Best Times to Post on Social Media: Strategies to Enhance Engagement
January 22, 2024
As we scroll through our social media feeds, there's nothing quite like the feeling we get when we stumble upon a post that captivates us. The immediate urge to double-tap and the excitement of sharing it with our friends is truly exhilarating.
But here's the thing: creating amazing content for social media is an art form in itself. However, if our target audience doesn't have the chance to see it, does it even matter?
When it comes to building a strong connection with your consumers, every interaction counts. And understanding the perfect time to engage with them is just as crucial as the message you're conveying.
Now, if you're hoping to enhance your social media engagement, expand your reach, and boost your exposure, I hate to break it to you, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer. That's where data comes into play—taking into account specific metrics to make informed decisions about your social media scheduling.
While we can't provide an exact time to post, we can help you discover your own optimal posting time for each day.
Remember, timing is key when it comes to all of this. However, if you're seeking additional guidance, we've broken down two social media giants: Instagram and Facebook.
Below, you'll find statistics highlighting the ideal posting times and days for each platform. We've also included a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the insights provided by various social media analytics tools and make the most of them.
Let's start by unraveling the secrets of Instagram's algorithm.
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Optimize Your Social Media Engagement with Perfect Timing
With the different social media platforms constantly evolving and the updates of new algorithms, it can be easy for your posts to get lost in your overly bombarded viewer's timeline.
Connecting with your audience through social media is not a task to be taken lightly. According to one Sprout Social:
76% of consumers are more likely to buy from a brand they feel connected to over a competitor”.
Having said that, your best bet in reaching your audience is to be posting when they are online. This gives your carefully crafted content its best shot to actually perform for the intended audience.
How to find the best time to post on social media
If you already have published content on your social media platforms, this can give you valuable insights when discovering your personal peak times. Going over each of your social media channel statistics will lay out for you at which time and on what days you have engaged with your audience the most.
You can also find out in what time zone and regions your audience is located; and, most importantly, when your target audience is online. Knowing this will give you a starting point when intentionally testing out different times and days to post. This is a step I don’t recommend skipping.
You may be wondering why you should go through all of this. There are plenty of studies out there with statistics for the best times you can post. But, as Dr. Seuss said:
Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than You.
At the end of the day, your business and your target audience are unique. Your audience holds their own preferred social media channels and interaction habits. And they are located in specific regions with their respective time zones. Plus, you, as a business, have your own marketing goals you are aiming to fulfill with your social media strategy.
Remember, for all of this, timing is key. But if you are still needing a little bit more guidance, we have broken down for you two social media giants: Instagram and Facebook.
Below are statistics that reflect generalized ideal posting times and days. You will also find a guide to help you go through the insights of each social media analytics tool and how you can make the most of it.
How to beat the Instagram algorithm
In order to succeed on Instagram and Facebook, it is crucial to post great content. But what exactly does that mean? It means providing your audience with valuable, interesting, and engaging content that they will want to see and interact with. Great content can come in many forms - it can be a stunning photo, a thought-provoking caption, a funny video, or an informative blog post. The key is to know your audience and what they are interested in, and then create content that aligns with their preferences.
When it comes to Instagram, the algorithm takes into account various factors to determine which posts appear on a user's feed. By posting great content, you increase your chances of being shown to your target audience. This means understanding what type of content resonates with your followers and consistently delivering it. Take the time to research and understand your audience's preferences, and use that knowledge to create content that they will find valuable and engaging.
On Facebook, the algorithm also plays a role in determining the visibility of your posts. However, Facebook's algorithm is focused on showing users content from their friends, family, and meaningful connections. This means that in order to stand out on Facebook, your content needs to be not only great but also relevant and meaningful to your audience. Consider the interests and preferences of your followers, and create content that will resonate with them on a personal level.
Remember, posting great content is not a one-time thing. It requires consistent effort and attention to detail. Stay up to date with the latest trends and changes in your industry, and adapt your content strategy accordingly. Engage with your audience, listen to their feedback, and use that information to refine your content and make it even better. By consistently delivering great content, you will not only increase your visibility and reach on Instagram and Facebook, but also build a loyal and engaged audience that will support and promote your brand.
These days, people seem to be always talking about Instagram's algorithm. And many find it to be kind of hard to understand. Basically, the algorithm is how Instagram decides which posts you see on your feed. If you don't know what it is, it can feel like your feed is just randomly filled up with content that isn't relevant to you, and that's completely not true!
Throughout the years, Instagram has made many updates and changes to ensure you see relevant content. For example, after a 2018 update, Instagram declared:
Based on your feedback, we’re also making changes to ensure that newer posts are more likely to appear first in feed. With these changes, your feed will feel more fresh, and you won’t miss the moments you care about.”
And in 2022, the ability to see your feed chronologically was reintroduced. So for Instagram, now more than ever, the timing of your posting is practically a game-changer. As Instagram prioritizes the newest content that is being posted, you want to be posting when your target audience is actively interacting inside the platform.
This social media platform is the fastest growing of its kind, with more than a billion users and with a notable focus on retail, it has become a place your brand probably wants to thrive in. With different features like stories and Instagram TV, there are several ways you can effectively establish a connection with your audience.