Call to action for social media: 15 real examples and copy you can use

A call to action (CTA) on social media is the one thing you ask people to do after they see your post or ad: comment, share, click a link, buy, or follow. Brands use them in captions, profile links, ad buttons and video end screens.

Quick answer: a good social media CTA asks for one action, starts with a verb, says what people get, and sits where the platform lets people act: the caption for comments and shares, your profile link or a link sticker for clicks, the ad button for paid posts, and end screens or the description for videos. Below are 15 real CTAs from brands and creators, copy you can reuse, and how to put a CTA on the links you share.

Social media CTA examples you can copy

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Why do CTAs matter in social media marketing?

Social media marketing becomes dull if there is no activity whatsoever. The purpose of social media call-to-actions is to entice the audience to react to the message.

Social media success lies in the engagement process regardless of the social media platform. The reason a call to action matters in social media marketing is that it encourages the audience to respond to social media posts no matter what. Here’s how to write a call to action step by step.

What elements should you include in your CTA strategy?

Here are the seven key elements that should be added to a CTA strategy:

1. Wittiness: A little bit of fun or excitement goes a long way
2. Appeal: An appealing message that attracts the audience right away
3. Shortness: A short and sweet copy that is understandable and catchy
4. Relevance: It should be related to the target audience in order to work
5. Clarity: It must help clarify the context of the story or event
6. Enticement: It must be enticing the audience to reply
7. FOMO: Sometimes, a fear of missing out also helps in conversion. Try using the urgency-factor in the CTAs.

Call to actions for social media

Here are 15 real CTAs from brands and creators, grouped by platform. We took these screenshots from public posts and ads in 2022, so the campaigns may no longer run. To see current ads and their CTA buttons, search a brand in the free LinkedIn Ad Library or the Meta Ad Library, which shows ads running across Meta technologies.

LinkedIn CTAs

LinkedIn is a top-tier social media platform, and ignoring this lead-generation machine would be a big mistake. When it comes to LinkedIn posting ideas, CTAs should be part of every social marketer’s LinkedIn content strategy.

Below are some good examples of call-to-actions found on LinkedIn.

1. Amazon Web Services

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a popular cloud hosting service that allows users to host websites and apps.

Let’s check their LinkedIn ad:

Why it works

• The main copy of the ad states the message with clarity. It simply hits the bullseye by targeting web and app developers.
• A plus point in this LinkedIn ad is that it tells the audience about getting started for free – the CTAs like “sign up for free” and “free trial” in the copy always bring attention.
• The ad has a “learn more” call-to-action that drives visitors to the AWS sign-up page. Moreover, such CTAs push prospective customers one step further, especially if they’re on the fence.

If you share Amazon product pages, Replug’s Amazon link shortener turns them into short branded links you can track. If they are Amazon Associates affiliate links, check the Associates Program Policies first, because Amazon limits how affiliate links may be shortened or masked.

2. Microsoft

Microsoft is a tech giant that sells software, operating systems, and gadgets.

Here’s Microsoft’s recent LinkedIn ad about financial institution’s guide to the public cloud:

Why it works

• The crux of the message is clearly written in the white bold text on the ad. No fluff or detailed text.
• The “download now” CTA on the ad banner symbolizes that there is an ad for a downloadable item. It hints to the target audience to look into it.
• Microsoft’s marketing team smartly used the “download” call-to-action button on the ad to make it easier for the audience to decide and take action about downloading the public cloud guide.

3. LinkedIn Talent Solutions

LinkedIn Talent Solutions is a powerful recruitment tool available on the LinkedIn platform.

Here’s their LinkedIn ad:

Why it works

• A brief yet meaningful introductory text on the ad steals attention immediately.
• Short link at the end of the introductory text gives the audience a chance to explore it further.
• A downloadable CTA tells the target audience to get their hands on the downloadable item.

4. Reliance Infosystems

Reliance Infosystems is a tech powerhouse that offers cloud hosting, network management, and IT security management services.

Take a look at their LinkedIn ad:

Why it works

• The text on the ad image easily becomes overwhelming for the viewers unless it’s short and precise. Reliance Infosystems seems to be pulling this off quite well.
• The dashboard picture of their software solution balances the whole thing. Pictures and vectors mostly help retain the target audience’s attention.
• The sign-up call-to-action pushes the audience to take a leap.

5. LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning is an educational platform from LinkedIn. It provides users access to the platform through their LinkedIn accounts. Check out their LinkedIn ad:

Why it works

• The most attractive part of this ad is the copy of the ad. It has a short yet catchy statement on the ad banner. Along with a strong CTA phrase, the “Learn more” CTA button persuades users to click and get more information.
• A number or percentage on the ad copy immediately grasps the attention of the viewers.
• The ad design is quite simple which shifts the focus toward the copy.

X (Twitter) CTAs

X, formerly Twitter, may seem simple, but a short post with one clear link can do a lot. Here are posts from brands and creators that used CTAs well (captured when the platform was still called Twitter):

Posts on X have a character limit, so a short link keeps the CTA and the link visible without crowding out your message.

6. Canva

Canva is a popular online graphics designing tool for creating social media images, banners, and ads. Check out their tweet:

Why it works

• The tweet from Canva vividly targets the organizations or companies with team members for their “Canva for teams” plan.
• The simplicity of the tweet language ensures that readers keep on reading the two-paragraph tweet from them.
• A call-to-action text at the end of the tweet makes it easier for the prospective audience to click through and land on the respective plan page.

7. Guy Kawasaki

Guy Kawasaki is an entrepreneur, investor, and adviser to startups.

I stumbled upon one of his recent tweets, and it’s worth mentioning here:

Why it works

• A one-line tweet and the text body includes “7 lessons” – it surely rings the bell. People would like to take a sneak peek at the list of seven lessons even for a second. A good move, indeed.
• A short URL is used very smartly – the tweet stays in just one line, which makes the short link more prominent and clickable.
• A picture is added to the tweet just to weigh in on the organic reach. Pictures and images usually get more attention and organic viewership as compared to text-only social media posts.

8. Semrush

Semrush is a powerful SEO analysis and rank tracking software used by professional digital marketers around the globe.

Here’s one of their tweets mentioning SEO expert Barry Schwartz.

Why it works

• The tweet from Semrush cashed in on the hot trend in the online marketing and SEO fields, which is the September core update 2022.
• Semrush mentioned Barry Schwartz in the tweet, which is a fantastic engagement strategy and gets the attention of the audience.
• A short and brief call-to-action directs visitors to the article, which makes it a perfect tweet from a social media engagement standpoint.

9. TV Guide

TV Guide is an entertainment portal that discusses TV shows and movies.

Take a look at one of their recent tweets:

Why it works

• The tweet has a news update for Netflix fans. It announces the availability of the Witcher: Blood Origin TV series on Netflix.
• The tweet is short and sweet with no fluff. Such social media posts get more attention as compared to hefty social media posts.
• TV Guide wrote a simple yet attractive call-to-action for driving Twitter followers to the article.

10. PageFactory

Allison Seboldt is the developer of PageFactory – an online content publishing app for content management systems.

Check out her tweet:

Why it works

• Allison’s tweet has an attractive text body. She kept it simple yet meaningful. Her tweet was about the announcement of PageFactory’s integration with the Webflow platform.
• The second thing that fascinated me was the two-line explanation that summed up the whole tweet.
• The call-to-action was clear, concise, and catchy – it pushes the audience to click and check out the website.
• The video in the tweet took the announcement to the next level.

YouTube CTAs

On YouTube, the CTA usually lives in two places: the first lines of the video description and the end screen. Per YouTube Help, end screens can be added to the last 5 to 20 seconds of a video that is at least 25 seconds long, with up to four elements such as a video, playlist or subscribe button. For ads and older overlay formats, see our guide to call-to-action overlays.

Shorten links and add CTAs to your Youtube links using a Youtube URL shortener.

Let’s take a look at a couple of YouTube influencers who are capitalizing on the call-to-actions on YouTube:

11. Epic Gardening

Epic Gardening is a well-known gardening brand that has a YouTube channel and a website. Let’s see how this gardening brand is using the call-to-actions on social media:

Why it works

• Epic Gardening is using the video description for sharing the link. Since the video description is a place to find the detail about the video, the channel has a product link in the video description.
• The channel is promoting the lemon plant through the link in the description – the video is also about the same plant. Therefore, relevancy is the key to generating sales.
• The product link is in the first line of the video description, which makes the link more prominent.

12. Creative Explained

Creative Explained is a YouTube channel around gardening and life hacks made by Armen Adamjan. He is promoting an ebooks bundle deal and using his YouTube video descriptions to sell the bundle deal.

