How to Design Social Posts in Australia: The Complete Guide for Startup Founders

As a founder, your social media is often your first storefront. People scroll, glance, and judge your brand in seconds. That’s why the design of your posts matters—it’s not just decoration, it’s communication.

Designing social posts is about more than making things “look good.” Done right, posts can boost audience engagement, reinforce your visual identity, and support your digital marketing goals. Done wrong, they make your brand look inconsistent and amateur.

I learned this lesson the hard way. In my early days, I posted Canva graphics with mismatched colours and fonts. The posts got zero traction.

When I created a consistent template with my logo, brand colours, and simple messaging, engagement tripled. More importantly, people started recognising my brand instantly in their feed.

With good design, you create scroll-stopping content that drives growth.

What Exactly Are Social Posts?

A social post is any piece of content you design and publish on platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or X.

Types include:

• Static images: graphics, branded quotes, product shots.

• Carousels: swipeable slides for storytelling.

• Short videos: reels, TikToks, quick explainers.

• Stories: temporary, behind-the-scenes or promo content.

Each post combines content design (visuals, fonts, colours) with messaging (captions, CTAs) to connect with your audience.

Examples:

• Canva (AU) uses playful branded graphics to teach design tips.

• Afterpay runs clean, product-focused posts with a consistent colour palette.

• Local cafés often post raw, authentic photos but add branded overlays for recognition.

The best posts don’t just get seen—they get remembered.

Why This Could Make or Break Your Business

Designing your social posts well matters because:

Brand recognition: 

Consistent visuals train audiences to spot your posts instantly.

Audience engagement: 

Good design grabs attention in crowded feeds.

Trust and credibility: 

Professional posts make your business look established.

Marketing efficiency: 

Well-designed templates save time and increase reach.

Scalability: 

Systemised design makes it easier to grow your content output.

Without good design, your posts disappear in the noise. With it, you create scroll-stopping content that drives growth.

Before You Start

Before designing social posts, prepare:

• Finalised brand kit (logo, fonts, colours, visual identity).

• List of social platforms you’ll focus on.

• Defined audience personas (who you’re speaking to).

• Content plan or themes (educational, promotional, behind-the-scenes).

• Design tool (Canva, Adobe Express, Figma).

• Clear goals (brand awareness, engagement, conversions).

Having these ready ensures your design supports strategy, not just aesthetics.

How to Design Social Posts:

Step by Step

Step 1: Choose Your Platform

Each platform has its own formats.

• Instagram: 1080x1080 squares, reels, stories.

• LinkedIn: 1200x1200 posts, 1080x1920 stories.

• Facebook: similar to Instagram, but wider.

• TikTok: vertical 1080x1920.

Result: Your designs fit perfectly in the feed without cropping or distortion.

Step 2: Define the Message

Before design, clarify what you want to say.

• One idea per post.

• Keep copy short and punchy.

• Include a clear call-to-action.

Result: Your visuals amplify the message, not compete with it.

Step 3: Apply Brand Consistency

Use your identity system.

• Stick to brand colours (2–3 max per post).

• Use the same fonts across all graphics.

• Add your logo in a subtle but consistent way.

Result: Audiences recognise your posts instantly.

Step 4: Pick the Right Visual Style

Decide what style fits your brand.

• Minimalist (clean, lots of white space).

• Bold (bright colours, big fonts).

• Lifestyle (authentic photos with overlays).

Result: Your visuals feel aligned with your audience’s expectations.

Step 5: Use Templates for Efficiency

Don’t reinvent the wheel each time.

• Create Canva templates for posts, carousels, and stories.

• Reuse layouts with new content.

• Batch design content monthly.

Result: You save time while keeping consistency.

Step 6: Balance Text and Imagery

Avoid text-heavy posts.

• Highlight key words in bold or colour.

• Use photos, icons, or illustrations for clarity.

• Keep text under 20% of the image (Facebook ads rule).

Result: Posts are eye-catching and readable at a glance.

Step 7: Optimise for Mobile

Most social browsing happens on phones.

• Check readability on small screens.

• Use large fonts and high-contrast colours.

• Preview posts in mobile view before publishing.

Result: Your posts look professional where most people see them.

Step 8: Add Engagement Features

Encourage interaction.

• Use polls in stories.

• Add “Swipe for more” on carousels.

• Include CTAs like “Tag a friend” or “Comment below.”

Result: Posts drive conversation, not just impressions.

Step 9: Test, Learn, Improve

Not every post will land.

• Track engagement metrics.

• A/B test designs and formats.

• Double down on what works.

Result: Your design evolves based on real audience feedback.

Mistakes to Avoid

Overdesigning. 

Result: cluttered posts. Fix: keep it simple.

Ignoring dimensions. 

Result: cropped images. Fix: use platform-specific sizes.

Mismatched branding. 

Result: inconsistency. Fix: stick to your kit.

Text overload. 

Result: no engagement. Fix: highlight one message.

Real-World Examples

• A Melbourne e-commerce startup created branded Canva templates for Instagram. Engagement grew 3x because posts felt professional and consistent.

• A Sydney founder used random stock images without branding. Followers couldn’t tell posts apart from competitors, and growth stalled.

The difference? Consistent design tied to brand identity.

What It Costs and How Long It Takes

Direct Costs (as of 2025/2026):

• DIY with Canva (Free–$20/month).

• Freelance designer: $300–$1,000 for template packs.

• Agency package: $2,000+ per month for managed content.

Timeline:

• DIY design: 1–3 hours per post (faster with templates).

• Batch creation: 1–2 days for a month of posts.

• Outsourcing: 1–2 weeks per batch.

Hidden Costs:

• Time wasted on ad-hoc designs.

• Inconsistent branding hurting recognition.

• Missed engagement from poor design.

Money-Saving Tip: Start with Canva templates you design once, then repurpose endlessly.

Bottom line: consistency beats fancy one-offs every time.

What to Do Next

By acting now, you’ll turn social posts from “filler content” into growth assets.

➡️ Grab a resource from ProDesk. It’s where proactive founders get simple tools to move faster and avoid costly mistakes [ProDeck.com].

➡️ Don’t guess—get expert support. From branding to campaigns, we’ll make sure your social content builds real traction. Try our 12 month marketing package, social media management service or our social media templates package Book with [Noize.com.au]

➡️ Get The StartupDeck—200+ proven business moves in one practical toolkit. Use it to build momentum and scale faster [theStartUpDeck.com].

The Bottom Line

Your social posts are your brand’s handshake with the world.

Without design, they blend into the noise. With consistent, well-designed visuals, your posts stand out, build recognition, and drive engagement.

Founders who design strategically don’t just post—they connect, engage, and grow.

FAQs

Do I need design skills to make good social posts? 

No. Tools like Canva make it simple to create professional posts with templates.

Should I use the same design on every platform? 

Yes for branding, but adjust sizes and sometimes tone for each platform.

How many colours should I use in a post? 

Stick to 2–3 from your brand palette for consistency.

Do I need to add my logo on every post? 

Yes, but keep it small and subtle—bottom corner works best.

What’s the best way to save time designing posts? 

Batch-create content using reusable templates.