Creating & Publishing a Post

Step by step

Build your first post

Click + New Post and choose the regular create post option. The option names change over time, so read your menu.

1

Pick accounts

Click the connected profiles you want. Choose one or several.

2

Write the caption

Type your message in the caption box. You can paste a link right in the text.

3

Add media

Use the Image or Video upload button to add a file from your computer. If a media library option appears, you can use it instead.

4

Add extras

Look for the # button for hashtags, and options to tag a profile or add a location. Gray means that platform does not allow it.

5

Add a follow-up comment

Look for Add Follow-up Comment. It posts a comment on your own post right after it goes live.

6

Choose when

Pick Post Now, Schedule, or Save as Draft. Check the date, time, and accounts first.

Compare

Three ways to finish a post

Button wording may differ. Look for the options that mean now, later, and draft.

Sends right away

The post goes out as soon as you click.

Use it when the timing is right now

Pick a date and time

The software posts it for you at that time. It shows on its date in the Planner calendar.

Click it any time to edit or reschedule
You do not need to delete and start over

Keep it for later

A draft goes nowhere. It sits in your planner until you open it and finish it.

Great for ideas you want to polish tomorrow

Key terms

Definitions

Tap any term to expand it.

The text of your post, written in the caption box.

A keyword with a pound sign that helps people find your post.

A comment posted on your own post right after it goes live.

A saved, unfinished post that stays in your planner and does not publish.

Help me do it

Things To Do

Finish these before moving to the next lesson. They only take a few minutes.

0 of 3 done

Click + New Post, choose the regular create post option, and pick one account.

Write a caption, upload one image, and add a follow-up comment if the option appears.

Schedule the post for tomorrow, then find it on your Planner calendar.

⚡ Tips

Write your caption first, then add the media.
A handful of fitting hashtags beats a pile of random ones.
The follow-up comment is a separate box, so keep your caption clean and put a link there.
The planner posts exactly what you set, so double-check date, time, and accounts.

Check yourself

Quick Knowledge Check

Answer a few quick questions to lock in what you just learned. Miss one and we'll show you the right answer.

0 of 4 answered

What does Save as Draft do?

A grayed-out extra such as a location usually means what?

Add Follow-up ____ posts a comment on your own post after it goes live.

To post at a chosen date and time, click ____.

Help me apply it

Try This With Your Favorite AI

Copy a prompt below and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or whatever AI tool you use. Fill in the bracketed details and it'll help you write your own version for your business.

✍️ Draft my caption

You are a clear and friendly copywriter helping me write one social media caption. My context: - [what the post is about] - [the platform and my audience] - [the link or picture I will attach] Give me: - Three caption options in my own voice - A shorter version of the best one - A short follow-up comment with the link Keep each caption under 100 words and use plain words. Finish by asking me: "Which caption sounds most like you?"

🗓️ Set up my posting routine

You are a organized assistant helping me plan how to use drafts and scheduled posts. My context: - [how many posts I want to schedule this week] - [the days and times I like] - [the accounts I will post to] Give me: - A simple weekly list of what to schedule - Which posts to leave as drafts - A pre-schedule checklist for date, time, and accounts Keep it to one page and do not give strategy advice. Finish by asking me: "How many posts can you realistically schedule this week?"