The old saying is that the pen is more powerful than the sword.

This is certainly true for Facebook marketing. I have found that the words I use or don’t use play a major role in audience engagement. It’s a science.

Some words have persuasive qualities that can encourage people to “Like,” Love,” Share,” Comment, and so forth.

It is important to know what words are persuasive and why they are persuasive. Also, how to use them in the right context for engagement.

You can achieve a lot with little effort once you get used to it.

These are 20 phrases I have had great success with that you can incorporate into your Facebook updates.

1. It’s worth a look

This could be the most simple call to action of all.

It’s still one of the most powerful ways to get people to do something.

No matter what your update is, saying “check it out!” is the universal way of encouraging Facebook users to dig deeper.

This phrase is amazing in terms of effectiveness, whether you want them to visit your website, read a blog post, or click on a link to a landing page.

2. How to

Humans are naturally curious creatures and many people have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

We enjoy being “in the know” and learning things that are not available to everyone.

This is probably why there has been so much “how-to” content online. Even entire websites have been created solely to provide instructional content.

You get the idea.

This stuff is popular.

It’s a great way to get attention on Facebook and to get clicks. 

3. Find out Why

This is a great way to share your knowledge with your audience. It will also motivate knowledge seekers to continue to explore your content.

Actually, “learn” can be considered a powerful word in marketing.

If your content is compelling after “learn Why”, you are almost certain to get Facebook users to notice.

4. The Best

“America’s most expensive houses,” “the most eccentric writers,” and “the most villainous of athletes.”

These three phrases all suggest extremes which many people find fascinating.

We love to see what can be done with something and how human behavior can be stretched.

This phrase has been highly effective in grabbing attention and getting people to take action.

5. Exclusive Offer

We all love the feeling that we know something or have access to something that isn’t available to everyone else.

This makes us feel important, whether it’s exclusive information, beta launch access, or access to the product before the general public,

This is possible even for news sites:

Your audience may find it appealing to say something like “Get your exclusive member starter pack”

6. Remarkable

We are naturally drawn to something different and more interesting because so much of what we ingest is bland, mediocre, and vanilla.

This is what I have found to be the best word to describe it.

This word can be used within a phrase to get people to notice your content and make it stand out from other updates.

7. Would You?

“Would this be something you would try?” “Would that ever happen?”

This phrase can be used in many different ways. It often increases engagement as it brings your Facebook audience into the fray.

It asks people to state their opinions on a topic and is a good way to get people interested in it.

8. We Will Inspire you

Who doesn’t desire to be inspired?

People love to see the good things happening around them in a dark world.

Perhaps it’s the “10 random acts that inspire you” or the “top quotes from entrepreneurs that will motivate you to take that plunge.”

Whatever the situation, this simple phrase can greatly increase engagement.

9. It Will Surprise You

A study by Emory University, Baylor College of Medicine found that “the brain’s pleasure centers are more activated when we experience unexpected pleasant events” than when we expect them to be. This is according to new images of brain responses to surprises.

Translation: People love to be amazed.

This phrase is a great way to get lots of clicks, shares, and eventually comments.

10. It Will Astonish You

People are more likely to be amazed or surprised by something than they are to feel strong emotions. We long to see the possibilities and have our minds blown off course from time to time.

This phrase can be used to your advantage once in a while.

This should stimulate curiosity and, in turn, spark engagement.

11. Most amusing

Amusement can be a catalyst for engagement when you look at the huge number of shares and crazy cat videos that get shared.

Sometimes, you don’t have to make any revolutionary or earth-shaking discoveries. Your audience should be entertained.

12. The Best Deals

A bargain is something that almost everyone likes, even the most wealthy.

We feel smarter and savvier when we can pay a fraction of what other people are paying.

You can use phrases like “great deals” or “best deals” to attract people to your updates.

13. The World’s Most Admired

It’s the international discussion of topics that sparks interest.

This phrase conveys something large-scale, regardless of whether it’s “the largest”, “the largest” or “the craziest”.

14. Proven

There is a lot of uncertainty around the world and everyone has their own opinion.

People respond well to concrete and definite information. People want to be certain that something will work for them or make their lives easier.

You might use the example of “5 proven ways to succeed at …” or “top proven hacks to get results with.”

15. New Blog Post

This might not sound revolutionary, but it is true.

This can however have a significant effect on increasing click-throughs to blog posts that I promote via Facebook.

This will attract the attention of all your loyal followers.

16. Please

A little bit of good-mannered etiquette can sometimes go a long way in driving engagement.

You can still be polite, no matter how tech-savvy you are.

It can increase your likability, and it can even be enough to get your audience to engage with you.

17. Try This

“Looking to increase the engagement on your Facebook updates?” This is how you can boost your Facebook engagement.

This is another way I could have titled this post.

People are encouraged to try something by saying “try it”.

This also shows you are interested in getting them involved and being part of the action. Both of these things are crucial for increasing your audience’s responsiveness.

18. Why did they do it?

If you want to solicit input from your audience, this is the right phrase.

You communicate in a few words that you value their opinions and are open to having them join the conversation.

When someone asks for my opinion, I know I have been persuaded to participate in a discussion. I feel more at ease giving my opinion.

19. How did it happen?

It achieves the same effect as “Why did it?” but from a slightly different angle.

It is a way to invite Facebook users into the conversation and encourage them to participate.

You might ask, “How did your experience compare with the findings in this blog post?”

20. Tell us

To motivate people to share their thoughts, you can use phrases like “tell me about your thoughts” or even “tell me about a similar experience” in your Facebook updates.

This can sometimes make the difference between leaving thoughtful comments or skipping over content from their feed.

Conclusion

Facebook accounts for the largest share of social media traffic of many companies, so it is important to learn the basics of engagement.

These 20 phrases can be used as psychological triggers to turn passive audiences into highly engaged people who are willing to share your content and participate with you.

This can help your Facebook marketing be more efficient and result in more sales without extra effort.