How to learn social media marketing: 35 resources for beginners

Social media marketing isn’t just about going viral or hopping on the latest trend. I want you to think about it instead as a tool for building real relationships, creating repeatable systems — the key is knowing how to do it all effectively.

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Having the right social media resources can make all the difference between spinning your wheels and building momentum — even as algorithms, platforms, and now AI search evolve around you.

If you’re looking for tools to help you be more effective — whether you’re just starting out or a “veteran” looking to sharpen your skills — there’s no shortage of advice out there. But not all of it is created equal. That’s why I’ve curated this list of tools, templates, and content that will give you a solid foundation (and some smart shortcuts) to help you market more effectively on social media.

Let’s get into it.

Table of Contents

• Social Media Marketing Blogs
• Social Media Templates
• Social Media Marketing Ebooks
• Social Media Marketing Courses
• Social Media Marketing Videos
• Social Media Podcasts
• Social Media Newsletters
• Social Media Marketing Books
• How to Start Social Media Marketing

How to Learn Social Media Marketing: 35 Free Resources

These social media marketing resources have helped me land new clients, prep for campaigns, and troubleshoot in real-time — and they’ll do the same for you.

Social Media Marketing Blogs

Whether I’m building a new client strategy or troubleshooting declining reach on a platform, blogs are one of the first places I turn for social media marketing help. That’s because the best ones don’t just report on the news. They help you make sense of it, give you a nice little blend of food for thought, and offer step-by-step guides.

With that in mind, it should come as zero surprise that I keep a folder of bookmarks with my go-to social media blogs. These five are consistently in rotation — and if you only bookmark one section from this post, make it this one.

1. Social Media Examiner

Since 2009, Social Media Examiner has been one of the top social media blogs in the world. They publish blog content almost daily, ranging from how-to guides to trend breakdowns and algorithm analysis.

But what I really love are their annual industry reports. They’re your ticket to success if you ever need data to justify a budget ask for a strategy shift.

What I like: Beyond the blog, they run a well-produced podcast, a YouTube channel with tutorials, and a must-subscribe newsletter that hits my inbox three times a week. When I’m crunched for time, their subject lines alone help me prioritize what’s worth digging into.

2. Social Media Today

Social Media Today is my go-to when I need to confirm a rumor or catch up on a surprise feature release. Their team is fast — and that speed matters when you’re advising clients or leading strategy sessions.

The posts are short, newsy, and packed with direct quotes from platforms. If you’re someone who builds social calendars based on what’s trending, I want you to make sure this blog is on your radar.

Best for: Staying on top of breaking news and platform changes without wading through commentary.

3. Sprout Social

I used to think of Sprout Social strictly as a scheduling tool — until I started reading their blog. It’s become one of my favorites for long-form, research-backed content. Their benchmark reports and industry studies are fantastic if you manage multiple brands or need to communicate performance to stakeholders.

Best for: Teams, agencies, or strategists who want smarter systems and better data.

4. HubSpot Marketing Blog

Before I ever wrote for HubSpot, I read it religiously — and I have a lot of trust in the content, and even more now that I’ve been on the “inside.” HubSpot runs a ton of surveys and puts out super helpful reports so I know I’m getting the best possible information. More importantly, they take it a step further and tell you what the numbers mean and provide actionable insights so you know what’s next.

Whether I’m looking for ad specs, the latest info on AI copywriting, or social media marketing resources (oh hi, you’re in the right place), the HubSpot blog is probably my #1 go-to.

What I like: The blog teaches you what to do and gives you ideas on what to consider along the way — but it also takes it a step further, with templates, courses, and checklists to help you get started.

Pro tip: Solving sales, service, or ops challenges? HubSpot also has blogs that cover those categories — and I find them just as beneficial as the marketing blog.

5. Reddit

Reddit might not look like your typical marketing blog — but I’ve found that it’s one of the best social media marketing resources out there when I want unfiltered advice, peer-to-peer feedback, or behind-the-scenes case studies. I regularly browse subreddits like r/marketing, r/socialmediamarketing, and even r/smallbusiness to see what people are struggling with, what’s working, and how others are responding.

I always get a ton of helpful advice when I dig into posts like “My Instagram engagement tanked — what should I do?” with 100+ comments of real, tested ideas. And unlike LinkedIn or polished blog content, Reddit pulls back the curtain on how people solve problems — not just what the solution is.

What I like: I’ve used Reddit to pressure-test ideas, curate swipe files, and even troubleshoot issues that don’t show up in official help docs for whatever platform I’m using.

