Social Media Fundamentals

Learn the fundamentals of social media marketing including platform overview and basic strategies.

beginner Social Media Marketing 5 hours

Chapter 6: Posting Strategies

Chapter 6 of 15

Chapter 6: Posting Strategies

6.1 Posting Frequency

Posting frequency directly impacts reach, engagement, and audience growth. Finding the right balance prevents audience fatigue while maintaining visibility.

Platform-Specific Frequency Guidelines:

  • Facebook: 1-2 posts per day for businesses, 3-5 for pages with high engagement
  • Instagram: 1-2 posts per day, plus Stories throughout the day
  • Twitter: 3-5 tweets per day minimum, up to 15-20 for active accounts
  • LinkedIn: 1-2 posts per day, focus on quality over quantity
  • TikTok: 1-3 videos per day for growth, consistency matters most
  • YouTube: 1-2 videos per week minimum, daily for channels with large audiences

Frequency Factors:

  • Audience expectations and platform norms
  • Content quality and production capacity
  • Engagement rates at different frequencies
  • Algorithm preferences per platform
  • Resource availability and team capacity

Finding Your Optimal Frequency:

  • Start with platform recommendations
  • Monitor engagement metrics
  • Test different frequencies
  • Analyze audience feedback
  • Adjust based on performance data

6.2 Posting Times

Posting at optimal times maximizes visibility and engagement. Each platform and audience has different peak activity periods.

General Best Times (EST):

  • Facebook: 9 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM (weekdays), 9 AM-1 PM (weekends)
  • Instagram: 11 AM-1 PM, 7-9 PM (weekdays), 10 AM-2 PM (weekends)
  • Twitter: 8-10 AM, 12-1 PM, 5-6 PM (weekdays), 9-11 AM (weekends)
  • LinkedIn: 8-9 AM, 12-1 PM, 5-6 PM (Tuesday-Thursday best)
  • TikTok: 6-10 AM, 7-9 PM (weekdays), varies by audience

Time Zone Considerations:

  • Know your audience's primary time zones
  • Schedule posts for multiple time zones if needed
  • Use scheduling tools for global audiences
  • Test posting times in different regions
  • Adjust for daylight saving time changes

Finding Your Optimal Times:

  • Check platform analytics for audience activity
  • Test posting at different times
  • Monitor engagement rates by time
  • Consider your specific audience behavior
  • Adjust schedule based on data

6.3 Content Scheduling

Effective scheduling ensures consistent posting and optimal timing without manual effort every day.

Scheduling Benefits:

  • Maintains consistent presence
  • Posts at optimal times automatically
  • Reduces daily workload
  • Allows batch content creation
  • Ensures no missed posting opportunities

Scheduling Tools:

  • Buffer: Multi-platform scheduling with analytics
  • Hootsuite: Comprehensive social media management
  • Sprout Social: Advanced scheduling and analytics
  • Later: Visual content calendar for Instagram
  • Facebook Creator Studio: Native Facebook/Instagram scheduling

Scheduling Best Practices:

  • Schedule 1-2 weeks in advance
  • Leave room for real-time posts
  • Review scheduled content before posting
  • Adjust for trending topics or events
  • Monitor and engage after posts go live

6.4 Content Mix Strategy

Balancing different content types keeps your feed engaging and prevents audience fatigue.

Content Mix Elements:

  • Educational: Tips, tutorials, how-tos (40-50%)
  • Entertaining: Memes, humor, behind-the-scenes (20-30%)
  • Promotional: Products, services, offers (10-20%)
  • Inspirational: Quotes, success stories, motivation (10-20%)
  • User-Generated: Customer content, testimonials (10-15%)

Mix Planning:

  • Use content calendars to plan mix
  • Balance promotional and value-driven content
  • Vary formats (images, videos, carousels)
  • Include seasonal and trending content
  • Maintain brand voice across all types

6.5 Posting Strategy Optimization

Continuously optimize your posting strategy based on performance data and audience feedback.

Optimization Metrics:

  • Engagement rates by time and day
  • Reach and impressions patterns
  • Content type performance
  • Audience growth rates
  • Click-through rates

Optimization Process:

  • Review analytics weekly
  • Identify top-performing posts
  • Test new posting times and frequencies
  • Adjust content mix based on engagement
  • Document what works for your audience