11 Social Media Content Types And Examples

How better to connect with your followers than using the type of content on social media and channel that is most appropriate for them? Find out what works best for your business.

11 Social Media Content Types And Examples

The social media industry has been on forefront of marketing via digital channels for a long time and it’s unlikely to be changing anytime soon. In reality, we’re continuing to see new social media platforms and channels emerge, along with a array of different types of content as well as features and formats. This article will discuss the most popular social media content types as well as the channels they are most appropriate to. We will also present some of our top examples of brands that have performed well in all types of content.

Let’s take a dive.

1. Short-Form Video

If you’ve ever spent time on social networks in the last few years, you’ll know that short-form videos have become an increasingly commonly used and well-known kinds of social media content.

Short-form video is defined as any video that is less than 10 minutes, however typically, the less, the more effective. If I consider video that is short I am thinking of video content that is between 0-3 minutes in length.

Between Reels through TikTok from Reels to Instagram, YouTube Shorts. The short-form format of video has proved to be a highly efficient way to reach viewers through social media.

Why? Because, if done correctly it packs captivating visual storytelling into a small digestible piece of information and that’s precisely what today’s ever-more active and distracted consumers are looking for.

Short-form videos are also flexible. You can make use of it to accomplish a variety of goals including showcasing internal thinking leadership, highlighting a client research study or showcasing your own product.

The Best Social Media Channels For Short-Form Video

Due to the increasing popularity of short-form videos is high, it can be used on the majority of social media platforms that range from TikTok through LinkedIn. However, the following stands out as the best match:

TikTok This is obvious. Being the most viewed social media platform in the world, TikTok is the leader in video short-form.

Instagram – With the advent of Instagram Reels in 2023 it has turned toward short-form videos. If you make video clips that are short on Instagram the algorithm is likely to reward you.

YouTube : While YouTube is more well-known for its long-form videos which we’ll discuss later YouTube has also begun to expand into short-form video. YouTube has launched YouTube Shorts in 2020, with more than 1.5 billion monthly active users.

Snapchat : The original of the short-lived video, Snapchat has somewhat faded to the side conversations on social networks. Don’t let it fool you that it boasts more than the 530 million monthly active users.

2. Long-Form Video

Long-form video refers to video content which is 10 minutes or more.

While you might not notice it in your daily social media posts It certainly is a key element in the marketing of brands.

Long-form videos can be an effective tool for deep brand storytelling and for creating content.

A few examples of long-form video content that you could use to promote your business are documentaries, series with a brand name such as interviews, video profiles and many more.

The Best Social Media Channels For Long-Form Video

If you’re looking to distribute long-form videos via social media platforms, YouTube is where you should be. YouTube is the top choice in long-form video, and you’re most likely to meet your viewers there.

Although you are able to be able to share cut-downs and shorter clips from your video on platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok Some of these apps won’t allow longer videos.

Brand Example: Long-Form Video

This team that is behind BuzzFeed’s Tasty is aware of the necessary skills to create amazing social video, as well as long-form content.

3. User-Generated Content (UGC)

User-generated content, also known as UGC is content made by users who aren’t affiliated with your business or your brand. It’s the an excellent example of what makes the social media posts so effective.

Over the last 10 years or more, UGC has become one of the most ubiquitous kinds of content for brands on social media and with good reason.

UGC uses word-of mouth marketing to establish trust and a sense of community with your targeted group of customers. This is due to the fact that the majority of people believe an endorsement from their peers instead of relying on direct marketing by a brand.

UGC can take many types, from images or carousel-style posts to brief videos Instagram Stories and more.

The Best Social Media Channels For UGC

Instagram is the best option to share UGC.

It’s visually oriented it has a high-engagement audience, and has different formats and options based on the content – from stories to reels, or posts that you can put on your grid.

X (previously also known as Twitter) is a great platform for sharing UGC dependent on your field of work and the target audience you’re trying to get to.

4. Live Streams

Live streaming is on the increase in recent years and companies are becoming increasingly involved. It’s gotten so popular that social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and even TikTok are now offering special live video products. In addition the existing platforms, new ones built about live streaming has come up to meet the needs of those who love this format of content.

For businesses live streams offer the opportunity to interact live with your audience and give a more genuine, “behind the scenes” glimpse into your company unlike content that is produced.

The Best Social Media Channels For Live Streaming

As we mentioned earlier, Instagram Live, YouTube Live as well as TikTok Live all are excellent options for live-streaming your content. Which location you decide to play will be determined by the location where your audience is spending most of their time as well as the shape your content will take. Based on this, Twitch is another powerful platform for live streaming.

5. Polls & Questions

The most effective type of content on social media engages your viewers and inspires them to interact with you. Participate in audience polls and questions. If you’re using a poll feature on a particular social media platform, or posing an open-ended query, posing questions to your users is a great method of generating engagement and collect useful information. The topics covered can include things such as your company’s brand or product as well as industry trends or even what type of content your customers would want to see from your.

The Best Social Media Channels For Polls & Questions

Here are the top platforms for questions and polls:

Instagram The platform allows you to make use of Instagram Stories to make both polls and questions since it comes with distinct instruments for both. You can create an image that asks your audience to answer a question and then upload it to your grid. users can respond to the question in the comments.

LinkedIn The LinkedIn LinkedIn has a built-in poll feature, which can be used to ask questions to your users who might be inclined to express their thoughts or their opinion via a comment.

Twitter – A different platform that comes with the option of polls, Twitter is a great platform for all kinds of question-related content because of its text-based structure.

Facebook – You are able to poll users in Facebook Groups or ask questions on every piece of Facebook posts.

