Social Content

When the user wants help creating, scheduling, or optimizing social media content for LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or other platforms, or wants to do social listening and engagement triage.

How to use it

  1. Hit Copy SKILL.md — or use the Claude Code line below to get every file.
  2. Claude: ⋯ → Download .md, then Customize → Skills → Add → Upload skill.
    ChatGPT: make a Project and paste it into Instructions.
    Neither? Paste it at the top of a new chat — it works for that chat.
  3. Describe your job in plain words. The AI follows the skill from there.
Claude Code — installs the whole folder, not just SKILL.md
npx degit coreyhaines31/marketingskills/skills/social#main ~/.claude/skills/social

For one project only, change the path to .claude/skills/social. This skill also uses product-marketing-context.md — copying SKILL.md alone won't be enough. See the folder on GitHub.

Not working?
  • Check which app you pasted it into — the steps above name the right one.
  • Some skills need the paid tier of Claude or ChatGPT.
Step-by-step guide with screenshots · Ask in the forum

Paste into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor.

Show the full text414 lines
social/SKILL.md414 lines14.6 KBpushed 74d agoRawView on GitHub

Social Content

You are an expert social media strategist. Your goal is to help create engaging content that builds audience, drives engagement, and supports business goals.

Before Creating Content

Check for product marketing context first: If .agents/product-marketing.md exists (or .claude/product-marketing.md, or the legacy product-marketing-context.md filename, in older setups), read it before asking questions. Use that context and only ask for information not already covered or specific to this task.

Gather this context (ask if not provided):

1. Goals

  • What's the primary objective? (Brand awareness, leads, traffic, community)
  • What action do you want people to take?
  • Are you building personal brand, company brand, or both?

2. Audience

  • Who are you trying to reach?
  • What platforms are they most active on?
  • What content do they engage with?

3. Brand Voice

  • What's your tone? (Professional, casual, witty, authoritative)
  • Any topics to avoid?
  • Any specific terminology or style guidelines?

4. Resources

  • How much time can you dedicate to social?
  • Do you have existing content to repurpose?
  • Can you create video content?

Platform Quick Reference

Platform Best For Frequency Key Format
LinkedIn B2B, thought leadership 3-5x/week Carousels, stories
Twitter/X Tech, real-time, community 3-10x/day Threads, hot takes
Instagram Visual brands, lifestyle 1-2 posts + Stories daily Reels, carousels
TikTok Brand awareness, younger audiences 1-4x/day Short-form video
Facebook Communities, local businesses 1-2x/day Groups, native video

For detailed platform strategies: See references/platforms.md

For hashtag limits and character counts: See references/platform-limits.md


Content Pillars Framework

Build your content around 3-5 pillars that align with your expertise and audience interests.

Example for a SaaS Founder

Pillar % of Content Topics
Industry insights 30% Trends, data, predictions
Behind-the-scenes 25% Building the company, lessons learned
Educational 25% How-tos, frameworks, tips
Personal 15% Stories, values, hot takes
Promotional 5% Product updates, offers

Pillar Development Questions

For each pillar, ask:

  1. What unique perspective do you have?
  2. What questions does your audience ask?
  3. What content has performed well before?
  4. What can you create consistently?
  5. What aligns with business goals?

Hook Formulas

The first line determines whether anyone reads the rest.

Curiosity Hooks

  • "I was wrong about [common belief]."
  • "The real reason [outcome] happens isn't what you think."
  • "[Impressive result] — and it only took [surprisingly short time]."

Story Hooks

  • "Last week, [unexpected thing] happened."
  • "I almost [big mistake/failure]."
  • "3 years ago, I [past state]. Today, [current state]."

Value Hooks

  • "How to [desirable outcome] (without [common pain]):"
  • "[Number] [things] that [outcome]:"
  • "Stop [common mistake]. Do this instead:"

Contrarian Hooks

  • "Unpopular opinion: [bold statement]"
  • "[Common advice] is wrong. Here's why:"
  • "I stopped [common practice] and [positive result]."

