keywords: Think about what words people might use to find a page like yours. A freelance graphic designer should use terms like "logo design," "brand identity," and "small business branding." This helps you appear in Facebook's search results.
• Show Your Personality: After the crucial information is covered, add a touch of personality. What makes you different? This is your chance to connect with potential followers on a human level.

Use High-Quality Profile and Cover Photos

Your profile picture and cover photo are your digital storefront. Blurry or poorly-cropped images signal a lack of professionalism.

• Profile Picture: For brands, this should almost always be your logo. For public figures or solo entrepreneurs, a high-resolution headshot works best. Keep it simple and recognizable, as it will appear as a tiny circle next to all your comments and posts.
• Cover Photo/Video: This is a much larger space to show off your brand's personality. Use it to showcase your products, your team, an upcoming event, or a short, captivating video that explains what you do. Be mindful of how it looks on both desktop and mobile devices.

Set a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

Right below your cover photo, Facebook gives you a valuable piece of real estate: the CTA button. You can customize this to guide visitors toward the most important action you want them to take. Options include "Follow," "Shop Now," "Book Now," "Contact Us," or "Sign Up." Pick the one that most closely aligns with your business goals.

Create Content That People Actually Want to See

Once your page is polished, your content strategy becomes the primary driver of Follows. People follow pages that provide them with value, whether that's entertainment, education, inspiration, or a sense of community. Slapping up sales pitches won't work.

Know Your Audience Inside and Out

You can't create valuable content if you don't know who you're creating it for. Before you post, ask yourself:

• Who is my ideal follower?
• What are their biggest pain points or interests related to my niche?
• What kind of content do they already engage with on Facebook?
• What's their sense of humor? What tone do they respond to?

Use your page's "Insights" tab to look at your existing audience demographics. See which of your past posts performed best and figure out why. That "why" is the key to creating more content that resonates.

Embrace Short-Form Video (Especially Reels)

If you're going to focus on one content format, make it video. Facebook's algorithm is heavily favoring Reels right now, giving them massive organic reach that photos and links can't match. Reels are discoverable by people who don't follow you yet, making them one of the most powerful tools for follower growth.

Ideas for engaging Reels:

• How-To's and Quick Tips: Show your audience how to solve a small problem. A baker could show how to properly frost a cupcake, a financial advisor could share a quick budgeting tip.
• Behind-the-Scenes: People are curious. Show how your products are made, a day in the life at your office, or a "pack an order with me" video. It builds trust and makes your brand feel more human.
• Before-and-After Transformations: These are satisfying to watch for any industry - home organization, fitness, graphic design, landscaping, you name it.
• Use Trending Audio: Tap into trending sounds and adapt them to your niche. This can get your content in front of a much wider audience.

Go Beyond Just Selling

A Facebook Page that only posts "Buy our stuff!" feels like a constant advertisement, and nobody wants to follow an ad. Adopt the 80/20 rule: 80% of your content should be valuable, engaging, and non-promotional, while only 20% should be a direct sales pitch. The 80% builds trust, so when you finally do post the 20%, your audience is much more likely to listen.

Master Engaging Image Posts

While video rules, high-quality images have their place. Instead of a single static image, try these formats:

• Carousels: Tell a story or share a step-by-step guide with multiple images in one post.
• Infographics: Break down complex information into a visually appealing, easily shareable graphic.
• User-Generated Content (UGC): Reshare photos your customers post with your product (always ask for permission!). This acts as social proof and builds community.
• Quotes & Memes: If they fit your brand's voice, relatable quotes or funny memes can generate massive engagement and shares.

Be Consistent and Strategic With Your Timing

Success on Facebook isn't about one viral post, it's about showing up consistently over time. When users see that you regularly post interesting content, they're far more likely to hit "Follow" because they know what to expect from you in their newsfeed.

Create a Simple Content Calendar

You don't need a complicated spreadsheet. Just plan out what you're going to post for the week or month ahead. This prevents the panic of "What should I post today?" and helps you build a balanced content mix. A calendar keeps you from posting three promotional posts in a row and ensures you're hitting all your content pillars.

Post When Your Audience is Online

Posting at 2 AM on a Tuesday is unlikely to get much traction. To find your ideal posting times, go to your Facebook Page > Insights > Posts. This section shows you the days and times when most of your followers are active on the platform. Start by scheduling your content around those peak hours and then monitor your results to fine-tune your strategy.

Active Engagement is a Growth Superpower

Social media is a two-way conversation. Broadcasting content without engaging is a surefire way to stunt your growth. When people see that you're active and responsive, they feel more connected to your brand and invested in your community.

Reply to Every Comment (Where Possible)

When someone takes the time to leave a comment, a simple reply can make a world of difference. It shows you're listening and value their input. Asking follow-up questions in your replies can further boost the post's engagement, signaling to Facebook that your content is interesting.

Engage as Your Page

Don't just stay within the confines of your own page. Find other pages or public groups in your niche and engage with their content as your Page. Offer helpful advice or a thoughtful perspective. Don't spam your links. The goal is to get your page name and profile picture in front of a relevant audience in a genuine, value-driven way.

Go Live

Facebook Live is an incredible tool for authentic, real-time engagement. You can host a Q&A session, give a live tutorial, interview a guest, or take people behind the scenes of an event. Facebook typically sends notifications to your followers when you go live, giving your visibility a powerful bump.

Promote Your Page Outside of Facebook

Finally, you need to make it easy for people to find you. Don't assume everyone will just magically discover your page through the algorithm.

• Invite Friends: Start by inviting your personal friends who you genuinely think would be interested in your page's content.
• Your Website is Key: Add a social icon or follow button to your website's header or footer.
• Use Your Email List: Send an email to your subscribers letting them know you have a Facebook Page and what kind of exclusive content they can find there. Add a link to your page in your email signature.
• Cross-Promote on Other Socials: If you have an audience on Instagram, X, TikTok, or LinkedIn, let them know about your Facebook presence and give them a reason to follow you there, too.
• In-Person Promotion: If you have a physical location, add a small "Find us on Facebook" sticker to your door or mention it at checkout.

Final Thoughts

Growing your Facebook following from the ground up requires patience and a sound strategy, not luck. By optimizing your page for discovery, relentlessly creating value-driven content, engaging with your community, and posting consistently, you build a foundation for sustainable, long-term growth.

Consistently executing a strategy across multiple content formats and platforms can be challenging, which is why we built Postbase. We realized that a simple, visual content calendar and a reliable scheduler that’s actually designed for video makes all the difference. Seeing your entire plan in one place helps you stay on track, and our system ensures your content - especially those crucial Reels - goes live every time, just as you planned it.