Pro tip: Use Reddit’s site-specific search (or Google “site:reddit.com: [your query]”) to cut through the noise and find what you need fast.

Note: Thinking about adding Reddit to your social media strategy? Avoid these Reddit mistakes!

Best for: Raw, real-world insight from people actually doing the work.

Social Media Templates

When I’m learning something new — especially in a fast-moving space like social — I want a working example I can build from. That means I love starting with a template. More often than not, I end up tweaking or rebuilding it myself, but that starting point puts me 10 steps ahead.

It’s also candy for my systems brain — because it gives me a structure I can adapt on the fly instead of wasting time engineering one from scratch.

Here are the templates I turn to repeatedly, whether I’m planning a new quarter of content or building a campaign from the ground up.

6. Social Media Content Calendar Template

This one’s a non-negotiable. If you’re posting without a calendar, you’re probably winging it more than you think. And it makes it downright impossible to make sure everything you’re doing is working together. That inconsistency alone leads to a ton of spinning wheels and extra work, not to mention potentially confusing your audience.

This template gives you a simple spreadsheet format to plan your content by date, channel, copy, format, and even status. It’s flexible, simple, and perfect when you’re just getting started or want a system for managing content.

(Need a social media management tool? HubSpot has one, so if you use HubSpot, highly recommend starting here.)

Best for: I recommend using this template along with HubSpot’s scheduling tool for a seamless publishing process.

7. Social Media Campaign Templates

The moment you start promoting something — whether it’s a lead magnet, event, or sale — you’re running a campaign. And that means you need a way to manage creative assets, messaging, timing, and spend. I love that the campaign planner template makes it easy to break down your goals, key messages, assets, calls-to-action, and tracking in one place.

What I like: This beginner-friendly template makes it easy to stay on track, whether you’re new to campaign management or looking for a better way to stay on top of it all.

8. Airtable’s Social Media Planning and Design Template

There comes a time when spreadsheets aren’t enough because they get too complex. At that point, we start talking about project management software, and Airtable is a great option. This gives you a calendar view, filters by platform or campaign, and lets you attach assets and assign tasks to your team. And, as a bonus, I find it an easy entry point if you’re new to Airtable.

Best for: Teams that want a bird's-eye view of upcoming content and need a collaborative tool to keep everyone on the same page.

Source

9. Social Media Image Templates

You don’t need Photoshop or a Canva Pro account to create good-looking graphics. This free template pack built in Google Slides is one of my favorite under-the-radar tools. It includes editable templates for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter — with layouts for testimonials, quotes, tips, promos, and more.

The best part? It’s accessible. Anyone with basic slide skills can use it.

Best for: Small teams or creators who want branded visuals without outsourcing design.

What I like: When space is limited, your messaging has to be sharp, which improves the post.

10. Instagram Templates for Business

Instagram’s not just visual — it’s competitive. And if you’re posting low-effort graphics or blurry screenshots, chances are your audience is scrolling right past. In my experience, Reels and Stories outperform static images, so if you’re focused on static images, you’ve got to make sure they stand out.

This template pack includes layouts for Reels covers, carousels, Stories, and more. I’ve used it to help clients polish their visual identity, speed up content creation, and stop blending into the feed.

What I like: It’s a great way to get a leg up by starting with high impact designs,

Social Media Marketing Ebooks

I love a good blog post — maybe for obvious reasons. Full guides allow you to go deeper, which gives a solid idea of why each step is essential, how to think about the problems and adapt your approach, and of course, what those steps are.

Here are a few ebooks I recommend regularly!

11. How to Use Instagram for Business

If you’re using Instagram personally, this guide will help you flip the switch and start thinking like a strategist. Created in partnership with Instagram expert Jenn Herman, it walks through everything from creating a business account to building a Reels strategy and mastering hashtags.

What sets this ebook apart is how actionable it is. I love the focus on making Instagram work for you.

Best for: Business owners and marketers who want to grow their audience and get results without guessing.

12. Mastering Business Growth on LinkedIn: The Marketer's Guide

LinkedIn is probably the biggest world I live in. And this social media marketing resource has everything you need to use it effectively for your business — whether you’re managing a company page, posting thought leadership content, or just trying to get more visibility for your brand.

I’ve used techniques from this ebook to help clients revamp their profiles, restructure content calendars, and build relationships that actually led to new business. It covers optimization, engagement strategy, and content planning without the fluff.

