by Scarlett Darbyshire
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The Ultimate Social Media Checklist: What to Do Before You Hit “Publish”

Before you hit that “Post” button, take a deep breath and run through this checklist to ensure your social media content is polished, engaging, and ready to wow your audience. Skipping a step could mean missing an opportunity—or worse, making a mistake you’ll regret.

1. Check Your Goals

  • Why are you posting this?
    • Is it to educate, entertain, promote, or engage?
    • Does this post align with your current social media strategy?
  • Tip: If it doesn’t serve a clear purpose, rethink or refine it.

2. Proofread (Yes, Again!)

  • Typos and Grammar: Double-check for errors—nothing kills credibility like a spelling mistake.
  • Clarity: Is your message clear and concise?
  • Tone: Does it match your brand voice?

3. Review Visuals

  • High-Quality Images/Videos: Are your visuals sharp, properly cropped, and professional-looking?
  • Consistency: Does it match your brand aesthetic (colors, fonts, filters)?
  • Alt Text: Have you added alt text for accessibility?

4. Check Your Links

  • Clickable and Correct: Are all links functional and directing to the right page?
  • UTM Parameters: Have you added tracking to monitor post performance?

5. Optimize for Each Platform

  • Text Length: Is your caption optimized for the platform (short for Twitter, longer for LinkedIn)?
  • Image/Video Specs: Does the media fit the platform’s dimensions?
  • Hashtags:
    • Are they relevant?
    • Have you included platform-specific hashtags (e.g., trending tags for Instagram or TikTok)?

6. Include a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

  • Examples of CTAs:
    • “Visit our website to learn more.”
    • “Tag a friend who needs this.”
    • “Drop your thoughts in the comments below!”
  • Why It Matters: A strong CTA encourages engagement and drives your goals.

7. Add Tags and Mentions

  • Are you tagging the right people or businesses?
    • For collaborations, partnerships, or shoutouts.
  • Check Handles: Ensure the usernames are correct and active.

8. Schedule at the Right Time

  • When is your audience most active?
    • Use analytics tools to find the best posting times for your platform.
  • Timezone Considerations: Make sure you’re posting when your target audience is awake!

9. Check Accessibility

  • Alt Text: Have you added descriptions for images?
  • Captions/Subtitles: Are videos captioned for those watching without sound?
  • Contrast and Readability: Are your text and background colors easy to read?

10. Ensure Compliance

  • Copyright: Are you using properly licensed or original content?
  • Disclosures: Have you added #ad or #sponsored for paid partnerships?
  • Privacy: Avoid sharing sensitive information, especially in user-generated content.

11. Review Engagement Plan

  • How will you respond to comments and questions?
    • Have a plan in place to engage with your audience promptly.
  • Prepare for Feedback: Be ready for positive and constructive responses.

12. Preview Your Post

  • Double-Check Formatting: Are line breaks, emojis, and links displaying properly?
  • Preview View: Use platform tools to see how your post looks before it goes live.

13. Breathe and Ask Yourself

  • “Does this post add value to my audience?”
  • “Would I stop scrolling for this?”

14. Hit Publish (or Schedule!)

Now that you’ve checked everything, it’s time to confidently share your content!

Bonus: Post-Publish To-Do

  • Monitor Performance: Track likes, shares, comments, and clicks.
  • Engage: Respond to comments and messages quickly.
  • Analyze: Use insights to learn what works for your next post.

By following this checklist, you’ll ensure every post reflects your brand’s best self and resonates with your audience. What’s your must-do before posting? Let us know in the comments

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