One time, I spent weeks creating what I thought was the perfect post for Instagram.
It had everything — a cool design, a smart caption, even hashtags I researched for hours.
But when I posted it, nothing much happened. There were hardly any likes or comments on my post.
That’s when it hit me: social media best practices are not just about posting pretty stuff.
They’re about understanding people, choosing the right strategies, and staying consistent.
And it’s not just me. According to Statista, over 5 billion people are using social media in 2024. Yet, only around 30% of businesses feel they are using it well (source).
If you want to stand out, you need to know what actually works — and today, I’ll show you how.
What are Social Media Best Practices?
Social media best practices are the smart ways people and brands use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
They are the simple rules that help you grow your audience, get better results, and avoid wasting time.
Best practices are not about copying what others are doing.
It’s about learning what works for you and your audience, then doing it consistently.
Why Following Best Practices Matters
- Social media keeps changing every year.
- Algorithms (how posts get shown to people) are updated often.
- New platforms pop up (think TikTok).
- People’s attention spans are getting shorter.
Your content can easily disappear if you don’t update how you use social media.
Good best practices help you:
- Reach more people
- Get better engagement (likes, comments, shares)
- Build trust and loyalty
- Grow your brand or business faster
The Best Social Media Practices You Should Follow In 2025
Social media looks easy from the outside. But behind successful pages and brands, people follow smart steps every day.
Let’s break the social media best practices down in a way that’s simple to remember and practical to apply.
#1. Set Clear Goals
Before you post anything, know why you are doing it.
Ask yourself:
- Am I trying to get more followers?
- Am I trying to sell something?
- Am I trying to build trust or share knowledge?
Without a goal, you’re just posting for posting’s sake.
Your goal helps you decide:
- What type of content to post
- What call-to-action (CTA) to use
- How you measure success
Example:
If your goal is sales, you should post product demos, customer reviews, and promo codes.
If your goal is trust, you should post behind-the-scenes videos, tips, and real customer stories.
Setting a goal makes your content feel focused, not random.
#2. Know Your Audience
You cannot talk to everyone, and you shouldn’t try.
Good social media starts when you know exactly who you want to reach.
Questions to ask:
- How old are they?
- What are they interested in?
- Where do they spend time online?
- What problems do they want to solve?
Example:
- If your audience is teenagers, post fun videos, memes, and trending topics.
- If your audience is CEOs, post business tips, leadership quotes, or short case studies.
Tools to help you understand your audience:
- Instagram Insights
- Facebook Page Insights
- TikTok Analytics
- LinkedIn Analytics
Understanding your audience saves you time, money, and energy.
#3. Choose the Right Platforms
You don’t need to be on every app out there.
Focus on where your people are.
Each platform has its own “vibe”:
- TikTok — Short, funny, or entertaining videos for younger audiences.
- Instagram — Beautiful pictures, Reels, and lifestyle updates.
- LinkedIn — Business advice, thought leadership, and networking posts.
- Facebook — Family updates, groups, and longer discussions.
- YouTube — Longer video content like tutorials, vlogs, and deep explanations.
Example:
If you are a photographer, Instagram might be your main home.
You might be more successful on LinkedIn if you are a business coach.
Pick one or two platforms you can manage well and grow from there.
#4. Be Consistent
Posting once and disappearing doesn’t work.
Consistency builds trust.
It tells your audience, “I’m serious. I’m here for you.”
You don’t have to post every day.
Even three times a week is enough if you stick to it.
Tips to stay consistent:
- Create a posting schedule.
- Batch-create content in advance.
- Use free tools like Buffer, Later, or Facebook Creator Studio to plan posts.
Consistency beats perfection.
#5. Post High-Quality Content
Social media is noisy. People scroll fast.
You need to post content that makes them stop.
Focus on quality:
- Use clear, good-looking pictures and videos.
- Write simple, direct captions that make sense.
- Always add a call to action (even if it’s just “Double tap if you agree” or “Tag a friend”).
Example:
Instead of posting five low-quality memes a day, post one great tutorial or personal story that people will save or share.
Quality content brings real followers, not just random likes.
#6. Use Videos and Visuals More
Videos are king right now — and it’s not changing soon.
People prefer to watch rather than read.
84 percent of people say they’ve bought something after watching a brand’s video (HubSpot Source).
