15 Types of Social Media Content to Try in 2024!

Had a gutful of posting the same ol’ social media content and getting no engagement? 

Well, we’ve got 15 types of content to include in your digital marketing strategy that will make your audience lose their sh*t in 2023. 

These proven strategies will spice up your social media presence and attract more followers, customers, and fans. 

Let’s dive into some social media content ideas for small business, international conglomerates, and everything in between.

Best Content Types for Social Media

At Xperiencify, we’re huge fans of social media content, and we love helping people create epic content for different social media platforms. 

However, not all content is created equal, and you need to know what works best for each social media channel. 

Let’s take a look at which types of social media content are most engaging to audiences.

Just remember, whatever social media strategy you choose, stay authentic, have fun, and don't be afraid to add your unique twist to the conversation. 

1. Short-form video

Short-form videos are all the rage these days, and for good reason. 

They’re fantastic nuggets of visual content that grab attention and drive digital engagement. 

Why should you care about short-form videos?

Short-form vids:

• Are easy to consume and share.
• Can boost your organic reach and visibility.
• Can increase your brand awareness, loyalty, and trust, as you can connect with your audience on an emotional level.
• Can generate more conversions and sales, as you can include clear calls to action.

Where should you post your short-form videos?

1. TikTok.
2. Instagram.
3. Snapchat. 
4. YouTube Shorts.

Short-form videos in the wild

@MaxtheMeatGuy and @BayashiTV_ created a YouTube Shorts vid that has captured 17 million views, and counting.

It's all about how to cook meat.

2. Images

Want to work some high-quality images into your social media marketing strategy?

Images are the most popular and engaging content type of social media content strategy, and they can help you promote your brand personality, products, services, or stories. 

Why should you care about images?

• People are likelier to stop scrolling and look at an image than a text-only blog post.
• Users are more likely to share images.
• Images can help you connect with your audience on an emotional level, as well as communicate your brand values, mission, or vision.
• Images can help you rank higher on search engines, especially if you use relevant keywords in your file names, alt texts, and captions. 
• Images can also drive more traffic to your website or blog posts.

Where should you post your images? 

1. Instagram.
2. Pinterest.

Images in the wild

Airbnb regularly uses images that make us super jealous that we’re not there right now. 

The social platform also encourages its guests and hosts to share their own pics with the hashtag #AirbnbExperiences. 

3. Live streams

Incorporating live video streams into social media content can help you build trust, increase user engagement, and boost brand awareness. 

Why should you care about live streams?

Live streams help you:

• Interact with your viewers in real time and answer questions, comments, and feedback.
• Show off your personality, expertise, and behind-the-scenes stories that make your brand unique.
• Create a sense of urgency and exclusivity that encourages your viewers to tune in and take action.
• Reach a wider audience and attract new followers who might not see your regular posts. 

Where should you post your live streams?

The best platforms to go live are:

1. Facebook Live.
2. Instagram Live.
3. YouTube Live.
4. LinkedIn Live.

Just depends on where your peeps are.

Make sure you upload the social media video content later for those who missed it live.

Live streams in the wild

When COVID-19 paused Formula 1 races in 2020, some of the legendary drivers streamed themselves in driving simulators. 

It's not quite the same hit, but F1 fans lapped it up.

4. GIFs & Memes

What is good content for social media?

Well, you can’t go wrong with GIFs and memes!

Providing they’re witty and timely.

Why should you care about GIFs & Memes?

GIFs and memes:

• Stand out from the clutter of text and images on social media feeds and capture the interest of your followers.
• Can convey a message or a mood in a few seconds, making them ideal for the short attention span of social media users. 
• Are easy to share with others, increasing your reach and engagement.
• Can tap into the emotions, experiences, and preferences of your target audience, making them feel understood and entertained. 
• Add humor and personality to your brand voice, making you more likable and memorable.
• Can be used for announcing a new product, promoting a sale, celebrating a milestone, or responding to customer feedback. 

Where should you post your GIFs and memes?

Memes can boost your social media engagement and reach on:

1. Instagram.
2. Facebook.
3. LinkedIn.
4. Twitter. 

Instagram is the place to be, with users sharing over one million memes daily on the social network. 

GIFs are great for:

1. Facebook.
2. LinkedIn.
3. Twitter.

Keep in mind that if you post a GIF on Instagram, it will be added as a short video. 

GIFs and memes in the wild

Fast food giant Wendy's has insane success on social media, showing that humor and creativity can be powerful social media marketing tools. 

We love how they’re quick to roast competitor Maccas.

Wendy's use of GIFs and memes has made it one of the most popular brands on social media. 

The company's Twitter social media account has around 4 million followers, and its tweets are often shared and retweeted thousands of times.

5. Text-based posts

Text-based social media posts are easy to create, share, and consume and can spark conversations and interaction. 