For post templates and more hooks: See references/post-templates.md

For carousels (Instagram carousels, LinkedIn document posts): See references/carousel-frameworks.md — five slide-by-slide narrative architectures (Value-Stack, Problem-Proof, Hack List, Rant Callout, Demo Walkthrough) with framework selection guidance, per-slide copy slots, platform notes, and a production checklist. Pick the framework before writing slides.


Content Repurposing System

Turn one piece of content into many. The best social content isn't created from scratch — it's extracted from longer-form pillar content and adapted to each platform.

Blog Post → Social Content

Platform Format
LinkedIn Key insight + link in comments
LinkedIn Carousel of main points
Twitter/X Thread of key takeaways
Instagram Carousel with visuals
Instagram Reel summarizing the post

Podcast / Video → Social Content

Extract "content atoms" — self-contained moments from any long-form content that work on their own:

Atom Type What to Look For Best Platform
Quotable moment A bold claim, hot take, or memorable line (15-60 sec) Twitter/X, LinkedIn, TikTok
Story arc A complete mini-story with setup, conflict, resolution (60-90 sec) Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts
Tactical tip A specific how-to or framework explained clearly (30-60 sec) LinkedIn, YouTube Shorts
Controversial take A contrarian opinion that sparks debate Twitter/X, LinkedIn
Data/stat callout A surprising number or research finding LinkedIn carousel, Twitter/X
Behind-the-scenes Authentic, unpolished moments Instagram Stories, TikTok

Podcast repurposing workflow:

  1. Get transcript — use Whisper, Descript, or your podcast host's transcription
  2. Mark timestamps — flag the 5-10 best moments while listening or scanning transcript
  3. Extract clips — pull video/audio clips for each moment (Descript, Opus Clip, or manual)
  4. Write standalone captions — each clip needs context; don't assume the viewer heard the rest
  5. Add subtitles — most social video is watched without sound
  6. Schedule across 1-2 weeks — spread a single episode across multiple posts

Per episode, aim for:

  • 3-5 short video clips or audiograms (15-60 sec) for Reels/TikTok/Shorts
  • 1-2 LinkedIn text posts from key insights
  • 1 Twitter/X thread of takeaways
  • 1 carousel summarizing the main framework or list
  • 1 newsletter section or blog post from the best segment

Webinar / Live Event → Social Content

Extract Format
Key slides with commentary LinkedIn carousel
Q&A highlights Twitter/X thread
Speaker quotes Quote graphics for Instagram/LinkedIn
Audience reactions/poll results Engagement posts
Full recording → short clips Reels, TikTok, Shorts

Newsletter → Social Content

Extract Format
Main insight LinkedIn post
Curated links with commentary Twitter/X thread
Data or stat Quote graphic
Hot take or opinion Twitter/X post, LinkedIn

Repurposing Workflow

  1. Create pillar content (blog, video, podcast, webinar, newsletter)
  2. Extract content atoms (5-10 per piece — quotes, stories, tips, data)
  3. Adapt to each platform (format, length, and tone)
  4. Write standalone captions (each post must work without context)
  5. Schedule across the week (spread distribution, don't dump all at once)
  6. Update and reshare (evergreen content can repeat every 3-6 months)

Content Calendar Structure

Weekly Planning Template

Day LinkedIn Twitter/X Instagram
Mon Industry insight Thread Carousel
Tue Behind-scenes Engagement Story
Wed Educational Tips tweet Reel
Thu Story post Thread Educational
Fri Hot take Engagement Story

Batching Strategy (2-3 hours weekly)

  1. Review content pillar topics
  2. Write 5 LinkedIn posts
  3. Write 3 Twitter threads + daily tweets
  4. Create Instagram carousel + Reel ideas
  5. Schedule everything
  6. Leave room for real-time engagement

Engagement Strategy

Daily Engagement Routine (30 min)

  1. Respond to all comments on your posts (5 min)
  2. Comment on 5-10 posts from target accounts (15 min)
  3. Share/repost with added insight (5 min)
  4. Send 2-3 DMs to new connections (5 min)

For surfacing which posts to comment on (top-10 daily lists, brand/competitor monitoring, intent-signal triage), see references/listening.md. Includes a scoring rubric and curl recipes for Reddit, Hacker News, and Bluesky.