Best for: B2B marketers, founders, or solo consultants ready to build credibility and connections on LinkedIn.

13. The Beginner’s Guide to Facebook & Instagram Marketing

Even though this is called a beginner’s guide, if you’ve been working in Meta marketing for a while, I recommend checking out this resource. It’s got a bit of something for everyone, and will help you ensure you’re building your Facebook and Instagram marketing strategies on the right foundation — especially when it comes to advertising tips and strategies.

Best for: Marketers or business owners ready to dip their toes into Facebook and Instagram advertising — or need a refresher — without getting overwhelmed.

14. 50 Facebook Ad Examples We Actually Clicked

Creating a high-performing ad is hard. This ebook makes it easier by showing you what works — across 17 industries. It’s basically a swipe file of proven ads with notes on why they grabbed attention, generated clicks, and converted.

I’m a visual learner, so I love using this to spark ideas and share concepts with others. I’ve even pulled screenshots from this guide to help clients understand how to improve their own creativity.

Best for: Anyone running Meta ads who wants inspiration (and wants to leapfrog past the trial-and-error phase).

15. The Complete Guide to YouTube for Business

YouTube is getting the most investment from marketers in 2025 — and for good reason. It works.

More marketers are prioritizing video content, and this guide explains why. It covers everything from setting up your channel and optimizing video titles to building playlists and using analytics to improve performance.

What I appreciate most is that it doesn’t assume you have a video team or a huge budget. The strategies are solid whether you’re a solo creator or part of a brand team.

Best for: Businesses, creators, or marketers who want to use YouTube to build trust, reach new audiences, and drive long-term results.

Social Media Marketing Courses

When I first opened my business, the HubSpot Academy was one of the first places I turned to get smart about digital marketing fast.

That was years ago, and I still stand by it: HubSpot Academy is the number one place I point people to if they want to learn marketing. The content is tactical, well-produced, and actually helps you apply what you’re learning right away.

If you’re looking for social media marketing resources that will help you uplevel your skills — without spending thousands on a course or coaching program — start here. Every course below is free, self-paced, and packed with strategies that you can adapt to any algorithmic change.

16. Instagram Marketing and Ads Course

If you already have a presence on Instagram but want to take it to the next level, this course is where I’d start. It walks you through building a full Instagram strategy — from content creation and community engagement to running Meta ads that actually convert.

Course time: 2 hours, 50 minutes

Includes: 7 lessons, 19 videos, 5 quizzes

Best for: Business owners, content creators, or marketers who are ready to move from casual posting to intentional growth.

17. YouTube Marketing Course

If you want to use YouTube to build long-term visibility and brand authority, this course is a great place to start. It walks through how to grow and optimize a YouTube channel, plan binge-worthy content, and set up your videos for discovery using search-based strategies. What I like most is that it’s taught by creators who’ve actually done it — so it’s full of tactical insights that apply whether you’re solo or scaling.

Course time: 2 hr 10 min

Includes: 5 lessons, 14 videos, 4 quizzes

Best for: Business owners, marketers, or creators who want to use YouTube to build visibility, trust, and traffic over time.

18. Facebook Ads and Marketing Course

If you’re feeling stuck between boosting posts and fully investing in paid social, this course bridges the gap. It walks you through how Facebook’s ad ecosystem works, how to balance organic and paid content, and how to build simple campaigns in Meta’s Ad Manager. The structure is easy to follow, and it gives you just enough depth to make confident decisions without getting buried in data.

Course time: 1 hr 42 min

Includes: 6 lessons, 8 videos, 4 quizzes

Best for: Marketers or business owners who want to get a handle on paid social without diving straight into advanced ad strategy.

19. Social Media Marketing Certification

If you’re looking for an end-to-end view of social strategy and a credential to prove you’ve done the work, this is the course I recommend. It covers everything from audience research and content planning to publishing workflows, engagement strategy, analytics, and reporting.

In my experience, having a HubSpot certification displayed on your LinkedIn profile or website is a great way to establish credibility as they’re recognized across the industry.

Course time: 5 hr 18 min

Includes: 10 lessons, 38 videos, 29 quizzes, 1 certification

Best for: Social media professionals who want an end-to-end understanding of the field — and a credential to back it up.

Social Media Marketing Videos

Video is my second favorite way to learn — right behind books. I loved lectures in college for a reason — hearing directly from the expert, watching real-time walkthroughs, and seeing strategy in action makes the concepts click faster.

Whether you’re a visual learner, short on time, or just want to hear from people actually doing the work, these video resources are worth your watch list.

