In this current technological age, using an automation tool to schedule your social media posts can be a lifesaver. Think about how much time automation can save you – or your VA – by batching your social media posting for the month all in one day! Once you get the graphics created and posts written, it’s quite a simple process to get them loaded and dated to publish at the exact right time that your audience will be online. And this means that instead of having to think about what to post every day, you can log in and simply respond to any questions or comments that have come through each day. Make sure to add your own personal spin to each conversation!
So, think of automation as a way to jumpstart your social media practices. Use a calendar to plan out your days, weeks, and months. Create the posts and then load them up to your automation tool. Even better, many of the automation tools I’m going to tell you about have built-in creation centers, making the process even easier! Making the automation part easy will give you more time and excitement for interacting with your audience.
There are hundreds of automation tools on the market, and most will let you schedule posts, publish posts at times you specify, and also re-post at times you specify. These tools also allow you to post many types of media from text, images, and videos to platform-specific customizations, like hashtags and emojis.
As with anything tech-related, you’ll find platforms with all sorts of bells and whistles and others that work on a smaller scale, either with limited social platform abilities or fewer features. Decide if you want to use a tool with the bare minimum, to get used to the process; or do you want a tool that you can grow into, with features that you may not need right away but anticipate using down the road. The choice is yours.
If you don’t already have an automation tool in your arsenal, choose from one of the following to start. I have personally used all of these tools and recommend them.
SocialBee
Features include: Organize Posts in Categories, customize for each profile, re-queue content, create variations of your posts, Expire re-queued posts after a certain date or number of shares, create hashtag collections, create different schedules for each profile, connect your Canva account to design graphics in SocialBee, have multiple works spaces (great of you have multiple businesses), allow for content approval if you have people on your team who will be helping you, and so much more!
They also have a concierge service that will create content and engage for you!
Platforms: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Business Profile, TikTok
PromoRepublic
Features include: smart time slots, post recycling, a visual social media calendar, all-in-one social inbox, mobile app, post ideas, Graphics, and graphics editor.
Platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Business Profile
Constant Contact
That's right! If you have a Constant Contact account, you already have a social media management tool!
Features include: schedule content, read and respond to conversations on Facebook and Instagram, reshare content, and EASILY share your email marketing campaigns to social media.
Platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn & Twitter
SocialSpin 365Spin Nest 365- Pro Scheduler
Features include:
-Scheduler (manage all of your channels in one place, create drip campaigns)
Unlimited channels
Unlimited Users
Unlimited posts
-Amazing Done-for-you Content (prompts & graphics) every single day (Review, Approve, Relax) + unique categories for Business, Realtor or Health& Wellness coming soon
-Access to news and article feeds – Major outlets
-Complete library access to marketing videos, tips and guides (Make marketing simple)
-One-to-One attention with training and onboarding
Platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, GBP, other platforms through push notifications.
Facebook allows you to schedule posts to FB pages and business IG accounts.
Features: Post direct, save drafts or schedule out your posts, right within your FB account.
You can also schedule in Facebook groups BUT you must be an administrator or moderator. You can’t schedule posts in other people’s Facebook groups, for example.
Platforms: Facebook, Instagram
TailWind
Features include: Design center, scheduling, hashtag finder, shoppable Smart.bio feed, analytics
Platforms: Pinterest, Instagram
Regardless of what automation tool you use, supercharge your social media efforts with a solid plan. Fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants social media marketing won't get you the consistent results you're looking for. Check out my Social Media Posting Planner workbook. With this 28-page planner, you will be able to plan your effective social media posting strategy.
Tracey Lee Davis, founder of ZingPop Social Media, turns busy small business owners into online marketing rockstars! A social media expert and Certified Solution Provider for Constant Contact, she coaches entrepreneurs in how to grow their business using social media and provides total management for their email marketing campaigns. Tracey Lee is also a featured speaker for associations and business groups. She is Alignable's 2022 Local Business Person of the Year for San Jose, a Certified Content Marketing Strategist, and the Co-Owner and Vice President of the Women’s Networking Alliance. She also really, really loves cheese.
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