23 Types of Social Media Content You NEED to Use

 

Need a stronger content strategy on social?

Neglecting your social media content gives competitors a chance… to suck up YOUR engagement!

Here’s the reality:

You NEED to be posting engagement-provoking types of social media content.

Because if YOU don’t give your audience what they want — your competition will.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

The 23 Types of Social Media Content You NEED to Use

The following 23 AWESOME types of content you can start using will engage your fans and grow your following (and your business):

3 reasons why social media content is ESSENTIAL

Social media marketing isn’t going anywhere.

Why?

Nearly 3.78 BILLION people use social media in 2021 (and counting).

That’s HALF the planet.

The average user spends 2 hours EVERY day on social media.

But it’s not enough to just BE on social media to connect with those people.

Your content has to EXCITE them if you want to stand out!

Here are 3 reasons why you should prioritize your social media content.

1. Social media gives your brand a voice and presence

Posting engaging (and varied) content types on social media develops your brand’s voice.

And creating the right voice?

That’s CENTRAL to relating well with your target audience.

Think about the differences between the GQ Style and Kylie Cosmetics brand voices.

Each targets a different market, so they adapt their voices to match their customers!

When your social media communicates the right voice, customers come to you.

In fact, 75% of people have purchased something BECAUSE they saw it on social media!

And they didn’t just HAPPEN to find those products on social.

They likely saw them by following brands they RELATE with most!

2. High-quality content keeps followers loyal

The right content keeps your page fresh and EXCITING.

Those qualities are pivotal to keeping your fans and supporters engaged and loyal.

In other words, social media users scroll because they WANT to see good content.

If you consistently post awesome content, you’ll earn followers, likes, and comments.

Most importantly, you’ll earn LOYALTY.

Loyal supporters are the most likely to do the following:

• make repeat purchases

• attend your events

• share your brand with others

• It sounds crazy because it’s just social media, right?

But GREAT social media content is the first step to that kind of consumer relationship.

3. It drives organic traffic that can turn into leads

Can you get eyeballs on your page without spending a dime on advertising?

YES!

Paid ads have upsides BUT organic traffic from social media is more affordable (especially for the long-term).

It’s also WAY more interesting for your audience!

Blend entertaining content with marketing best practices, and BAM.

Watch your organic traffic SKYROCKET (and your marketing expenses decrease).

23 of the BEST types of social media content

1. User-generated content (UGC)

UGC is content others create and you repost (while giving credit to the original creator).

For example, it’s reposting someone else’s content and tagging them on the post.

On Twitter, it’s as simple as a retweet.

UGC is an EASY and smart way to increase engagement and reach.

New and existing followers are motivated to connect with you when they see these posts.

Why?

Like you, they probably want to increase their following, too!

UGC shows your followers that you care about and keep up with your audience.

GoPro models UGC very well!

They consistently share content their followers capture with GoPro cameras.

Here’s one example of an Instagram repost:

UGC is ESPECIALLY successful on Instagram.

Followers love bragging to their friends and colleagues about being featured!

And who knows?

The accounts you repost from may decide to create UGC too.

And they may just re-post YOUR content as a “back-atcha.”

Here’s how to find and use UGC:

1. Monitor your social platforms (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc.).

2. Find content featuring your product (check your tags and hashtags ).

3. Re-post, re-share, re-tweet (make sure you credit the original poster)!

KEY TAKEAWAY: Post UGC to show your fans you support them and keep your content fresh.

2. Quotes

Quotes are WILDLY popular on social media.

They help inspire and motivate people when they need an extra boost.

Quotes can be all text but using images is a GAME changer.

Facebook and Instagram users are particularly attracted to high-quality visuals.

Use a variety of quotes, including:

• life quotes

• funny quotes

• motivational quotes

• famous quotes

Use Post Planner’s Content Stream to organize all your quotes posts in one place.

Post Planner lets you search specific topics on various platform feeds.

For example, you can search for “indoor plants” and explore results from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, and more.

Add up to 50 feeds to your content stream by clicking the green plus button.

Lock in your picks by clicking “Save to Stream.”

Finally, give your new stream a name like “Social Media Quotes.”

Voila!

Your stream of quotes is ready to go.

Even better?