Take a look at the description of one of the recent videos on this channel:

Why it works

• Armen mentioned his website address in the very first line to drive people to check out the deal next to the call-to-action.
• This YouTube influencer used the naked URL of the bundle deal right below the call-to-action.

Facebook CTAs

13. Meta for Creators

Meta for Creators is a platform built by Facebook with creators in mind so that they could meet, collaborate, and earn money online.

Check out their Facebook ad:

Why it works

• The ad has a short and sweet introductory text, which catches the attention in a split second.
• Meta for Creators used the “follow” in the introductory text and mentioned their Facebook page to grow followers.
• They used the video to attract, engage, and convert the audience.
• The ad also has a “Follow” CTA phrased button at the bottom to ensure that more people follow their Facebook page.

14. Compose AI

Compose AI is a browser extension that has powerful AI features to write speedy emails and messages. It works across multiple sites but is commonly used for Gmail.

Here’s the Facebook ad for Compose AI:

Why it works

• The first and foremost is the circled “free” text in the ad copy, which immediately steals the attention.
• The ad image showcases a snippet of how this tool works – it’s an excellent way of enticing the audience to try out the product.
• The headline of this Facebook ad says, “Write 2X Faster for Free” – it’s a fantastic one-liner along with the download CTA at the bottom.

15. Circle

Circle is a financial technology company that helps in financial transactions at a fast-paced using the power of USDC and Euro Coin.

Let’s take a look at their Facebook ad:

Why it works

• Circle is cashing in on their ability to deal with USDC cryptocurrency in their Facebook ad.
• The copy of the ad emphasizes the trustworthiness of the coin.
• They also have a “learn more” CTA at the bottom to drive people to their website for more details.

Replug: How do CTAs work?

Replug is an all-in-one link management tool that creates branded short URLs with the ability to track link performance.You can make your links even more effective by using its short URL generator to create customized, trackable links that enhance your branding and boost click-through rates.

Its CTAs work on links: you set up a call to action once in a campaign, and every link you shorten into that campaign shows it on top of the page it opens, even when that page belongs to someone else. That’s useful when you share articles, videos or product pages on social media and still want a way back to your own offer. CTAs are on the Essentials plan and above, per replug.io/pricing.

Here are the steps in the current app for creating a CTA with Replug’s call to action generator:

Step #1: Create a campaign

Log in to Replug, open Campaigns in the left menu and click Create new.

Step #2: Name it and pick the Call-to-action widget

Give the campaign a name, optionally pick a custom domain for its links, select Call-to-action (CTA) under Widget on the destination page, and click Next. You can also add a retargeting pixel here.

Step #3: Choose the type and style

Choose the Type (Button, Link or Form) and a Style: Social Classic, Social Modern, Banner, Exit Intent, Popup, Scroll Box or Bridge Page. You can upload a small CTA image (64 x 64 px recommended).

Step #4: Write the message

Fill in the Headline, Message, Button Text and the Link URL the button opens (or a phone number for click to call). The live preview on the right updates as you type.

Step #5: Customize and save

Set the colors, choose when the CTA appears (after a number of seconds or on exit intent), its position and the pop-up sound, then click Save campaign. For button wording ideas, see our guide to the CTA button.

Step #6: Add the campaign to your links

When you shorten a link, pick this campaign in the Campaign field of the Your link window and save. Share the short link in your post, bio or ad.

Step #7: Check the results

Open the link’s analytics to see clicks, unique clicks, countries, devices and referrers. Replug counts clicks on your links; it doesn’t track purchases or sign-ups on the page.

Final thoughts on call-to-action for social media

Most people think of call-to-action buttons as green or yellow rectangular buttons that say “sign up” or “download” on the websites.

However, a call-to-action doesn’t necessarily mean a button. In fact, it could be a text, image, or emoji that navigates the audience or influences the visitors to take an action.

Since there is cut-throat competition on social media, it’s essential to use every tool available at your disposal to attract, engage, and convert the audience.

The call-to-actions for social media is surely something that could increase post visibility, clickability, and engagement across all social media platforms.

Don’t hesitate to alter your social media strategy by including tailored-made call-to-actions for social media to see how they turned out for you.

Reach out to us on social media and tell us how this tactic worked out for you because if it works, then you could always rinse and repeat.

Here are some burning questions about social media CTAs that need to be answered: