Let’s be honest, no one enjoys scrolling through a feed that feels like a wall of text or endless images. It’s boring. Static. Forgettable.

In today’s crowded digital space, attention is fleeting and content isn’t just king. It’s currency. But with so much content saturating every platform, how do you stand out?

The answer lies in the mix.

Your audience craves variety. They want to read, watch, listen, react, and engage—all in one seamless experience. That’s exactly what tchop™ delivers: a platform designed to combine editorial content, user-generated input and social media-friendly formats in one engaging feed.

But here’s the truth: having multiple content formats isn’t enough. It’s how you mix them that creates an immersive user experience.

In this guide, we’ll explore tchop’s powerful card system in detail and show how you can strategically combine them to build a dynamic, engaging feed that keeps your audience coming back for more.

Why mixing content formats is critical for engagement

Before we jump into the specifics, let’s talk about why mixing content formats is so powerful.

Think about how you consume content daily. It’s a mix, right?

  • A thought-provoking article here.
  • A viral meme or video there.
  • A podcast while commuting.
  • A quick poll or discussion in a Slack channel.

This happens because audiences don’t engage with content in a linear way. Their needs shift throughout the day, and their attention is constantly being pulled in different directions. Understanding this behaviour is the key to crafting a compelling content strategy.

Key reasons to mix content formats

1. Audiences have varied consumption preferences

  • Some prefer skimming short, snappy updates.
  • Others are drawn to in-depth articles.
  • Visual learners engage with images, gallery and videos.
  • Active participants want to join discussions and contribute ideas.

A single content format cannot cater to all these needs. A mixed approach ensures you reach and engage every segment of your audience.

2. Attention spans are shrinking

People swipe, scroll and tap through content at lightning speed. If your feed doesn’t offer variety, users will disengage. Mixing formats keeps the experience fresh and engaging.

3. Mixed content drives deeper engagement

Interactive formats like threads and videos drive more engagement than passive content. Mixing editorial and user-generated content creates a two-way conversation, fostering a stronger community.

An overview of tchop’s 10 card types

Before we dive into strategies, let’s get familiar with the building blocks of the tchop™ platform. Each card type serves a specific purpose, allowing you to craft a feed that feels lively and purposeful.

Card typePurposeBest use case
ArticleShare external links with a custom teaser, seamlessly opening within the app.Industry news, curated content, blog shares.
PostFull native long-form content with rich media and formatting.Deep dives, thought leadership, storytelling.
SocialEmbed social media posts directly in the feed.Trending posts, influencer content, UGC highlights.
TextQuick updates with limited formatting.Announcements, micro-updates, quick tips.
ThreadA discussion thread to foster conversations through comments, replies and likes.Q&A, feedback collection, brainstorming.
ImagePosts with images and optional text.Visual storytelling, product shots, behind-the-scenes.
GallerySwipeable image galleries with up to 20 images.Event recaps, product launches, storytelling.
VideoVideo posts with custom teaser images and captions.Tutorials, interviews, product demos.
AudioAudio content with teaser images.Podcasts, audio snippets, internal updates.
PDFShare downloadable documents directly in the feed.Whitepapers, reports, guides.

Deep dive into tchop™ card types (and how to use them)

1. Article card

At its core, the article card is a content curation tool that allows you to link to any URL. Whether it’s an external blog, news article, or report, the Article Card brings that content into your feed with a customisable teaser that looks and feels like an integral part of your platform.

Key features

  • Link to any URL: Effortlessly curate external resources.
  • Customisable teasers: Choose from four styles—Standard Default, Big Image, Small Image, or No Teaser.
  • Seamless experience: Links open directly within the app (mobile) or in a browser (web).
  • Personalised visuals: Add images, abstracts, and headlines for maximum impact.

Strategic use cases

  1. Thought leadership: Share insights, trends, or expert commentary from your industry. For instance you can share an article “The Future of AI in Media” by a reputable publication.
  2. Content curation: Aggregate and showcase relevant external content that aligns with your brand. For example, you can share articles from partners or influencers in your domain.
  3. Employee updates: Use for internal communications like newsletters or knowledge-sharing resources. For example, you can share company blogs or team updates.

Best practices

  1. Customise teasers thoughtfully: Choose the teaser style that best fits your content. For visually engaging stories, opt for the Big Image Teaser, while text-heavy articles can shine with the No Teaser option.
  2. Add context and commentary: Include a brief abstract or additional context to highlight why the article matters.
  3. Spark discussions with a CTA: Add a call to action in the abstract to spark discussion around the content in comments.
  4. Use images strategically: Eye-catching teaser images can dramatically increase click-through rates. Ensure the visuals align with your brand and message.

