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Facebook · Lesson 5 of 43

Facebook Post Captions

You do not have to be a great writer to write good captions.

1 Learn the concept

You do not have to be a great writer to write good captions. A caption's job is to make people stop, understand the point and take an action. Short, clear writing in your brand's voice works better than clever writing. This lesson shares strategies for writing captions that fit the post and the audience.

A weak caption next to a strong caption for the same photoWEAK VERSUS STRONG CAPTIONWEAKNew arrivals in store now.STRONGLooking for a gift under $30? Thesejust arrived. Tell us who you wouldgive one to.One idea, one audience and one clear action.
A strong caption starts with the reader and invites a response.

2 See it in action

  • Start with the point or a question, not a long warm-up.
  • Write like you speak to a customer.
  • Include one clear call to action.
  • Test caption length and style, and keep the ones that work.

Worked example

Three caption formulas

Question: "Which would you pick for a rainy Sunday?"

Tip: "Three ways to make your bread last longer. Number 2 surprised us."

Story: "Ana's first order was a birthday cake for her son. Now she brings her whole office."

Check: read each caption aloud. If you would not say it to a customer, rewrite it.

3 Study an example

Example scenario

Two captions for the same photo. Weak: "New arrivals in store now." Strong: "Looking for a gift under $30? These just arrived. Tell us who you would give one to." The second invites a response.

4 Apply it and download

  1. Write three captions for one photo in different styles.
  2. Choose the best and say why.
  3. Save your favorites in the caption template.

Worksheet Caption templateOpen, print or save as PDF

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