Creating a Social Post

A social post is a piece of content you publish to one or more connected social media profiles. In SocialBoost, this may include text, images, videos, links, hashtags, tags and platform-specific options.

Before creating a post

• Connect the social profiles you want to use.
• Check that the correct author brand or pen name is selected.
• Prepare the image, video or link you want to share.
• Write the main message or caption.
• Decide whether the post should publish now, be scheduled, or be added to a queue.

How creating a post usually works

1. Open the publishing area in SocialBoost.
2. Create a new post.
3. Select the social profile or profiles you want to publish to.
4. Add your caption, media, links and hashtags.
5. Customize the post for each network if needed.
6. Preview the post.
7. Publish now, schedule for later, or add it to a queue.

Things to know

• Each social platform has its own limits for text, media size, video length and formatting.
• A post that works well on Facebook may need adjustments for TikTok or Instagram.
• Always check the selected profiles before publishing.
• Preview posts before scheduling launch content.

Scheduling Social Posts

Scheduling lets you choose a future date and time for a post to publish. This is useful for launches, preorder reminders, cover reveals, newsletter signup prompts and regular author visibility.

When to schedule posts

• Before a book launch.
• During release week.
• For recurring weekly content.
• For time-sensitive announcements.
• When you want to batch your marketing work in advance.

How scheduling usually works

1. Create or open your social post.
2. Select the profiles you want to publish to.
3. Choose the schedule option.
4. Select the date and time.
5. Check the timezone.
6. Save or confirm the scheduled post.
7. Review it in the calendar or scheduled posts area.

Things to know

• Timezone settings affect when scheduled posts publish.
• Scheduled posts may fail if a social account disconnects before publish time.
• Review scheduled launch posts if pricing, links or release dates change.
• Check platform-specific rules for video, Stories, Reels and carousel posts.

Publishing Immediately

Publishing immediately sends the post live as soon as you confirm it. This is useful for quick updates, timely announcements or content you do not need to schedule.

When to publish immediately

• You need to share urgent news.
• You are posting a live event update.
• You want to respond to current reader activity.
• You have checked the post and want it live now.

Before publishing immediately

• Check the selected profiles.
• Proofread the caption.
• Test links where possible.
• Check media previews.
• Confirm tags and hashtags.
• Make sure the post is appropriate for each selected platform.

Things to know

Once a post is live, editing or deleting it may need to happen on the individual social platform depending on what SocialBoost and the platform allow.

Customizing Posts for Each Network

Different social platforms have different formats, audiences and best practices. SocialBoost lets you adjust posts for each network so the content feels native rather than copied and pasted everywhere.

What you may customize

• Caption length.
• Hashtags.
• Links.
• Image or video format.
• First comment.
• Tags or mentions.
• Call to action.

Why customization matters

• Instagram is highly visual.
• TikTok often needs short-form video and a strong hook.
• Facebook may allow longer captions and links.
• LinkedIn may need a more professional tone.
• Platform-specific formatting can improve readability and engagement.

Things to know

• Not every feature is available on every platform.
• Links may behave differently across platforms.
• Hashtag use should be adapted rather than copied everywhere.
• Images may need different aspect ratios for different networks.

Adding Hashtags

Hashtags help categorize content and may support discovery on platforms where hashtag search and trends matter. They can also help organize campaigns around genres, tropes, launches or author communities.

Author hashtag examples

• #booktok
• #authortok
• #romancebooks
• #fantasyromance
• #newrelease
• #kindleunlimited
• #indieauthor
• #readersoftiktok

Best practices

• Use relevant hashtags.
• Avoid stuffing captions with too many hashtags.
• Mix broad hashtags with niche hashtags.
• Check spelling before scheduling.
• Use different hashtags when customizing by platform.

Things to know

Hashtag performance varies by platform. What works on TikTok may not work the same way on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

Adding First Comments

First comments allow you to add extra text, links or hashtags as the first comment on supported social posts. This can keep the main caption cleaner while still including extra information.

When to use a first comment

• Adding extra hashtags.
• Adding a link where the platform or strategy favors comments.
• Adding bonus information without crowding the main caption.
• Separating campaign details from the main message.