2. Post card

The post card is tchop’s answer to long-form, media-rich content. It’s designed for storytelling, in-depth analysis, and detailed updates, offering a fully native reading experience that keeps users engaged within your platform. Unlike article cards, post cards allow for rich formatting and media integration without redirecting users to external links, making it ideal for creating immersive content.

Key features

  • Native long-form content: Opens directly in the app, ensuring a seamless, distraction-free experience.
  • Rich formatting options: Includes support for images, image galleries, embedded links, quotes, videos, and more.
  • Customisable teasers: Choose from four teaser styles to align with your branding—Standard Default, Big Image, Small Image, or No Teaser.
  • Dynamic media integration: Combine text with visuals to deliver compelling, in-depth stories.

Strategic use cases

  1. In-depth analysis: Share detailed industry reports, whitepapers, or research findings. For example, you can publish in-depth analysis of a annual trend report from your industry.
  2. Storytelling: Tell engaging stories with a mix of visuals and text to captivate your audience. For example, you can publish a case study on your product’s success.
  3. Company updates: Publish newsletters, product updates, or internal announcements in a visually appealing format. For example, you can publish a detailed breakdown of your latest product release.
  4. Internal knowledge base: Create training materials, guidelines, or FAQs for employees. For example, you can publish guidelines to use your new CRM system.

Best practices

  1. Break up text for readability: Use subheadings, bullet points, and visuals to make content digestible. Long paragraphs can deter readers.
  2. Include media thoughtfully: Incorporate images, galleries, or embedded links to enhance storytelling and provide context.
  3. Choose teaser styles strategically: Use Big Image Teasers for visually engaging posts and opt for No Teaser if the content is text-heavy and straightforward.
  4. Encourage engagement: End posts with a CTA or open question to spark comments and discussions. For example: “What are your thoughts on these trends?”

3. Social card

The social card bridges the gap between your app and trending social media platforms. It allows you to seamlessly embed posts from Instagram, TikTok, Twitter (X), and more, keeping users engaged within your feed. Whether it’s highlighting a viral trend, showcasing user-generated content, or amplifying your brand’s social campaigns, the social card brings the best of social media into your app.

Key features

  • Platform integration: Embed content from Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.
  • Seamless interaction: Links back to the original post for user engagement on social platforms.
  • Versatile formats: Supports text, single images, and galleries.

Strategic use cases

  1. Amplify trends: Share trending social media posts to stay relevant and up-to-date. For example, you can highlight a viral TikTok video that aligns with your industry.
  2. Showcase user generated content (UGC): Feature customer stories, testimonials, or achievements shared on social media. For example, you can share a user’s Instagram post about your product using a branded hashtag.
  3. Promote brand campaigns: Embed your own social media posts to extend their reach and build cohesion between your channels. For example, you can display a Twitter (X) thread announcing a new product launch.
  4. Influencer collaboration: Highlight influencer partnerships and endorsements for credibility and reach. For example, you can embed a a TikTok video of an influencer using your service.

Best practices

  1. Curate carefully: Choose social posts that align with your brand narrative or app theme. Highlighting relevant or timely content ensures users find value.
  2. Add context: Add context while sharing to highlight your take on the trend or topic.
  3. Encourage engagement: Use CTA to spark discussions in the comments.
  4. Highlight UGC: Celebrate community contributions to build authenticity and trust. Encourage users to share their content using a branded hashtag.
  5. Integrate campaigns: Use Social Cards to promote your ongoing campaigns across channels, creating a unified experience.

4. Text card

The text card is the simplest yet highly versatile content format, ideal for delivering quick, impactful updates or insights. With no images or media attachments, text cards focus purely on concise, text-based communication, offering limited but effective formatting options to make your messages stand out.

Key features

  • Pure text content: No images or media. Just the message.
  • Basic formatting: Supports bold, italics, underline and hyperlinks for emphasis and structure.
  • Concise communication: Designed for short-form content to break up more detailed posts.
  • Headings and subheadings: Optional fields for added structure and clarity.

Strategic use cases

  1. Micro-content: Add variety to your feed with small, impactful updates.
  2. Announcement and alerts: Share urgent updates, reminders or event notifications.
  3. Quick tips and insights: Post bite-sized advice, best practices or insights for your audience.
  4. Motivational quotes: Engage users with inspirational or thought-provoking messages.