Why should you care about text-based posts?

• You can share news, tips, opinions, questions, polls, quotes, jokes and more.
• Text-based posts can encourage your followers to comment, like, share, and tag their friends. 
• They can also help you build trust and rapport with your audience by showing your personality and voice.

Where should you post your text-based posts?

1. Twitter.
2. Reddit.
3. LinkedIn.

Text-based posts in the wild

This one-word text-based social media post from Taco Bell earned over 17k likes.

Because tacos. 🤷‍♀️🌮

6. User-generated content 

User-generated content (UGC) is any social content created by your customers, fans, or followers who rave about your products or services. 

It can be anything from photos, videos, reviews, testimonials, memes, TikTok dances, or fan art.

Why should you care about user-generated content?

• People trust real-life testimonials over brands, so seeing real users enjoying your products or services can influence their purchase decisions.
• UGC is more likely to get likes, comments, shares, and views than branded content because it is more authentic, relatable, and entertaining. 
• UGC can help you reach new audiences through hashtags, mentions, or tags.
• UGC is free and easy to source. You don't have to spend hours creating your own content or hiring professionals. You can simply ask your customers to share their experiences with your brand on social media and reward them with incentives, shoutouts, or features.

Where should you post your user-generated content?

The ultimate platforms for finding and sharing UGC are:

1. Instagram.
2. Twitter.
3. TikTok. 

You can also encourage your customers to create and share their own content with your product using hashtags, challenges, contests, and rewards. 

User-generated content in the wild

TikTok beauty influencer Mikayla Nogueira created a before-and-after video demonstrating the L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Lift Mascara.

Her vid received 1.6 million likes and unleashed a shopping frenzy for the mascara.

7. Long-form video

Long-form videos are longer than 10 minutes and provide viewers more value, information, entertainment, or education. 

Why should you care about making long-form videos?

Long-form videos can:

• Boost your SEO and ranking on platforms like YouTube and Google.
• Increase your watch time, engagement, retention, and brand loyalty.
• Showcase your expertise, authority, and credibility.
• Generate more leads, conversions, and sales.

Where should you post your long-form videos?

1. YouTube. 
2. Facebook. 

Long-form videos in the wild

Outdoor clothing and gear company Patagonia produces and shares interesting documentary-style videos that feature stunning visuals and compelling stories.

8. Audio

Audio content is a great way to capture your audience's attention, showcase your personality, and deliver your message more engagingly. 

Why should you care about making audio content?

• Your audience can listen to your audio content while doing other things, like driving, working, or exercising.
• Live audio can help brands build relationships by talking to users in real time.
• You can use your voice to convey your emotions, tone, and humor, creating a stronger connection with your listeners.
• You can invite your audience to participate in your audio content by having them ask questions, give feedback, or join live conversations.
• You can use sound effects, music, and storytelling to make your audio content more exciting and memorable.

Where should you post your audio content? 

The following platforms feature live audio chat rooms:

1. Clubhouse.
2. Twitter.
3. Facebook
4. LinkedIn. 

Audio content in the wild

Netflix teamed up with SiriusXM to bring listeners “Netflix Is a Joke Radio.” 

This 24/7, ad-free channel features tracks from Netflix’s exclusive comedy collection. 

The audio content is a great way to enjoy Netflix’s comedy content on the go and discover new and hilarious voices in the comedy scene.

9. Infographics

People love infographics because they can learn something new in a few seconds and share it with their friends and followers. 

Why should you care about making infographics?

Infographics:

• Grab attention with their colors, icons, and graphics.
• Increase engagement and retention by appealing to both the left and right brain.
• Boost your credibility and authority by showing your research and expertise.
• Drive traffic and conversions by including a call to action and a link to your website.

Where should you post your infographics? 

1. Pinterest. 
2. LinkedIn. 
3. Twitter. 

Infographics in the wild

Infographics can capture attention, convey a message, and inspire action.

Or just display a cool stat.

10. Educational content

Educational content is any type of content that teaches your audience something new, useful, or interesting. 

It could be a skill, a tip, a hack, a lesson, or anything that adds value to their lives. 

Why should you care about making educational content?

Educational content:

• Builds trust, credibility, and authority.
• Drives engagement and loyalty. 
• Generates leads and conversions. 

Where should you post your educational content?

1. YouTube. 
2. LinkedIn. 
3. Instagram (single images, carousel posts, reels, or IGTV videos). 

Educational content in the wild

Kane of @TastelessBaker shows regular people how to make delicious breads at home.

And how to cuss like an Australian.

11. Shoppable content

Shoppable content allows you to sell your products directly from your posts without customers needing to leave the social media platform. 

Why should you care about making shoppable content?

