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First Dates and Featured Posts: How to Make a Strong First Impression on Social Media

Social Media Profiles
February 18, 2025•2 min read

First Dates and Featured Posts: How to Make a Strong First Impression on Social Media

First dates are weird, aren’t they?

My first date with my husband, Russ, was no exception.

I remember agonizing over what to wear, stressing about what to order at dinner, and overthinking every word I said. Now that we’ve been married for a few years, we laugh about that night—especially the half-truths we told to make a good impression. (Not lies, exactly… just slight embellishments!)

Looking back, it was ridiculous! We were both adults, and we both knew those half-truths wouldn’t hold up forever. It makes me wonder—wouldn’t first dates be so much easier if we just showed up with a transparent, no-nonsense One Sheet?

Give Your Readers a First-Date Experience They Can Trust

Writerly friends, your social media profile is like a first date for your readers. When they land on your page, they want clarity, honesty, and a solid idea of what they’re getting into.

That’s where your pinned or featured posts come in. These posts act like a personal One Sheet—giving readers a quick, transparent introduction to you and what you offer.

The 3 Must-Have Pinned Posts for Writers

  1. Introduction Post
    Your very first pinned post should introduce YOU. Include a recent photo (bonus points if it’s also your profile picture), greet your audience, and share your writing journey. Let your personality shine by adding something fun and non-writing-related. End with a call to action—ask your readers to share something about themselves in the comments!

  2. Lead Magnet Post
    This post should highlight the value you provide to your audience. Whether it’s a free download, an email list sign-up, or a free discovery call, clearly communicate how it benefits them. Your goal? Drive traffic to your website, collect email addresses, and get your audience to take action.

  3. Book/Website/Podcast/Collaboration Post
    If you have a book, this is where you showcase it. Include a high-quality image, a compelling description, and a clear link to purchase. No book yet? No problem. Direct your audience to your website, podcast, guest post, Substack, or any other collaboration you’ve been a part of. The key is to highlight the value you bring to the table.

Be Transparent. Be Genuine. Be Valuable.

When I land on someone’s profile, I want to know exactly what to expect—just like I did when I showed up for first dates back in my single years. Surprises are fun for birthdays, but not when trying to connect with an audience.

So this week, take a few minutes to review your pinned posts.

✅ Are they clear?
✅ Are they inviting?
✅ Are they helping your audience know, like, and trust you?

Let me know how it’s going in the comments!

Need help? I’ve got you covered.

Book a FREE 15-minute call with me to talk about your pinned posts:
https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/JLSoAZesYk5zLh913GZ3


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Kristen is a recovering fundamentalist who believes that truth, faith, and the sovereignty of God will survive deconstruction and are critical components of healthy reconstruction. She loves literary analysis and reading scripture with an analyst's eye. She lives in rural Ohio with her husband--Russ, daughter--Kate, faithful dog--Lucy, and her grandma's cat--Butters (that's a story for another day). When her parents aren't snowbirds, they join the party in their mother-in-law's suite, affectionately referred to as Cabin B. Writing weekly on her blog and social media channels, Kristen helps survivors of church hurt, religious trauma, and spiritual abuse heal and find peace in their faith again. She balances deep dives into scripture with narratives from her own life and church experiences, always connecting with her reader and making faith, the bible, and her teaching relatable and applicable to today’s world.

Kristen Neighbarger

Kristen is a recovering fundamentalist who believes that truth, faith, and the sovereignty of God will survive deconstruction and are critical components of healthy reconstruction. She loves literary analysis and reading scripture with an analyst's eye. She lives in rural Ohio with her husband--Russ, daughter--Kate, faithful dog--Lucy, and her grandma's cat--Butters (that's a story for another day). When her parents aren't snowbirds, they join the party in their mother-in-law's suite, affectionately referred to as Cabin B. Writing weekly on her blog and social media channels, Kristen helps survivors of church hurt, religious trauma, and spiritual abuse heal and find peace in their faith again. She balances deep dives into scripture with narratives from her own life and church experiences, always connecting with her reader and making faith, the bible, and her teaching relatable and applicable to today’s world.

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