Hands up if you’re a social media manager who’s struggling to come up with content ideas.
You’re not alone! A recent study shows that 46% of businesses said they wanted to boost their content creation. So, the need for more and more content is certainly on the rise.
However, with more content comes the struggle to come up with regular, innovative social media posts and content.
Just like writer's block, content fatigue can be debilitating for social media managers because, as it turns out, being endlessly creative and constantly delivering new ideas that bring in results isn’t easy.
But we’re here to renew your passion for the process!
We’ve compiled a list of content ideas that you can incorporate into your social media strategy to increase engagement and amplify your or your client's brand awareness.
A list of social media content ideas
Check out these content ideas and take inspiration from the brands that are utilising them:
1. Live Q&A sessions
There's not a better way to connect with your audience than answering their questions in real-time. You can set up a Story or a feed post to invite them to send questions beforehand to promote the event.
Alternatively, you can announce a series of events and brand them as free consultations to create trust and promote yourself while sharing advice free of charge.
This pairs really well with the ongoing trend of building a strong relationship with your social media community.
Best channels to share this content type: Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube
2. Do an X chat
X chats allow your followers to connect with your brand. They're brilliant places to exchange industry knowledge and best practices and allow your followers to be heard.
To get the most from your X chat, collate the responses and repurpose them into content for other channels.
Best channels to share this content type: X (X)
3. Run polls and surveys
Polls are one of the best ways to boost engagement on your social media channels and, consequently, your reach.
Polling your followers also helps your brand learn more about your social media target audience. Whether your questions are serious or silly, the goal is to engage your audience, and valuable insights are available.
Use a simple yes and no for quick answers, create a series of Stories and organise them into a quiz, or even use LinkedIn polls to run a challenge or an ongoing quiz to promote your lead magnets or newsletter. The options are limitless!
Your engagement will skyrocket as the answers are anonymous and they'll be naturally curious to tap the answer to see the poll results.
LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X are some of the main social media channels with built-in polling capabilities.
4. Share industry-specific nuggets of advice
Social media marketing is all about providing value.
So, indulge your followers and potential customers by giving them what they want - help!
Ensure that the information you provide is hyper-relevant to your target audience.
So, if you run a building company, advising your followers about planning permission will be more useful than telling them what sort of eyeshadow they should be using!
When designing these sorts of posts, it's always a good idea to make them very visual—Instagram carousels and LinkedIn PDF carousels are a great way to display this sort of information.
Best channels to share this content type: Instagram, X, LinkedIn, TikTok
5. Capitalise on customer testimonials
If your customers write positive things about you online, why not shout about it?
Repurposing testimonials as social media posts is the best way to increase loyalty, but also to populate your content calendar with evergreen content.
That's right—testimonials don't have an expiration date, so you can easily repurpose them whenever you run out of fresh ideas for posting on your social media channels.
The final post doesn't have to be overly complicated in terms of design—it could be as easy as repurposing a tweet and adding your brand colours to a template you create in Canva. Then, you're good to go!
Best channels to share this content type: Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google My Business.
6. Jump onto trending memes
This type of fun content often arises from news and current events and can get your brand exposure and engagement if you can strike while the iron is hot.
Use trending words and pair them with a fun meme. Add a niched comment to ensure you're targeting the right audience while staying on brand.
Memes are a great way to increase engagement and reach because they are relatable. Plus, they offer your brand to show a more relaxed, fun side.
Best channels to share this content type: X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook
7. Provide self-care and well-being tips
People are burnt out from too much screen time, mental health has taken a hit, and social media is partly to blame.
Spending too much time on social media isn't good for anyone, and has been shown to increase anxiety, depression, and other issues.
Social media usage is at an all-time high, with the average user spending 2 hours and 30 minutes daily on social media. So, offering your followers some self-care tips and success stories can go a long way.
Why not show your followers some compassion by posting weekly about ways that they can take care of themselves better, or even encouraging them to switch off from social and reconnect with the real world - they might thank you for it.
Best channels to share this content type: X, Instagram, LinkedIn
8. Share original research and data on your social media platforms
If you work in an industry that deals with data and carries out regular research, why not repurpose your findings visually, easily digestibly for your followers?
Charts and statistics work brilliantly on Instagram because there are so many unique ways to present them on Instagram Stories or as in-feed posts.
Best channels to share this content type: Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Pinterest
9. Create short-form videos
Don't have time to create long-form videos? You're in luck, because short-form videos are the most popular social media content.
