Short form writing for social media can sometimes feel like a quick and simple thought shared with our followers. But if we want to really engage with our audience there are certain things we can do when writing. Certain platforms require a certain style while others require a quick, to the point message. Of course it depends on your brand and what you’re selling. What you want your followers to see and how you measure up to the competition.

To show you some writing examples, I have chosen my essay Why Buying a Home is Unattainable for most Millennials as the topic. Here is how I would promote this essay on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Threads. Below are my teasers, with an explanation of each one.

LinkedIn:  Calling all Millennials! Do you feel the pressure to own property? Does the idea of the American dream seem out of reach in this economy? If so, you’re not alone! Next week I share my research and insights on why millennials are struggling to buy homes and what this means for our nation.

Because LinkedIn is a professional networking site, I wrote in a voice that sounded more serious than how I usually sound. I wanted to come across informed about this topic, not just someone who has an opinion. I also asked questions, this allows my followers to ponder and engage with the post. For the image I picked a photo that felt dramatic and also represented the struggle of the home buying process.

Instagram:  Hey Millennials… does the American dream of owning property seem out of reach in today’s economy? Well, you’re not alone. Next week I will be sharing my essay on the housing crisis and how it’s affecting the millennial generation. If you’re in the market to buy, you’re not going to want to miss this!

For the Instagram platform, I wrote the caption in a casual voice, writing it almost as if I was speaking. I wanted the post to feel intriguing and be a sneak peak for my followers. Since the site is visually heavy, I kept the caption short but included a photo that evokes a lot of emotion, sure to invite a conversation: a family separated from their home, each on an edge of a cliff.

Threads: I’m currently working on an article about the millennial generation and why buying a home is unattainable for most of them. This developed from my own personal struggle and has opened my eyes about the housing crisis. I’m excited to share my article here next week in hopes to shed light on this problem and pose a few solutions!

Threads may be an extension to Instagram, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get special treatment. For promoting on Threads, I tailored my post to be more personal and explained why I’m writing this article. Threads is a great way to share ideas, or thoughts, so I knew including a sentence in there that connected me with the audience would be helpful. I also knew that with a larger character count than Twitter, I could write a longer statement without having to trim it. For the photo I picked an upside down house…to pull the reader in, in hopes that they will want to understand it’s context.

With so many social media platforms its important to remember what voice and style works for each one. Remember why your followers are on the app in the first place. It can guide you in crafting the perfect post and gaining engagement. Stay true to yourself and the brand. And don’t forget, social media after all, is about being social.