In this social media guide, you will find step-by-step advice for optimising content, understanding the best posting times, and tailoring posts to each platform. It also explores essential tools, hashtags, tagging techniques, and methods for maintaining a consistent posting schedule. By following this social media guide, beginners and experienced users alike can improve engagement, increase reach, and measure performance effectively.

From Facebook and Instagram to TikTok, X, Mastodon, Bluesky, and Threads, this social media guide covers all major platforms, offering real-life examples, mini challenges, and practical tips. By the end of this social media guide, readers will have a clear framework for planning, creating, and scheduling posts, as well as insights into tracking success and refining strategies for maximum impact.

This social media guide is designed not just to instruct but to inspire confidence, helping you approach social media posting with a structured plan, professional tools, and actionable knowledge that delivers results.

💠 Bluesky

What it is:
A decentralised, text-focused platform similar to early Twitter: relaxed, conversational and community-driven.

Best for:
Short thoughts, commentary, niche communities, casual discussions, announcements.

Maximun Characftor Limit: 300

Best Posting Times:

• Weekdays: 10am – 1pm
• Evenings: 7pm – 9pm

Suggested Frequency:
1–2 posts per day.

Example Post:
“Exploring Liverpool’s old docklands today. Industrial beauty never fails to impress. 📷”

Hashtags & Tagging Tips:

• Hashtags exist but are far less important.
• Tag sparingly — the culture prefers subtlety and genuine interaction.

Mini Challenge:
Post one thoughtful observation and one image-led post this week.

Step-by-Step (Simple Post):

1. Open Bluesky.
2. Tap “Post”.
3. Add text and an image if desired.
4. Press “Publish”.
5. Respond to replies promptly — the community values conversation.

Real-Life Example:
Photography accounts often gain traction by posting behind-the-scenes shots with short, insightful commentary.

Comparison:
More relaxed than X; less algorithm-driven than Instagram.

Website:
Visit Bluesky: visit bluesky

📘 Facebook

What it is:
A highly established platform for communities, groups, long-form posts and mixed media.

Best for:
Announcements, albums, events, links, discussions.

Maximun Characftor Limit: 63,206

Best Posting Times:

• Weekdays: 9am – 1pm
• Sundays: 6pm – 8pm

Suggested Frequency:
1 post per day or 3–5 per week.

Example Post:
“New blog now live: photographing Warsaw’s winter streets. Tips, settings and plenty of mood! ❄️📸”

Hashtags & Tagging Tips:

• Use 1–3 hashtags at most.
• Tag relevant pages and collaborators to increase reach.

Mini Challenge:
Share a post linking to a website article and respond to every comment you receive within 24 hours.

Step-by-Step (Photo Post):

1. Tap “Photo/Video”.
2. Add 1–5 images for best engagement.
3. Include a short caption.
4. Add a link (Facebook loves links).
5. Post and share to relevant groups.

Real-Life Example:
Local businesses often see strong results posting customer stories or behind-the-scenes updates.

Comparison:
More versatile than Threads; more link-friendly than Instagram.

Website:
Visit Facebook: visit facebook

📸 Instagram

What it is:
A visually driven platform prioritising photos, Reels, Stories and carousels.

Best for:
Photography, short videos, Reels, visual storytelling.

Maximun Characftor Limit: 2,200

Best Posting Times:

• Weekdays: 11am – 12pm
• Saturdays: 9am – 11am

Suggested Frequency:
Feed: 3–5 posts per week
Stories: Daily
Reels: 2–3 per week

Example Post:
“Golden hour in Kraków never disappoints. The cobblestones practically glow. ✨
#TravelPhotography #StreetShots #NikonD7200”

Hashtags & Tagging Tips:

• Use 8–15 relevant hashtags.
• Tag locations, products, people and collaborators.

Mini Challenge:
Create one Reel and one carousel this week. Include at least five targeted hashtags.

Step-by-Step (Carousel):

1. Tap the + icon.
2. Select “Post”.
3. Choose up to 10 images.
4. Add a caption with hashtags.
5. Tag people and location.
6. Post and follow up with a Story.

Real-Life Example:
Photographers gain reach with carousel series titled “Before & After”, “Street Corners”, or “Hidden Details”.

Comparison:
More visual than Threads; more polished than TikTok.

Website: Visit instagram

🧳 LinkedIn

What it is:
A professional networking platform built around careers, industry expertise, and business-focused content.

Best for:
Career insights, thought leadership, B2B connections, professional announcements, and showcasing work achievements.

Maximun Characftor Limit: 3,000 (posts)

Best Posting Times:
Weekdays: 8am – 11am, especially Tuesday to Thursday.

Suggested Frequency:
3–5 posts per week.

Example Post:
“Exploring new approaches to digital workflow efficiency. Small improvements, big impact. 💼✨ #Productivity #TechInsights”

Hashtags & Tagging Tips:
Use 3–5 highly relevant hashtags.
Tag organisations or professionals only when truly relevant.

Mini Challenge:
Share a concise professional insight and finish with two industry-specific hashtags.

Real-Life Example:
Professionals who post practical takeaways—such as “5 quick fixes for slow workflows”—tend to see higher engagement.

Comparison:
More formal than Facebook; more text-driven and credibility-focused than Instagram.

Website: visit linkedin

🐘 Mastodon

What it is:
A decentralised social network with a strong community ethos and chronological feeds.

Best for:
Thoughtful writing, discussions, niche communities, tech and culture topics.

