If you want to bake the best cakes, studying the top selling cake mixes will not help. If you were serious, you’d drop $125 and spend the day at Carlos’ Bake Shop (unsponsored plug) to watch, listen and practice with the best.

Likewise, if you want to craft the best social content, stuffing queries into the ChatGPT meat grinder will create tons of volume but little engagement. Studies show 99% of social posts still get zero engagement. That’s why we wrote this guide. Not only has Lately.AI created high performing social content since 2014, but we also developed the Neuroscience-Driven AI™ that gets clicks -- by mapping the values, memories, nostalgia, and emotions that activate your audience.

Creating social media content that resonates, engages, and inspires action is an art and a science. Today, standing out means blending timeless storytelling principles with modern tools and strategies. In this guide we condense the seven key tactics for social media writing that will help you create content with lasting impact.

And once you’re done here, see how easy it can be with a Lately free trial, because there’s no excuse for mediocre social content anymore.

Let’s dive in.

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Social Media Writing Tip #1: Assert Authority in Your Voice

Building authority in your social media voice is about confidence, clarity, and delivering value. The goal is to craft content that grabs attention and establishes you as a credible source, without sounding arrogant. See examples of this rule in our blog 16 Broken Posts and How to Fix Them.

• Be Confident, Not Arrogant: Use strong, active verbs, and avoid words like “maybe” or “just” that weaken your message. Show certainty in your posts, and offer solutions that demonstrate you understand your audience’s needs.
• Back Up Claims with Evidence: Authority comes from fact-based insights. Whenever possible, support your points with data, case studies, or real-life examples. This makes your content more persuasive and shareable.
• Clarity Over Complexity: Simplify your language and avoid jargon. The clearer your message, the easier it is for your audience to understand and engage with it.

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Social Media Writing Tip #2: Embrace the Power of Simplicity

Simplicity is key to cutting through the clutter of social media. It’s about making your message digestible and actionable in just a few seconds.

• Less is More: Strip your message down to its essence. Social media users scroll quickly, so focus on one main idea per post. Remove unnecessary details or complexities.
• Use Simple, Relatable Language: Write as if you’re having a conversation with your audience. Avoid technical terms or industry jargon that might alienate some followers. The goal is to be accessible to as many people as possible.
• Utilize White Space: Short paragraphs, line breaks, and bullet points make your posts easier to read. This visual breathing room can increase engagement by making content more digestible.

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Social Media Writing Tip #3:  Strategic Use of Language

Every word matters when you’re working with limited character counts. The strategic use of language can make your posts more compelling and memorable.

• Invoke Action and Emotion: Use verbs that drive action and words that evoke emotion. Whether it’s excitement, curiosity, or empathy, stirring emotions is key to engagement. Active language motivates your audience to respond or take action.
• Speak Directly to Your Audience: Make your content personal by addressing your audience directly. Use “you” to create a one-on-one feeling, even in mass communication.
• Be Purposeful with Words: Ensure that each word serves a clear purpose—whether it’s to entertain, inform, or inspire action. Posts with clear intent are more likely to make an impact.

Social Media Writing Tip #4: Write with Visuals and Rhythm in Mind

Social media writing isn’t just about words—it’s also about presentation. The visual rhythm of your content plays a major role in whether your audience will engage.

• Use Visual Cues: Incorporate emojis, line breaks, and bullet points to break up text and add visual interest. This keeps your content from becoming a “wall of words” that users might scroll past.
• Vary Sentence Lengths for Rhythm: The flow of your writing can influence how it’s received. Short, punchy sentences convey urgency, while longer sentences help with storytelling. Use a mix of both to create a compelling rhythm.
• Attention-Grabbing Headlines: The headline or first sentence of your post is crucial. Make it irresistible by posing a question, stating an interesting fact, pointing out what not to do, or teasing a solution to a problem your audience faces.

Social Media Writing Tip #5: Foster a Personal Connection

Creating a personal connection with your audience transforms your content from a broadcast into a conversation. Personal connection deepens engagement and builds loyalty and trust.

• Speak to the Individual: Write as if you’re talking to one person. Using conversational language and addressing your audience directly makes your posts feel more intimate and engaging.
• Share Real Stories: Authenticity resonates. Share personal experiences, lessons learned, or challenges overcome. These stories help humanize your brand and foster a deeper connection with your audience.
• Encourage Interaction: Invite your audience to respond by asking questions, requesting opinions, or encouraging them to share their own experiences. Engagement fosters a community around your brand.
• Be Responsive: Don’t just post and disappear. Take time to reply to comments and messages, showing your audience that you value their participation.

Social Media Writing Tip #6: Leverage Technology to Boost Efficiency

In a digital world that’s always evolving, technology can give you a competitive edge by streamlining processes and enhancing your content creation.

• AI-Powered Tools: Platforms like Lately AI can help automate content production by repurposing long-form content into social media posts, analyzing past content performance, and suggesting new posts that resonate with your audience.
• Analytics and Insights: Use social media analytics to track which posts perform best. Analyze metrics like engagement, reach, and conversions to tailor future content for better results.
• Automation for Scheduling: Tools that automate your content calendar can ensure you’re posting consistently and at optimal times, without manually scheduling each post.
• A/B Testing: Use technology to experiment with different formats, headlines, or posting times. A/B testing helps you refine your strategy by showing you what works and what doesn’t.

Social Media Writing Tip #7:  Commit to Evolving

The social media landscape is constantly changing, so ongoing improvement is essential for staying relevant and effective.

• Embrace Feedback: Listen to your audience. Comments, shares, and reactions provide valuable insights into what resonates. Use feedback to adjust your tone, topics, and strategies.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with industry trends, algorithm changes, and best practices. The more knowledge you have, the better equipped you’ll be to adapt and thrive.
• Experiment and Analyze: Don’t be afraid to try new things—whether it’s a different style of post, a new platform, or a fresh tone of voice. Continuously analyze the performance of your experiments and learn from both successes and failures.
• Reflect and Revise: Regularly assess your social media strategy to ensure it aligns with your brand goals and audience needs. Make adjustments as needed to keep your content relevant, on-brand and engaging.

Conclusion

Mastering social media writing requires both creativity and strategy. By asserting authority, simplifying your message, strategically using language, enhancing visuals, building personal connections, leveraging technology, and committing to continuous improvement, you can craft posts that stand out in a crowded digital landscape. Each tactic complements each other, helping you create content that not only captures attention but also fosters engagement and inspires action.

Now let Lately.AI put all these rules into action for you, by giving it a free spin and see galactic results like 245% more clicks, 200% more leads and 40% more sales for yourself.