20. Vanessa Lau

I debated whether or not to include Vanessa Lau in this list because her content is shifting. She recently stepped fully into her role as co-founder of Superboba, and she’s been clear that she’s moving away from the weekly upload grind and toward sharing the real, behind-the-scenes journey of building a physical product business with her husband.

But I think her channel is worth following because the existing content is packed with awesomeness. And even with the pivot, her focus on visibility, content strategy, and brand-building will resonate with every marketer I know.

If you’re looking for perfect playbooks, this may not be it as she shifts her focus. But if you want to learn from someone who’s grown fast, adapted in public, and stayed grounded through the messy middle, I’d still hit subscribe on YouTube and SubStack.

Best for: Creators, consultants, and personal brands who want to grow sustainably — without burning out (something near and dear to my heart).

21. TED Talks: Social Media Marketing

TED talks are famous for covering insightful topics led by industry experts, and there are plenty around social media. While they (most likely) won’t teach you how to write the perfect hook or optimize a TikTok, they will shift your perspective on influence, virality, and the evolving media landscape. Just go to their YouTube channels, search social media, and find some that jump out at you.

Want a starting point? Two that I think are particularly worthwhile are:

• Raja Rajamannar: The Art of Marketing  —  for Good. Mastercard’s CMO explores how marketing can do more than sell — it can solve real problems. From debit cards that let users choose how their names appear to tactile cards for the visually impaired, this talk shows how purpose and profit can coexist.
• Hamish McKenzie: “Is This the Future of Media?” Substack’s co-founder examines how independent creators are building a new media “garden” where trust replaces engagement metrics and audiences matter more than ads.

Best for: Creators and marketers who want to level up their perspective and thinking.

22. HubSpot Marketing

HubSpot’s Marketing channel on YouTube is full of quick, actionable tips on a range of social media topics. Whether you want to learn how to verify your LinkedIn account or monetize your YouTube account, you’ll find easy how-to videos on this channel.

The videos are helpful and regularly updated — which means you won’t waste time on outdated advice.

Best for: Marketers and business owners looking for tactical how-tos they can implement immediately.

23. Free Social Media Certification

Yes, I mentioned the certification earlier in the Courses section, but it’s worth including here again because every lesson is available as a video. With 38 videos and nearly 5.5 hours of instruction, it’s one of the most comprehensive free video series on social media marketing.

You can watch it all at once or break it into pieces — either way, you’ll walk away with a structured understanding of strategy, planning, publishing, and analytics.

Best for: Anyone who learns best visually and wants to build foundational skills with a clear path (and certification) at the end.

Social Media Podcasts

Podcasts are one of my favorite ways to learn from other marketers — especially when I’m walking the dog or folding laundry. They’re low-effort to consume, but high-impact in what you take away. Whether it’s a deep dive on trends, behind-the-scenes business lessons, or inspiration from a guest who’s been there, done that, I always come away with something actionable.

24. Social Media Marketing Podcast

Michael Stelzner (founder of Social Media Examiner) has been running this podcast weekly since 2012 — which means it’s seen social media through nearly every algorithm and platform shift you can imagine.

What I like: It’s a mix of expert interviews and deep dives into strategies that are working right now, from short-form video to AI-assisted content creation. You’ll also find a lot of advice geared toward business owners — not just marketers — so it’s especially useful if you wear multiple hats.

Best for: Anyone managing social media as part of a broader business strategy.

25. The Social Pros Podcast

This podcast, produced by the team at Convince and Convert, puts real-world social media work front and center. Each episode features a guest who manages social for a well-known brand — think Google, Uber, or Reddit — and digs into what they’re actually doing behind the scenes.

What I like: It’s a fantastic lens on how social media fits into larger marketing systems and how strategies evolve as a brand grows. If you’ve ever wondered how “the pros” run their calendars or scale content, you’ll find answers here.

Best for: Social media managers and marketing leads working inside growing companies.

26. Marketing Against the Grain

In this podcast, HubSpot’s CMO and Zapier’s CMO provide an unfiltered perspective on marketing trends and growth tactics while sharing fresh ideas that any marketer can apply to their strategy.

Pro tip: You can also tune into the episodes on YouTube if you prefer video over audio.

27. The Goal Digger Podcast

Jenna Kutcher has built an empire by showing up authentically, and her podcast reflects that. With more than 110 million downloads, The Goal Digger Podcast is a go-to for creators, online business owners, and anyone marketing a personal brand.

