Design a social media post for [PLATFORM] about [MESSAGE OR OFFER]. The target audience is [AUDIENCE], the account voice and visual identity are [BRAND VOICE AND ASSETS], and the desired action is [CALL TO ACTION]. The campaign constraints are [FORMAT, DEADLINE, AND RESTRICTIONS]. Create an original, platform-native concept. Do not invent customer results, statistics, endorsements, copyrighted assets, product capabilities, or legal claims. If a claim needs evidence, mark it “verify before publishing.” Do not use inaccessible text-only-on-image designs when the essential message can be written in the caption. Produce: 1. One recommended concept with the content objective, audience insight, and single message the viewer should retain. 2. A production brief: post type and dimensions, visual hierarchy, layout zones, background treatment, imagery or illustration direction, color and typography roles, motion notes if relevant, and safe-area guidance. Describe assets that must be created or sourced; do not imply you created them. 3. Exact on-image text, limited to the amount a person can read quickly on [PLATFORM]. 4. A caption tailored to the platform, with opening line, body, CTA, and up to five relevant hashtags only if that platform still benefits from them. 5. Alt text, a contrast and legibility checklist, and a mobile-first crop check. 6. Two alternate hooks or visual treatments for testing, each testing one variable rather than changing everything. Respect [BRAND VOICE AND ASSETS] rather than copying another creator’s distinctive style. Before answering, check that the visual hierarchy makes the key message readable without the caption and that the CTA matches the campaign goal. Ask up to 3 clarifying questions only if a required input is missing.
Fill in
| Placeholder | What to enter | Example |
|---|---|---|
| [PLATFORM] | Name the social platform and placement, such as LinkedIn single-image feed post or Instagram Reel cover. | LinkedIn single-image feed post |
| [MESSAGE OR OFFER] | State the topic, announcement, offer, or idea the post must communicate. | Announce a free 30-minute webinar on reducing onboarding drop-off in B2B software. |
| [AUDIENCE] | Describe the intended viewer and the context in which they will see the post. | Product and customer-success leaders at SaaS companies with 50 to 500 employees. |
| [BRAND VOICE AND ASSETS] | Describe voice, colors, fonts, logo rules, existing asset types, and words or styles to avoid. | Calm, practical, lightly technical; navy, cream, and coral; use Inter; avoid buzzwords and stock handshake photos. |
| [CALL TO ACTION] | State the one action you want viewers to take after seeing the post. | Register through the link in the first comment. |
| [FORMAT, DEADLINE, AND RESTRICTIONS] | List required format, production deadline, approval constraints, prohibited claims, and available assets. | 1200 by 1200 static image due Thursday; use an existing product screenshot; do not promise conversion results. |
How to use
- Name the exact placement because a LinkedIn feed image, Instagram carousel, and Reel cover need different hierarchy and crop decisions.
- Paste brand rules and any approved claims, then check that on-image copy still works at phone size.
- Give the production brief to a designer or use it as an image-generation brief after sourcing any required assets.
- Follow up with: “Create a five-slide carousel version that keeps the same message and tests only the opening hook.”
Variations
Carousel design
Use this when the message needs a sequential, swipeable explanation.
Design a [NUMBER]-slide [PLATFORM] carousel about [TOPIC] for [AUDIENCE]. The desired action is [CTA], and our voice and visual rules are [BRAND RULES]. Provide slide-by-slide copy, purpose, visual layout, and transition logic. Make slide 1 understandable as a standalone feed image, give each later slide one job, and reserve the final slide for a clear CTA. Include caption, alt text for each slide, and a mobile legibility checklist. Do not add unsupported claims or use more text than the slide can carry. Check that the sequence delivers value before asking for action.
Reel storyboard
Use this when planning a short vertical video rather than a static post.
Create a [DURATION]-second vertical video storyboard for [PLATFORM] about [MESSAGE]. The audience is [AUDIENCE], available footage or assets are [ASSETS], and the CTA is [CTA]. Return timestamped scenes with shot direction, spoken or on-screen words, caption, sound guidance, and end card. Put the hook in the first two seconds and make the story understandable with sound off. Identify any claim needing verification and any footage we must obtain. Do not imitate a named creator’s style. Check that text remains within platform-safe areas and that the CTA is visible before the final second.
A/B concept test
Use this when you have one campaign message but need disciplined creative testing.
Develop two controlled creative concepts for a [PLATFORM] post promoting [OFFER] to [AUDIENCE]. Brand rules are [BRAND RULES], and the single conversion action is [CTA]. Concept A and B must differ in one primary variable only: [VARIABLE TO TEST]. For each, provide visual hierarchy, exact copy, caption, and success metric. Explain why the variable may change attention or action without claiming certainty. Keep all factual claims and the CTA identical across variants. Check that the test is interpretable and that no secondary design changes confound the result.
Tips
- Start with the single idea visible at thumbnail size; a post with three messages usually loses all three in the feed.
- Design text for the smallest expected screen, then test the export at actual mobile size before approving it.
- Use carousels for a sequence of useful steps, not as a way to force a long caption onto images.
- For A/B tests, change one element such as the opening promise or visual format while keeping the audience, offer, and CTA constant.
FAQ
Can AI create the final social graphic?
It can create a detailed brief and, in some tools, draft imagery, but a final post still needs brand-asset checks, rights review, and platform-specific export validation.
How much text should go on the image?
Use only the message needed to stop the scroll and orient the viewer. Put supporting explanation in the caption or later carousel slides.
Should every post use hashtags?
No. Their value differs by platform and audience. Use only a few specific tags when they aid discovery, not as a substitute for a clear topic and hook.