platform-optimization
Platform-specific best practices for social media publishing. Use when formatting content for different platforms or optimizing posts for engagement.
When & Why to Use This Skill
This Claude skill provides comprehensive, platform-specific guidelines for social media publishing, focusing on LinkedIn and Twitter/X. It helps users optimize content for maximum engagement by providing specific formatting rules, character limits, hook strategies, and algorithm-friendly practices to transform raw ideas into high-performing social posts.
Use Cases
- Converting a long-form blog post or article into a high-engagement LinkedIn post with proper line breaks and curiosity-driven hooks.
- Transforming complex technical concepts or articles into structured Twitter/X threads that maintain readability and flow.
- Adapting the tone and structure of a single piece of content to suit different platform cultures, such as professional LinkedIn insights vs. punchy Twitter takes.
- Optimizing social media reach by applying current algorithm best practices, including hashtag strategies and ideal posting schedules.
- Using a publishing checklist to ensure every post meets quality standards for visual structure, call-to-actions, and engagement drivers.
| name | platform-optimization |
|---|---|
| description | Platform-specific best practices for social media publishing. Use when formatting content for different platforms or optimizing posts for engagement. |
Platform Optimization Skill
Best practices for optimizing content across social platforms.
LinkedIn Optimization
Character Limits
- Post: 3,000 characters max
- Optimal: 200-400 words (1,000-2,000 chars)
- First line: 140 chars visible before "see more"
Format Best Practices
Hook First Line:
- First line appears in feed without expansion
- Must create curiosity or deliver value immediately
- End with incomplete thought if possible
Visual Structure:
[Hook line]
[Line break]
[Supporting content]
[Key insight]
[CTA or question]
Line Breaks:
- Single line between related ideas
- Double line between major sections
- Keep paragraphs to 1-2 sentences
Engagement Prompts:
- End with a question
- Ask for opinions
- Invite sharing of experiences
What Performs Well
- Personal stories with professional lessons
- Contrarian takes with evidence
- Step-by-step frameworks
- Behind-the-scenes insights
- Career milestone reflections
What to Avoid
- Wall of text (no line breaks)
- Starting with "I'm excited to announce..."
- Excessive hashtags (>5)
- Links in the main post (algorithm penalizes)
- Generic motivational quotes
Hashtag Strategy
- 3-5 relevant hashtags
- Place at end of post
- Mix of broad (#leadership) and niche (#devrel)
- Check hashtag follow counts
Timing
- Best: Tuesday-Thursday, 8-10 AM local
- Avoid: Weekends, Monday morning
- Consider audience timezone
Twitter/X Optimization
Character Limits
- Tweet: 280 characters
- Thread: Unlimited tweets, each 280 max
- Media reduces: By ~24 chars for image
Single Tweet Format
Strong Opener:
- Statement: "The best [X] do this differently."
- Question: "Why do most [X] fail at [Y]?"
- Contrarian: "[Common belief] is wrong."
Concise Body:
- One idea per tweet
- No filler words
- Every word earns its place
Thread Format
Tweet 1 (Hook):
- Must work as standalone tweet
- Promise value: "Here's how I [achieved X]:"
- Include thread indicator (🧵 or "A thread:")
Middle Tweets:
- One concept per tweet
- Use numbers/bullets for structure
- Each tweet should flow to next
Final Tweet:
- Summarize key points
- Clear CTA (follow, repost, reply)
- Optional: link to longer content
What Performs Well
- Hot takes with substance
- Numbered lists/tips
- Personal failures + lessons
- Industry observations
- Quote tweets with added insight
What to Avoid
- Starting with @mention (limits visibility)
- Excessive hashtags (1-2 max)
- Thread without standalone first tweet
- Asking for engagement explicitly
Hashtag Strategy
- 0-2 hashtags max
- Only if truly relevant
- No hashtag is better than forced hashtag
Timing
- Best: 8 AM, 12 PM, 5 PM local
- Consider audience timezone
- Real-time events trump scheduling
Cross-Platform Considerations
Content Adaptation Matrix
| Original | ||
|---|---|---|
| Article | Summary + link (comment) | Thread or hook + link |
| Thread | Expand into post | Use as-is |
| Post | Condense key insight | Pull best line |
Platform Voice Differences
| Aspect | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tone | Professional, thoughtful | Casual, punchy |
| Length | Longer, detailed | Short, snappy |
| Structure | Paragraphs, lists | Fragments, lists |
| Engagement | Questions, discussions | Hot takes, debates |
| Hashtags | 3-5 | 0-2 |
Repurposing Strategy
From Article:
- Pull 3-5 key insights
- Each becomes potential post
- Adapt tone per platform
From Interview:
- Extract quotable moments
- Turn frameworks into threads
- Stories become LinkedIn posts
Engagement Optimization
LinkedIn Engagement Drivers
- Authentic vulnerability
- Contrarian (with evidence)
- Frameworks people can use
- Industry insights
- Career stories
Twitter Engagement Drivers
- Timeliness (news, events)
- Strong opinions
- Useful threads
- Humor (if authentic)
- Visual content
Universal Principles
- Specificity beats generality
- Stories beat statements
- Usefulness drives saves
- Controversy drives comments
- Authenticity drives trust
Publishing Checklist
Before any publish:
- Hook is strong (would you stop scrolling?)
- One clear idea/message
- Platform-optimized formatting
- Appropriate length
- No broken links
- Hashtags are relevant (if any)
- CTA is natural
- Voice matches profile
- Timing is considered
- Content adds value
Algorithm Considerations
LinkedIn Algorithm (2024)
- Favors: Native content, conversations, niche expertise
- Penalizes: External links, engagement bait, excessive posting
- Sweet spot: 1-2 posts per weekday
Twitter Algorithm (2024)
- Favors: Replies, bookmarks, time on tweet
- Penalizes: Links (slightly), deleted tweets
- Sweet spot: 3-5 tweets per day
General Principles
- Algorithms reward engagement
- Early engagement matters most
- Consistency over volume
- Quality over frequency