generation types

Creating Social Media Posts

Platform-by-platform tips for Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and more

5 min read Beginner

Creating Social Media Posts

Every platform has its own quirks—different dimensions, different audiences, different expectations. Here's what works on each one and how to get the most out of Canvora for your social content.

Instagram

Instagram is visual-first, so your graphics need to stop the scroll.

Feed Posts (1:1)

The classic square format. Works great for:

  • Quote graphics with bold, readable text
  • Single-image announcements
  • Carousel covers (the first slide that hooks people in)
  • Tips and stats that pack a punch

Keep your text large enough to read without zooming. On a phone screen, small text disappears. Most successful Instagram graphics have fewer than 30 words on them—often way fewer.

Stories (9:16)

Tall vertical format that fills the whole phone screen. Perfect for:

  • Quick tips or single thoughts
  • Behind-the-scenes moments
  • Announcements with urgency ("Swipe up" kind of content)
  • Polls or questions

Stories are ephemeral by nature, so don't overthink them. They're meant to feel more casual and immediate than feed posts.

Carousels

Multiple slides people swipe through. This format consistently outperforms single images because it keeps people engaged longer.

Think of a carousel as a mini-story:

  • Slide 1: A hook that makes them want to swipe ("5 mistakes you're making with...")
  • Middle slides: Your actual content, one point per slide
  • Last slide: A takeaway or call-to-action

When you're inputting content for a carousel, structure helps. Numbered lists and bullet points translate naturally to multi-slide formats.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is professional but that doesn't mean boring. The best LinkedIn content is insightful, actionable, and personal.

What Works

LinkedIn graphics (16:9) should feel polished but not corporate-stiff. Think:

  • Key insights with context
  • Data visualizations that tell a story
  • Quotes attributed to you or industry figures
  • Summary graphics for longer posts

The text can be a bit smaller than Instagram since most LinkedIn browsing happens on desktop, but don't go crazy—mobile usage is growing.

A LinkedIn Tip

One thing that works really well: create a graphic that summarizes the main point of your written post. People scrolling quickly might skip the text but pause on an image. If the graphic is compelling, they'll go back and read.

Twitter/X

Twitter graphics (16:9) need to work fast. People are scrolling quickly, often while multitasking.

Keep It Punchy

  • Big text, short messages
  • One idea per graphic
  • High contrast so it's visible in a busy timeline
  • Something that makes people stop: a surprising stat, a bold statement, an intriguing question

Thread visuals are particularly powerful. If you're sharing a multi-part thread, having consistent graphics for each major point adds visual coherence and makes the content more shareable.

Pinterest

Pinterest is different from other platforms. People use it to plan, save, and discover—not just scroll passively.

Tall Pins (2:3)

Pinterest favors vertical content. Tall pins take up more real estate in the feed, which means more visibility.

What performs well:

  • Step-by-step guides with all steps visible
  • Infographic-style content
  • Recipe cards, how-to summaries
  • Lists and roundups

Text on Pinterest pins should be clear and descriptive because people are often searching for specific solutions. "10 Ways to Organize Your Kitchen" performs better than a vague inspirational quote.

Facebook

Facebook graphics (16:9) work similarly to LinkedIn in terms of aspect ratio, but the vibe is usually more casual.

What to Consider

  • Link previews: if you're sharing a blog post, the graphic becomes the preview image
  • Announcements and events
  • Community-focused content
  • More personal and conversational tone than LinkedIn

Facebook audiences tend to skew older than Instagram and TikTok, so adjust your style accordingly.

General Tips Across Platforms

Use Your Brand Kit

We keep mentioning this because it matters: with a brand kit set up, all your social graphics look consistent regardless of platform. That consistency builds recognition.

Batch Your Content

If you have a blog post or piece of content you want to promote everywhere, generate all platforms at once. Canvora will create the right sizes for each, and you can schedule them out over days or weeks.

Test and Learn

Not everything will perform the same. Pay attention to what resonates with your specific audience. If bold, colorful graphics get more engagement than minimal ones, lean into that. Canvora makes it easy to iterate and try different approaches.

Adapt the Message

Same content, different platforms often means different emphasis. Your LinkedIn audience might care about business implications while your Instagram audience wants quick tips. Use your input content strategically.


Ready to create thumbnails that get clicks? Check out our YouTube thumbnail guide.