Best practices

  1. Keep It short and engaging: Use concise, action-oriented language to grab attention quickly. Aim for clarity and avoid overloading the card with text.
  2. Leverage formatting strategically: Highlight key points using bold, italics, or underlines.
  3. Make it actionable: End with a clear CTA, such as “Let us know in the comments.”
  4. Break up complex feeds: Use text cards between richer media content to provide balance and variety in the feed.

5. Thread card

The thread card is a dedicated tool for fostering meaningful conversations and driving engagement within your community or team. Acting as a forum-style card, it opens a comment screen where users can share their thoughts, reply, and interact with each other. It’s the perfect way to shift from one-way communication to dynamic, two-way interactions.

Key features

  • Forum-style interaction: Functions like a discussion thread, ideal for group brainstorming or team discussions.
  • Admin and user access: Can be used by admins to post prompts or by users (if permissions allow).
  • Seamless user flow: Users can continue conversations directly within the app, creating a cohesive engagement experience.

Strategic use cases

  1. Community engagement: Spark discussions that bring your community together by posing interesting or thought-provoking questions. For example, you could ask “What’s your go-to productivity hack?”
  2. Gathering feedback: Use thread cards to collect user opinions on features, products or updates. For example, you could ask “What features would you like us to improve in the next update?”
  3. Q&A and AMA sessions: Host Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions or live Q&As during product launches or events. For example, you could post “We’re launching a new product tomorrow. Ask us anything!”
  4. Internal team collaboration: Encourage brainstorming and feedback within your team by starting discussions around projects or ideas. For example, you could post “How can we improve team workflows this quarter?”
  5. Crowdsourcing ideas: Let your audience or team contribute creative ideas and vote on the best ones. For example, you could ask “Help us decide our next blog topic. Drop your suggestions here!”

Best practices

  1. Start with bold, open-ended prompts: Kick off threads with compelling questions or statements to grab attention. For example: “What’s one trend in our industry that you’re excited about?”
  2. Moderate actively: Keep the conversation lively and inclusive by replying to comments, highlighting interesting points, and ensuring discussions remain constructive.
  3. Pin important threads: Highlight critical or popular discussions by pinning threads to the top of the feed for maximum visibility.
  4. Encourage participation: Incentivise users to engage by showing appreciation for their input or featuring top contributions.
  5. Use for real-time discussions: During live events or launches, use thread cards to capture audience reactions and questions in the moment.

6. Image card

The image card is a short-form content format designed for visual storytelling. It’s a versatile card type that allows users to share captivating images, with or without accompanying text or captions. Perfect for scenarios where visuals take centre stage, the image card helps bring content to life with a blend of creativity and context.

Key features

  • Visual-first design: Showcase images as the focal point of your content.
  • Optional captions: Add context or explanations to your images with captions.
  • Minimal text formatting: Include limited text for storytelling or branding purposes.
  • Ease of use: Requires only an image file to create, making it quick and straightforward to share visual content.

Strategic use cases

  1. Product showcases: Highlight new products, features or offerings through stunning visuals.
  2. Event highlights: Share behind-the-scenes moments, speaker snapshots, or event galleries.
  3. Brand identity: Strengthen your visual brand with high-quality branded graphics or creative content.
  4. Campaign promotions: Feature promotional images or teaser visuals to generate buzz for upcoming campaigns.
  5. Community engagement: Encourage user-generated content by showcasing customer stories or achievements.

Best practices

  1. Use high-quality visuals: Ensure your images are crisp, clear, and engaging. Poor-quality visuals can undermine your content’s impact.
  2. Add meaningful captions: Use captions to add context, tell a story or spark engagement. For example: “Here’s how we designed our new sustainable packaging. Your thoughts?”
  3. Incorporate branding elements: Reinforce your brand identity with logos, watermarks or consistent visual themes.
  4. Optimise for engagement: Use compelling visuals that evoke emotions or curiosity, encouraging users to interact or share.
  5. Limit text: Keep the accompanying text concise and impactful, letting the image take centre stage.

7. Gallery card

The gallery card is a short-form content format designed to bring stories to life through multiple images. It’s the perfect choice when a single image won’t do justice to your content. With support for up to 20 images, each with its own caption, the gallery card enables rich, visual storytelling and detailed event or product showcases in one seamless post.

Key features

  • Swipeable format: Allows users to browse up to 20 images in a single card.
  • Individual captions: Add context or descriptions to each image.
  • Rich formatting: Supports formatting options like the text card with the power to tell larger, more complex visual stories.
  • Seamless navigation: Provides a fluid user experience for exploring multiple images.

Strategic use cases

  1. Event recaps: Capture the essence of events with a sequence of images showcasing key moments.
  2. Product launches: Highlight different angles, features, or colours of a new product in one post.
  3. Step-by-step tutorials: Create visual guides or how-to posts with descriptive captions for each step.
  4. Storytelling campaign: Use the card for narrative-driven campaigns, blending visuals and captions to convey a brand story.
  5. Behind-the-scenes content: Offer a sneak peek into your processes, events or team moments.

Best practices

  1. Sequence images thoughtfully: Arrange images in a logical or impactful order to guide the user’s journey through the content. For example, when sharing event recaps, start with a wide-angle shot of the venue, then move to key moments and close with candid highlights.
  2. Add context with captions: Use concise, descriptive captions to explain the significance of each image or guide the viewer through the narrative.
  3. Prioritise high-quality visuals: Ensure all images are sharp, clear, and optimised for your platform to make the gallery visually appealing. Pro Tip: Use consistent filters or colour grading for branding consistency.

8. Video card

The video card is a dynamic content format for sharing engaging video posts directly within your feed. With support for teaser images, captions and optional text fields, the video card is perfect for capturing attention and delivering compelling visual narratives that keep your audience engaged.

Key features

  • Native video playback: Videos play seamlessly within the app, ensuring a smooth user experience.
  • Customisable teaser images: Add a teaser image to grab attention and encourage clicks.
  • Captions and text: Provide additional context or messaging alongside the video.
  • Mobile-first optimisation: Videos are designed to suit mobile viewing behaviour for maximum impact.
  • Detailed analytics: Video analytics provide detailed insights into watch durations, views, and more.

Strategic use cases

  1. Tutorials & demos: Simplify complex ideas or showcase product features through short video tutorials.
  2. Event highlights: Recap key moments from conferences, product launches or team events.
  3. Brand storytelling: Share your brand’s story, campaigns, interviews or customer success stories in an engaging video format.
  4. Behind-the-scenes content: Offer an exclusive glimpse into your team, processes or events.
  5. Product teasers: Generate excitement around an upcoming launch with teaser videos.

Best practices

  1. Keep videos short and impactful: Aim for brevity to match modern attention spans, especially on mobile devices. Think TikTok or Instagram Reels length.
  2. Use bold teaser images: Select visually striking teaser images that grab attention and entice users to play the video.
  3. Add captions for accessibility: Include subtitles or captions to ensure your video is accessible, especially for users watching without sound.
  4. Optimise for mobile viewing: Use vertical or square video formats for better compatibility with mobile screens.
  5. Create a clear call-to-action (CTA): End your video with a direct CTA, such as “Tell us what you think in the comments.”

9. Audio card

The audio card is a powerful content format for sharing audio-based content such as podcasts, voice notes or sound bites. With the ability to attach an audio file along with a customisable teaser image and caption, it’s perfect for delivering audio-first content in an engaging, mobile-optimised format.

Key features

  • Native audio playback: Users can listen directly within the app without needing external players.
  • Customisable teaser images: Add visuals to complement the audio and attract attention.
  • Captions and text: Provide context, a summary or additional details alongside the audio.
  • Mobile-first design: Audio cards are optimised for on-the-go listening experiences.
  • Detailed analytics: Audio analytics provide detailed insights into listen durations, number of plays, and more.

Strategic use cases

  1. Podcasts: Share full podcast episodes or snippets to highlight key discussions or interviews.
  2. Internal updates: Distribute leadership messages, team updates or announcements in audio format.
  3. Audio stories: Share storytelling content, from brand stories to community highlights.
  4. Sound bites: Post short clips or previews of longer content to tease upcoming releases.
  5. Music or audio samples: Feature music tracks, jingles or other audio samples. For example, you can share “Check out the theme music for our new podcast series.”

Best practices

  1. Use compelling teaser images: Grab attention with bold visuals that align with your brand or the audio content. Pro Tip: Use a cover image that’s consistent with your podcast branding.
  2. Add captions for context: Write a brief summary or highlight key takeaways from the audio file to encourage listeners to engage.
  3. Optimise for engagement: End audio clips with a call-to-action, such as “Drop your feedback and questions in the comments.”
  4. Keep files short for maximum impact: Aim for concise audio clips (under 5 minutes) to hold attention, especially on mobile devices.

