If you don't reply to people who post, you're dead in the water.

When I was starting out as a blogger, in 2002, I never replied to comments because I felt it was "cheating" by adding to the comment count even though it was "just me." As a result, no one ever really commented, because I never kept the conversation going. No one wants to comment on a page that has no responses.

Use pictures to punch up the visuals

Ask questions to engage visitors, but not so many questions that there's no real content

Make sure what you offer visitors is clear, whether it's a hit record or an innovative shoelace. Keep your value visible at all times.

Use videos; they're very compelling. And ask your visitors for their opinions, thoughts, comments. Make it clear what you're asking them to do. And when possible, make it easy for them to respond with clear directions/links.

We're an entertainment brand so our situation may be a little different but the concepts are all the same.

PHOTOS. Anytime we post artist photos we get a huge bump. Maybe you can find the most interesting part of your industry and post some funny/compelling picks.

FAVORITES. Some businesses send out Top 5 or Top 10 lists for industry X. We do the same but add to it by asking our friends/fans/followers to tell us their favorites.

FREEBIES. We do a ton of giveaways through trivia contests, video contests, and 'reply to this email' promotions. It seems to work pretty well.

Our toughest challenge was getting management to really get behind our social efforts. We're getting there though. :)

Talk to them.

Tell them what you're doing for them.

When they comment on your page, reply.

The problem here is that you have to do a LOT of work because interaction means talking with you.

Content is king, post content that appeals to the crowd you want to gather, not about your product.

End posts with questions that might evoke a response from the crowd.

Answer replies even if its just with a "thanks ____, have a nice day", people like to be know there is a human being behind your page.

Customer Service: I had a great customer service experience through the AT&T Fan Page. My issue was resolved by traditional means of email and phone calls but I started and ended the process with posts on the Fan page. The more companies do this; it will drive value and therefore traffic to their fan page.