What Makes a Good Social Media Post?

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, creating a post that stands out and engages your audience can be quite difficult and takes practice. From understanding what constitutes a good post to avoiding common pitfalls, this guide that I’ve put together explores what you need to have not just a good social post, but a great social post.

What Constitutes a Post that will perform well?

Creating a standout social media post is more than just a pretty picture or a catchy line. It’s like hitting the sweet spot where what you’ve got to say, who you’re saying it to, and where you’re saying it all comes together perfectly. You want your post to do more than just show up; you want it to spark conversations, share some wisdom, or even crack a smile. And when it does, that’s when you know you’ve got a winner on your hands. Ready to turn your Instagram into a growth powerhouse in 2024? Let’s make it happen with some simple yet effective steps:

1. Know Your Audience:
   • Dive deep into who your followers are and what they want to see. This insight shapes your content to be more relatable and engaging, keeping your audience hooked for longer.
2. Your Message:
   • Whether it’s a tip, a story, or a moment, make it meaningful. Ensure your message resonates and adds value to your audience’s day. Think of it this way, would someone pay a mere $5 to see this piece of content? If they wouldn’t then it’s honestly probably a subpar piece of content and you’ve got some work to do. Remember, social platforms are like the top of the funnel in a sales funnel, so you don’t want to treat your audience like they are ready-to-go action-takers on whatever it is you’re offering. You simply want to entertain them and keep them coming back.
3. Perfect Your Presentation:
   • Now this one is obvious… And also impossible, because what people want is constantly evolving. But, do you want to know how to perfect your posting? Test, test and test some more. Then track the data and make educated decisions based on that data. What type of post performed the best, what time works the best, etc… This is key data to look out for and should not be ignored. This ultimately plays a huge role in the success of your posts in the long term.

Remember, the goal is to create posts that not only catch the eye but also strike a chord with your audience. It’s all about building those connections and keeping your community buzzing about your brand.

How to Write an Effective Social Media Post

Creating an effective social media post involves a few key elements. The best news is, is you don’t need to be an expert copywriter:

• Understand Your Audience: Tailoring your message to your audience’s preferences and pain points increases relevance and engagement. For example, if your audience is 30-50-year-old females with kids and they’re looking to get fit through pilates, you wouldn’t write in a hardcore masculine tone and write about pumping the muscles and getting a “killer workout” in. Just have common sense and write in the way your target audience talks so they resonate with it.
• Clarity and Conciseness: Keep your message clear and to the point. This is especially important if you’re not an expert copywriter. The truth is, a lot of us aren’t good at writing long, engaging copy. So, the key is to keep it short and sweet. This is especially important on platforms with character limits like X (Previously Twitter).
• Visual Appeal: Use high-quality images or videos to complement your text. Explore how to leverage video content for business growth in Leveraging Video Content for Business Growth in Australia.
• Call to Action (CTA): Encourage your audience to take a specific action, whether it’s to comment, share, or click on a link. And remember, a social media post is there to entertain and nurture, so don’t go hard with your CTA by telling people to “BUY THIS NOW FOR 50% OFF, LINK IN BIO”. That’s rubbish and you will lose the trust of your audience over time.

What Makes a Bad Social Media Post?

On social media, not all posts hit the mark, in fact, you’re no doubt going to have some posts that just flop. A bad social media post often falls short because it doesn’t resonate with or even disregards the audience’s interests and preferences. So what are some things to look out for?:

1. Poor Grammar and Spelling: A surefire way to undermine your credibility is through sloppy writing. Attention to detail matters; errors suggest a lack of care or professionalism. If you’re scheduling your posts in advance you can use tools like Grammarly that will double-check the spelling of your posts while you write them. Alternatively, you can also get someone to re-read what you’ve written and ask them if it makes sense.
2. Lack of Purpose: Every post needs a clear reason for being. Whether it’s to inform, entertain, or persuade, aimlessness can leave your audience confused about your message. Again, using common sense here is key.
3. Over-Promotion: Constantly selling to your audience without providing real value turns engagement into evasion. Balance is key. Depending on how urgently you need money, I recommend never selling to people on social media organically. Save your sales posts for the ads and use your organic to simply build an audience. You can have a link in your bio on Instagram or TikTok that funnels your audience to a landing page that sells them without you needing to push it.
4. Ignoring Feedback: When posts are met with questions or comments, and there’s no response, it signals a one-sided conversation. I cringe when I see brands never responding to their comments. It takes two seconds and will dramatically increase the goodwill you develop with your audience. If you simply do not have the time, hire someone to manage your social media.
5. Inconsistency in Posting: Sporadic updates can make your brand seem unreliable or disinterested in the platform. Regular posting keeps your audience engaged and your brand top of mind. I solid strategy is key, I’m not saying you need to post every day, but ideally 3x a week is a good start to get some traction.
6. Misjudging the Tone: Every social platform has its vibe. A post that’s too formal for TikTok or too casual for LinkedIn misses the opportunity to connect.

A great social media strategy involves knowing not just what to do but also what pitfalls to avoid. Steering clear of these common mistakes can elevate your social media presence and foster a stronger connection with your audience.

How to Post Well on Social Media

To excel on social media, consider the following strategies:

• Consistency is Key: Regular posting keeps your brand top of mind.
• Engage with Your Audience: Interaction boosts your post’s visibility and fosters community.
• Use Analytics: Understanding what works (and what doesn’t) helps refine your strategy over time.
• Innovate with Video Content: Video continues to dominate social media engagement. Understand its role in social media success with The Role of Video Content in Social Media Success.

To wrap all this up, a good social media post resonates with your audience, adheres to best practices, and aligns with your brand’s voice and objectives. By focusing on quality, relevance, and engagement, you will be creating incredible posts in no time and smash your marketing goals.