How to Automate Social Media
Short on time but recognize the need for social media? Automating your posts and tweets may be the answer. There are numerous ways for you to write up your broadcasts in advance, queue them up, and let the software release them on a timed schedule. Here are a few options to consider:
Hootsuite
This popular service offers both paid and free plans for their social media management software. It includes message scheduling, analytics, RSS integration, and more. Also available as an iOS or Android app.
Buffer
Buffer adds the ability to upload photos and video, and also releases your posts at the most effective times of the day.
dlvr.it
Integrates with Google Analytics, automatically adds relevant hashtags to your posts, and has its own URL shortening service for links.
CoSchedule
This one differs from the others by including a calendar for incoming content, and also a utility for automatically reposting your most popular content during schedule gaps.
What NOT to Automate
Personalization goes a long way when it comes to interacting online. Don’t automate your responses. Twitter has the option to send an automated response when someone follows you. People can tell when a response is canned, and they don’t like it. It’s impersonal, and defeats the purpose of reaching out in the first place. People want to think, “Wow, this company took the time to respond to me personally! That’s so cool!” It’s how you build loyalty.
While social media may be a large time suck, you can still win at it by automating the parts that can be scheduled.