But saying you should create them is not enough. So here are some actionable ideas:
- Hop on trending audio and add niched captions. This type of video is great for increasing your reach.
- Add video memes to your image. Just like image memes, this type of video post tends to perform well because it's relatable.
- Record yourself showing to the left and right, then add overlay text to create a "this or that" video. This is a great way to boost the number of comments.
- Film yourself while doing a daily activity, then add a list of steps to achieve the goal. This will cause viewers to pause your video to read the list, increasing engagement and watch time.
The best channels to share this content type are Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, Tiktok, and YouTube Shorts.
10. Ask your followers questions
Sometimes, marketers forget that social media isn't just a distribution channel. Your followers don't want to be given the hard sell with endless product posts - they want to be heard.
So, why not spend some time getting to know them by asking questions and encouraging them to engage?
Depending on the type and amount of engagement you receive from this style of post, you could repurpose your followers' answers into further posts.
Best channels to share this content type: X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
11. Utilise user-generated content
User-generated content is essentially content that's already been created for you by your biggest fans - talk about convenience!
Not only does user-generated content save you time on the content creation side, but it's also a great tool for adding a sense of authenticity to your brand, so it can be quite an effective part of your content strategy.
To cultivate this sort of user-generated content, create a hashtag and encourage your customers to use it whenever they post about your brand on their social media platforms.
You don't need to dress these posts up or add any special effects, the more stripped down and real they are, the better. Just make sure you ask permission to share the content by reaching out and asking to repost it on your accounts.
Ultimately, there isn't anything much more powerful for a brand than social proof showing real people using (and enjoying) your product or service, as Estrid shows:
Best channels to share this content type: Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest
12. Get creative with emojis
Using emojis helps to humanise your brand and studies show that 44% of consumers are more likely to purchase products that are advertised using emojis. And let's face it - emojis are fun!
You can use them to inspire people to vote in the comments or by adding a "like" in the form of the emoji.
Some popular emojis in 2024 included:
1. 😂 Face with tears of joy
2. 🤣 Rolling on the floor laughing
3. ❤️ Red Heart
4. 🙏 Folded Hands
5. 😭 Loudly Crying Face
But before you decorate your posts, ensure that emoji usage on social media aligns with your brand values. Also, remember that emoji usage should be relevant and appropriate to your message - you don't want to come off as insensitive for pairing an emoji with a serious or sensitive post.
Best channels to share this content type: X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram
13. Share quotes
While this type of post might seem fluffy, it's great filler content that doesn't take long to create.
The quotes you share could be from influential or inspirational figures in your industry, or be funny things your team members have said.
You could also use quote graphics to repurpose any long-form content your company has produced, including blog posts, whitepapers, and case studies.
Best channels to share this content type: Instagram and LinkedIn
14. Celebrate social media holidays
Celebrating social media holidays is an easy way to increase engagement on your social media channels, as well as show off your brand values.
The dates your brand decides to celebrate can be charitable, food-related, or just plain silly, but they must resonate with your brand's target audience and keep you in line with your marketing resolutions.
Some examples of national and social media holidays in 2024 include:
- #WorldSocialMediaDay📱(30th June 2024)
- #NationalWatermelonDay 🍉 (3rd August 2024)
- #RespectDay 💛 (18th September 2024)
- #Diwali🕯(4th November 2024)
- #Christmas 🎄(25th December 2024)
Pro Tip: If you're looking for dates to celebrate, you can check out our 2024 Social Media Holidays Calendar, which is the perfect tool for planning a year’s worth of social media posts based around holidays in 2024!!
Sendible's analytics feature can also help you determine which posts and hashtags are generating the most engagement so that you can focus on them.
Best channels to share this content type: Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest
15. Share industry news
Platforms like X thrive on trending news. In fact, it's where 11% of Americans get their news from.
Since your audience is primed for it, why not share articles about developments in your industry for your followers to read or video clips of news events that are happening?
Do make sure to always check your sources before you share - fake news is prolific and could discredit your brand.
Best channels to share this content type: X, LinkedIn, Facebook
16. Share product news and releases
Keeping followers updated with your brand's movements and teasing them with new releases and developments is a great way to grab their attention and get them excited about your offering.
If you're planning to release a new feature, maximise the opportunity from a content perspective by counting down to d-day with in-feed posts.
