If your social media campaign goals involve wanting your organic posts to be seen by the largest possible audience, then timing is everything. So what are the dead zones and prime times for posting to social media profiles?
Below is a general guide to the best social media posting times for optimum reach, along with dead zones to avoid when getting your content out through various social media platforms. Note: This information applies to the time of day for your audience, assuming the majority of your audience is in the same timezone as you.
Prime Times: 6 to 8 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 3 to 9 p.m.
Dead Zone: 10 p.m.-4 a.m.
Note:
- Here you are sure to catch the early birds, lunchtime crowds and the night owls.
- The worst time to post is on weekends before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
Prime Times: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Dead Zones: 8 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Note:
- Avoid posting after 4 p.m. on Friday—many people have already checked out for the weekend.
- Interestingly, according to Dan Zarrella’s research, Twitter engagement for brands is 17% higher on weekends. So while you may not receive a lot of engagement on a Friday night, be sure to schedule posts to go out on Saturday and Sunday to see how your audience responds.
Prime Times: 2 to 4 p.m., 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Dead Zones: 1 a.m. to 7 a.m., 5 to 7 p.m.
Note:
- Peak time is Saturday mornings.
- Weekends are the best days to post.
Prime Times: 7 to 9 a.m., 5-6 p.m.
Dead Zones: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Note:
- Keep in mind LinkedIn is a professional network, so it is acceptable for your audience to be active on the network during business hours.
- Best days include: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Prime Times: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Dead Zones: 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Note:
- Sunday is the best day to post.
Google+
Prime Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Dead Zones: 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Note:
- Unlike other platforms, avoid posting in the evening.
- The peak time is during work hours.
Keep in Mind
When it comes down to it, knowing when your brands’ fans and followers are most active on social media is key. You can learn what these times are through Facebook Insights or most social media analytics programs. You can also get a feel for what is the best time to post for your brand depending on when you get the most engagement on posts. When narrowing down your optimal times for posting, also keep in mind the demographics of your audience.
As a last piece of advice, think of what your audiences’ “downtimes” are and play off of that. Get their attention in the morning on their way to work and while they are checking their emails. Catch them during lunch time, and of course, anything after rush hour is fair game.
What times have you found work best for your social media accounts? What advice do you have for posting times? Leave your comments below!
