Are you tired of the daily grind of manually posting on social media? Running out of time, inspiration and ideas day after day? We highly recommend scheduling in advance! Social media scheduling is the key to maximising productivity and engagement on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. This ultimate guide will walk you through the best tools and strategies for scheduling posts, helping you maintain a strong online presence while being as efficient as possible with your time and energy. Whether you’re a small business owner, an influencer, or a social media manager, this guide will help you streamline your social media strategy. Ready to transform your social media game? Let’s dive in!
The importance of social media scheduling
Social media scheduling is crucial for maintaining consistency across your brand, and as a South West business targeting local audiences, digital marketing is a vital way to reach people. Scheduling allows you to post at optimal times, ensuring your content reaches users when they are most likely to be engaged. Scheduling also helps ensure regular and timely posts, which help build brand awareness, foster customer loyalty, and drive traffic to your website.
Benefits of using a social media scheduling tool
Time-saving
Plan and schedule posts in advance, freeing up time for other important tasks.
Consistency
Maintain a regular posting schedule, which is vital for audience retention.
Analytics
Track the performance of your posts and optimise your strategy based on real-time data.
Multi-platform management
Handle all your social media accounts in one place, simplifying your workflow.
Our top 4 social media schedulers
Meta Business Suite is a powerful tool specifically designed for scheduling posts on Facebook and Instagram. While it offers deep integration with these platforms and features like detailed analytics and audience insights, some users find it occasionally glitchy, which can affect the scheduling experience. Using Meta Business Suite has been proven to increase engagement over using third-party schedulers, but in our experience, it is very glitchy and time-consuming.
Pros:
- Deep integration: Seamlessly integrates with Facebook and Instagram, offering native features like Stories and Reels scheduling.
- Detailed analytics: Provides comprehensive insights into audience engagement and post performance.
- Free: This platform is free for users, so it is a great affordable option.
Cons:
- Glitches: Some users experience occasional glitches, which can disrupt scheduling.
- Limited platform support: Only supports Facebook and Instagram, not ideal for those managing multiple platforms.
- User interface: Can be complex and overwhelming for new users.
Clixlo stands out with its unique feature of being able to add first comments to scheduled posts. This feature can significantly boost engagement by highlighting key messages or calls to action right after the post is published. Clixlo supports scheduling for Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, making it a versatile option for enhancing social media interactions.
Pros:
- First comment feature: Unique ability to add first comments to scheduled posts, boosting engagement by directing attention to key points.
- Multi-platform support: Compatible with Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, making it versatile for various social strategies.
- User-friendly interface: Easy-to-navigate dashboard with intuitive scheduling tools.
Cons:
- Limited analytics: Offers basic analytics, which might not be sufficient for advanced performance tracking.
- Feature limitations: Some advanced features require a paid subscription.
- Newer platform: As a relatively newer tool, it may have less robust support and fewer integrations compared to older, more established platforms.
- Slow: The platform can run very slow.
Sendible is an affordable and reliable platform that is perfect for managing multiple social media accounts. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools, including content scheduling, analytics, and social listening, making it an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes looking to streamline their social media operations.
Pros:
- Comprehensive toolset: Includes features like content scheduling, analytics, and social listening, covering a wide range of social media needs.
- Affordable: Offers competitive pricing, making it accessible for small businesses and startups.
- Multi-account management: Ideal for managing multiple social media accounts across different platforms.
Cons:
- Steep learning curve: The wide range of features can be overwhelming for beginners.
- Basic user interface: The interface is functional but may lack the polish and user experience enhancements of other platforms.
- Occasional lag: Some users report occasional lagging issues, particularly when managing a large number of accounts or posts.
Canva is widely known for its user-friendly design tools, and Canva Pro includes a powerful social media scheduler as part of its all-in-one platform. This feature allows users to design and schedule social media posts directly within Canva, making it a convenient solution for content creators and businesses alike.
Pros:
- Integrated design and scheduling: Offers a seamless transition from design to scheduling, saving time and effort.
- Multi-platform posting: Supports scheduling for multiple platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more (does not support Google Business profile posting).
- Template library: Access to Canva’s extensive library of templates, graphics, and design elements.
Cons:
- Design-focused: Primarily a design tool, it may lack some of the advanced scheduling features found in dedicated social media tools.
- Limited analytics: Provides basic analytics, which might not meet the needs of users looking for in-depth performance data.
- Higher cost for full features: Full access to scheduling features requires a Canva Pro subscription, which may be more expensive compared to other scheduling tools.
How to choose the right social media scheduling tool
Selecting the right tool depends on your needs:
- Platform compatibility: Ensure the tool supports your primary social media channels.
- Features: Look for features like analytics, content calendars, and user collaboration.
- Budget: Choose a tool that fits within your budget.
Step-by-step guide to setting up your social media schedule
- Identify your goals: Define what you want to achieve with your social media strategy.
- Create a content calendar: Plan your posts around holidays, promotions, and events.
- Select your tool: Choose a scheduling tool that meets your needs.
- Draft your content: Write engaging posts tailored to your audience.
- Schedule posts: Use your chosen tool to schedule posts at optimal times.
- Monitor and adjust: Track performance and make necessary adjustments.
Best practices for effective social media scheduling
- Post at optimal times: Use analytics to research when your audience is most active.
- Mix content types: Alternate between promotional, educational, and entertaining content.
- Engage with your audience: Respond to comments and messages promptly.
Analysing and optimising your social media schedule
Use analytics from your scheduling tool to track engagement, reach, and conversions. Adjust your content strategy based on these insights to maximise effectiveness.
Advanced tips and strategies for maximising productivity and engagement
- Use first comments: Tools like Clixlo allow you to add first comments, which can increase post engagement.
- Leverage user-generated content: Sharing content created by your followers can help build a community.
- A/B testing: Experiment with different post formats and times to see what works best.
Take control of your social media strategy by scheduling
Implementing a social media scheduling strategy can save time, maintain consistency, and boost engagement. Explore the tools and tips mentioned in this guide to take your social media game to the next level.
Our next blog is going to show you the data behind successful social media posts. Stay tuned on Facebook or join our community to ensure the blog is sent to your inbox, alternatively, you can Contact Us for personalised guidance on your business marketing.