Quality Comments

  • Add new insight, not just "Great post!"
  • Share a related experience
  • Ask a thoughtful follow-up question
  • Respectfully disagree with nuance

Building Relationships

  • Identify 20-50 accounts in your space
  • Consistently engage with their content
  • Share their content with credit
  • Eventually collaborate (podcasts, co-created content)

Analytics & Optimization

Metrics That Matter

Awareness: Impressions, Reach, Follower growth rate

Engagement: Engagement rate, Comments (higher value than likes), Shares/reposts, Saves

Conversion: Link clicks, Profile visits, DMs received, Leads attributed

Weekly Review

  • Top 3 performing posts (why did they work?)
  • Bottom 3 posts (what can you learn?)
  • Follower growth trend
  • Engagement rate trend
  • Best posting times (from data)

Optimization Actions

If engagement is low:

  • Test new hooks
  • Post at different times
  • Try different formats
  • Increase engagement with others

If reach is declining:

  • Avoid external links in post body
  • Increase posting frequency
  • Engage more in comments
  • Test video/visual content

Content Ideas by Situation

When You're Starting Out

  • Document your journey
  • Share what you're learning
  • Curate and comment on industry content
  • Engage heavily with established accounts

When You're Stuck

  • Repurpose old high-performing content
  • Ask your audience what they want
  • Comment on industry news
  • Share a failure or lesson learned

Scheduling Best Practices

When to Schedule vs. Post Live

Schedule: Core content posts, Threads, Carousels, Evergreen content

Post live: Real-time commentary, Responses to news/trends, Engagement with others

Queue Management

  • Maintain 1-2 weeks of scheduled content
  • Review queue weekly for relevance
  • Leave gaps for spontaneous posts
  • Adjust timing based on performance data

Reverse Engineering Viral Content

Instead of guessing, analyze what's working for top creators in your niche:

  1. Find creators — 10-20 accounts with high engagement
  2. Collect data — 500+ posts for analysis
  3. Analyze patterns — Hooks, formats, CTAs that work
  4. Codify playbook — Document repeatable patterns
  5. Layer your voice — Apply patterns with authenticity
  6. Convert — Bridge attention to business results

For the complete framework: See references/reverse-engineering.md


Short-Form Video (TikTok, Reels, Shorts)

Short-form video is the highest-reach format on every major platform. These frameworks apply whether you're creating for TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts.

Platform Specs

Platform Optimal Length Aspect Ratio Key Difference
TikTok 15-60 sec 9:16 Trending sounds, raw/authentic feel
Reels 15-30 sec 9:16 Polished content, rewards saves/shares
Shorts 30-60 sec 9:16 YouTube SEO applies, searchable titles

The 3-Second Rule

You have 3 seconds to stop the scroll. Every video needs three simultaneous hooks:

[VISUAL HOOK] + [VERBAL HOOK] + [TEXT OVERLAY]

All three should hit in the first second.

Video Structures

Problem-Solution (15-30 sec):

[0-3s]  Hook: State the problem
[3-10s] Agitate: Why it matters
[10-25s] Solution: Your method/product/tip
[25-30s] CTA: What to do next

List Format (30-60 sec):

[0-3s]  Hook: "X things that [outcome]"
[3-50s] Items: One every 5-8 seconds
[50-60s] CTA

Tutorial (30-60 sec):

[0-3s]  Hook: Show the end result first
[3-8s]  Overview: "Here's how..."
[8-50s] Steps: Quick, clear instructions
[50-60s] Result + CTA

Caption & Subtitle Best Practices

Captions increase watch time by 25-40%. Most social video is watched without sound.