Good video ideas include:
- Short tutorials
- Day-in-the-life videos
- Customer testimonials
- Quick product tips
Platforms that love video:
- TikTok
- Instagram Reels
- YouTube Shorts
- Facebook Watch
If you’re shy, start small — even 10-second videos work.
#7. Engage With Your Audience
Posting is only half the work.
Talking with your followers is what builds a real community.
Ways to engage:
- Reply to comments
- Answer DMs
- Like and reply to people who tag you
- Thank people for their support
Tip:
The faster you respond, the stronger the relationship.
People love brands that make them feel seen and heard.
#8. Watch Your Analytics
Don’t guess what’s working — check your numbers.
Important things to track:
- Which posts got the most likes or shares?
- What time of day gets the most engagement?
- What topics or hashtags work best?
Analytics helps you:
- Find your best-performing content
- Stop wasting time on posts that don’t work
- Know when and what to post next
Free tools like Instagram Insights, Facebook Analytics, TikTok Creator Tools, and LinkedIn Analytics can help.
Check your numbers at least once a week to stay on track.
#9. Stay Updated
Social media moves fast.
Tactics that worked six months ago might not work now.
Stay in the know by:
- Following blogs like Hootsuite, HubSpot, Social Media Examiner
- Watching for changes inside apps (like new features or trends)
- Studying big accounts and noticing what they are doing differently
Example:
Carousel posts (multiple swipeable images) became hot on Instagram after 2022.
Smart creators shifted fast and used them to boost their reach.
Adapting fast is part of winning on social media.
#10. Be Real
People are tired of brands that act perfectly all the time.
They want it real. They want humans.
Ways to show you’re real:
- Share stories of challenges you’ve faced
- Post pictures of your workspace, not just polished graphics
- Introduce your team
- Share bloopers or funny behind-the-scenes clips
Being human makes you relatable.
Relatable brands always win more trust and more customers.
How to Build a Strong Social Media Content Calendar
Planning your content ahead of time is one of the smartest things you can do.
Without a plan, posting can feel stressful and messy.
A content calendar helps you stay organised, show up consistently, and avoid last-minute panic.
Why Planning Content Ahead Saves Time and Stress
When you plan:
- You avoid “What should I post today?” panic.
- You stay consistent even on busy days.
- You can balance different types of posts (not just sales posts).
- You have time to create better captions, designs, and videos.
Good planning also gives you more time to reply to comments, engage with followers, and grow your page.
How to Build a Simple Content Calendar
You don’t need fancy tools.
A simple content calendar can be as basic as:
- Weekly Plan (for beginners):
- Monday — Motivation Post
- Wednesday — Educational Tip
- Friday — Fun Post or Behind-the-scenes
- Monthly Plan (for deeper planning):
- Week 1 — Product promotion
- Week 2 — Customer story
- Week 3 — Giveaway or Poll
- Week 4 — Educational blog post
Just keep it flexible. If a big trend happens, you can adjust.
Tools You Can Use
- Google Calendar (free and simple)
- Trello (great for visual boards)
- Notion (very flexible for planning ideas, drafts, and schedules)
- Later or Buffer (for scheduling posts automatically)
Use whatever tool feels easy for you.
Tips for Balancing Promotional, Educational, and Fun Content
The best accounts don’t just sell. They teach, entertain, and inspire, too.
A good content mix looks like
- 30% Educational (tips, advice)
- 30% Fun (memes, stories, quotes)
- 30% Promotional (products, services, offers)
- 10% Personal (behind-the-scenes, your journey)
Best Times to Post on Social Media (With Latest Stats)
Posting at the right time can help your content get more views, likes, and shares.
Why Posting at the Right Time Matters
Each platform has busy hours when users are active.
If you post during those times, your content is more likely to be seen and engaged with.
The Best Times to Post
According to Hootsuite’s 2024 report:
- Instagram: Monday to Thursday, 11 AM to 1 PM
- Facebook: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday at 9 AM to 1 PM
- LinkedIn: Tuesday to Thursday, 8 AM to 2 PM
- TikTok: Tuesday and Thursday, 6 PM to 9 PM
Weekends can be unpredictable — sometimes very active, sometimes slow — depending on your audience.
