The world of social media never stands still. It’s why you need to keep learning about the latest and greatest tips for posting on social media.
I’m here to help.
I’ve written (and updated) the following list of 29 social media tips and tricks so that anyone (Beginners and veterans alike) can discover an insanely valuable way to maximize their efforts.
If you’re ready to supercharge your social media strategy, then let’s jump straight in.
Meta (Formerly Facebook) Social Media Tips
1. Experiment With Meta Ads
One of the most popular digital media marketing tools, Meta Ads, is a cost-effective way to market your business. Access to a massive audience and the ability to tailor your audience make the ads you can create on Facebook and other Meta platforms useful in just about any digital marketing campaign.
With that in mind, choosing how you engage with Meta Ads can significantly impact how well your campaign performs. For example, are you running traditional ads or boosting previous posts? What about targeting general demographics or building custom audiences?
The most impactful Meta Ads take time to develop, so monitor your experiments and test different techniques regularly.
2. Validate Your Audience
Validation is a priority in social media marketing, but Meta’s capacity for customization and experimentation makes validation particularly important. With hundreds of unique audiences, formats, and content styles available to you, proving each component’s value reinforces the integrity of your campaign.
When you reverse engineer an effective marketing strategy, you can easily disassemble and reassemble your marketing campaign. Take the time to determine the traits that make up your ideal audience. Where are they located? How old are they? What do they do for fun?
As you identify audiences that respond to your brand, you can save those specific groups. This social media tip is especially useful when you’re promoting future content or retargeting that audience.
3. Retarget Using Custom Audiences
As I’m pointing out social media tips for Meta, I have to explain the value of using ads to retarget warm leads.
Imagine you ran a Meta Ad on the value of hiking boots. It was presented to a cold lead, so they never ended up clicking on your link. For most marketers, that’s the end of the marketing journey.
Lucky for you, you can advertise to those same audience members in a few days with a retargeting ad designed to take full advantage of your previous content. If you’re retargeting using video ads, you can even set your ads to only retarget users that watched at least 50 percent of your hiking boots video. This approach lets you pre-qualify prospects before you’ve spent a dollar on them.
4. Explore Link Retargeting
Now that you understand the power of retargeting on Meta platforms, let’s take it a step further and discuss link retargeting.
If you’ve never heard of link retargeting, here’s what you need to know: Link retargeting lets you add Meta retargeting pixels to your short link whenever you share curated content. Why does this matter? Essentially, anyone who clicks on your content can then be retargeted with relevant ads.
Whether someone clicks on reviews, industry news, or media coverage related to your brand, you’ll be able to retarget them. This works even if the link leads to a third-party website! This lets you leverage your content curation and expand your retargeting ad reach while still offering genuine value.
Instagram Social Media Tips
5. Understand the Value of Saves
Instagram saves were introduced as both an expansion of the user experience and an alternative to the traditional “like” feature. The idea behind saved content is that users can actively save certain pieces of content to come back to later.
As saves become a larger part of the Instagram algorithm, one of my social media tips is to find creative ways to make a repeat visit to your content worthwhile.
Traditionally a visual-first community, Instagram travel content creators have found success with the mini-blog format. By creating a second, deeper experience for users, these content creators have been able to pack more value into a single piece of content.
6. Experiment With Content Styles
When brands create content for Instagram, they tend to focus on producing original images. Although having fantastic, high-quality pictures is valuable, there are plenty of other content styles to choose from.
Brands can choose to create engaging videos or GIFs to connect with their audience. Everything from memes to micro-blogs can increase retention time, which leads to greater exposure and growth within your social media channel. As far as social media tips are concerned, it’s in your best interest to experiment with a variety of different content styles.
7. Test Out Instagram Ads
Ads are a very effective way to increase brand awareness of your Instagram account and drive revenue from your profile.