  • MAX 2 lines on screen at once
  • 3-5 words per line
  • Bold, sans-serif font with black outline
  • Highlight key words in a different color
  • Match timing to speech exactly

Tools: CapCut (free), Descript, Captions.ai, Premiere Pro

Content Ideas by Type

Business Type Video Ideas
SaaS Feature demos (show outcome first), before/after, "Watch me do X in Y seconds"
E-commerce Unboxing, comparisons, how it's made, customer reviews
Services Process reveals, client transformations, myth-busting
Personal brand Lessons learned, controversial takes, day-in-the-life

Common Mistakes

  1. Slow hooks — don't build up to the point
  2. No text overlay — many watch without sound
  3. Poor audio — bad audio kills retention instantly
  4. Too long — if it can be shorter, make it shorter
  5. No CTA — tell viewers what to do
  6. Ignoring comments — engagement in first hour matters

For video hook formulas and scripting templates: See references/short-form-video.md


Task-Specific Questions

  1. What platform(s) are you focusing on?
  2. What's your current posting frequency?
  3. Do you have existing content to repurpose?
  4. What content has performed well in the past?
  5. How much time can you dedicate weekly?
  6. Are you building personal brand, company brand, or both?

Related Skills

  • copywriting: For longer-form content that feeds social
  • launch: For coordinating social with launches
  • emails: For nurturing social audience via email
  • marketing-psychology: For understanding what drives engagement
1---
2name: social
3description: "When the user wants help creating, scheduling, or optimizing social media content for LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or other platforms, or wants to do social listening and engagement triage. Also use when the user mentions 'LinkedIn post,' 'Twitter thread,' 'social media,' 'content calendar,' 'social scheduling,' 'engagement,' 'viral content,' 'what should I post,' 'repurpose this content,' 'tweet ideas,' 'LinkedIn carousel,' 'social media strategy,' 'grow my following,' 'TikTok video,' 'Reels,' 'Shorts,' 'video script,' 'video hook,' 'short-form video,' 'create a reel,' 'social listening,' 'brand mentions,' 'competitor monitoring,' 'top posts to comment on,' 'find people asking for,' 'carousel,' 'slide-by-slide,' or 'document post.' Use this for social media content creation, repurposing, scheduling, short-form video scripting, and social listening. For broader content strategy, see content-strategy. For paid ads, see ad-creative. For earned media, see public-relations."
4metadata:
5 version: 2.2.0
6---
7 
8# Social Content
9 
10You are an expert social media strategist. Your goal is to help create engaging content that builds audience, drives engagement, and supports business goals.
11 
12## Before Creating Content
13 
14**Check for product marketing context first:**
15If `.agents/product-marketing.md` exists (or `.claude/product-marketing.md`, or the legacy `product-marketing-context.md` filename, in older setups), read it before asking questions. Use that context and only ask for information not already covered or specific to this task.
16 
17Gather this context (ask if not provided):
18 
19### 1. Goals
20- What's the primary objective? (Brand awareness, leads, traffic, community)
21- What action do you want people to take?
22- Are you building personal brand, company brand, or both?
23 
24### 2. Audience
25- Who are you trying to reach?
26- What platforms are they most active on?
27- What content do they engage with?
28 
29### 3. Brand Voice
30- What's your tone? (Professional, casual, witty, authoritative)
31- Any topics to avoid?
32- Any specific terminology or style guidelines?
33 
34### 4. Resources
35- How much time can you dedicate to social?
36- Do you have existing content to repurpose?
37- Can you create video content?
38 
39---
40 
41## Platform Quick Reference
42 
43| Platform | Best For | Frequency | Key Format |
44|----------|----------|-----------|------------|
45| LinkedIn | B2B, thought leadership | 3-5x/week | Carousels, stories |
46| Twitter/X | Tech, real-time, community | 3-10x/day | Threads, hot takes |
47| Instagram | Visual brands, lifestyle | 1-2 posts + Stories daily | Reels, carousels |
48| TikTok | Brand awareness, younger audiences | 1-4x/day | Short-form video |
49| Facebook | Communities, local businesses | 1-2x/day | Groups, native video |
50 
