When embarking on the journey of developing social media content, it is imperative to utilize this comprehensive checklist as a guide. This checklist serves as a valuable tool to assist in creating engaging and impactful content that resonates with your audience. However, it is important to remember that this checklist is not a rigid set of rules, but rather a flexible framework to aid in the creative process. By incorporating the items on this checklist into your content development strategy, you can enhance the quality and effectiveness of your social media presence. So, be sure to refer to this checklist as you brainstorm, create, and share content on your social media platforms.
Last updated 2024-07-04
Niche Selection: Pick a specific niche to target. This enables you to build a dedicated audience and establish yourself as an expert in a specific subject.
Uniqueness: Strive to be unique in your approach, style, or perspective.
Creative Ideas: Develop ideas using a variety of formats and tactics.
Tactics: Employ emotional and psychological triggers to create compelling content.
Curiosity, Fear, Regret, Desire: Tap into these emotions to make viewers want to click and watch.
Negativity and Warnings: Use these to create a sense of urgency.
Authority: Position yourself as an expert.
Formats: Structure content using various formats.
Lists: "10 hacks to..."
Rankings: "Best to worst..."
Timelines: "30-day challenge," "What happened in 2024..."
Challenging Norms: Don't be afraid to challenge common beliefs.
Influencer/Celebrity Use: Partner with celebrities or influencers if it aligns with your brand and budget.
The title and thumbnail are your first impression, so they must be optimized to grab attention.
Thumbnail:
Include a headline and an emotion-invoking image.
Use approximately three contrasting colors to stand out.
Use standard and consistent fonts across all your thumbnails for brand recognition.
Create intrigue without giving everything away.
Title:
A strong title should complement the thumbnail and invoke curiosity.
It must be concise, ideally less than 40 characters.
Test titles and thumbnails using AI tools for optimization.
A well-structured video keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.
Hook: Within the first few seconds, use a strong hook to keep viewers watching.
First Frame: The very first frame of the video should clearly set expectations.
Introduction: Use a "show and tell" method in the intro.
Main Content: The core content must deliver on the expectations set by the title and thumbnail.
Plot Twist: Consider including a plot twist to make the video memorable.
Emotional Response: Aim to invoke an emotional response from the viewer.
Call to Action (CTA): Prompt viewers to take action, such as subscribing, commenting, or watching another video. This can be done on an end screen.
High production quality is key to a professional and polished video.
Speech and Dialogue:
Simplify speech: Use clear, confident, and concise language.
Keep sentences short, with no more than 25 words.
Visuals:
Aim for high image quality.
Flash keywords on the screen at appropriate times to emphasize points.
Use movement wisely to keep the visuals dynamic.
Use counter shots where applicable.
Audio:
Ensure high sound quality.
Use sound effects to emphasize key points.
Lighting: Employ a standard three-point lighting setup to ensure subjects are well-lit.
Key light: The main source of light.
Fill light: Reduces shadows created by the key light.
Back light: Separates the subject from the background.
Practical light: Lights that are part of the scene, like a desk lamp.
Shot Types: Use a variety of shots to tell your story effectively.
Establishing Shot: Sets the scene.
Medium Shot (MS): Frames the subject from the waist up.
Close-Up (CU): Focuses on a subject's face to show emotion.
High-Angle Shot: Makes the subject look smaller.
Low-Angle Shot: Makes the subject look bigger or more powerful.
POV Shot: Shows the viewer what a character is seeing.
Optimizing for platforms and using data is essential for growth.
Description:
The first 150 characters should immediately explain what the video is about and why someone should watch it.
Include links to other content and relevant information below the initial summary.
Metadata:
Use and test keywords in your title, description, and tags to improve search rankings.
Write a comprehensive description that helps search engines understand your video's content.
Platforms: Upload your content to relevant platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and YouTube.
Analytics: Use tools like Oktopost and Sprout Social to analyze your video's performance, understand audience behavior, and find new content ideas.
Phase | Task | Status |
Ideation | Picked a niche? | ☐ |
Developed a creative idea? | ☐ | |
Chosen a format and tactic? | ☐ | |
Pre-Production | Designed thumbnail with contrasting colors and emotion? | ☐ |
Created a short, curiosity-invoking title (<40 characters)? | ☐ | |
Tested title and thumbnail? | ☐ | |
Production | Planned lighting (Key, Fill, Back)? | ☐ |
Selected a variety of shot types? | ☐ | |
Ensured high image and sound quality? | ☐ | |
Editing | Added a strong hook in the first few seconds? | ☐ |
Included a call to action? | ☐ | |
Used short, concise sentences? | ☐ | |
Included sound effects and keyword flashes? | ☐ | |
Distribution | Wrote a compelling description (first 150 characters)? | ☐ |
Included keywords and relevant links? | ☐ | |
Uploaded to appropriate platforms? | ☐ | |
Post-Launch | Used analytics to review performance? | ☐ |