You can create an ad from scratch, but the easiest way to get started with Instagram ads is to boost a post. If you have a Business account, then you can turn an existing post into an ad by clicking on the Boost Post button. You’ll then be able to choose your audience, set your budget, and set a timeline.
If you want to create bespoke ads, then you have the option of creating a single ad or showcasing multiple ads at once using the carousel feature — which is perfect for e-commerce brands.
8. Collaborate With Micro-Influencers
Possibly one of the most undervalued resources in digital marketing, micro-influencers can make a massive difference in your campaigns’ effectiveness.
When brands imagine an endorsement or a brand ambassador, they tend to imagine celebrities and industry leaders. Those are definitely great aspirations, but there’s just one problem: Most brands simply don’t have the resources to secure celebrities.
That’s where micro-influencers come in. Don’t get me wrong, Instagram Ads are absolutely worth using. However, there’s just no substitute for a micro-influencer with a loyal fanbase in the thousands. You could end up with access to a much higher quality audience with fewer bot accounts and ghost followers.
LinkedIn Social Media Tips
9. Post Updates Regularly
Like any social media platform, LinkedIn puts a premium on the connections between users. This might sound strange considering that it’s typically seen as a networking space for employees and employers.
However, the last thing you want to do as a brand is to disappear into the sea of business pages. On LinkedIn, developing your relationship with your audience is crucial. That’s why regularly posting updates and content has become a priority for brands on LinkedIn.
Building that audience connection goes further than posting updates. Consider setting up introductions, messaging users, or publishing weekly blog posts. There are lots of inexpensive ways to engage your audience on this platform.
10. Test LinkedIn Ads
As far as social media tips and tricks go, experimenting with paid ads usually makes perfect sense. You’re leveraging the reach of social media with a targeted marketing tool.
When it comes to LinkedIn, the rules change a bit. For starters, LinkedIn Ads are notoriously expensive. They also come with low click-through rates (which is usually attributed to the idea that there are fewer leads, but they’re higher quality).
Still, the issue is bigger than budgeting. The reality of LinkedIn Ads is that unless you’re going after a very particular crowd, you can find much cheaper PPC (pay-per-click) ads on a variety of other platforms.
Test ads on LinkedIn and another platform at the same time. Determine your CPC (cost per click), reach, and conversion rate to make sure LinkedIn Ads are a good investment for your business.
11. Avoid Hard Selling
Traditional sales language and tactics are not your friends on LinkedIn.
Trying to brute force your way into being an industry leader simply doesn’t work. Instead, refocus your attempts on building relationships with your audience and selling your brand, not your product.
Users are going to scan through your content in less than a second if it’s not immediately valuable to them. Instead of taking the typical hard-sell approach, you should prioritize honest communication with users above all.
12. Create Multimedia Content
Videos and other multimedia content do exceptionally well on LinkedIn when handled properly. Ideally, the content should start by teaching your audience how to solve their problem in an immediate, tangible way.
Beyond that, as a brand with loads of expertise, you also have the ability to establish yourself as a thought leader by using the right content and helping users address deeper issues in your industry.
Post videos, infographics, or whatever valuable piece of content you can think of. Experiment, test, and discover what truly works.
Twitter Social Media Tips
13. Social Listening on Twitter
Twitter is constantly changing. As the conversations develop over time, it can feel impossible to follow every new update. My social media tip is to focus on social listening and determine where your brand stands on the latest relevant issue.
Not only should you strive to understand what your audience thinks, but you should also take the time to become part of the conversation in real-time. The last thing you want is to be left out of meaningful conversations with both previous and current users.
14. Develop a Clear Brand Voice
Your brand voice on Twitter matters quite a bit. Authenticity and brevity are essential to your brand’s relatability, so take the time to clarify exactly what your brand voice is.
Are you casual? Are you funny? Are you instructional? Identify your strongest options and start experimenting.
