How long have you been staring at a blinking cursor, hoping that inspiration will strike and you can write an AMAZING social media caption?
It happens to the best of us! Don’t worry. You’re in the right place to learn how to simplify your social media copywriting and level up your captions. For this blog post, I had my team’s copywriter help fill in some details so you can access some practical and easy-to-follow help!
Marketing your business on social media means connecting with your ideal client, and while scroll-stopping visuals help that, words matter, too!
Let’s break down what goes into the format or structure of your social media caption, some simple copywriting formulas you can go back to again and again, clear CTA examples, and how you can score some extra support if you need it.
Social Media Copywriting: Caption Formatting Tips
No matter the length of your caption, the format should always follow this general 3-part outline:
- Hook
- Body
- Call-to-Action
Your hook is there to grab someone’s attention quickly, followed by drawing them in and connecting through your caption body, and finally, giving them clear direction for the action they need to take now.
What does that look like?
Here are some examples of caption scripts to help you out:
Intro Post: “If you’re seeing this, you’re in the right place for [the desired outcome your business provides clients/customers]!
👋I’m [name], I’ve been in the [your industry] game for [“X’’ time], and I love being able to [what you’re amazing at doing for clients/customers]!
Let me help you [specific step to reach desired outcome] so you can [desired outcome/transformation].✨
Drop your BIGGEST [roadblock/pain point/symptom] to get to [end goal] below.👇”
Or…
Nurture Post: “When you see [something that makes you cringe about your industry] online, what’s your first reaction?
Mine is [share your thoughts here]!
I mean, can’t we move past [undesirable industry trait/standard] in 2024?!
If you could wave your magic wand and change ONE THING about [your industry/niche], what would it be?”
Both captions are shorter but follow the hook, body, and CTA format. If you have trouble coming up with hooks, check out this post I did a little while ago for inspo!
Here are some examples of captivating hooks to pull your reader in:
- OMG! I can’t believe what happened when…
- Did you know [insert shocking stat here]?!
- Doing this ONE THING changed my business forever…
- Have you ever felt [insert feeling here] about your business? Me too!
When in doubt, keep it simple!
Social Media Copywriting: Don’t Miss Your CTA
Your caption body is designed to connect with your reader and walk them through the next steps so they can follow your call to action. What CTAs can you use? Check out this list for ideas:
- Follow [your social handle] for more ways to [reach desired outcome]!
- Ready to simplify [process or part of running their business]? Download our free checklist now!
- Let’s get you on the calendar! Click the link to book your FREE consult call!
- Comment [your trigger word here] to join the membership today.
- Get the [resources] you need for [desired outcome]—subscribe to our weekly email for [relevant topic here] tips straight to your inbox.
- Need a step-by-step plan? Get your hands on our [digital product or course] and finally get [desired action and results here]!
Try these ideas on your next social media captions and see how they work.
Final Social Media Copywriting Tips
The purpose of copywriting is to drive results, typically through sales, although your specific goals could include increased blog traffic, freebie downloads, and email sign-ups. Those results come from understanding your ideal audience, speaking to their particular desires, and showing them how you can make those desires a reality. Copywriting on social media is typically focused on using fewer words with a big impact. You can follow the ‘Rule of Short’ for this:
- Short Words
- Short Sentences
- Short Paragraphs
- Short Sections
Another valuable and simple tip to remember is to use the ‘Rule of You.’ This rule means that you use the words “you” and “your(s)” instead of I, me, they, them, etc., which helps your reader to identify that the content is speaking directly to them. They will be more likely to connect and take action after reading what they’ve read because they feel valued and understood.
Finally, when done well, storytelling can be the most effective way to connect with your ideal audience. Storytelling focuses on the current reality and what someone wants their reality to be. Then, you show them how your products or services can get them from point A to point B. It can be as simple as “Old me___________. vs. New me___________!”
PRO TIP: Start writing down interesting or funny things that happen to you throughout the day so you can build up a storytelling idea bank for when you need some inspo. Never feel like you have to use a story to make your caption work. You can simply follow one of the copywriting frameworks instead!
WOW! That was A LOT of info that just came at you, and I’m so excited you made it to the end. Seriously, give yourself a pat on the back and grab a celebratory drink. You’ve earned it! Let me know if this blog post has helped you feel excited about social media copywriting again 📧 sarah@socialandstuff.com. If you want additional support to DIY your social media copy, check out my FREE Social and Stuff Simplified membership here!
Your Social BFF,
Sarah 💅🏻
