Social Media for Beginners: Where to Show Up and What to Post
Social media isn’t just a place to scroll through cute cat videos (though, those are important too). It’s your golden ticket to building your brand, connecting with your audience, and flexing your creative muscles! But, with so many platforms out there, figuring out where to show up and what to post can feel like trying to juggle flaming torches while riding a unicycle. No worries—we’ve got your back. Let’s break it down and make it fun!
1. Where to Show Up: Picking Your Social Playground
Before you start posting, you gotta figure out where to show up. It's like picking the best spot at a party—each social media platform has its own vibe. Let’s find yours!
Best For: Gorgeous visuals, all the aesthetics, and anything that makes people say “wow, that looks cool!”
Why? If you love sharing eye-catching photos and fun videos, Instagram is your playground. It’s where your brand can strut its stuff and shine.
What to Post:
High-quality photos (think product shots, cool vibes, and everyday magic)
Stories (quick peeks behind the curtain, polls, fun updates)
Reels (short, snappy, share-worthy vids)
Carousels (swipe-able tips or before-and-after transformations)
Best For: Building a community, getting chatty, and hosting events like a pro.
Why? Facebook is your best friend if you want to create a place for conversations and connect with your tribe. It’s like hosting a virtual hangout.
What to Post:
Long-Form Posts (spill the tea, share tips, or dive into a juicy story)
Videos (go live, share something exciting, or even a mini-series)
Events (host online parties, sales, or Q&A sessions)
Polls (get your followers talking and sharing opinions)
X and Threads
Best For: Quick thoughts, real-time updates, and all things trending.
Why? Twitter’s all about fast action. If you like quick-fire content that sparks conversation and stays on top of the latest trends, this is your place.
What to Post:
Tweets (pithy thoughts, updates, or share a cool link)
Threads (mini blogs on Twitter—keep ‘em coming!)
Polls (fast feedback from your followers)
Retweets (share cool stuff and interact with others)
Best For: Professional vibes, networking, and sharing your industry expertise.
Why? LinkedIn is like the office of social media. It’s the place to connect, share career wins, and show off your expertise.
What to Post:
Articles (insights, advice, and thought-leadership pieces)
Professional Updates (new projects, company wins, etc.)
Infographics (show off your stats or explain something complex)
Videos (interviews, tips, or professional advice)
TikTok
Best For: Fun, creative videos that’ll make everyone hit “share” and laugh out loud.
Why? TikTok is where the fun happens. From viral dances to quirky challenges, if you can make it entertaining, this is the place to be.
What to Post:
Short Videos (fun, creative, and trending content)
Challenges (create or join one for extra engagement)
Behind-the-Scenes (show the magic behind your process)
Tutorials (quick, bite-sized learning)
Best For: Pinning all things pretty and practical, from DIY projects to interior design inspo.
Why? Pinterest is a visual search engine! Perfect if your brand is all about ideas, DIY, and beautiful imagery that people want to save and share.
What to Post:
Pin-worthy Images (show off your best products or tutorials)
Infographics (easy-to-follow guides)
Step-by-Step Pins (how-to’s or recipes)
Blog Links (drive traffic with helpful articles)
2. What to Post: The Secret Sauce to Engaging Content
So you’ve picked your platform, now what? Time to post! But don’t stress, you don’t need to be a content genius to keep things rolling. Here’s the secret sauce to keep your posts fresh and fun:
Educational Content
Why? People love to learn! Share your knowledge in a way that’s easy to digest, and they’ll keep coming back for more.
What to Post:
Tutorials (step-by-step guides—easy peasy)
Tips & Tricks (quick fixes and hacks)
Fun Facts (who doesn’t love a cool tidbit of info?)
Behind-the-Scenes
Why? Everyone loves a good “peek behind the curtain.” Show your followers how the magic happens!
What to Post:
Your Process (how you make your product, or what’s in the works)
A Day in the Life (show your day, warts and all)
Your Team (introduce the faces behind your brand)
User-Generated Content (UGC)
Why? UGC is like a glowing recommendation from your followers. People trust people, so let your community shine!
What to Post:
Customer Testimonials (let your happy customers do the talking)
Fan Photos (share user pics using your products)
Reposts of UGC (with a thank you shoutout, of course)
Motivational & Inspirational Posts
Why? Make ‘em feel good! Inspirational content sparks positivity and connection.
What to Post:
Quotes (motivational, funny, or deep)
Personal Stories (your wins, challenges, and “Aha!” moments)
Success Stories (from you or your customers)
Entertainment
Why? Because we all need a good laugh. Let your personality shine through!
What to Post:
Memes (appropriate, of course)
Funny Stories (relatable moments that get people nodding)
Challenges (make ‘em laugh, or get them involved!)
3. The Power of Consistency: Keep It Steady, Keep It Fun
Do you know what’s better than posting once in a blue moon? Posting regularly—but not too much! It’s like showing up to the party with a solid vibe: you want to be noticed, but not in an “I’m here all the time” way.
Tip: Plan ahead and batch-create your content. That way, you’re not scrambling last-minute! Tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, and Later are your BFFs for scheduling content.
Posting Frequency:
Instagram: 3-5 posts a week
Facebook: 2-3 posts a week
Twitter: 5-10 tweets a week
LinkedIn: 2-3 posts a week
TikTok: 3-5 videos a week
Pinterest: 3-5 pins a day (yes, per day!)
4. Measuring Your Success: Is It Working?
Okay, so you’ve been posting like a pro. But how do you know it’s actually working?
Enter: metrics! These numbers will tell you if your posts are hitting the mark.
Engagement Rate: How many likes, comments, and shares you’re getting—this is the “are people liking my vibe?” metric.
Reach & Impressions: How many eyeballs are on your content (and how many times they’re seeing it).
CTR (Click-Through Rate): How many people are clicking on your links? Are they exploring more?
Conversions: Are people doing what you want them to do (buying, signing up, etc.)?
5. Building Your Community: Let’s Get Social!
Social media isn’t just about broadcasting your message—it’s about building relationships. Respond to comments, DMs, and mentions. Make your followers feel heard, and they’ll keep coming back for more.
Tip: Keep things friendly, approachable, and real. Ask questions, start conversations, and show your personality!
Call to Action: Encourage interaction—ask for their thoughts, run a poll, or give them a reason to comment (e.g., “Tag a friend who needs this!”).
6. Getting Started: Your Action Plan
Ready to get started? Here’s your step-by-step game plan:
Pick your platforms: Choose 2-3 based on where your people hang out.
Create a content calendar: Plan what you’ll post and when.
Start posting: Keep it chill and consistent. Don’t overthink it.
Track your progress: Check your metrics and adjust as needed.
Let’s get social! The world’s your oyster—now go make your mark!