What I like: It’s honest, motivating, and packed with practical advice on social media, content creation, and running a sustainable business. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by how much there is to do, this podcast will remind you that small steps add up.

Best for: Creators, solopreneurs, and side hustlers looking to grow with purpose.

28. The Ross Simmonds Show

Ross Simmonds is a brilliant marketer — and in this podcast, he shows you how to think bigger with your content. A recurring theme is making the most of what you create, repurposing posts, distributing to new audiences, and using data to guide your strategy.

What I like: With so many people focused on what’s trending this second, Ross reminds you to focus on creating things that actually last.

Best for: Marketers with limited time or teams who need to get more mileage out of every asset.

Social Media Newsletters

If you’re anything like me, your inbox is a mix of client updates, campaign approvals, and that one 20%-off coupon you keep forgetting to use (I’m laughing with you here). But there are a handful of newsletters I always make time to open — because they help me stay sharp, inspired, and in the know without getting lost in an algorithm.

These are a few of my go-to social media marketing newsletters worth subscribing to.

29. Marketing Brew

From the team at Morning Brew, Marketing Brew covers everything from social platform changes and big brand campaigns to ad tech and media mergers. It’s smart, snappy, and surprisingly digestible.

Best for: I recommend this newsletter to marketers at all levels who want to stay on top of industry trends and updates.

30. Link in Bio

Written by Rachel Karten (a former social media manager for Bon Appétit and other major brands), Link in Bio offers a rare look into what it’s actually like to manage social. Each issue includes interviews with brand-side social pros, campaign breakdowns, and real talk on burnout, strategy, and career growth.

What I like: It’s one of the only newsletters that makes me feel both seen and smarter. Highly recommend if you do social media as a job — or want to.

Best for: Social media managers, consultants, or aspiring brand builders.

31. Future Social

Jack Appleby knows his stuff — and this newsletter proves it. After leading social strategy for Microsoft, Beats by Dre, and more, he now uses Future Social to teach creators and marketers how to build stronger content and grow their digital presence. It’s part case study, part content breakdown, and always worth reading.

Best for: Content creators, personal brands, or social leads who want to move from reactive to strategic.

32. Techspresso

While not strictly about social media, Techspresso is one of my favorite ways to stay ahead of the curve. Every issue includes a short, skimmable breakdown of the biggest tech and AI news — plus direct links if you want to dig deeper.

What I like: Social media doesn’t exist in a vacuum — and tools, trends, and regulations outside your feed still impact your strategy. Techspresso keeps me informed without stealing my time.

Best for: Marketers who want a broader tech lens and need to stay informed without doomscrolling.

Social Media Marketing Books

Books aren’t always my first stop when I’m trying to solve a problem fast — but when I want to go deeper, think more strategically, or step back from the scroll, books are among the most valuable resources I turn to. And I love the analog, non-digital option to get myself offline.

There’s a saying that if you read one book a week on your area of expertise for five years, you’ll have the equivalent of a PhD. Whether or not that’s technically true, I can say this with certainty: Learning directly from people who’ve tested, failed, refined, and succeeded is one of the fastest ways to level up.

I’ll be honest — I have stacks of marketing books I’ve only read a few chapters of and keep meaning to get back to. But these are worth adding to your TBR list.

33. Influencer: Building Your Personal Brand in the Age of Social Media

Written by creator economy expert Brittany Hennessy, this book delves into exactly how to build an audience and a brand online. This book is just as valuable for beginners as it is for content creators who already have an audience, as it also covers how to secure brand deals and elevate your content.

Best for: I recommend reading this if you’re a content creator or anyone who wants to improve their thought leadership content.

34. The New Rules of Marketing and PR

David Meerman Scott’s book on digital marketing is an international bestseller and is worth every penny. Some argue that it should be required reading for any marketer. I can personally confirm that I read it at the beginning of my marketing career and felt it was a great resource for getting started.

Best for: If you’re early into your marketing career or just getting started with social media marketing.

35. Contagious: Why Things Catch On

This book by Jonah Berger provides a strong foundation to understand how content goes viral — and how to create ideas on social media that are so catchy, your audience won’t be able to help but click them.

Now that you’ve reviewed the top social media marketing resources, it’s time to create your action plan for getting out there and actually executing your knowledge.

You’ve got the tools. You’ve got the drive. Now it’s time to put it all into practice. But where do you actually begin?

I’ve worked with dozens of businesses that dove into social media with good intentions — only to burn out, stall out, or stay stuck in “random acts of content” mode. That’s why I always come back to these 10 principles. They’re the foundational moves that help you stay focused, avoid overwhelm, and build something that actually works.

