How do I increase engagement with my content across platforms (emails, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, Discord)?
TL;DR
Hook -> Native Format -> Conversation Loops -> Cross-Pollinate -> Measure & Double-Down.
Lead every post or email with a scroll-stopping hook, package it in the format each platform rewards (Reel, Story, Shorts, Poll, etc.), invite a reply or UGC action, then echo the best responses across all channels. Track watch time, click-through, and save/share rates weekly; reinvest only in the content types that outperform.
CASE STUDY - “SKYLINE PULSE”
• Monday: 15 sec TikTok teaser with a stitch prompt (“Duet your city skyline”).
• Tuesday: IG Reel remix of the same clip + Story poll (“Which skyline are you?”).
• Wednesday: email blast featuring top 3 duet videos + behind-the-scenes photo.
• Thursday: YouTube Shorts compilation; pinned comment links to Discord voting channel.
• Friday: Reddit AMA in r/indiemusic about city-inspired songwriting.
RESULT: 27% TikTok engagement rate, +3,500 IG followers, 38% email open / 9% click-through, 900 new Discord members, 2,100 pre-saves in one week, all from one content seed recycled natively.
WHY THIS QUESTION MATTERS
Algorithms reward engagement depth (comments, shares, watch time) over raw follower counts. Building loops that move fans between platforms turns passive viewers into super-fans who stream, buy merch, and spread the word organically.
DEFINE ENGAGEMENT KPIs
• TikTok: avg watch time >= 6 s, share rate >= 1%.
• Instagram: save rate >= 3%, Story reply rate >= 5%.
• YouTube: AVD >= 55%, comments per video >= 20.
• Email: open >= 30%, click >= 5%.
• Discord: weekly active users / total members >= 35%.
• Reddit: upvote rate >= 60%, comment karma positive.
Pick one North Star per platform and track weekly.
CRAFT HOOKS & NATIVE FORMATS
• TikTok: 0-2 s visual punch + a question in the caption.
• IG Reels: face-camera intro, auto-captions, on-beat cut every 3-4 s.
• YouTube Shorts: payoff by second 15, end-screen subscribe arrow.
• Email: subject with a number or bold promise (“3 ways to …”), teaser GIF inline.
• Reddit: discussion prompt, no external links in the opener.
• Discord: @everyone poll, emoji reaction roles.
BUILD CONVERSATION LOOPS
Step 1: post the hook on short-form (TikTok/Reel/Shorts).
Step 2: Story or Discord channel asks for replies/UGC.
Step 3: curate best responses -> share in email and Reddit.
Step 4: shout-out contributors; link back to streaming or merch page.
Run each loop 3-5 days to keep momentum.
CROSS-POLLINATE SMARTLY
• TikTok top comment -> IG Story sticker.
• IG poll results -> Tweet image or Reddit infographic.
• Discord meme-contest winners -> YouTube Community tab.
• Email footer -> exclusive Discord link.
• Pin a Linktree/Koji with all socials under every post.
OPTIMIZE THROUGH MICRO TESTS
• A/B: thumbnail, first 3 words, caption length, posting hour.
• After 10 posts, measure uplift; kill bottom 25%, scale top 25%.
• Rule of thumb: if engagement < 50% of channel average by hour 24, archive or unlist.
COMMON MISTAKES
• Cross-posting identical videos without reformatting.
• Comment-bait (“thoughts?”) that adds no value.
• Ignoring replies for 24 h -> algorithms see low creator response.
• Over-linking outside the platform (hurts reach).
• Neglecting thumbnails/subtitles on Shorts and Reels.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• One idea, many native adaptations.
• Ask for an action: stitch, vote, duet, comment, share.
• Highlight and reward fan contributions across channels.
• Track platform-specific depth metrics, not just views.
• Prune non-performers, invest in proven formats, engagement compounds.
Use Spotify for this answer
Thinking