How to Find Your Own Best Posting Times
- Check Instagram Insights (Activity Tab > Followers > Most Active Times)
- Look at Facebook Page Insights (Posts Tab > When Your Fans Are Online)
- Use TikTok Analytics (Follower Activity section)
- Track manually: watch your posts for a month and note the best times.
Why Quality Matters Even More Than Timing
Posting at the best time helps, but if your content is boring or low-quality, it won’t work.
Good timing boosts good content. Timing cannot save bad content.
Social Media Etiquette: What to Do and What to Avoid
Social media isn’t just what you post.
It’s also how you behave online.
Good manners can make or break your brand reputation.
How to Behave Professionally Online
- Always reply politely, even when people are rude.
- Give credit when you repost someone’s work.
- Be honest — don’t make fake promises.
- Respect different opinions without starting fights.
Things to Avoid
- Arguing in comments
- Ignoring follower questions or feedback
- Spamming hashtags just to get reach
- Posting angry or emotional rants when upset
How Politeness and Respect Build Brand Loyalty
When you treat people kindly:
- They trust you more.
- They recommend you to others.
- They forgive your mistakes more easily.
Brands that stay polite even under pressure usually win more loyalty.
How to Use Hashtags the Right Way
Hashtags serve as tiny portals, allowing your posts to reach new audiences.
But if you use them wrong, they can hurt more than help.
What Hashtags Really Do
Hashtags group your post with others on the same topic.
They help new people discover your page even if they don’t follow you yet.
Example:
Posting a fitness workout with #homeworkout can attract people searching for workout ideas.
How Many Hashtags Are Too Many?
- Instagram: 5 to 10 focused hashtags work best.
- TikTok: 3 to 5 hashtags.
- LinkedIn: 3 to 5 simple hashtags.
- Twitter (X): 1 or 2 hashtags per post.
Flooding your posts with random hashtags looks desperate and can lower your reach.
How to Find the Best Hashtags for Your Niche
- Look at your competitors’ hashtags.
- Use hashtag suggestion tools like Hashtagify.me.
- Check trending hashtags on the platform itself.
- Create a branded hashtag for your community if possible.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Using banned or spammy hashtags
- Using very broad hashtags like #happy or #love
- Using hashtags that don’t relate to your post
Always keep hashtags specific and relevant.
How to Handle Negative Comments or Social Media Backlash
Negative comments will happen — it’s normal.
How you react makes all the difference.
Why You Should Never Ignore Angry Comments
Ignoring or deleting real complaints can make followers feel like you don’t care.
Others watching will notice and lose respect.
Addressing complaints shows you are responsible and human.
How to Reply Calmly and Professionally
- Stay calm. Don’t argue.
- Thank them for the feedback.
- Apologize if you made a mistake.
- Offer to move the conversation to private DMs.
Example reply:
“Thanks for your feedback. We’re sorry you had a bad experience. Please message us privately, and we’ll do our best to help.”
When to Delete or Block vs. When to Engage
- Delete or Block: Only if the comment is abusive, racist, threatening, or pure spam.
- Engage: If it’s a real complaint or question.
Always stay polite — even when blocking someone.
Examples of Brands That Handled Backlash Well
- KFC UK: When they ran out of chicken and had massive complaints, they apologised with a clever “FCK” ad that made people laugh.
- Netflix: After backlash over cancelled shows, they acknowledged feedback and promoted exciting new releases to rebuild goodwill.
Owning your mistakes and responding with kindness often turns critics into fans.
Key Takeaways
- Start with a goal. Know what you want from social media.
- Talk to the right people. Know your audience.
- Focus on quality over quantity.
- Engage with real conversations, not just likes.
- Keep learning and improving.
Common Questions About Social Media Best Practices
Q1: How often should I post on social media?
Three to five times a week is a good starting point. More important than frequency is consistency.
Q2: What is the biggest mistake people make on social media?
Posting without a clear goal, and forgetting to engage with their audience.
Q3: Should I post the same thing on every platform?
No. Adjust the style to fit the platform. A TikTok video might not work well on LinkedIn.
Conclusion
Social media isn’t about shouting the loudest. It’s about building real connections.
By following simple social media best practices, you can make your brand stronger, reach more people, and create a community that truly cares about what you offer.
So, are you ready to stop guessing and start using social media the smart way?
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- Best Nigerian Social Media Marketing Agencies for Brand Growth
- Guide To The Best Social Media Management Tools For Brands
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