You don’t have to scroll through hundreds of social media pages to find content.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Use Post Planner to find TONS of quote ideas for your social media posts.

3. Podcasts

Podcasts have gained HUGE momentum.

Every Gen Zoomer and their grandma has a favorite podcast.

At the same time, there are fewer podcasts than social media accounts to follow.

That said, consider creating a podcast to get more listeners (and more brand exposure).

Your podcasts give you original content to post about on your social media accounts.

Some social platforms (such as Facebook and Twitter) don’t allow direct audio uploads.

On those accounts, you have 2 options:

1. Share the link to the podcast in your caption or post.

2. Create a static image, layer the podcast audio over the image, and upload the final content as a video.

Even better?

Chop your podcast into snippets for social like Chris.

This way, your social media followers can listen without visiting an external page.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Create a podcast and share it on social profiles.

4. Live streams

Live streams let you connect with your followers in REAL-TIME.

And if someone can’t make it to the stream?

You can make the content available for later viewing.

Did you know you can actually use YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram Live to drive purchases?

Promote products or services during the stream.

Then create incentives for viewers to opt-in at that specific time.

Urgency is KEY.

For instance, you could say:

“I’m releasing a new course next month, and if you pre-order during this live stream or in the next 24 hours, you’ll get 30% off!”

This is also a great way to generate leads.

For example, you can have viewers fill out a form to access the services you’re talking about.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Use Facebook Live, Instagram Live, or even YouTube live streaming to promote your business, then upload the video later for those who missed the live.

5. Articles

Sharing articles is one of the best ways to provide your audience with value.

Blogs and articles keep your followers informed about your industry.

But what if you’re not great with words?

Use Post Planner Content Streams to share the best articles on the web!

Say you’re an app development company.

You want to share some cool articles related to app development & coding languages.

Go to Post Planner’s Content Streams, click “articles,” and search “app development.”

Your search will return TONS of articles you can save and share!

KEY TAKEAWAY: Share informative articles with your followers (use Post Planner’s content library if you don’t have time or interest in writing original blogs).

6. Infographics

Infographics combine visual appeal with the power of knowledge.

People are more likely to engage with an infographic than plain text.

Why?

Image-less posts are BORING!

But isn’t creating an infographic complicated?

NOPE!

Tools like Canva provide templates you can easily fill in with the info you want to share.

You can even use Canva within the Post Planner app!

KEY TAKEAWAY: Create eye-catching, informative infographics by using Canva or any other graphic creator and share them on your social media platforms.

7. Webinars

Take your infographic to the next level, and turn it into a webinar!

Webinars are EXTREMELY effective at growing a business.

73% of B2B marketers said that webinars are the most optimal way of generating high-quality leads.

Why are webinars such powerful types of content?

They combine all the best parts of digital marketing:

• Webinars display information through video.

• They tend to allow audience interaction.

• Speakers can make CTAs throughout the webinar.

You can also share your webinar after the live recording for a limited time.

Upload the recorded webinar to YouTube, Facebook or Wistia.

Require people to provide their email address to access the link.

Collecting email addresses is one of the best methods of lead generation.

The ideal webinar is 30-40 minutes long.

Promote until the last minute — almost 30% of your audience won’t sign up for your webinar until the day of the event.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Promote webinars and share recorded versions on social media (but get your followers to exchange their emails to access the link!).

8. Customer testimonials

Positive customer testimonials can help you gain trust and credibility.

Most consumers will read your reviews before making a purchase.

Why?

Because testimonials and reviews are social proof that you’re worth it.

The truth is, your customers base many of their purchases on what others are saying.

Don’t you?

Think about your last expensive purchase.

Say it was an expensive camera on Amazon.

Did you just click “buy” without checking the star rating and reading what customers were saying?

Nope!

You probably scrolled to the bottom of the Amazon page and read the reviews.

Take your customer testimonials up a notch and record your customer reviews.

You can provide your customers with some guidance, but choose someone who really loved your product.

Video testimonials are a captivating and persuasive way to earn trust.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Share client testimonials on your social profiles (capture customer reviews on video if you can!).

9. Audience questions

Want to see your engagement explode?

Ask your followers to share their opinions.

People love sharing what’s on their minds.

