Nine Types of Content to Start Posting on Your Social Media Channels

Struggling to find new types of social media content to keep your followers engaged? This guide explains popular social media post types and the platforms they’re most effective for.

1. Short Videos

Short-form videos are among the most engaging types of social media content because they can present a significant amount of information clearly and concisely. It’s a low-commitment form of content that can pay off in a big way for viewers. Plus, producing videos has become relatively easy, even for small businesses. A smartphone with a decent camera, microphone, and some basic lighting equipment is often all it takes to create compelling short videos.

Short-form videos can deliver many types of messages, including information about how to use your product or service, customer testimonials, and fun, behind-the-scenes employee stories.

Video can be compelling on many social platforms, but TikTok videos, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are among the most popular.

2. Images

Images are popular on social media (especially on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest) because people love looking at attractive, inspiring, and compelling pictures. Static images can be absorbed and appreciated instantly and leave a lasting impression. The composition of an image and its presentation provide social media users with an immediate and powerful impression of your brand.

Images are compelling on social media because most people would rather look at a picture than read countless words, especially on small smartphone screens.

For small business owners and marketers, image posts are relatively fast and easy to create. Using photo editing software, you can snap images with your smartphone and apply a branded treatment. You can also use similar software to put your unique branded spin on free stock images you find online.

If you find that your followers are no longer responding to the images you post, it may not be because they’re images; it could be because they don’t offer a unique enough perspective, and it’s time to up your picture game.

3. Live Video

Live video allows businesses to broadcast discussions, webinars, Q&As, and other live events online. Unlike other types of posts, live videos allow people to react and respond in real time. Live simultaneous viewing also helps bring people together through a joint experience.

You can repurpose livestream video to derive more value from it. For instance, you can create multiple short videos or text snippets from your live stream to post on other platforms. You can also turn your live video streams into podcasts and distribute them on audio platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Many social media platforms have livestream capabilities, but the best and most popular are Facebook Live, Instagram Live, YouTube Live, and LinkedIn Live.

4. GIFs and Memes

GIFs and memes have remained a hallmark of online communication, popular with people of all ages. When words can’t describe a feeling, emotion, or situation, memes and GIFs often can. If used correctly, these comedic takes on daily life help differentiate your brand.

Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (now X) are ideal for posting memes and GIFs. (If you publish a GIF on Instagram, it will be distributed as a short video.)

5. Text Posts

While it’s essential for businesses today to prioritize visual content, they shouldn’t forget the power of words. Some things can’t be explained as clearly in images as they can via text.

To succeed in social media, written content must get the same attention, consistency, and focus that you give to other types of creative. Developing a distinctive copy tone and voice that aligns with your visual identity will help differentiate your brand and make your content breakthrough in social media. Text-centric social content is valuable for starting conversations that help you engage more deeply with your followers.

Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), Threads, and LinkedIn are well suited to text-based content. Reddit provides a great way to engage in question-and-answer sessions and conversations with people who could be interested in your products and services. LinkedIn is perfect for sharing thought leadership with other professionals. X is still the most popular platform for text-based posts. You share digestible bits of information, ideas, and news that could improve brand awareness and turn into meaningful conversations.

6. User-Generated Content

User-generated content (UGC) is material created by fans, followers, and consumers that businesses leverage for their feeds. This type of material provides invaluable social proof and consumer recommendations. UGC showcases real-life positive experiences with your products and services, which makes people on social media more willing to try them.

User-generated content is viewed as the most honest and trustworthy type of social media post. Consumers appreciate seeing others like them sharing their positive experiences with your brand. Ultimately, it engenders trust, making people more likely to purchase.

Instagram and TikTok are popular platforms for user-generated content. Both are highly effective for generating short-form videos recommending products and services or highlighting customer experiences. Encourage happy buyers to share their positive interactions with your business online.

7. Long-Form Video

Long-form video is ideal for delivering educational and informative content. Short videos are incredibly popular on social media. However, they lack the depth people want when they’re genuinely interested in a topic. Longer videos typically include enough information to build brand authority. It can help convince consumers you’re the best at what you do.

YouTube and Facebook are popular platforms for sharing long-form content.

8. Audio Content

Podcasting is the primary form of social media audio content. You record yourself and others discussing topics or experiences related to your product and service offerings that your audience will find interesting.

Podcasts are popular with people who like learning new things while doing other tasks like driving, cleaning, or exercising. The demand for them is unrelenting, and if yours is about an in-demand topic, they could break through in social media. The close connections people make with podcasts and their hosts benefit the brands that sponsor them.

Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts are ideal for audio content. However, as mentioned earlier, your podcasts can be repurposed on other social media platforms.

9. Links to Other Content

Posting links to content on social media helps you attract more visitors to your blog. Most people don’t make it a habit to visit brand blogs consistently, so social posts with links remind followers about the great material you post regularly.

LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook are the best social media platforms for posting links to content. These social sites are content distribution powerhouses, and users turn to them to look for interesting material to engage with.

Social Media Posting Variety: The Final Word

If you find your social media posts are falling flat, use this guide to come up with fresh options your followers will engage with. Even old-school image and text posts can find new life if you approach them in fresh ways.

Need help managing your social media program? We’d love to chat about what we can do to bolster your social media presence. Drop us a line!