How first comments usually work

1. Create your social post.
2. Open the first comment option if available.
3. Add the comment text, hashtags or link.
4. Preview the post setup.
5. Schedule or publish the post.

Things to know

• First comment support may vary by platform and post type.
• Do not put essential information only in the first comment if readers need it immediately.
• Test first comments before relying on them for launch links.
• Keep comment text clear and relevant.

Tagging Other Accounts

Tagging or mentioning other accounts can help connect your post to collaborators, publishers, narrators, cover designers, event hosts or other authors where appropriate.

When tagging is useful

• Co-authored releases.
• Anthologies.
• Author events.
• Takeovers or collaborations.
• Publisher announcements.
• Cover reveals involving artists or designers.

Before tagging

• Check the correct social handle.
• Make sure the tag is relevant.
• Do not tag unrelated accounts for attention.
• Check platform-specific tagging limits.
• Preview the post where possible.

Things to know

Tagging behavior can differ across platforms. A handle that works on Instagram may not be the same on TikTok, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Posting Videos, Reels and Stories

Video content can be powerful for book marketing, especially for teasers, character mood posts, behind-the-scenes content, release reminders and short-form reader engagement.

Supported video-style content may include

• Video feed posts.
• Reels.
• Stories.
• Short-form vertical video.
• Launch teasers.
• Book trailer clips.

Before posting video

• Check the required aspect ratio.
• Check video length limits.
• Make sure the file size is supported.
• Add captions or on-screen text where useful.
• Preview the thumbnail or cover frame.
• Confirm the post type before scheduling.

Things to know

• Each platform has different video requirements.
• Vertical video usually works best for Reels, Stories and TikTok.
• Stories may have different formatting from feed posts.
• Some platforms may process video after upload before it is ready.

Creating Carousel Posts

Carousel posts allow you to share multiple images in one post. They are useful for trope lists, quote slides, launch countdowns, character introductions and multi-book series promotions.

Author carousel ideas

• Trope breakdowns.
• Character introductions.
• Quote graphics.
• Series reading order.
• Before-and-after cover reveals.
• Launch countdown slides.
• Reader review highlights.

How carousel posts usually work

1. Create a new social post.
2. Select a platform and post type that supports multiple images.
3. Upload images in the order you want them to appear.
4. Add the caption, hashtags and any tags.
5. Preview the carousel if available.
6. Schedule or publish.

Things to know

• Carousel support varies by platform.
• Images should be the same size or aspect ratio where possible.
• The first slide matters most because it encourages swiping.
• Keep text readable on mobile.

Managing TikTok Posts

SocialBoost supports TikTok posting, but TikTok content works best when it is created with the platform in mind. Short, vertical, hook-led videos usually perform better than content simply repurposed from another network.

Before creating TikTok posts

• Use vertical video where possible.
• Start with a strong hook in the first few seconds.
• Keep text readable on a phone.
• Use relevant hashtags.
• Check music, audio and rights considerations.
• Make sure the post matches your author brand.

How TikTok publishing usually works

1. Create or upload your TikTok video content.
2. Add your caption and hashtags.
3. Select the connected TikTok account.
4. Choose whether to publish immediately or schedule.
5. Preview and confirm the post.
6. Check the post after publishing.

Things to know

• TikTok features and permissions can change over time.
• Video length, sound and format rules may vary.
• Some content may perform better when created natively for TikTok.
• Always review scheduled TikTok posts before launch week.

Instagram Image Sizes & Aspect Ratios

Instagram supports different image formats, including square, portrait, landscape, Stories and Reels. Using the right size helps avoid awkward cropping or unreadable graphics.

Common Instagram formats

• Square post: 1080 × 1080 px.
• Portrait feed post: 1080 × 1350 px.
• Landscape post: 1080 × 566 px.
• Stories/Reels: 1080 × 1920 px.

Design tips

• Keep important text away from the edges.
• Use high-resolution images.
• Check that book covers are not cropped badly.
• Use vertical formats for Reels and Stories.
• Keep text large enough to read on mobile.

Things to know

Instagram may crop previews depending on where the post appears. Always preview important graphics before scheduling.