Best channels to share this content type: X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram
17. Share product photos
Product photos are a brand's bread and butter on social media. They're also a frequently used type of visual content for social media marketing campaigns.
Beautifully crafted shots can really help to solidify your brand's aesthetic, and who doesn't love a pretty picture?!
Couple your striking product photo with a strong caption and you're onto a winner!
Best channels to share this content type: X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok
18. Run a competition
Nothing builds brand awareness like free stuff, so get your followers excited about your brand by running a contest. Just ensure that you make the terms and conditions clear to participants before they enter, to avoid any disappointment or confusion.
Best channels to share this content type: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest
19. Share team content
One way to build trust and show authenticity on social media is to put names to faces and show off the team behind your brand.
You could run a video profile on every team member, or feature their faces on your brand's Instagram feed alongside an interview. Sharing plenty of team shots and updating followers on day-to-day office antics helps to acquaint your followers with your brand and builds a rapport.
Best channels to share this content type: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram
20. Reveal behind-the-scenes content
Gone are the days of perfectly curated social media content. Consumers want to see what goes on behind the scenes - so show them!
From bloopers to providing exclusive insights into new products and projects, BTS content is a winner when it comes to building your brand on social.
Best channels to share this content type: TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest
21. Share infographics
Infographics are perfect for your brand's social media channels because you can pack a lot of value into one small post. It's worth noting that they work particularly well on Pinterest.
Use them to highlight important industry stats or relay quick tips that your audience can put into practice.
Best channels to share this content type: Instagram, Pinterest
22. Share blog posts
If your brand has a blog that is frequently updated with new articles, it's definitely worth sharing these links to social media.
Successful content always provides value to the reader, so why not try sharing articles on LinkedIn about trending news or company developments?
For an engaging caption, condense the main points of the article into bullet points to encourage your followers to click the link and find out more.
You could also get more mileage from your content by sharing blog posts to Instagram Stories—if you have over 10,000 followers, you can use Instagram’s swipe-up link.
Best channels to share this content type: LinkedIn, X, Facebook
23. Celebrate company milestones
When you're proud of an achievement, all you want to do is tell the world - so why not use your brand's social media channels to broadcast your message? Your followers will likely want to pop open the champagne with you!
Best channels to post: Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X, TikTok
24. Share customer case studies
Case studies allow you to tell success stories about your brand and let potential customers know what to expect when they invest in your product or service. They work on social media because it's where followers prospect and do their research before buying.
Create video case studies to pack even more punch, and make sure to tag all participants' social media accounts to increase the reach and engagement of your brand's case study posts.
Best channels to share this content type: LinkedIn, X, Facebook
25. Share a pearl of wisdom
If you're feeling particularly thoughtful, why not try sharing a fact, statement or opinion that your followers can engage with. It's a guaranteed way to spark conversation (or debate) and boosts that much-needed engagement.
Best channels to share this content type: LinkedIn, X
26. Provide a product demo or explainer
This is a great chance to demystify any elements of your product that customers might have questions about or don't understand - perfect if you're in the SaaS or technology sectors.
Alternatively, you could provide answers or solutions to common problems by explaining them step-by-step.
These sorts of posts work really well in video format, as well as in an infographic.
Best channels to share this content type: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest
27. Show support for social causes
There has never been a more important time for brands to declare their positions on social issues.
Although it may seem risky, or even scary, to stand behind what you believe in, consumers will reward you for making your support known. Why? Because humans run brands and can be great agents for progress and change.
The trick with cause marketing is to avoid simply jumping on the bandwagon and instead explain your brand's reasons for forming the opinion that it has. Make sure that your brand can justify why it holds a particular position and why you chose to speak up.
Best channels to share this content type: LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest
How can Sendible help you with content fatigue
So there you have it - 27 social media post ideas for your brand to try out.
Now let's see how Sendible, a social media management tool, can help you expedite the process of searching for ideas, storing them, and publishing them:
- Google Chrome Extension: You never know when inspiration will strike. That's why we created an extension that allows you to share ideas on your social media channels while browsing the internet. Alternatively, you can save them to the Content Library for future purposes.
- Content Library: You can save images, articles, and groups of hashtags to our library to ensure you always have some ideas in storage.
- AI Assist: Use our built-in AI tool to generate ideas from scratch or optimise your copy to stay on brand and be as engaging as possible.
- Built-in image integrations: Use Canva, Pexels, Flickr, or Giphy to easily access billions of royalty-free images and gifs directly from the Smart Compose Box.