15. Run Polls
Polls are interesting because they accomplish two goals at once. The first goal is user-generated content (UGC). Not only that, but polls also help you increase your engagement with minimal effort on your end.
If that’s not enough reason for you, keep in mind you can make these polls for whatever you want. Try out different landing pages, or test different offers. The choice is entirely up to you.
16. Use Twitter Ads
There are a few different types of Twitter Ads (Promoted Tweets, Promoted Accounts, and Promoted Trends), but for this list of social media tips, we’re just going to focus on the value of Twitter Ads.
Like most social media marketing tools, you’re paying for performance here. One of the most valuable aspects of this platform is that you can start to create specific social media ads based on what’s happening in the world. This gives your ads a sense of urgency and authenticity that you can’t find anywhere else.
Pinterest Social Media Tips
17. Use Pinterest Ads
Much like LinkedIn, Pinterest is a fantastic place to connect with a specific audience. If your market research shows that your audience is populating Pinterest, you can have a compelling experience ready for them.
Once your audience is proven to be a good match, you can use images, make them interactive, and tweak your Pinterest Ads for brevity.
18. Start Using Rich Pins
For those unfamiliar with this, Rich Pins are essentially a way for users to collect more Pins without having to think about it.
There are a few different types of Rich Pins:
- Product Pins: includes real-time pricing and availability
- Recipe Pins: lists ingredients, cooking times, and even serving sizes
- Article Rich Pin: focuses on the Pin’s author
The point is simple. Create content tailored to your specific audience and continue to develop that relationship over time.
19. Optimize for Mobile
Mobile is massive on platforms like Pinterest, so you can make a few safe assumptions about the user experience. For starters, it’s unlikely that they’ll use desktop computers when checking content.
To properly optimize for mobile, you’ll want to set up vertical images in a rectangular shape. Set those images to have a 2:3 ratio to fill the mobile screen, and just like that, your Pinterest account is ready for smartphones.
20. Focus on Keywords
When you think of Pinterest marketing, the term “‘search engine” may not jump to mind. On the other hand, when you consider how easy it is to look up just about anything on the platform, it’s no surprise that it’s become such a useful search engine for others.
My final social media tip is that when you’re on this social media platform, take the time to focus on the keyword viability of the words you’re using.
TikTok Social Media Tips
21. Take Advantage of Trends
Trends are huge on TikTok. Remember when dance moves were all the rage? You don’t see them much anymore, do you? Well, that’s because that trend has died and new ones have taken its place.
Whatever your industry, make sure you are creating TikToks that leverage the current trends. That’s because the algorithm will push out the most popular content to users. So if users want to see more memes, you better be creating memes.
All this means you have to be engaging with TikTok constantly. It’s the only way you can see for yourself which trends are popular and which you can use for your brand. If you watch a lot of content in your industry, the For You Page will soon make it clear exactly what the latest trends are.
If there are hashtags related to your trend, make sure you include them in your videos. Otherwise, you limit the ability of other users to see your trending videos. Plus, the more you use trending hashtags, the more frequently the TikTok algorithm will feature your content.
22. Keep Your Content Short
How many long videos do you sit through on TikTok? Not many, right? Probably more like none if you’re being honest. That’s because shorter, snappier videos make better content on TikTok.
Part of the reason for this is TikTok’s target audience. A significant number of users are Gen Z, who are very hard to please when it comes to video content. You only have a few seconds to win them over at the start of the video, which means you have to hit the ground running. If you want to create longer videos, head to YouTube.
Another part of this is that the algorithm rewards you when users watch all or the vast majority of your videos. The shorter your videos, the more likely users will be to watch them all.
One of the best ways to shorten your videos and make them more impactful is to hone your video editing skills. Cut your videos up and use transitions to make them as snappy as possible. You don’t have to make it look professional; that’s not the TikTok vibe. But do try and keep things as short as possible.