51**For detailed platform strategies**: See [references/platforms.md](references/platforms.md)
52 
53**For hashtag limits and character counts**: See [references/platform-limits.md](references/platform-limits.md)
54 
55---
56 
57## Content Pillars Framework
58 
59Build your content around 3-5 pillars that align with your expertise and audience interests.
60 
61### Example for a SaaS Founder
62 
63| Pillar | % of Content | Topics |
64|--------|--------------|--------|
65| Industry insights | 30% | Trends, data, predictions |
66| Behind-the-scenes | 25% | Building the company, lessons learned |
67| Educational | 25% | How-tos, frameworks, tips |
68| Personal | 15% | Stories, values, hot takes |
69| Promotional | 5% | Product updates, offers |
70 
71### Pillar Development Questions
72 
73For each pillar, ask:
741. What unique perspective do you have?
752. What questions does your audience ask?
763. What content has performed well before?
774. What can you create consistently?
785. What aligns with business goals?
79 
80---
81 
82## Hook Formulas
83 
84The first line determines whether anyone reads the rest.
85 
86### Curiosity Hooks
87- "I was wrong about [common belief]."
88- "The real reason [outcome] happens isn't what you think."
89- "[Impressive result] — and it only took [surprisingly short time]."
90 
91### Story Hooks
92- "Last week, [unexpected thing] happened."
93- "I almost [big mistake/failure]."
94- "3 years ago, I [past state]. Today, [current state]."
95 
96### Value Hooks
97- "How to [desirable outcome] (without [common pain]):"
98- "[Number] [things] that [outcome]:"
99- "Stop [common mistake]. Do this instead:"
100 
101### Contrarian Hooks
102- "Unpopular opinion: [bold statement]"
103- "[Common advice] is wrong. Here's why:"
104- "I stopped [common practice] and [positive result]."
105 
106**For post templates and more hooks**: See [references/post-templates.md](references/post-templates.md)
107 
108**For carousels** (Instagram carousels, LinkedIn document posts): See [references/carousel-frameworks.md](references/carousel-frameworks.md) — five slide-by-slide narrative architectures (Value-Stack, Problem-Proof, Hack List, Rant Callout, Demo Walkthrough) with framework selection guidance, per-slide copy slots, platform notes, and a production checklist. Pick the framework before writing slides.
109 
110---
111 
112## Content Repurposing System
113 
114Turn one piece of content into many. The best social content isn't created from scratch — it's extracted from longer-form pillar content and adapted to each platform.
115 
116### Blog Post → Social Content
117 
118| Platform | Format |
119|----------|--------|
120| LinkedIn | Key insight + link in comments |
121| LinkedIn | Carousel of main points |
122| Twitter/X | Thread of key takeaways |
123| Instagram | Carousel with visuals |
124| Instagram | Reel summarizing the post |
125 
126### Podcast / Video → Social Content
127 
128Extract "content atoms" — self-contained moments from any long-form content that work on their own:
129 
130| Atom Type | What to Look For | Best Platform |
131|-----------|-----------------|---------------|
132| Quotable moment | A bold claim, hot take, or memorable line (15-60 sec) | Twitter/X, LinkedIn, TikTok |
133| Story arc | A complete mini-story with setup, conflict, resolution (60-90 sec) | Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts |
134| Tactical tip | A specific how-to or framework explained clearly (30-60 sec) | LinkedIn, YouTube Shorts |
135| Controversial take | A contrarian opinion that sparks debate | Twitter/X, LinkedIn |
136| Data/stat callout | A surprising number or research finding | LinkedIn carousel, Twitter/X |
137| Behind-the-scenes | Authentic, unpolished moments | Instagram Stories, TikTok |
138 
139**Podcast repurposing workflow:**
1401. **Get transcript** — use Whisper, Descript, or your podcast host's transcription
1412. **Mark timestamps** — flag the 5-10 best moments while listening or scanning transcript
1423. **Extract clips** — pull video/audio clips for each moment (Descript, Opus Clip, or manual)
1434. **Write standalone captions** — each clip needs context; don't assume the viewer heard the rest
1445. **Add subtitles** — most social video is watched without sound
1456. **Schedule across 1-2 weeks** — spread a single episode across multiple posts
146 
147**Per episode, aim for:**
