How to post and share on Facebook: Methods and tips

Mastering how to post and share on Facebook is your gateway to turning a basic Facebook profile into an amazing hub of connection and expression.

Whether you are a new user creating your first update or are a seasoned member looking to work your strategy, the true power of this platform is knowing how to effectively engage with your audience.

This article will walk you through the various elements from creating great posts, dealing with privacy settings, and the best ways to share posts to get your conversations going.

What is the difference between post and share on Facebook?

Let’s breakdown the difference between how to post and share on Facebook. While they both get your content out there, they work in pretty different ways.

Understanding this difference between these two actions is crucial in knowing how to post and share on Facebook effectively.

A post is the original content which you create directly in Facebook. When you write a status update, upload photos or share thoughts in the text box, you are creating a post. This is content which originates from you and can be seen on your timeline or in your chosen audience’s feed.

Posts can include text, images, videos, links as well as various other media formats. You have full control of anyone who can see what you post through privacy settings.

Sharing, on the other hand, means redistributing content that already exists on Facebook. When you share something that somebody else has posted, you’re spreading that post to your own network. The original post, however, is still attributed to the creator who made it despite appearing on your timeline.

Shares help amplify interesting content and help spread information across different audiences.

Therefore, the main difference between a post and a share is the content ownership, as well as origin. Posts are what you create and shares are what is re-published from someone else.

When you post you are starting a conversation and when you share you are joining an existing conversation.

Posting gives you total creative freedom whereas sharing would be acknowledgement and giving credit to the original creator.

How to post on Facebook?

Making content for your timeline is an integral element in learning how to post and share content on Facebook with confidence.

Follow these simple steps to learn how to post content on the Facebook platform.

Steps to post on desktop

1. Log in to your account on facebook.com.

2. Click the “What’s on your mind?” box at top of your News Feeds.

3. Type your message or paste a link on the text field.

4. Use the icons below the text to add some photos, tag friends or add a location.

5. Check your Audience Selector (i.e. Public, or Friends) in order to control visibility.

6. Click on the blue Post button in order to go live.

Steps to post on mobile

1. Open the facebook app and tap on “What’s on your mind?” near the top.

2. Type in your text or click on Photo/Video to upload media from your gallery.

3. Access other features such as, “Feeling/Activity” or “Check In.”

4. Below your name, tap on the audience selector (i.e. Friends or Public) to set the visibility of the post.

5. Go over your settings and click the Post button at the top of the right-hand corner.

And just like that you have successfully created and published your own content on Facebook!

How to share content on facebook

Sharing content is the key to engagement once you know how to post and share on Facebook.

It gives you the chance to amplify voices and stories which are relevant to your own interests. Here are the instructions on how to share a post.

1. Find the particular update, photo, or video you wish to redistribute in your feed.

2. Tap on the “Share” button on the bottom right of the post.

3. Select “Share now” to share it immediately on your timeline.

4. Choose “Share to Feed” if you would like to write some commentary of your own above the original content.

5. Use the audience menu to manage the people who are able to view this shared content on your profile.

6. Tap on “Post” to complete the action and send the content to the feeds of your friends.

These steps help to make sharing faster and safer, and can help your audience to see exactly what is important to you on Facebook.

Tips for posting and sharing

To have the greatest impact while learning how to post and share on Facebook, you must adhere to multiple best practices.

These habits will ensure that your digital presence is both safe, welcoming and very interesting for your network.

Keep it positive and respectful

The cornerstone of a great digital reputation is being able to maintain a constructive tone in any and every interaction. Focus on things that are inspirational, informative or entertaining.

Avoid unnecessary conflict or “rage-posting” as this can psych out your audience as well as leave a bad digital footprint.

By being kind and respectful from the start you will encourage others to respond kindly and respectfully, making the platform a better place for all.

Master your privacy settings

Digital safety should always be your number one priority with distributing content online.

