If you’re looking for a new way to connect with people and share your business with communities online, you might want to consider Mastodon. It’s a different kind of social media platform that values your privacy, keeps ads away, and gives you more control over your experience.
Whether you’re new to Mastodon or have been using it for a while, this article has nine simple, yet effective tips to help you grow your Mastodon following and make the most of this unique social network.
1. Understand What Makes Mastodon Special
To succeed on Mastodon, it’s important to know what sets it apart.
This platform is all about privacy, community, and control. By understanding and respecting these values, you can fit right in and attract real followers.
If you’re not familiar with these principles, take a look at our main Mastodon article for more details.
2. Select the Right Instance
Mastodon’s strength lies in its diverse instances, each representing unique communities with specific focuses and rules.
A Mastodon instance is essentially a self-contained community or server within the larger Mastodon social media network. Each Mastodon instance is independently operated and has its own unique web address, rules, and user community. Users can choose to sign up and create an account on a specific instance that aligns with their interests or values.
Instances on Mastodon vary widely, catering to diverse communities and topics, such as technology, art, politics, or hobbies. Users from one instance can typically interact with users on other instances, which contributes to the decentralized and interconnected nature of Mastodon.
To thrive on Mastodon, select an instance that aligns with your interests or brand persona. This decision will connect you with individuals who share your passions, fostering organic networking and follower growth.
Explore Mastodon instances in more detail here.
3. Create Engaging, High-Quality Content
Creating content that resonates with your audience is pivotal. This is a universal truth non-exlusive to Mastodon but to all social media channels.
However, because of such distinct and specific instances, your Mastodon content might not do well or reach your target audience unless you curate and tailor it effectively.
Your posts should be a mix of informative, entertaining, and conversational content that encourages discussions and sharing within the community. Good thing we have Publer AI for that. 😉
For first inspiration, look to successful Mastodon profiles within your niche. If your industry competitors are already in Mastodon, it would be a great idea to keep track of their strategy and see what can you improve on.
4. Effective Use of Hashtags for Grow
Similar to many other social platforms, hashtags are essential for increasing the visibility of your content on Mastodon.
However, what sets Mastodon apart is its unique hashtag system and the importance of choosing the right hashtags within your specific Mastodon instance.
To maximize your content’s reach, it’s crucial to conduct research and identify both popular Mastodon-specific hashtags and trending ones that are relevant to your chosen instance and niche.
By incorporating these hashtags strategically into your posts, you can significantly enhance your content’s discoverability and engagement within the Mastodon community.
5. Engage Actively as a Community Member
Actively participating in discussions, engaging with others’ content, and providing insightful contributions will elevate your presence on Mastodon.
By becoming a valued community member, you’ll naturally attract followers who appreciate your contributions and later on your products and services.
In simple words, social media networks are designed for their users to be social. And that includes you, your brand, and your business.
6. Utilize Direct Messaging To Reach Your Mastodon Following
DMs allow you to have one-on-one conversations with your followers, which can be incredibly valuable for building a more personal connection. Use this feature to engage in discussions, answer questions, or express gratitude for your followers’ support.
It’s worth noting that Mastodon values privacy, and not everyone may be comfortable receiving unsolicited DMs. Always respect the preferences and boundaries of your followers. If someone indicates that they do not wish to engage via DM, honor their choice and continue to engage with them through public posts and interactions.
7. Leverage Mastodon’s Toot Features
Mastodon offers a variety of features that go beyond traditional social media platforms, and mastering these tools can significantly enhance your presence and impact within the community. Here’s a more detailed look at how to leverage these features effectively:
- Content Warnings: Content warnings are a powerful tool to give your followers a heads-up about the nature of your post. They’re especially useful when sharing content that might be sensitive, controversial, or potentially triggering.
- Image Descriptions: Image descriptions are essential for making your content accessible to everyone, including individuals with visual impairments who rely on screen readers. When you provide detailed image descriptions, you’re not only complying with web accessibility standards but also ensuring that your content reaches a broader audience.
- Post Privacy Settings: Mastodon allows you to control the visibility of your posts by choosing from various privacy settings. These settings enable you to tailor your content to specific audiences, whether it’s a public post, visible only to your followers, or limited to a select group of individuals.
8. Consistent Evaluation and Strategy Tweaks
Maintaining an active and growing following on Mastodon isn’t a one-time effort; it’s an ongoing journey. To ensure that your community continues to expand and engage, it’s crucial to embrace a mindset of continuous improvement and adaptability.
Start by regularly reviewing your Mastodon activity. Take the time to examine what posts resonate most with your audience. Are there certain topics, formats, or styles that consistently receive more likes, shares, and comments? Identifying these patterns can help you understand what your followers appreciate and expect from your profile.
On the flip side, don’t shy away from acknowledging what doesn’t work. If you notice that certain types of content receive less engagement or even result in unfollows, don’t be disheartened. Instead, consider these moments as opportunities for growth and learning.
9. Use a Mastodon Scheduler and Automation Tool
Automation can be a game-changer in your Mastodon strategy. Tools like Publer offer powerful scheduling and automation features tailored for Mastodon.
With Publer, you can schedule posts, manage multiple accounts, and even analyze your performance with detailed insights and analytics. Features like AutoSchedule save time and ensure consistency in your posting schedule, allowing you to focus on engaging with your community.
To explore the full range of Publer’s features for Mastodon scheduling, check out our detailed guide.
In conclusion, Mastodon’s unique social networking landscape provides fertile ground for organic follower growth. Approach it with respect, genuine engagement, and content that aligns with its ethos and community spirit.
By following these simple tips, you’ll not only increase your follower count but also build meaningful connections within Mastodon’s diverse instances. Navigate this ecosystem authentically and strategically, and you’ll pave the way for sustainable growth, respecting the nuances that make Mastodon a refreshing social media alternative.
Related: Beyond Mastodon Scheduling | Automate Your Fediverse Presence With Publer
Alkeo Taga
