Save Time: Get 5 Simple Writing Tips
you can put to use in 10 minutes
Social Media Checklist:
Top 10 Writing Tips for Freelancers and Small Biz Owners
Award-winning writer Kathy Widenhouse has helped hundreds of nonprofits and writers produce successful content , with 750K+ views for her writing tutorials. She is the author of 9 books. See more of Kathy’s content here.
Updated 5.23.25
If you’re a solopreneur, freelancer, or small biz owner, this social media checklist is a powerful guide as you write posts – blog entries, tweets, Facebook statuses, Instagram and Pinterest captions…
Social media is essential to building your biz. For one thing, it’s free – which is a plenty good reason to use it.
Along with that is the power of social proof. People like hearing what other people have to say. All those comments, shares, and likes extend your reach and put you in front of other readers who know your readers.
And when you include links to your website in your posts, then you drive people to your website – your must-have central hub. People who see your post and want more info click through to your site. That means more traffic … more customers … higher rankings on the search engines.
You need at least one social media account. Which platforms you choose depends on your niche. And that’s a discussion for another post.
Get your free Social Media Checklist PDF here
The problem with social media for small biz owners
All that social media yumminess comes with a cost – and it’s not a financial one.
Social media can eat up a lot of time. And I don’t just mean the time you spend scrolling through.
Writing posts takes time.
So yes, by all means, invest in a social media strategy. But how can you know that your posts are worth the minutes and hours?
This checklist can help. These tips help you save time as you write because they focus on key writing mechanics that are specific to social media.
Social Media Checklist:
Top
10 writing tips for freelancers and small biz owners
1. Is my content useful to my reader?
Make sure your post is helpful – whether it informs, entertains, inspires, instructs, or otherwise adds value. There’s too much mediocre content on the web. You’ll stand out simply if you offer quality. Posting valuable content—like tips, behind-the-scenes looks, success stories, or even thoughtful opinions—helps build trust and attracts people who see you as the go-to person in your space.
As you write, ask this: what value does this content (no matter how short it is) provide for my reader? If you can’t answer that question, don’t post it.
2. Did I write to a specific reader?
It follows Tip #1 that if you write to add value to your reader, then your focus on what your reader needs. One beauty of social media is that you can target different segments of your readership in different posts. Take advantage of that! Know your reader (or readers) and write to their needs. They’ll respond and interact with you.
Plus, social media offers a two-way street of communication. You can engage directly with followers, get real-time feedback, answer questions, and build authentic relationships—without needing a customer service team.
3. Did I check the character count?
Short and pithy – make each character count, specific to the platform. That’s 90-100 characters on Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, and Twitter – and 175-200 characters or less on Instagram and Pinterest. Yes, those numbers are shorter than the limits. Your readers will thank you with likes, retweets, and comments.
4. Did I include a link?
Your website is your online hub. Your social media sites feed that hub.
Write so that you drive traffic to your website by including links to your pages wherever you can – without being annoying, of course. Links provide an opportunity for your reader to learn more. And who knows – once they see your site, they may even opt in to your freebie and become a regular fan.
5. Did I check the voice?
Social media gives you the chance to talk directly with readers. Don’t squander the opportunity to share your personal story, your dreams, your mistakes. Readers appreciate authenticity over preachiness.
But passive voice is a no-no. Ditto with highbrow language. Use a conversational tone instead. And be sure to write in first person (I, me, we, us) and second person (you, yours) – as a participant in the conversation, not as an observer.
6. Did I invite conversation?
As a corollary to #5, know that readers don’t want to “sold” or even “spoken at.” They want respect. Social media is a way to connect with your audience, encourage discussion, and build a relationship.
Use your posts to invite feedback. “How do you reach local mothers with your services? Here is one way I reach out. [Link] Tell us how you connect with them.”
Further, while it can be tempting to “write it and leave it,” don’t. Take some time to read the comments and respond. By doing so you create a conversation … which builds a relationship … which breeds respect.
7. Did I use visual content?
Share images, slides, video that reinforce your written content. Visuals can increase reader engagement by 65%.
8. Did I use the right keywords to maximize impact?
Social media platforms use search engines. (In fact, Pinterest is a search engine.) Pull out that list of keywords and targeted topics for your brand or cause – and use them in your posts.
Keywords and hashtags help you reach more readers – those who are actively looking for info about those particular topics.
A word of caution: focus on one keyword or one topic at a time. Keep it short, as per social media checklist Tip #3.
9. Did I check the spelling?
Your first grade teacher was right: always check your work. Typos
spell a-m-at-e-u-r. Spell check and grammar check mean you have no excuse.
10. Am I OK if my boss (spouse, prospective employer, grandmother, colleague) reads this?
Be a pro. No need to say more.
Bonus tip: Schedule
multiple posts ahead of time
Set aside a bit of time every week.
Then, write several social media posts at once. Use the checklist to screen and adjust your content. Then schedule your posts to be published throughout the following week and month. (I use Hootsuite for advance scheduling.)
Don’t be afraid to repeat informational posts. Not every reader sees every piece of content that comes through their feeds. Even if followers aren’t ready to buy today, regular posting keeps you in their feed and in their mind. When they’re ready to make a purchase or referral, they’ll remember you.
And at the very least, they will click through to your site and discover that you are a font of valuable information.
Download your own free copy of the Social Media Checklist PDF.
Use your
social media checklist to write posts that deliver value
Social media isn’t just for finding clients, partners, mentors, and collaborators. Your posts open doors to help readers with information about your niche.
Give it. So few people are generous. You’ll find you get back more than you planned.
More Writing Tips for Social Media
What Is Social Media and How Should I Use It? FAQs for Writers ...
Your Two Cents: How Your Social Media Comments Can Build Traffic ...
The PAS Copywriting Formula: It’s Especially Good for Social Media ...
Use This Simple Social Media Marketing Tip to Win Over Readers ...
6 Quick Tips for Writing Social Media Posts that get read ....
Writing Tweets Simplified: 3 kinds of posts to write for Twitter ...
10 Tips for Writing Good Tweets ...
5 Types of Facebook Posts you can write ...
Nonprofit social media for newbies ...
Blog copywriting basics for nonprofits and small businesses ...
3 Tips for Writing Conversationally Online (and Off) ...
Ways to use social media in your marketing mix ...
More social media writing tips on our Pinterest board ...
Return from Free Social Media Checklist to Nonprofit Copywriter home
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Share This Page
Named to 2022 Writer's Digest list
BEST GENRE/NICHE WRITING WEBSITE
Stop Wasting Time!
Grab your exclusive FREE guide, "5 Simple Writing Tips You Can Put to Use in 10 Minutes or Less"
Subscribe To This Site
