Create a Then and Now Post on Facebook Step-by-Step

How to Make a Then and Now Post on Facebook for Maximum Engagement

A Then and Now post on Facebook is a powerful visual storytelling format that compares two moments in time side by side — often a “before” and “after” snapshot. Whether it’s celebrating personal milestones, showing your brand’s growth, or sharing a product’s evolution, this format taps into nostalgia and curiosity to drive engagement. In this guide, we’ll walk through the strategy and technical steps to create an impactful Then and Now Facebook post that your audience will love and share.

Understanding What a "Then and Now" Post Is

A Then and Now post on Facebook is a side-by-side comparison of two significant points in time, typically highlighting transformation or growth. They can feature:

• Personal milestones, such as childhood vs. adulthood photos
• Business progress, like storefronts from launch day vs. today
• Product evolution, showcasing early versions vs. modern designs

The human mind is wired for comparison, and when context is provided, these posts can outperform single-image content in engagement metrics.

Why "Then and Now" Posts Work for Engagement

The effectiveness of these posts is rooted in emotional resonance and relatability:

• Nostalgia: Encourages audiences to reminisce and connect emotionally
• Storytelling: Visual before/after tells a complete narrative in one glance
• Virality: Share-worthy content inspires and entertains
• Authenticity: Demonstrates genuine progress, not just marketing polish

These elements can help you bond with existing followers while attracting new ones.

Deciding on a Relevant Theme

Choosing a theme aligns your post with your audience’s interests. Popular themes include:

• Personal Life Events: Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations
• Company Growth: First office vs. current headquarters
• Product Journey: First prototype vs. current best-seller

Ask yourself: “Which transformation will be most meaningful to my followers?”

Selecting High-Quality "Then" and "Now" Photos or Videos

Strong visuals are key to engagement, as Facebook’s algorithms favor compelling imagery. Aim for:

1. High resolution to prevent pixelation
2. Consistent lighting for accurate comparison
3. Instant emotional impact that conveys the story at first glance

![diagram]()

Editing and Cropping for Consistency

To create a cohesive visual:

• Crop both images to the same aspect ratio (e.g., 1:1 for Facebook grid)
• Adjust brightness and contrast
• Use filters minimally to avoid distortion

You can use tools like Canva, Photoshop, or free editors like Fotor and Pixlr.

## Example: Image resizing in Python with Pillow

from PIL import Image

img = Image.open("then.jpg")
img_resized = img.resize((800, 800))  # Resize to square
img_resized.save("then_square.jpg")

Using Facebook’s Collage or Side-by-Side Feature

Facebook lets you arrange multiple photos in creative layouts. For best results:

1. Go to your profile or page and click Photo/Video
2. Select both "Then" and "Now" images
3. Choose a horizontal or vertical collage format
4. If the built-in options don’t suit your story, create a side-by-side in a design tool and upload it as one image

Crafting a Compelling Caption

Pair your visuals with context and emotion:

• Add dates or time spans: “From 2010 to 2024, what a journey!”
• Share brief backstory of the transformation
• Include an emotional hook or question to prompt responses

Example:

*"2010 – We started in a small garage with two laptops.

2024 – We’re now a global team serving customers in 50 countries. What’s your favorite transformation story?"*

Tagging People, Pages, or Locations

Tagging boosts reach by alerting those tagged and linking to their networks. You might tag:

• People featured in the photos
• Business collaborators or clients
• Relevant locations from each time period

Ensure you have permission for older images before tagging.

Adding Relevant Hashtags and Keywords

While less prominent than Instagram, Facebook hashtags can aid discovery. Consider:

• #ThenAndNow
• #TransformationTuesday
• #GlowUp
• #Progress

You can supplement these with industry-specific or location-based hashtags.

Scheduling Posts for Optimal Engagement

Post timing matters. Research when your audience is most active, and schedule accordingly. Below is a sample timing guide:

Use Facebook’s scheduler or tools like Buffer and Hootsuite.

![diagram]()

Encouraging Audience Interaction

Prompt engagement to increase algorithmic reach:

• Ask questions tied to your theme
• Issue challenges (e.g., “Post your own Then & Now”)
• Create polls to spark debate over past vs. present

Monitoring Comments and Responding

An active comment section extends reach:

• Respond quickly and authentically
• React to positive feedback
• Answer questions thoroughly

An engaged thread signals content relevance to Facebook.

Analyzing Post Performance with Facebook Insights

Measure what works to refine your strategy:

• Reach: The number of viewers
• Engagement: Likes, comments, and shares
• CTR: For posts linking elsewhere
• Audience demographics: Age, geography, device type

Apply these insights to determine optimal post times, preferred formats, and popular themes.

---

Final Thoughts

Mastering how to make a Then and Now post on Facebook can help you consistently boost engagement, nurture your community, and showcase milestones in a memorable way. The winning combination is high-quality visuals, sincere storytelling, well-timed posting, and active conversation.

Ready to try it? Choose your “Then” and “Now” images today, craft a relatable caption, and share your transformation to inspire your followers — and maybe even go viral.