Plus, asking your audience questions is a direct invitation to have a conversation.

Use these tips as you form questions for your audience:

• Keep your questions open-ended by starting them with “where,” “what,” “how,” “when,” and “why.”

• Ask follow-up questions to those who’ve commented

• Explore Post Planner ‘s content library to find inspiration

KEY TAKEAWAY: Ask open-ended questions to ignite engagement (use Post Planner’s content library for inspiration).

10. eBooks

If you’ve created an eBook for your intended audience, SHARE IT!

Free eBooks make effective lead magnets you can use to exchange emails for downloads.

Promoting your eBook with paid advertising on social networks like Facebook and Instagram.

Paid ads enable you to target your audience based on interests and demographics.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Create and share your eBook on social media to offer your audience value and collect emails in exchange.

11. Guides

People CRAVE information!

That’s why guides perform pretty well with social media users.

Create a guide on a topic your target audience cares about, and watch your engagement rate climb.

Place a CTA at the end of your guide to generate leads.

If someone’s reading your guide from start to finish, you’ve already proven your value!

A strategically placed CTA at the conclusion naturally lets your readers know what to do next.

Sharing a guide from your website is GREAT for SEO — it boosts traffic on your website!

Sharing guides on your social media regularly gives people an incentive to follow you.

Why?

Because they know you consistently post VALUABLE content!

KEY TAKE AWAY: Create guides on your website and post the links on your social media to boost your SEO and your social following.

12. Memes

Think of memes as modern-day comics.

They’re short, simple, and hilarious.

In other words, memes are PERFECT entertainment for the busy, stressed out consumer.

Sprinkle in meme posts in your content schedule.

Choose days and times when your followers are likely to be relaxing or unwinding.

Most social media platforms allow you to know when your audience is online the most.

You can use that data to post your memes at the right time.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Using memes for your business is a great way to bring your followers some much-needed comedic relief.

13. Polls

What’s the EASIEST way to promote audience interaction?

1. Post every once in a while

2. Share boring content

3. Use quizzes and polls

If you guessed A or B, you might need to re-read this blog.

Polls are WONDERFUL tools for audience engagement.

Plus, they give you a chance to understand how your audience thinks.

Need help with content ideas?

Want to do a survey?

Don’t know which option to choose from?

Create a poll and let your followers vote!

It’s a win-win for you and your fans.

You get intel, and they get to play (polls are more than helpful — they’re FUN)!

KEY TAKEAWAY: Use polls to gather information from your followers and boost engagement.

14. Industry Research & Findings

Recently read some fascinating research?

There’s a HUGE chance your followers don’t have the info you just discovered.

So share the knowledge!

You can use different modes to share:

• Video

• Text

• Images

No matter how you share, you should occasionally reference research for 2 reasons:

• Sharing research lets science explain why your product/service is important.

• Citing credible sources positions you as an industry authority.

Let’s say you’re a financial advisor.

You recently read this stat:

“Only 30% of U.S. households have a long-term financial plan.”

Use that data in a social media post encouraging people to be a part of the 30%!

The research lets your followers know that what you offer can benefit them!

KEY TAKEAWAY: Use research to show your social media followers that your brand solves a real world problem. 

15. Videos

Video marketing WORKS.

The numbers don’t lie:

80% of marketers who use video say it DIRECTLY helped increase sales.

Videos attract a LOT of attention.

That’s why they should be one of your top content priorities.

There are lots of ways you can create videos for social media, including:

• Long-form videos (more than 2 mins)

• Short-form videos (less than 2 mins)

• Video Stories

• Instagram reels

• YouTube Shorts

• TikTok videos

And more!

Post a mix of long and short-form videos.

Consider the social media platform you’re using as you create your video content.

Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are better suited for short videos.

Facebook and YouTube are great for both long and short videos.

Identify the platform your target audience is most likely to use.

Then make videos that complement that particular platform.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Increase sales by developing a video marketing strategy suited for your ideal platforms.

16. Educational Content

Educational content of all forms makes your social media presence valuable.

Why?

Because you’re helping people LEARN!

Truly informative content will separate you from less helpful competitors.

Educated consumers are better for your business.

When your followers know more about your industry, they can make better decisions.

