Synopsis
Here I present checklists for creating, reviewing, and publishing three primary social media post categories for The InterPlex: InterDialogue clips, which promote audiovisual interviews through curated excerpts; InterArticle highlights, which showcase key arguments and insights from written contributions; and review/highlight posts, which document conferences, meetings, and other events attended or supported by The InterPlex. Each checklist, which can be adapted for use as templates in a task management program, provides an overview of the standard social media post production process from ideation to publication.
1. InterDialogue clip
1.1 Clip creation
- Select an appropriate clip from the InterDialogue based on the transcript and in conversation with editorial staff
- Edit the excerpt in Davinci Resolve. This type of post uses two clips:
- A long version, up to 15:00 minutes, to be posted on Facebook and LinkedIn
- A short version, up to 2:20 minutes, to be posted on Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky, and YouTube
- Export both clips, ideally at the Medium or Low quality presets to limit file size
- Resize the short clip to match the required dimensions for Instagram (9:16) and YouTube (9:16 or 1:1). These copies are labeled with “IG” and “YT” appended to the filename to distinguish each version of the clip
- If needed, create a compressed version of the short clip for Bluesky, which has a 50mb video size limit
1.2 Post copy
- Based on the transcript, write two or three paragraphs of copy contextualizing the excerpted clip. Aim for a direct style that explains the main point(s) in clear, non-technical language, and addresses why they matter
- Include one or two relevant direct quotes from the clip, connecting the contributor’s words to the rest of the post copy
- Include a shortened direct link to the InterDialogue page
- Mention any relevant individuals, institutions, conferences, etc., relevant to this contributor and/or the specific details of the clip excerpt
- Add up to 30 hashtags based on the content of the post copy and any related concepts. Always include, at minimum: theinterplex science scientist scientific
- Once the copy is drafted, send to another editor for review and approval
1.3 Post scheduling
- After final approval of post copy, begin a new post in Buffer and paste in the copy
- Upload each clip version to its respective social media channel
- Ensure that posts fit within the character count limitations of each channel. If not, make minor editorial adjustments until the posts fit
- For X and Bluesky, break the copy into a series of consecutive posts in a thread and preface each segment with its corresponding position in the series, e.g., 1/, 2/, etc.
- If individuals, institutions, or events with social media profiles are mentioned in the post copy, determine which social media platforms they are on and tag them wherever possible
- For YouTube, add a relevant and descriptive title with SEO potential and mark the video category as Science and Technology
- Use that title to create a custom InterDialogue clip thumbnail and append to both the YouTube short and the Instagram reel
- Once every channel post is finalized, mark as publication-ready
- Confirm a posting time and schedule all posts
- Following publication, fill out all applicable YouTube short metadata fields
- Add final assets to Google Drive following 3.3 File naming best practices and 3.4 File organization best practices
2. InterArticle highlight
2.1 Post copy
- Based on the selected InterArticle, identify whether the intention of this post is to broadly feature the whole article or whether it is to emphasize a specific portion or point
- Write two or three paragraphs of copy contextualizing the article or excerpt. Aim for a direct style that explains the main point(s) in clear, non-technical language, and addresses why they matter
- Include one or two relevant direct quotes from the article, connecting the contributor’s words to the rest of the post copy
- Include a shortened direct link to the InterArticle page
- Mention any relevant individuals, institutions, conferences, etc., relevant to this contributor and/or the specific details of the article or excerpt
- Add up to 30 hashtags based on the content of the post copy and any related concepts. Always include, at minimum: theinterplex science scientist scientific
- Once the copy is drafted, send to another editor for review and approval
2.2 Post scheduling
- After final approval of post copy, begin a new post in Buffer and paste in the copy
- Ensure that posts fit within the character count limitations of each channel. If not, make minor editorial adjustments until the posts fit
- For X and Bluesky, break the copy into a series of consecutive posts in a thread and preface each segment with its corresponding position in the series, e.g., 1/, 2/, etc.
- If individuals, institutions, or events with social media profiles are mentioned in the post copy, determine which social media platforms they are on and tag them wherever possible
- Use the article’s featured image as the post image, or design custom InterArticle thumbnail and/or quote cards and append to the posts
- Once every channel post is finalized, mark as publication-ready
- Confirm a posting time and schedule all posts
- Add final assets to Google Drive following 3.3 File naming best practices and 3.4 File organization best practices
3. Review/highlight post
3.1 Post copy
- Write two or three paragraphs summarizing the event and explaining its relevance to The InterPlex community
- Highlight one or more significant ideas, discussions, panels, or trends at the event
- Explain why these developments matter and how they connect to broader scientific, social, cultural, or policy discussions
- Include one or two notable quotes, observations, or paraphrased insights from speakers, participants, or event materials where appropriate
- Clearly mention The InterPlex’s role in the event, whether as attendees, participants, speakers, moderators, interviewers, collaborators, sponsors, or organizers
- Mention relevant individuals, institutions, organizations, conferences, networks, or projects connected to the event
- Add up to 30 hashtags based on post copy and related concepts. Always include, at minimum: theinterplex science scientist scientific
- Once the copy is drafted, send to another editor for review and approval
3.2 Visuals and media
- Select one or more photographs from the event that illustrate the featured themes, speakers, activities, or InterPlex participation, confirming that selected images are appropriate for publication and properly credited where necessary
- If suitable photographs are unavailable, create a custom graphic or quote card
3.3 Post scheduling
- After final approval of post copy, begin a new post in Buffer and paste in the copy
- Upload the selected photographs, graphics, or other media to each social media channel
- Ensure that posts fit within the character count limitations of each channel. If not, make minor editorial adjustments until the posts fit
- For X and Bluesky, break the copy into a series of consecutive posts in a thread and preface each segment with its corresponding position in the series, e.g., 1/, 2/, etc.
- If individuals, institutions, organizations, conferences, or projects with social media profiles are mentioned in the post copy, determine which platforms they are active on and tag them wherever possible
- Once every channel post is finalized, mark as publication-ready
- Confirm a posting time and schedule all posts
- Add final assets to Google Drive following 3.3 File naming best practices and 3.4 File organization best practices
Related
2.2 InterPod production checklist
2.3 InterArticle production checklist
2.4 InterDialogue production checklist
2.5 Newsletter production checklist