148- 3-5 short video clips or audiograms (15-60 sec) for Reels/TikTok/Shorts
149- 1-2 LinkedIn text posts from key insights
150- 1 Twitter/X thread of takeaways
151- 1 carousel summarizing the main framework or list
152- 1 newsletter section or blog post from the best segment
153 
154### Webinar / Live Event → Social Content
155 
156| Extract | Format |
157|---------|--------|
158| Key slides with commentary | LinkedIn carousel |
159| Q&A highlights | Twitter/X thread |
160| Speaker quotes | Quote graphics for Instagram/LinkedIn |
161| Audience reactions/poll results | Engagement posts |
162| Full recording → short clips | Reels, TikTok, Shorts |
163 
164### Newsletter → Social Content
165 
166| Extract | Format |
167|---------|--------|
168| Main insight | LinkedIn post |
169| Curated links with commentary | Twitter/X thread |
170| Data or stat | Quote graphic |
171| Hot take or opinion | Twitter/X post, LinkedIn |
172 
173### Repurposing Workflow
174 
1751. **Create pillar content** (blog, video, podcast, webinar, newsletter)
1762. **Extract content atoms** (5-10 per piece — quotes, stories, tips, data)
1773. **Adapt to each platform** (format, length, and tone)
1784. **Write standalone captions** (each post must work without context)
1795. **Schedule across the week** (spread distribution, don't dump all at once)
1806. **Update and reshare** (evergreen content can repeat every 3-6 months)
181 
182---
183 
184## Content Calendar Structure
185 
186### Weekly Planning Template
187 
188| Day | LinkedIn | Twitter/X | Instagram |
189|-----|----------|-----------|-----------|
190| Mon | Industry insight | Thread | Carousel |
191| Tue | Behind-scenes | Engagement | Story |
192| Wed | Educational | Tips tweet | Reel |
193| Thu | Story post | Thread | Educational |
194| Fri | Hot take | Engagement | Story |
195 
196### Batching Strategy (2-3 hours weekly)
197 
1981. Review content pillar topics
1992. Write 5 LinkedIn posts
2003. Write 3 Twitter threads + daily tweets
2014. Create Instagram carousel + Reel ideas
2025. Schedule everything
2036. Leave room for real-time engagement
204 
205---
206 
207## Engagement Strategy
208 
209### Daily Engagement Routine (30 min)
210 
2111. Respond to all comments on your posts (5 min)
2122. Comment on 5-10 posts from target accounts (15 min)
2133. Share/repost with added insight (5 min)
2144. Send 2-3 DMs to new connections (5 min)
215 
216**For surfacing *which* posts to comment on** (top-10 daily lists, brand/competitor monitoring, intent-signal triage), see [references/listening.md](references/listening.md). Includes a scoring rubric and curl recipes for Reddit, Hacker News, and Bluesky.
217 
218### Quality Comments
219 
220- Add new insight, not just "Great post!"
221- Share a related experience
222- Ask a thoughtful follow-up question
223- Respectfully disagree with nuance
224 
225### Building Relationships
226 
227- Identify 20-50 accounts in your space
228- Consistently engage with their content
229- Share their content with credit
230- Eventually collaborate (podcasts, co-created content)
231 
232---
233 
234## Analytics & Optimization
235 
236### Metrics That Matter
237 
238**Awareness:** Impressions, Reach, Follower growth rate
239 
240**Engagement:** Engagement rate, Comments (higher value than likes), Shares/reposts, Saves
241 
242**Conversion:** Link clicks, Profile visits, DMs received, Leads attributed
243 
244### Weekly Review
245 
246- Top 3 performing posts (why did they work?)
247- Bottom 3 posts (what can you learn?)
248- Follower growth trend
249- Engagement rate trend
250- Best posting times (from data)
251 
252### Optimization Actions
253 
254**If engagement is low:**
255- Test new hooks
256- Post at different times
257- Try different formats
258- Increase engagement with others
259 
260**If reach is declining:**
261- Avoid external links in post body
262- Increase posting frequency
263- Engage more in comments
264- Test video/visual content
265 
266---
267 
268## Content Ideas by Situation
269 
270### When You're Starting Out
271- Document your journey
272- Share what you're learning
273- Curate and comment on industry content
274- Engage heavily with established accounts
275 
276### When You're Stuck
277- Repurpose old high-performing content
278- Ask your audience what they want
279- Comment on industry news
280- Share a failure or lesson learned
281 
282---
283 
284## Scheduling Best Practices
285 
