Here’s the deal: You don’t have to buy your friends. The following 7 techniques to increase Facebook likes will help you grow your audience on the most widely used social platform (the old school way).

1. Post Regularly- Posting regularly on Facebook will help keep you in the newsfeeds of your friends and followers. You might post once per day or 10 times depending on the nature of your marketing strategy. Regardless of the quantity, make sure your posting is consistent and daily so that you stay part of the loop.

2. Engaging Content- Most Facebook users are on the site to connect with family, friends, and to share interesting and engaging content. Don’t limit your audience to learning only about your brand. Instead, share things that are important to you and the company, and be creative. Be a leader and trendsetter.

3. Ask Questions- Facebook  users love to interact. Spark a debate and allow your readers to contribute ideas and opinions on the matter. Make a suggestion for comments and replies, and be sure to respond to every interaction so that friends see you are the real deal, not just a computer scheduled to send regular post updates.

4. Insights- If you have a Facebook page for your business, always pay attention to the Insights page.  Analyze the valuable data that reveals your most popular posts as well as reach and engagement, so that you can aim your future posts to please.

5. Create Polls and Quizzes- Polls and quizzes are a popular Facebook tool for encouraging engagement and building traffic to your website. Customize your quizzes for your audience and make visiting your social pages an interactive and exciting experience.

6. Share- In addition to posting your own unique content, share posts from your friends and followers. This will not only increase post visibility, you might get new page followers who are friends of friends.

7.  Be Different- Stay ahead of the Facebook pack by regularly analyzing current events, popular topics, what’s trending, and any events or changes in your industry. Try finding a unique spin on any given topic, and then write engaging content that will drive traffic to your page and garner those coveted likes.

While gaining Facebook likes takes time, patience and a keen strategy, these 7 techniques to improve Facebook likes are a good start for increasing your viewing audience while you’re busy gaining social status. All in a day’s work.