Maximun Characftor Limit: 500

Best Posting Times:
Weekdays: 9am – 2pm

Suggested Frequency:
1–3 posts per day.

Example Post:
“A crisp evening walk through Gdańsk. Architecture that whispers stories. 🏙️ #Photography”

Hashtags & Tagging Tips:
Hashtags are vital for discovery.
Use 2–6 relevant, community-aligned tags.

Mini Challenge:
Post a commentary-style toot and include three topic-specific hashtags.

Real-Life Example:
Creators gain momentum by posting thoughtful threads with images attached.

Comparison:
Less algorithmic than X; more text-friendly than Instagram.

Website: visit mastodon

🧵 Threads

What it is:
A social media platform by Meta focused on text-based conversations and microblogging, closely tied to Instagram accounts.

Best for:
Quick updates, personal commentary, trending topics, and community engagement.

Maximun Characftor Limit: 500

Best Posting Times:
Weekdays: 9am – 12pm and 5pm – 7pm

Suggested Frequency:
2–5 posts per day.

Example Post:
“Early morning streets of Kraków hold stories in every corner. Time slows, light dances, memories linger. 🌆 #StreetPhotography #CityLife”

Hashtags & Tagging Tips:
Use 2–6 relevant hashtags.
Tag people or accounts sparingly and only when content is relevant.

Mini Challenge:
Share a short narrative or insight and include three topic-specific hashtags.

Real-Life Example:
Creators posting engaging, narrative-driven threads with images often see higher interaction and follower growth.

Comparison:
More casual and fast-moving than LinkedIn; longer posts and threads are possible compared to X.

Website: visit threads

🎵 TikTok

What it is:
A short-form video platform focused on creative, entertaining, and viral content.

Best for:
Dance, photography, travel clips, tutorials, humour, and quick visual storytelling.

Maximun Characftor Limit: 4,000 (captions)

Best Posting Times:
Evenings: 6pm – 10pm, with weekends performing strongly.

Suggested Frequency:
1–3 videos per day.

Example Post:
“A winter stroll through the old streets of Wrocław, shadows dancing on cobblestones. ❄️🏙️ #StreetPhotography #CityVibes”

Hashtags & Tagging Tips:
Use 3–6 relevant hashtags.
Trending hashtags can boost reach but focus on your niche for long-term engagement.

Mini Challenge:
Post a 15-second video highlighting a single visual story with three descriptive hashtags.

Real-Life Example:
Creators who consistently post visually striking clips with strong openings see faster follower growth.

Comparison:
More entertainment-focused than YouTube; faster consumption than Instagram.

Website: visit tiktok

✒️ Tumblr

What it is:
A microblogging platform known for creativity, visual storytelling, and niche communities.

Best for:
Photography, GIFs, art, fandoms, short blogs, and aesthetic series.

Maximun Characftor Limit: 4,096 (posts)

Best Posting Times:
Evenings: 7pm – 11pm, especially weekends.

Suggested Frequency:
1–5 posts per day depending on content flow.

Example Post:
“Street corners in Kraków illuminated by warm winter light — a favourite sight. 📷✨ #CityPhotography #Aesthetic”

Hashtags & Tagging Tips:
Use 5–10 descriptive tags placed after the main content for discoverability.

Mini Challenge:
Post a photo or short thought with six aesthetic, mood-based tags.

Real-Life Example:
Creators who post themed series (e.g., Urban Shadows, Winter Streets) build a consistent following.

Comparison:
More expressive and whimsical than Threads; less formal than LinkedIn.

Website: visit tumblr

❌ X (Twitter)

What it is:
A microblogging platform known for real-time updates, discussions, and trending topics.

Best for:
News, commentary, short insights, humour, viral content, and engagement with communities.

Maximun Characftor Limit: 280

Best Posting Times:
Weekdays: 9am – 11am and 1pm – 3pm

Suggested Frequency:
3–10 tweets per day depending on engagement goals.

Example Post:
“Evening light hitting the rooftops of Warsaw — perfect for street photography. 🌇 #UrbanPhotography #CityVibes”

Hashtags & Tagging Tips:
Use 1–3 hashtags for reach.
Tag relevant accounts only when necessary.

Mini Challenge:
Post a quick insight or observation with a hashtag and see how engagement varies.

Real-Life Example:
Accounts that tweet consistently with concise, engaging content see higher interaction.

Comparison:
Faster-moving than Threads; more concise and algorithm-driven than Mastodon.

Website: visit x

▶️ YouTube

What it is:
A global video-sharing platform for long-form and short-form content across all genres.

Best for:
Tutorials, vlogs, travel content, educational videos, behind-the-scenes storytelling.

Maximun Characftor Limit:
5,000 (video descriptions)
100 (video titles)

Best Posting Times:
Weekdays: 12pm – 4pm
Weekends: 9am – 11am

Suggested Frequency:
1–2 videos per week.

Example Post:
“Exploring Warsaw rooftops for unique photography perspectives. Light, architecture, and stories unfold. 🎥✨ #UrbanExploration”

Hashtags & Tagging Tips:
Use 3–8 hashtags at the bottom of the description.
Include topic-specific tags in metadata for search optimisation.

Mini Challenge:
Upload a short clip (YouTube Shorts) with a strong opening second and three relevant hashtags.

Real-Life Example:
Creators with consistent uploads and keyword-rich titles rank higher in search and gain followers faster.

Comparison:
More evergreen than TikTok; more educational than Threads.

Website: visit youtube