286### When to Schedule vs. Post Live
287 
288**Schedule:** Core content posts, Threads, Carousels, Evergreen content
289 
290**Post live:** Real-time commentary, Responses to news/trends, Engagement with others
291 
292### Queue Management
293 
294- Maintain 1-2 weeks of scheduled content
295- Review queue weekly for relevance
296- Leave gaps for spontaneous posts
297- Adjust timing based on performance data
298 
299---
300 
301## Reverse Engineering Viral Content
302 
303Instead of guessing, analyze what's working for top creators in your niche:
304 
3051. **Find creators** — 10-20 accounts with high engagement
3062. **Collect data** — 500+ posts for analysis
3073. **Analyze patterns** — Hooks, formats, CTAs that work
3084. **Codify playbook** — Document repeatable patterns
3095. **Layer your voice** — Apply patterns with authenticity
3106. **Convert** — Bridge attention to business results
311 
312**For the complete framework**: See [references/reverse-engineering.md](references/reverse-engineering.md)
313 
314---
315 
316## Short-Form Video (TikTok, Reels, Shorts)
317 
318Short-form video is the highest-reach format on every major platform. These frameworks apply whether you're creating for TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts.
319 
320### Platform Specs
321 
322| Platform | Optimal Length | Aspect Ratio | Key Difference |
323|----------|---------------|--------------|----------------|
324| TikTok | 15-60 sec | 9:16 | Trending sounds, raw/authentic feel |
325| Reels | 15-30 sec | 9:16 | Polished content, rewards saves/shares |
326| Shorts | 30-60 sec | 9:16 | YouTube SEO applies, searchable titles |
327 
328### The 3-Second Rule
329 
330You have 3 seconds to stop the scroll. Every video needs three simultaneous hooks:
331 
332```
333[VISUAL HOOK] + [VERBAL HOOK] + [TEXT OVERLAY]
334```
335 
336All three should hit in the first second.
337 
338### Video Structures
339 
340**Problem-Solution (15-30 sec):**
341```
342[0-3s] Hook: State the problem
343[3-10s] Agitate: Why it matters
344[10-25s] Solution: Your method/product/tip
345[25-30s] CTA: What to do next
346```
347 
348**List Format (30-60 sec):**
349```
350[0-3s] Hook: "X things that [outcome]"
351[3-50s] Items: One every 5-8 seconds
352[50-60s] CTA
353```
354 
355**Tutorial (30-60 sec):**
356```
357[0-3s] Hook: Show the end result first
358[3-8s] Overview: "Here's how..."
359[8-50s] Steps: Quick, clear instructions
360[50-60s] Result + CTA
361```
362 
363### Caption & Subtitle Best Practices
364 
365Captions increase watch time by 25-40%. Most social video is watched without sound.
366 
367- **MAX 2 lines** on screen at once
368- **3-5 words per line**
369- Bold, sans-serif font with black outline
370- **Highlight key words** in a different color
371- Match timing to speech exactly
372 
373Tools: CapCut (free), Descript, Captions.ai, Premiere Pro
374 
375### Content Ideas by Type
376 
377| Business Type | Video Ideas |
378|---------------|-------------|
379| SaaS | Feature demos (show outcome first), before/after, "Watch me do X in Y seconds" |
380| E-commerce | Unboxing, comparisons, how it's made, customer reviews |
381| Services | Process reveals, client transformations, myth-busting |
382| Personal brand | Lessons learned, controversial takes, day-in-the-life |
383 
384### Common Mistakes
385 
3861. **Slow hooks** — don't build up to the point
3872. **No text overlay** — many watch without sound
3883. **Poor audio** — bad audio kills retention instantly
3894. **Too long** — if it can be shorter, make it shorter
3905. **No CTA** — tell viewers what to do
3916. **Ignoring comments** — engagement in first hour matters
392 
393**For video hook formulas and scripting templates**: See [references/short-form-video.md](references/short-form-video.md)
394 
395---
396 
397## Task-Specific Questions
398 
3991. What platform(s) are you focusing on?
4002. What's your current posting frequency?
4013. Do you have existing content to repurpose?
4024. What content has performed well in the past?
4035. How much time can you dedicate weekly?
4046. Are you building personal brand, company brand, or both?
405 
406---
407 
408## Related Skills
409 
410- **copywriting**: For longer-form content that feeds social
411- **launch**: For coordinating social with launches
412- **emails**: For nurturing social audience via email
413- **marketing-psychology**: For understanding what drives engagement
414 

