Tools For Showing Up On Social
If you didn’t hear, the next Brain Dump with Intention Master Class is coming up on Monday!
Social Media Scheduling is the topic and I was racking my brain for content behind this specific class because once you know when/where/what to post it’s really about the mindset around putting yourself out there, setting the schedule that works for you, and then doing the dang thing - scared, unwashed hair, best window lighting and all.
So if we’ve worked on those things and you’re stilllll not posting, maybe it’s the lack of tools to get it accomplished?
Designing, organizing, scheduling, tracking, oh my!
This is actually where some people get stuck because when you google social media schedulers there are over 31 different options…insert overwhelm and avoidance.
So I’m coming in hot with some tools. Are there other tools beyond this list? Ummmm 100% yes.
But, sometimes it takes messy action and utilizing a tool to realize what you like and don’t like about it. Then that could narrow down your other options to find the glass slipper of tools. And for those using this as an excuse…I just really want you to take the messy action!
Designing content:
For those who are not graphic designers, Canva is pretty darn amazing. There is a free version or a paid version where you can keep all your branding elements at your fingers tips to help you stay constantly on brand (ps: please stay consistently on brand!)
Hiring someone to create templates for you. This is where magic can happen and honestly, it’s worth the investment (which I’ve found is not crazy high). Having someone create 2 templates for each pillar you need is 100% worth it IMO. They know all those design things that will make you shine bright like the star you are and you don’t have to sift through 234 templates to find one and then take the time to adjust it to fit your branding.
Organizing content:
Ya know your girl loves google drive, so a google sheet could work perfectly. You can have a column for the weeks and your row can include the day of the week + your pillar. Then you fill in the content and have a layout of what is posted when and where.
Google Calendar: add your post topic as the title and then in the notes part add what image you’ll use and what verbiage you want to use
Canva: While I haven’t used this one, the paid plan lets you organize your posts in a content calendar.
Within a scheduling app: a friend of mine does this so that her Instagram grid looks aesthetically pleasing before she actually schedules and posts it. (we are total opposites as my brain shuts down when I see it this way and vice versa on my google sheet for her!)
Scheduling content (there are a billion):
Keeping it really simple - you can just set a reminder on your calendar or your task management system and post in real-time on any of the platforms and that’s free!
Planoly* is where I schedule out my Instagram posts and there is both a desktop version and an app version. There is a free and a paid version available depending on what you’d like to do within it. You can schedule to automatically post or just remind you and you can post and you can post to Instagram, Facebook (with the option to remove the hashtags!), Pinterest, and now TikTok.
Facebook is where I schedule my Facebook posts and it’s free as well!
Hootsuite and Later are others I’ve heard great things about
And when googling social media schedulers no joke so many popped up so determine what you need and which one you will actually use…then go from there!
Tracking analytics (ohhh yes!):
Keeping it super simple you can simply look at the specific platform’s analytics and see what type of engagement you’re getting - but I think we can take it a step further and do some tracking, eh?!
Surprise…google docs for me. Each platform gets a tab and then I track how many posts I did, likes, comments, shares, saves, engagement rates, etc. It’s not fun, but when you look at the important analytics (not just likes) you’ll see what your audience prefers and you can then go create more of that!
Going back to finding analytics, most of the schedulers have an analytics feature as well. Some are on the free version and some are paid (planoly). Some even show you the best times for you to post based on when your audience is engaging.
Now - because I’m a pretty simple sally when it comes to this stuff I’d love to hear what you all are using that helps you get your content from your brain (or your canva account) and out into the world!
PS: I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t plug the master class again so here it is as you’ll get more mindset works, some templates, and a bonus that comes from a friend who’s a true expert in this!
*this is an affiliate link so I’m putting it here because I legally have to ;)