Updated: July 2026
In 2019, 49% of people watched a minimum of five videos every day, and double the people were interested in gifs over images. What does this mean? People are hungry for video content.
If you’re not using videos or animated content, now is the time to reconsider. Dynamic content is now possible and super easy to make on PosterMyWall, using our new animations feature. This lets you animate individual elements or entire designs in a few clicks.
Table of contents
Why use animation in social media marketing
Before we get into the how, it’s worth answering the why. A few reasons animation earns its place in your content mix:
- It stops the scroll. Feeds are crowded with static images. Movement is what makes someone pause.
- It gets remembered. People tend to hold onto animated or video content longer than a still image, which means your message sticks around after the scroll continues.
- It tells your brand’s story fast. A quick animation can convey personality and energy that a static graphic just can’t.
- It’s easier than shooting video. You don’t need a camera, a studio, or a script. You’re animating a design online free, in the same editor you already use.
That last point is the real unlock: you don’t need a production budget to add animation to graphic design online. You just need a design and a click.
How to add an Intro animation
To add your Intro Animations, just open your design in the PosterMyWall editor. Without clicking any design item, click the new ‘Animate’ option on the right column in the editor.
Animated styles you can choose
If you’re wondering how to animate social media posts that actually feel intentional, style choice is where it starts. On PosterMyWall, you can choose from:
- Block — a solid block zooms in before your item settles into place
- Bounce — items drop in and bounce slightly before they land
- Fade — a smooth, subtle appearance, great when you don’t want to steal focus
- Jello — a playful wobble as the item comes to rest
- Pan — items glide across the canvas
- Pop — items pop into existence one after another
- Rotate — items spin into position
- Scale — items grow from small to full size
- Slide — items move in from off-canvas
- Wipe — the item reveals itself with a clean wipe effect
- Peek — a partial reveal that draws the eye
- Zoom — items scale in dramatically for extra emphasis
Every Intro Animation can improve your design in a whole new way, allowing you to choose from a variety of looks for the same design. Here’s a single design, animated in 4 different intros. It’s easier than it looks. Animating your design is just a click away.
Once you’ve added your Intro Animation, you can proceed to download your design.
Instead of applying animations to the entire design, you can also apply them to specific text and images in your design. Simply select any item and apply dynamic animations to entrances, exits, or both. You can choose from a wide range of effects like slide, fade, jello, tumble, bounce, and more.
Now here’s the best part. Intro Animations are completely free to use. Animating your image changes it to a dynamic video design, but you only pay $2.99 for the download, as you would pay for any standard flyer.
Intro Animations work with all available templates and designs (both images and videos), allowing you to convert any of our professionally designed content into your own personalised piece of art.
Where does animated content work best?
Not every platform treats animated posts the same way, so it helps to know where the effort pays off most:
- Instagram — feed posts, Stories, and Reels all reward motion. Square or vertical formats tend to perform best.
- Facebook — animated social media graphics and short looping clips stand out well in a feed still dominated by static images.
- TikTok — built for motion from the ground up. Vertical, snappy animations fit right in.
- Twitter/X — GIFs and short animated clips are a natural fit for a fast-scrolling, text-heavy feed.
If you’re sure where your audience spends the most time, that’s the platform to start animating for first.
Best practices for adding intro animations
An intro animation should make a good first impression without slowing down the viewer’s experience. Here are a few best practices to keep in mind:
| Best practice | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Keep it short | Aim for 3–7 seconds. A long intro can cause viewers to lose interest before your main content begins. |
| Stay on-brand | Use your brand colors, fonts, logo, and visual style so viewers instantly recognize your content. |
| Prioritize readability | If your intro includes text, use clear fonts, high contrast, and enough screen time for people to read it. |
| Use smooth transitions | Simple fades, slides, and zooms often look more professional than overly flashy effects. |
| Match the tone of your content | A corporate presentation, gaming video, and wedding highlight reel each need a different animation style. |
| Include music or sound effects carefully | Audio can make an intro more engaging, but keep it subtle and ensure it complements your visuals. |
| Design for mobile viewers | Many people watch videos on their phones, so make sure logos and text remain legible on smaller screens. |
| End with a clear transition | Your intro should naturally lead into the main video instead of feeling like a separate clip. |
Still not convinced? Here’s some more awesome designs updated with Intro Animations!
Not sure where to start? Pick a template from the PosterMyWall gallery, open it in the editor and start customizing. Did you know social media posts are a natural fit for Intro Animations, why not get started there?
FAQs
1. Do animated social media posts really get more engagement?
Animated posts and video content generally outperform static images on engagement — they’re better at catching the eye mid-scroll and holding attention a beat longer. That said, results depend on your design and audience just as much as on the animation itself, so treat it as a strong starting point rather than a guarantee.
2. What’s the best type of animation for social media posts?
There isn’t one “best” style — it depends on the message. Subtle styles like Fade or Pan work well when you don’t want to distract from the text. Bouncier styles like Bounce, Jello, or Pop suit playful, attention-grabbing posts. Match the style to the mood of the design.
3. Can I animate any design or only special templates?
Any design. Intro Animations work with all PosterMyWall templates and designs, images and videos alike, so you’re never limited to a specific animated template category.