23. Use Influencers in Your Campaigns
Just like on the vast majority of other social media platforms in this list, influencers are a big deal. And some influencers are massive on TikTok. But what’s really great is there are so many micro-influencers on TikTok already, that there’s bound to be one or two related to your industry.
It can pay off big time to work with these TikTok influencers if they exist in your industry. These influencers don’t just know how to create great content on TikTok; they also hold a lot of sway with young people on the platform. That means it can be a powerful way of growing your own TikTok account and raising brand awareness (and possible sales) with a new market segment.
It can always be a challenge to work with an influencer or creator if it’s your first time, but TikTok makes it easy with its Creator Marketplace. Brands can use the marketplace to discover relevant influencers and understand their channel and audience. You can also use it to manage the campaign, make payments, and report on the impact of your campaign.
There are no guarantees of success, of course. But the Marketplace can make creating your first influencer campaign a lot easier.
24. Use Hashtags
Twitter and Instagram aren’t the only social media platforms that rely on hashtags to help users discover content. They are huge on TikTok, too. When users click on the Discover icon at the bottom of their screen, they are shown a list of videos sorted by hashtags.
I’ve already discussed one of the best ways to use hashtags on TikTok—to find trending content. But you can also use hashtags in your videos to amplify your content’s reach and gain more followers.
The trick here is to be specific. Forget about including dozens of broad, generic hashtags in favor of being super specific. In doing so, you’ll help your videos shine in less popular trending categories—which is a heck of a lot better than not showing up at all for the most popular hashtags.
25. Have Fun and Be Yourself
There’s no point pretending to be something or someone you aren’t on TikTok. It’s all about authenticity over aesthetics. In fact, you’ll be much more successful if you forgo the high production value of Instagram and YouTube and stick up quick videos you’ve taken on your smartphone.
Don’t take things too seriously, either. No one comes on TikTok to be sold to — they want to be entertained. So keep things light and fun.
YouTube Social Media Tips
26. Focus Promotion in The First 24 Hours
YouTube is unique in that those 24 hours after upload are especially critical. Freshness is something that YouTube considers as part of its overall algorithm, so you want to make the most of that initial boost.
How do you do that? It’s all about planning.
It’s tempting to think you need to get your videos uploaded as soon as they are ready to keep a steady content cadence. Yes, that cadence is important.
But equally, if not more important, is setting your videos up for success. Make sure you have all your plans for promotion ready and staged before your video goes up, whether that is posts on other social channels, email marketing, or other methods.
Ideally, you can launch a video and the promotion blitz in those same 24 hours.
27. Respond To Comments With Questions
It’s a common joke that nothing good comes out of YouTube comment sections.
I disagree. It’s all about how you use them.
While not all comments are created equal, there are opportunities to build up great engagement with your community. One opportunity is using questions when responding to comments. So, for example, if a user says they found the video useful, don’t be afraid to ask them what they liked. If you get constructive criticism, ask for areas to improve.
By creating a conversation in the comments section, not only do you help users with their needs, but you also potentially draw other users into that conversation.
If followers feel they are watching a transparent, responsive content creator, they get that much more invested in said content.
28. Post Long-Form Videos (But Also Use Shorts)
Looking to increase your YouTube follower base? You need content that stands above the rest.
One of the best ways to get there quickly is through effective long-form content.
One of the most popular videos on my channel is 50 minutes long, and has over a million views. Why? Because it gives people the information they need.
I’m not suggesting you need to start with an hour-long video, and you especially don’t want to add fluff to get there.
What I do suggest you do is make sure that you create comprehensive videos on topics relevant to your audience, and don’t think the size will scare them off. It won’t, if you make sure the content is useful and well-organized.
At the same time, though, it looks like short-form video is here to stay. While it may have blown up through content like TikTok and Instagram Reels, YouTube is starting to invest heavily in short-form video through YouTube Shorts.
So, what should your marketing team do? Don’t assume short-form success is simply shrinking your longer videos. Different audiences prefer each type for different reasons. Build out a strategy for both, and watch your channel grow.