Before you actually finalize any update, take some time to review audience selector and be certain only the right people see your data.

Being conscious of privacy, not sharing sensitive information such as your real-time location and personal contact details.

Managing these settings correctly means that you can take advantage of the social benefits of the platform while at the same time maintaining personal security.

Engage with others

Like, comment and share posts from friends, family, and pages you follow on a regular basis.

Genuine engagement helps to create a sense of community and also build up your connections in the platform.

Be responsive to comments given on your own postings in order to demonstrate appreciation and encourage further dialogue.

Building relationships requires being active, rather than just broadcasting your own content.

Verify information before distribution

In the age of rapid share of information, being accurate is more important than being fast.

It is always important to take a few seconds to check the source of an article or a sensational headline before you hit the share button.

Spreading misinformation, even by accident, is something that can ruin your credibility, and mislead the people that trust your judgment.

By ensuring that your timeline is made up of factual reliable content, you maintain a high level of digital literacy within your social circle.

Incorporate engaging visual elements

Human beings are innately attracted to visual storytelling, so photos and videos are extremely powerful tools.

A post with a colorful image or a brief video clip will almost always be better than a block of text.

When you post some visuals, you quickly grab attention as people scroll through their busy news feeds.

High-quality media allows your personal stories to feel real and helps your message to pop in a clogged digital world.

Strategic timing for maximum reach

The timing of your posting can have a big influence on the number of people that actually see your content.

Try to post when your specific network is most active. Which is often the case during lunch break or in the early evening hours.

Posting during the times when your friends are online makes your update more likely to gain immediate engagement and makes your update more relevant.

Consistent timing helps you to create a constant presence that your followers will come to expect and look forward to.

Diversify your content

Mix various kinds of posts to keep your profile interesting and entertaining for followers.

Share a mixture of your personal updates, informative articles, entertaining videos and meaningful conversations.

Variety keeps their feed from becoming monotony and is appealing to different audience interests. Experimentation helps you to find out what resonates best with your network.

Should parents know the content your teens post on Facebook?

In my opinion, parents need to have a general awareness of their teen’s social media activity. This is not even about “spying“, but more about digital mentorship. Facebook’s algorithms can sometimes bring up harmful content and teens could end up sharing sensitive information. In this case, oversight is important, although it’s most effective when transparent.

Instead of secret monitoring, cooperation is the best choice where the parents and the teens discuss their online boundaries together.

For parents who wish to ensure safety without being overbearing, a parental control app like FlashGet Kids would be very effective. This tool serves as a “digital safety net,” giving you visibility while giving your teen the opportunity to explore the web safely. It helps to bridge the gap between ensuring they are safe and their increasing need for autonomy at this age.

Some of significant relatable features of FlashGet Kids are.

• Social app detection. FlashGet Kids identifies and monitors social applications like Facebook and warns you of their installation and overuse, in order for you to review the posts and shares.
• App notifications. Syncs notifications from Facebook chats and posts to your device directly that will help you see messages, shares and interactions instantly to spot red flags
• Screen mirroring. Screen mirroring enables you to be able to watch your kid’s device screen in real time. It gives a first-hand look at how teens are navigating and making decisions of what to post and share on Facebook.
• Alerts. You are able to set up specific keyword alert or usage notification. For example, if the app detects sensitive content or you teen tries to visit a restricted site, you will then receive an instant alert.

By intertwining how to post and share on Facebook responsibly with the tools like FlashGet Kids, it can help parents promote strong, positive online habits as well as help build trust.

Conclusion

There you have it! We’ve gone on a journey of how to post and share on Facebook turning you from a Facebooks casual scroller to a confident Facebook content creator and curator.

From converting your thoughts and moments into thought-provoking posts to carefully sharing interesting content from others, now you have the tools to easily navigate around Facebook.

Remember to be positive, look out for your privacy and always be considerate in your online engagement so that you have a rich and meaningful presence in your digital community.