When it comes to social media, it’s no secret that timing is everything. If you get the timing right, you can hugely increase your chances of better engagement. But what is the right time? And does the kind of content you’re posting matter?
Knowing when to post on your socials can be a challenge, but it all comes down to knowing your audience and their habits. This article takes you through the kinds of things you should be looking for, the best times when it comes to posting and the ways you can utilise timing to increase overall engagement for your brand.
First Up, Does The Time You Post On Social Media Even Matter?
It may seem silly, but it absolutely does matter. This is because algorithms prioritise content that was posted more recently, and if you post during your target audience’s most active hours, you’re likely to boost engagement and visibility.
However, simply dumping all your content on all your social media channels simultaneously is unlikely to be an effective strategy, as you need to tailor timings to platforms.
What Other Factors Could Impact Overall Engagement?
It’s also important to remember that beyond posting at the right times, high-quality content and consistency really are the keys when it comes to driving engagement for your brand.
High-quality, engaging content will always yield better results, regardless of when it’s posted. It’s the same with consistent posting, and regular posting will help you build a strong social media presence for your business.
So, What’s The Best Time To Post On Social Media?
There are a few different recommendations for the ‘best’ timeslot for posting on socials. Generally speaking, though, it has been found that the best time to post on social media is mid-week – normally Wednesday and Thursday – in the mornings (7-9 am), early afternoons (1-3 pm) and the evenings (7-9 pm).
This normally lines up with the times that people are going to be most lively by checking their socials. Their daily commute, their lunch break and then the evenings once they’re home from work.
There are different recommendations for different social media channels, though. Platforms like TikTok that have a more Gen Z audience have people in London who are most active between 2-5 pm mid-week or 7 pm on Fridays. TikTok can be a bit of a difficult nut to crack regarding engagement, as traditional marketing content doesn’t always do all that well. If you’re looking to drive engagement on TikTok specifically, it’s recommended that you partner with a TikTok marketing agency London to ensure you’re following best practices and getting the best advice.
So, Do Different Platforms Have Different Ideal Posting Times?
In short, yes, every platform is unique when it comes to when the best time to post is. But there are a few general rules to keep in mind. LinkedIn is most active during work hours, so it’s best to schedule posts there while you’re at work. Apps like TikTok and Instagram are normally most active in the early mornings or in the evenings after work.
How Do I Know The Best Times For My Business?
When it comes to knowing the best posting times for your specific business or brand, it really is all down to knowing your target audience inside and out. If your primary audience is mostly working professionals, you may want to post in the mornings or afternoons when your audience is on their commute. If you’re looking to engage a younger audience of university students, you may find that the times that get you the most engagement are later in the morning or in the evenings. Knowing when to post your content to your various social media channels can need a bit of trial and error, but the more you know your audience and your platform, the more likely you’ll be to post at times that are best for visibility.
Why Timing Is Everything
There are a number of benefits you could unlock by simply changing the time you post on social media. These are some of the most notable positive impacts of posting on socials at specific times.
- Improved Engagement
This is the one thing we’re all here for, right? No one wants to spend valuable time and resources crafting a post you think is going to be a hit, only for it to get buried deep in users’ feeds and never to see the light of day. Strategic timing of your posts can minimise the risk of your posts getting lost and maximise your opportunity for engagement and visibility.
- Build Connections With Your Audience.
Generally speaking, most audiences see numerous posts every single day and without the right timing, your message might feel irrelevant to the people you want it to impact most. When you post at the right time, you can ensure your message is delivered to your audience at a time that aligns with their mindset, and this can help you build more meaningful and lasting connections.
- Maximise Reach
Without the right timing, even incredibly engaging and thoughtful content can fail to gain any real traction. By posting at the most desirable times, you open yourself up to more shares, more interactions and more reach.
Get Posting!
With these tips and time brackets in mind, there’s nothing left for you to do but start posting! Strategic timing and high-quality content could be everything you need to skyrocket your current social media strategy to entirely new heights.
