Making Social Media Management Manageable
Published on March 9, 2021, at 5:33 p.m.
by Maggie Palmer.
With the rise of social media, it’s no surprise that social media scheduling programs have become a dime a dozen.
These programs allow users to queue content ahead of time, with many offering the capability to schedule for multiple social media platforms. Simply plug in your account’s username and password, and you’re ready to start planning.
These scheduling tools make social media management, well, manageable. Many organizations take advantage of them to balance the workload of running a business and establishing an online presence.
If you’re in the market for a social media scheduling program, explore the three listed below. You may just find the perfect fit.
Hootsuite
First up is Hootsuite. The program allows users to manage multiple social media accounts from one dashboard and is one of the most well-known on the market.
Hootsuite offers a free plan that allows users to manage up to three social media accounts and schedule up to 30 posts. There are also three paid options at varying price points. The fees are monthly, and the more you upgrade, the more features and accounts you’re allowed.
The program officially supports Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube. Furthermore, it offers app integration, meaning that additional platforms like Vimeo and Reddit can be linked to your Hootsuite account.
Hootsuite has a couple of features that can help businesses get the most out of their social media, but they come at a cost. With the paid options, you can generate custom analytics. Hootsuite’s most unique feature is its team-oriented approach to social media scheduling. Tasks can be delegated to other team members, providing a collaborative experience.
Hootsuite is popular for a reason. With a variety of options available, you’re guaranteed to find something that works for your organization.
Buffer
Buffer is another popular option for those looking to manage multiple accounts from one place. It is known for its clean, organized interface and easy learning curve.
Like Hootsuite, Buffer has a free option and three paid plans. For free, users can add up to three social media accounts and schedule up to 10 posts per account. The program supports Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and LinkedIn.
Buffer also offers customized analytics that can provide valuable insights to businesses. However, these reports are $50 per month, meaning they aren’t accessible to everyone.
Buffer and Hootsuite are extremely similar, so it may come down to the preferred interface and price point; Buffer plans are cheaper than those offered by Hootsuite.
TweetDeck
TweetDeck stands apart from Hootsuite and Buffer in that it only allows users to manage their Twitter accounts. However, this simplicity may be beneficial for smaller businesses that have a limited staff and less time to dedicate to multiple platforms.
Because TweetDeck is owned by Twitter, its integration is extremely streamlined. The program provides columns for users to manage their notifications, mentions, news feed, hashtags and other users’ accounts.
Another perk of TweetDeck is that it’s completely free. Every account has the same features, which creates a level playing field in terms of capabilities. Users can log into and out of as many accounts as they wish without dropping a penny.
For small businesses that have as many employees as they do social media accounts, TweetDeck may be the perfect fit.
Hootsuite, Buffer and TweetDeck are all great options for businesses big and small. Regardless of which option you choose, using a social media scheduling program to better establish your online presence is easy and effective.