29. Prioritize Optimizing Thumbnails
What’s going to be the first thing a potential viewer sees on YouTube? Your thumbnail.
As a result, it’s essential that you invest in thumbnails that are going to draw interest in your videos.
What makes a good thumbnail? As a start, make sure you follow YouTube’s basic guidelines, which are as follows:
- Make sure your thumbnail size is 1280 pixels by 720 pixels.
- Use an aspect ratio of 16:9.
- Be sure the thumbnail size is a minimum of 640 pixels wide.
- Keep the image size under 2MB.
- Stick to JPG, GIF, or PNG formats.
These are the basics, but there’s more that you can do:
- Draw the reader’s attention with an interesting title. Chances are you already have this as a part of your video, but putting it in the thumbnail makes sure this doesn’t go to waste.
- Don’t mislead the viewer. You can argue clickbait has a time and a place, but your thumbnail needs to reflect what the actual video is going to be like.
- Make the thumbnail readable. There’s more than just aesthetics at work here. Using white space and text large enough to read ensures your message doesn’t get lost.
- Be consistent. Testing YT thumbnails to find the best fit is a good idea. But when you find that fit, be sure to create a consistent set of thumbnails for your brand.
As an example, let’s look at another video from my channel:
All of these principles are put into action for a thumbnail that catches the eye, but also makes clear the type of content you are getting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 10 steps to a successful social media strategy?
If you want to create a successful social media strategy, follow these 10 steps:
- Set clear goals
- Understand your audience
- Choose the right platforms
- Identify your competitors
- Create a content strategy
- Identify trends, keywords, and hashtags
- Bulk create content
- Buy and implement social media tools
- Set up analytics
- Measure your success
How do I optimize my social media strategy?
There are several ways to optimize your current social media strategy. Try one or more of the following tactics:
- Increase your use of hashtags
- Improve the quality of your images
- Improve your call to action
- Switch up the times you post
- Upgrade your headlines
What are some top tips to follow when creating a social media strategy?
Follow these five tips to improve the success of your social media strategy:
- Create a content calendar to encourage regular posting
- Create content that encourages engagement like polls and quizzes
- Humanize your brand, whether that’s through emojis or authentic storytelling
- Tailor your strategy to each social platform
- Improve the quality of your images
How often should I post on social media?
How often you should post on social media will be determined by the platform. On platforms like Twitter, you can safely post more than once per day. On other platforms, like Instagram and LinkedIn, posting a couple of times per week is sufficient.
Conclusion
Navigating social media marketing can be just as confusing as it is stressful. If you’re struggling with elevating your marketing campaigns and need some social media tips, don’t worry. You’re certainly not alone in this.
When using Meta (formerly Facebook), make sure to properly validate your audience and use link retargeting regularly. With Instagram, take advantage of its diverse content formats and build something unique.
Use LinkedIn to build a relationship with other users and are actually willing to chat with them.
Twitter lets you stay updated, and it’s time you started updating your audience regularly. Use Pinterest when you want a mobile ads experience with a focus on keywords.
Try TikTok when you want to target a younger audience or connect with your users on a really authentic level.
No matter which platform you use, know that by listening to these social media tips, taking control of your marketing campaign, and thinking critically about what works and what doesn’t, you’re one step closer to digital marketing mastery.
Is there a platform that I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments below!
See How My Agency Can Drive More Traffic to Your Website
- SEO - unlock more SEO traffic. See real results.
- Content Marketing - our team creates epic content that will get shared, get links, and attract traffic.
- Paid Media - effective paid strategies with clear ROI.
Are You Using Google Ads? Try Our FREE Ads Grader!
Stop wasting money and unlock the hidden potential of your advertising.
- Discover the power of intentional advertising.
- Reach your ideal target audience.
- Maximize ad spend efficiency.