Boost Your Social Media Engagement With “This or That” Questions
- Brooke Silva
- Sep 11
- 2 min read
Struggling to get more comments, likes, and real conversations on your posts? You’re not alone. Social media algorithms love engagement, but the key to winning isn’t complicated — it’s about asking the right questions. One of the simplest, most effective tools you can use are “This or That” style posts.
These low-barrier, interactive prompts invite your audience to share an opinion quickly, and that sparks the conversations the algorithm rewards. More importantly, they give you a way to learn about your audience in a natural, fun way.
Why “This or That” Questions Work
Easy to Answer: People are more likely to comment when it only takes a second.
Algorithm-Friendly: Every comment tells the platform, “This is valuable content — show it to more people.”
Community Builder: Fun debates (like Pumpkin Spice Latte vs. Iced Coffee) create connection without being salesy.
Turn Engagement Into Real Relationships
Here’s the secret most people miss: every time someone leaves a comment, they’re giving you valuable insight about who they are and what they like.
Instead of letting those answers disappear into the feed, copy them into your CRM’s notes section. These details become pure gold when you’re building trust:
Next fall, you’ll remember who loves Pumpkin Spice Lattes.
When gifting, you’ll know who prefers sweet treats over salty snacks.
When connecting, you can start a conversation with something fun and personal.
That little extra effort makes your follow-up feel thoughtful, not transactional.
How to Plan “This or That” Posts
Tie your prompts to the seasons, food trends, or everyday lifestyle moments so they always feel fresh. A few examples:
Winter: Hot Chocolate or Hot Tea?
Spring: Pastel Colors or Bright Colors?
Back to School Season: Gel Pens or Mechanical Pencils?
Fall: Apple Picking or Pumpkin Patch?
Want more? I’ve created a full year of ideas you can use — grab the downloadable PDF with 240 “This or That Thursday” prompts and never run out of inspiration.
Pro Tip: Keep the Conversation Going
The magic doesn’t stop at the first comment. Reply to every person who engages and ask a follow-up question. That keeps the conversation alive, builds connection, and doubles your engagement.
Each reply should be at least five words long, but no more than one or two sentences. Short, friendly, and open-ended is the sweet spot.
Example:
Comment: “Iced coffee for me, always!”
Your Reply: “Same here! What’s your go-to coffee spot in Austin?”
If you’re looking to boost engagement and create stronger relationships on social media, start with something simple. “This or That” questions aren’t just a fun game — they’re a powerful strategy to connect authentically with your audience and capture the details that make your follow-up unforgettable.
✨ Ready to take action? Try one “This or That” post this week, track the responses, and drop them into your CRM notes. You’ll be amazed at how easy it becomes to keep conversations personal, thoughtful, and memorable.
And, for more on how to tell your story, check out Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World by Gary Vaynerchuk.
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