Shoppable content:

• Makes buying easier and faster, which means more sales and conversions for you.
• Improves the customer experience by giving them all the information and reviews they need about your products.
• Shows off your products in a fun and engaging way, which makes them more appealing and attractive.
• Taps into social proof and influencer marketing by letting your customers see what others buy and recommend.

Where should you post your shoppable content?

1. Instagram.
2. Pinterest. 
3. TikTok.

Shoppable content in the wild

Beauty brand Sephora uses Live Shopping to host live events where experts and influencers demonstrate and review its products and answer questions from viewers.

Lady GaGa promoting Sephora products helps expand their reach and build authority.

12. Ephemeral content

Ephemeral content disappears after a short period, usually 24 hours. 

Pair your content with a limited-time discount code for a quick boost in sales. 

Why should you care about making ephemeral content?

Ephemeral content:

• Creates a sense of urgency and FOMO among your audience, making them more likely to engage with your content and take action
• Allows you to showcase your brand personality, behind-the-scenes, and human side, which can increase trust and customer loyalty.
• Helps you to stay on top of the trends and keep your content fresh and relevant.
• Allows you to experiment with different types of social media content creation and formats, such as videos, polls, quizzes, stickers, filters, etc.

Where should you post your ephemeral content?

1. Instagram Stories. 
2. Facebook Stories. 
3. Snapchat.

Ephemeral content in the wild

Netflix uses ephemeral content to tease viewers about upcoming shows and movies, share behind-the-scenes footage, and interact with fans through polls and questions.

13. Podcasts

If you want to spice up your social media marketing campaigns, podcasts are the way to go. 

Why should you care about making podcasts?

Podcasts:

• Build trust and authority with your audience.
• Increase your reach and visibility.
• Boost your SEO and website traffic.
• Create loyal fans and customers.
• Generate more leads and sales.

Where should you post your podcasts?

1. YouTube.
2. Spotify.
3. iTunes.
4. Apple Podcasts.
5. Google Podcasts.
6. Anchor.
7. SoundCloud.
8. Stitcher.

You can also share snippets of your podcasts on Instagram, Facebook page, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Podcasts in the wild

Shopify holds a weekly podcast called “Shopify Masters,” where founders and industry experts share their stories and insights.

You can also use podcasts to interview other experts, influencers, and celebrities in your niche and leverage their audience to grow your own.

14. Testimonials

Testimonials are like reviews that showcase how your product or service solved a problem, made someone happy, or improved their life. 

Why should you care about testimonials?

Testimonials are powerful because they come from real people who have used your brand, not from a paid actor or a Kardashian. 

Testimonials:

• Increase trust and credibility among potential and existing customers or followers.
• Encourage word-of-mouth marketing and referrals by creating social proof and positive reviews.
• Boost customer engagement and loyalty by featuring customer stories and feedback.
• Differentiate yourself from your competitors by highlighting their unique features and advantages.

Where should you post your testimonials?

1. Facebook.
2. Instagram (Stories or Reels).
3. Twitter.
4. LinkedIn.

Use hashtags, mentions, or retweets to amplify your testimonials and reach more people. Provide a link to your website or landing page.

Testimonials in the wild

We all check out the reviews of a product before we buy.

No way would you spend your hard-earned dough on something with 1 or 2 stars.

But FIVE stars and a detailed rave make people sit up and take notice.

15. Trending topics

Trending topics are the hot and happening things people talk about online. 

They can be anything from breaking news, viral memes, popular hashtags, or celebrity goss.

Why should you care about trending topics?

Trending topics:

• Create connections through fun and entertaining posts and make your audience laugh, smile, or feel inspired. You can also spark a dialogue, encourage feedback, and include a call to action.
• Attract more attention and interest from your audience. 
• Demonstrate your expertise and authority.

Where should you post your trending topics?

1. Twitter. 
2. Instagram (Stories and Reels).
3. TikTok.
4. Facebook.
5. YouTube.

Use social media tools like Google Trends, BuzzSumo, or Hashtagify. 

Trending topics in the wild

Nike released a powerful video featuring Colin Kaepernick (the guy who protested against police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem). 

The video, titled “Dream Crazy,” encouraged people to follow their dreams and stand up for their beliefs. 

Nike's stock rose by 5%, and the video even clinched an Emmy, underscoring the dominance of purpose-driven brands.

Just make sure to choose relevant, appropriate, and respectful topics for your brand and your audience.

Embrace the Ever-Evolving Social Media Landscape

For a social media marketer, the secret to reaching a broad audience lies in the art of mixing up your content marketing. 

A content creator has to serve up a variety that caters to every corner of the marketing universe while still staying true to your brand and audience.

Now, don't just start firing off shots willy-nilly. 

Be data-driven and use social media analytics to watch what's sizzling in your competitor's social feeds. 

Because in the ever-changing world of social media, the next big content marketing idea could be the game-changer your brand's been waiting for. 

Learn to adapt.

Or be left in the digital dust of the competition.