Social media posts are the lifeblood of your online presence, acting as your brand’s digital voice. These posts are windows into your company’s personality, values, and offerings, creating vital connections with your target audience. However, the success of these posts isn’t solely dependent on their content—it’s also about the timing of their release.
Knowing the best times to post on various platforms can significantly impact your engagement rates and reach. Let’s explore the optimal posting times for different social media platforms in Malaysia.
Facebook or Meta
Ideal Time: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Ideal Length: 40-80 characters
Insights: Posts with 80 characters or less received 66% higher engagement.
Facebook or Meta remains one of the most widely used social media platforms, and the timing of your posts can greatly influence their effectiveness. Studies have shown that the ideal time to post on Facebook for optimal engagement is between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. in Malaysia. Users often commute to work, take breaks, or start their days during these hours.
The ideal length for a Facebook post is relatively short, ranging between 40 and 80 characters. This concise format tends to grab users’ attention quickly and encourages interaction. It’s important to note that posts with 80 characters or less have been found to receive 66% higher engagement rates compared to longer posts.
Ideal Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ideal Length: 138-150 characters
Insights: Captions get cut off around 125 characters visually, so keep them concise.
Instagram is a visual platform that thrives on engaging imagery and concise captions. The optimal time to post on Instagram is between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. when users often scroll through their feeds during breaks or lunchtime.
Aim for captions between 138 and 150 characters when crafting your Instagram posts. While Instagram allows for captions up to 2,200 characters long, it’s essential to remember that captions get visually cut off after around 125 characters. This means that the first few lines of your caption should be attention-grabbing and concise to entice users to read more.
Twitter or X
Ideal Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Ideal Length: 70-100 characters
Insights: Despite the 280-character limit, shorter tweets are preferred for engagement.
Twitter or X is all about brevity and real-time updates. The best times to tweet for maximum engagement are between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m., as users often check their Twitter feeds during morning commutes or work breaks.
When composing tweets, aim for 70 to 100 characters. Despite Twitter’s recent increase in the character limit to 280, shorter tweets tend to perform better in terms of engagement. This shorter format encourages users to consume and interact with your content quickly.
Ideal Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ideal Length: About 100 characters
Insights: Keep posts short to avoid being cut off; the “See More” link appears at around 140 characters.
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform where users often engage with industry news and updates. The best times to post on LinkedIn are typically between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the workday, when professionals actively browse the platform for news, updates, ideas, and learnings.
When posting on LinkedIn, keep your updates concise, around 100 characters. This length ensures your post is not cut off in users’ feeds, as the “See More” link usually appears at around 140 characters. Use this space to deliver impactful, professional updates that resonate with your target audience.
YouTube
Ideal Time: 2-4 p.m. on weekdays, 9-11 a.m. on weekends
Ideal Length: Varies (Dependent on video content and format)
Insights: Create engaging videos without being overly lengthy.
YouTube is the go-to platform for video content, and the timing of your video uploads can impact their visibility and reach. The best times to post YouTube videos are typically between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekends, when users are likely to have more leisure time.
When creating YouTube videos, focus on engaging content without being overly lengthy. The ideal length of a YouTube video varies depending on the content and format. However, keeping viewers engaged throughout the video is crucial to maximise watch time and interactions.
TikTok
Ideal Time: 2-6 p.m.
Ideal Length: 15-60 seconds (Video)
Insights: Short, snappy videos perform best on TikTok.
TikTok thrives on short, snappy video content that quickly captures users’ attention. The best times to post on TikTok are typically between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. when users are most active and looking for entertaining content.
When creating TikTok videos, aim for 15 to 60 seconds. This short format aligns with TikTok’s platform style and keeps viewers engaged without losing interest. Remember to use trending hashtags and catchy captions to maximise your video’s visibility and engagement.
Tips to Improve Your Social Media Exposure
Here are six simple tips to boost your engagement and improve social media exposure:
1. Create Interesting and Engaging Content
Your social media content should be interesting and fun. Avoid generic business content and use a mix of lighthearted yet professional language. Discuss trending topics and give your audience a reason to read your posts.
2. Respond to All Comments and Interactions
Interacting with your audience is crucial for building engagement. Make it a point to respond to all comments, messages, and mentions. This not only boosts engagement but also improves your brand image. A lack of response can convey a sense of indifference from your brand, which is something to avoid.
3. Use Visual Media in Your Posts
Social media posts with visual media tend to perform better. Incorporating visual content into your posts is key, whether an image, video, infographic, or product photo. Audiences are more likely to engage with posts that include eye-catching visuals. Make sure to align these visuals with your brand identity by including logos and colour schemes.
4. Ask Questions or Include Polls
Encouraging interaction is a great way to boost engagement. Ask questions related to your brand or industry to spark discussions among your followers. Polls are also effective in gathering opinions and preferences from your audience. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer built-in poll features, making it easy to create engaging content.
5. Organise Giveaways, Mini-Games, Quizzes or Competitions
Organising giveaways, mini-games, quizzes, or competitions on your social media platforms is a fantastic way to increase engagement and interaction with your audience. These activities not only entertain but also encourage active participation from your followers.
Giveaways can be in the form of vouchers, coupon codes, or small gifts. Mini-games can range from simple puzzles to interactive challenges that prompt users to comment, like, or share to participate. Quizzes allow your audience to test their knowledge, share their results, and engage with your brand. Competitions, whether photo contests, caption competitions, or sweepstakes, create excitement and encourage users to get involved.
6. Create a Regular Posting Schedule
Consistency is key in social media. Aim to post regularly and at optimal times for each platform. While it may seem daunting to post daily, it’s important for maintaining visibility and engagement.
Ideally, you should aim to post daily on each social media platform you want to boost engagement on. This will help reinforce your brand. Also, it is viewed positively by the platforms and search engines for rankings. Use social media management tools like Loomly to schedule posts in advance. This saves time and ensures a steady flow of content for your audience.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of social media posting involves a combination of strategic timing and content length. By understanding the optimal times to post on various platforms and crafting posts of the right length, you can maximise engagement, reach a wider audience, and ultimately achieve your social media marketing goals.
Remember, it’s not just about when you post but also how you present your content that makes all the difference. Engage our digital marketing agency in KL and Selangor to discover how our social media marketing management service can help you grow your business online.