10. PDF card

The PDF card is for sharing in-depth documents such as reports, guides or presentations. It provides a seamless way to distribute high-value resources without redirecting users to external platforms. With customisable teaser images and captions, the PDF card ensures your documents are both accessible and visually appealing.

Key features

  • PDF integration: Attach and share PDF files directly within the app.
  • Automatic teaser image: The first page of the PDF is automatically rendered as the teaser image, but editors can replace it with a custom image for better branding or engagement.
  • Customisable captions: Add text to provide context or describe the document’s contents.
  • In-app access: Documents open natively in the app for a frictionless user experience.

Strategic use cases

  1. Reports and whitepapers: Share industry research, data insights or company reports.
  2. Guides and handbooks: Provide employee training materials, how-to guides or customer manuals.
  3. Event programs: Share brochures, schedules or speaker lineups for events or conferences.
  4. Downloadable resources: Offer eBooks, templates or toolkits for your community to download.

Best practices

  1. Customise teaser images: Replace the default teaser (the first page of the PDF) with a high-quality, branded image to make the card more enticing. Pro Tip: Use bold titles or graphics on the teaser to grab attention.
  2. Write captivating captions: Provide a clear and compelling reason for users to open the PDF. For example: “Discover how we increased user engagement by 50% in 6 months.”
  3. Use for high-value content: Share documents that provide significant value to your audience, such as exclusive reports or templates, to build trust and engagement.
  4. Encourage feedback: Add a CTA to gather insights or reactions. For example: “What are your thoughts on the findings in this report?”

Strategies for crafting the perfect content mix

Knowing how to use each card is just the beginning. The real magic lies in how you blend them to create a feed that keeps your audience engaged, informed and coming back for more.

Here’s a detailed guide to crafting the perfect content mix:

Step 1: Define your content goals

Before you dive into mixing formats, start by identifying your primary objectives. Are you aiming to educate, engage or inspire your audience?

Your goals will dictate the right balance of content types:

  • Educate: Use Article, Post and PDF Cards.
  • Engage: Leverage Social and Thread Cards.
  • Inspire: Highlight visuals with Image, Gallery and Video Cards.

Step 2: Map user journeys

Understand how your audience interacts with content throughout the day and adapt your strategy to match their needs:

  • Morning: Inform and educate with Article Cards and Thread Cards to spark discussions.
  • Afternoon: Drive engagement with Video and Thread Cards for quick, interactive content.
  • Evening: Reflect and connect using Post or PDF Cards paired with Audio Cards for deeper insights or on-the-go consumption.

Step 3: Alternate depth and brevity

Balance long-form, in-depth content with short, snappy updates to keep the feed dynamic and avoid fatigue. For example, start the day with a detailed Post Card, follow up with a quick Image Card to break up the feed and close with a Thread Card to gather feedback.

Step 4: Combine editorial and user-generated content

Editorial content establishes your authority, while user-generated content fosters authenticity and trust. Combining the two ensures a more inclusive and engaging feed:

  • Share an Article Card or Post Card with company insights.
  • Follow it up with a Social Card featuring user-generated reactions or testimonials.
  • Start a Thread Card to encourage further discussion or feedback.

Step 5: Mix media types for variety

Keep your feed visually and functionally diverse by blending different card formats:

  • Visual stories: Use Gallery Cards to showcase event recaps or campaigns.
  • Dynamic engagement: Use Video Cards for interactive product demos or tutorials.
  • Supplemental resources: Use PDFs to distribute detailed resources and Thread Cards to gather user opinions.

Step 6: Leverage social media trends

Mirror what works on social platforms by integrating micro-content formats like short videos, quick polls and engaging visuals. For example, share a viral Social Card or a quick Video Card with a CTA to react or comment.

Step 7: Encourage interaction

User participation amplifies engagement. Use Thread Cards strategically to invite feedback or spark conversations.

Final thoughts

A well-crafted content mix isn’t just about variety; it’s about creating a balanced, engaging experience for your audience. By strategically combining tchop’s card types, you can deliver content that educates, inspires, and connects. All while keeping your feed dynamic and engaging.

Whether it’s a quick update, a detailed report or an interactive discussion, the right mix keeps your audience coming back for more.

Experiment, adapt and let the cards do the heavy lifting.