And if they get their information from you, they’ll likely choose YOUR brand for products first!

You can put your educational posts in many forms, including the following:

• How-to guides

• Numbered Lists

• Infographics

• Chronological steps

• Tutorial videos

Here’s an example of a creative infographic by Impact, a school improvement company:

KEY TAKEAWAY: Use educational content to inform your audience and position your brand as an authority on a subject.

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7. Product Promotion

Most people spend over 2 hours a day on social media.

That makes social media an ideal place to promote your products!

Including the following information in promotional posts gives your market insight into your products:

• Photos

• Videos

• Pricing

• Product benefits

• Discounts and promotions

To get the most out of social media, post organic content AND leverage paid ads.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Use organic and paid ads on social media to promote your products’ benefits.

18. Ask me anything (AMA)

There’s a time to ask your audience questions.

And there’s a time to let them ask YOU!

AMA posts encourage a deeper relationship with your followers.

You invite your followers to ask you questions and get to know more about you as a person.

You can facilitate AMAs through a variety of forms, including:

• Video responses

• Live streams

• Status updates

• Blog posts

• Carousels

The result of a good AMA?

Your followers’ increased TRUST!

Schedule your AMAs at regular intervals to encourage participation!

KEY TAKE AWAY: Relate more deeply with your audience by incorporating AMA posts.

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9. Share trending topics

What’s the latest trend in your industry?

Create chatter around that trend by posting about it!

Don’t know which topic to talk about?

Use Post Planner’s Content Library and browse currently viral content!

People like talking about what they like talking about.

Instead of starting a conversation, sometimes the best option is to join one!

KEY TAKEAWAY: Use Post Planner’s content library to find and post about trending topics on social media.

20. GIFs

When there are no words, you always have GIFs.

GIFs fuse images, video, and text to deliver witty punchlines.

They’re EXTREMELY shareable because they’re easily digestible and highly entertaining.

You can make your own GIF (if you’re especially creative).

If your time is limited, find amazing GIFs for your social media accounts in Post Planner’s content library.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Use GIFs to make your posts more interesting, comical, and shareable.

21. Influencer collaborations

Influencers rule the world.

The world of social media, that is.

But what exactly is an influencer?

An influencer is a social media user with a large enough following to INFLUENCE purchase decisions, opinions, ideas, and actions.

To their followers, influencers are celebrities.

If they promote a product, their followers are very likely to purchase that product.

You can leverage that power by collaborating with an influencer.

If your product or service fits their niche, an influencer would probably be happy to work with you.

If the price is right, that is.

Influencers make money through these kinds of brand partnerships.

But if the product promotion goes well, you should see a HUGE return on the investment.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Form a partnership with an influencer to reach a wider audience (be prepared to pay a sponsorship fee).

22. Stories (Snapchat, Instagram, Linkedin, Facebook)

Snapchat pioneered social media stories back in 2011.

Since then?

Almost EVERY platform has a story feature you can use.

Stories are different than regular posts because they’re temporary.

That makes them appealing to your followers.

The fear of missing out on your story is enough to drive people to them.

That makes stories an effective place to advertise limited-time offers, discounts, promotions, and updates.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Consistently add stories to your social media profiles to update your followers and keep them intrigued!

23. Post collabs

You don’t have to go at this social media game alone!

Post collabs!

That just means you and another social media user work together to create content.

Examples of post collabs include:

• Re-sharing each other’s content

• Making announcements

• Promoting collaborative events

In this Popoca and Tacos Oscar example, 2 Oakland based taco announced a joint popup:

The benefit of post collabs?

You and your partner expose each others’ followers to the other.

It’s a great way to network AND gain new followers.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Collaborate with another brand on social to increase brand exposure.

The MOST EFFICIENT way to post your social media content

Form a social media content strategy with a mix of post types I’ve described in this guide.

I know.

It might sound like a lot of work.

But engaging social media content is CRUCIAL to connecting with today’s consumers.

And I have good news!

It doesn’t actually have to be as time-consuming as it sounds!

Use Post Planner to find, create, schedule, and post INCREDIBLE content on all of your social media accounts.

It’s easy and effective.

But don’t take my word for it.

Try for yourself when you create a FREE Post Planner account today!