And while there’s no one-size-fits-all roadmap, this list is a great place to start.

1. Go where your customers are.

Notice I didn’t say, “where your competitors are,” “where your favorite influencer is,” or “everywhere.” That’s a recipe for burnout. Instead, I recommend starting small and sustainable.

When you’re starting out, fewer platforms mean better focus. Choose one or two where your audience is already active — and commit to doing them well. You can always branch out once you have momentum and systems in place.

2. Provide value.

People don’t usually go on social to shop — unless they’re looking for special deals that only seem to show up on the TikTok Shop. Instead, they go to connect, laugh, scroll, learn, or procrastinate.

That means your content needs to meet them there. Before you ask for anything — likes, clicks, or sales — you need to earn trust. A good rule of thumb: Aim for 80% value-driven content (education, entertainment, inspiration) and only 20% promotion.

When you lead with value, the conversions follow naturally.

3. Set realistic and measurable goals.

“Go viral” isn’t a goal. Neither is “post more often.” Whether you want more leads, more visibility, or more engagement, start by defining what success looks like.

Then tie your goals to trackable metrics: website clicks, reach, saves, or DMs. Bonus tip: Set benchmarks based on where you are now — not where you wish you were.

4. Maximize your existing resources.

You don’t need to start from scratch.

Some of the best-performing content I’ve helped clients create started as blog posts, podcast transcripts, slide decks, or emails. Repurposing isn’t lazy. It’s smart — and it’s my favorite approach to content marketing. The trick is to adapt it to the format and channel you’re posting on.

Got five great videos? You probably have 20+ clips, reels, and quote graphics ready to go — not to mention emails!

Then you can decide on a publishing schedule that works with your content creation bandwidth.

5. Have conversations.

Remember the “social” in “social media.” Social media marketing is about connecting with real people.

That means you’ve got to engage with your audience. So reply to comments and DMs, elevate stories from your community, and talk with people — not at them. Those small interactions often lead to the biggest opportunities.

Some of my best client relationships started because I answered a question or responded to a comment. Don’t underestimate the power of showing up.

6. Listen to your audience.

One of the fastest ways to improve your content? Listen to your audience — on your channels as well as in other Facebook groups or Reddit threads. Use social listening tools if you’ve got them — but even manual research can go a long way.

Pay attention to what your ideal audience is asking, complaining about, or celebrating. Then create content that speaks directly to those moments.

7. Don’t get trapped by trends.

Not every bandwagon is worth jumping on. I’ve seen businesses sink hours into viral audios or meme formats that didn’t align with their brand — and ended up confusing their audience more than helping it.

Trends can be powerful when they enhance your message and it fits within your brand. But if it feels forced, skip it. Sustainable growth always outranks fleeting attention.

8. Focus on quality, not quantity.

Viral isn’t always a good thing. Really — here’s why:

Would you rather have 500 raving fans — or 5,000 people who scroll past without caring?

The same goes for content. You don’t need to post every day. You need to post things that matter. That means investing in clear messaging, strong visuals, and real value — even if it takes a little longer.

Quality content builds trust. And trust builds everything else.

9. Tailor your content and messaging to each platform.

Copy-pasting across platforms? Been there. Done that. Doesn’t work.

Each platform has its own language. Instagram is visual and emotionally driven. LinkedIn rewards authority and insight. TikTok? It’s all about story and scroll-stopping hooks.

If you’re cross-posting, tweak the message. Change the image. Adjust the tone. That little bit of effort can make a huge difference in results.

10. Never stop learning.

As evidenced by all these resources, the only constant in social media is change. That means you’ve got to be agile enough to adapt. And that means continuing to learn.

Whether it’s taking a course, subscribing to a newsletter, or just trying something new on your next post, treat every week as a chance to level up. Platforms change, algorithms shift, and audience behavior evolves.

But if you stay curious, you’ll stay ahead.

Building Your Social Media Expertise Over Time

I’m not advocating you set out to become the ultimate social media master this week. Heck, I’m not even suggesting that for the next month or the next year. The list above is massive, and it’s a physical impossibility to do that and have any kind of a career or life outside of it.

But, my goal in sharing all of this content today is to give you some jumping off points and options as you build out your knowledge base and toolkit.

There’s a lot of noise out there. But if you focus on the fundamentals, show up consistently, and stay close to your audience, you’ll build something that lasts.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in March 2015 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.