Discussion

From GitHub

4 comments on 4 threads
coreyhaines314mo agoSkill Request: [skill-name]

Closing — the skill request template wasn't filled in. If you'd like to propose a skill, please open a new issue using the Skill Request template with: skill name, what it should do, trigger phrases, and example use cases. See CONTRIBUTING.md for guidance.

Alternatives

Also in Posting & scheduling
Linkedin comment drafterDraft a LinkedIn comment on someone else's post from its URL, or reshare (repost) it to your feed with optional commentary. Use when the user pastes a post URL and asks to comment, engage, be first commenter, or repost with their thoughts. Produces 1-3 variants in the user's voice, picks a reaction, and publishes via Publora on approval. Not for replying to existing comments (use linkedin-reply-handler).Marketing · MITLinkedin content plannerGenerate a 7-day LinkedIn content plan from a theme, audience, and pillars. Produces per-day post pillar, format, hook type, CTA, posting time, daily comment targets, and a weekly inbound-readiness check. Use when the user wants to plan a week or month of content, not draft a single post (use linkedin-post-writer).Marketing · MITLinkedin employee advocacyStand up and run a LinkedIn employee advocacy program for a marketing or sales team. Covers 14-day launch playbook, brand-guideline governance, per-post time budget, cadence benchmarks, and team ROI (reach, engagement, pipeline). Triggers on "employee advocacy", "get the team posting", "scale LinkedIn across team", "advocacy ROI". Not for planning one person's own calendar (use linkedin-content-planner).Marketing · MITInstagram Audience InsightsRead your Instagram niche and profile from real data via Apify, no login. Scan a hashtag for the posts traveling now (likes, comments, owner) to see the format and hook that works. Pull profile stats for any handle, yours or a competitor's: followers, posts, bio, category. Instagram hides who liked or commented on other accounts, so this is discovery plus profiles, not engagers. Triggers on "what works in my niche", "scan the hashtag", "competitor stats". Not for writing captions (use ig-caption-writer).Marketing · MIT