Reddit If your company has a presence on Reddit it is worth taking advantage of Reddit’s vote feature or asking your readers questions.

Brand Example: Polls & Questions

Fortune is an instance of a brand which often uses polls to connect with its customers.

6. Influencer Collaborations

As of now, there’s a good chance that when you hear “social media,” you immediately think of influencers. Influencers truly actually have “taken over” social media by forming loyal communities that are a source of entertainment and inspiration in addition to suggestions and tips. Engaging with influencers in a partnership can help increase your brand’s visibility and provide it exposure to an active audience. Collaborations with influencers can take a variety of types, but the most important to achieving success is to establish a genuine, natural and genuine connection that connects the person who is influencing your company.

The Best Social Media Channels For Influencer Partnerships

If you’re seeking to collaborate with an influencer, think about any of the following channels

Instagram – Due to how connected Instagram’s creators are with the people they follow, Instagram is the top option for collaborations with influencers. There are a variety of options for how your collaboration can be realized, e.g., an Instagram Live interview as well as the Stories feature or a carousel that showcases the top 5 products of a creator from your company, etc.

TikTok – As brands begin to catch up with the TikTok trend increasing numbers are working with popular creators in order to get their business on the radar of Gen Z. Gen Z consumer.

YouTube is home to some of the most adored video creators and incredibly engaged users, it’s not a wonder to learn that YouTube is a favored channel for influencer-related partnerships.

7. Infographics And Charts

The most engaging social media content is able to be a narrative using just images. Charts and infographics are excellent instances of it, and that’s the reason they’ve become an essential type of content for brands and individuals alike.

These images let you synthesize information in a manner that’s designed for social use (meaning it’s easy to digest and understand).

The Best Social Media Channels For Infographics And Charts

If you have an infographic, a graph or visualization of data you’d like to publish, suggest trying it out on one these channels:

Facebook.

Twitter.

Instagram.

Pinterest.

LinkedIn.

Brand Example: Infographics & Charts

Here’s an example an Instagram graph that is informative and created by HubSpot.

8. Memes

Social media is what it would look like without memes?

These engaging and relatable images video, text, and phrases that repeat an idea or subject that is trending is what constitute the “bread and butter” of social media’s content. While companies should be aware of the memes they employ (ask yourself if you’ve got something you can add to the discussion) If used correctly memes can create the status of a viral marketing event for you.

The Best Social Media Channels For Memes

Instagram and Twitter are the go-to spots for all your memes, though LinkedIn is fast on its heels with some more professional/work-related meme content.

For videos with memes, go at Instagram Reel and TikTok.

Brand Example: Memes

If you’re searching for a brand who knows how to make memes work take a look at Netflix. The company’s Instagram account is often used to create memes based on clips from popular Netflix films and shows, such as this one.

9. GIFs

Graphics Interchange Format, more often referred to as GIFs are tiny, silent videos or animations which are popular among social media users. GIFs are often used to depict how someone is feeling or to depict a specific circumstance and are usually used as a response to an item of social content.

For companies, GIFs can be a engaging and useful tool for communicating directly with members of your social media community.

The Best Social Media Channels For GIFs

Are you looking to incorporate GIFs to your existing social media strategy? Twitter as well as Facebook have been for a long time the best places to do it but Instagram recently added GIFs in its comments. If you’re looking to make custom GIFs to promote your business think about setting up an account on GIPHY. There, you can make an account for your business that will house all the uploaded GIFs. This will enable users all across the world to utilize your GIFs via different GIPHY connections with different platforms.

Brand Example: GIFs

Here’s an interesting illustration of Salesforce making use of an GIF to make a fun social meme.

10. Webinars & Events

Connecting with your followers on social media is concerned with providing useful information. What’s more valuable than an informative webinar or a virtual event? These kinds of content enable you to connect in a deeper way with your audience, and also reach an international audience. The majority of webinars are presentations that are devoted to particular topics and usually feature prominent speakers from other organizations, other events may cover anything from a conference via digital technology to workshops.

All of these are recorded live or recorded in advance.

The Best Social Media Channels For Webinars & Events

LinkedIn is the ideal platform to promote and host your events and webinars.

In addition to providing all the features you require as well as a audience who are more likely seek out professional and educational information.

Facebook along with YouTube are both excellent platforms to host live events via video.

Brand Example: Webinars & Events

Bizzabo is a name that comes to mind whenever I think of webinars.

It regularly hosts and promotes interesting virtual meetings for users on LinkedIn which makes sense given the fact that Bizzabo is an event-related company.

11 Social Media Content Types And Examples

Screenshots from LinkedIn June 2023

11. Contests And Giveaways

If you’re looking to get followers interested and engaged you might want to consider an event or giveaway through social networks. It involves presenting a unique reward – be it money, a product or even a trip in exchange for certain interactions from your visitors (e.g. leave a comment below make a friend a tag like this page, follow this profile as well as share and like this blog, etc.)

The Best Social Media Channels For Contests & Giveaways

Instagram is likely to be the most popular social media platform for giveaways and contests. You can, however, make them available through Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest as well as TikTok.

Brand Example: Contests & Giveaways

A lot of brands run giveaways and contests, particularly during the holiday season. Here’s an example of a giveaway held by Escape Brooklyn.

In Summary

These are just a few of the numerous kinds of social media content to pick from. With the many options available there are many methods to go about social marketing via media. Finding the best format for your business and that resonate with your customers – generally requires experimentation. I suggest starting by experimenting with a few of the types of content we discussed above in accordance with your overall strategy for content, the platforms you want to target and the tools that are available to you.

Start posting, and then see what happens!