We all know the social media struggle: scrambling for content ideas, rushing to post at “peak times,” and feeling overwhelmed by the constant upkeep.
And of course, while you are out there posting, you just have to start scrolling around, wasting even more of your precious time.
But what if you could maintain an active online presence without wasting so much time?
Social media built-in scheduling tools to the rescue!
By prepping and scheduling your posts for the week, you can reclaim your time and still engage your audience effectively.
From Chaos to Calendar: Your Social Media Scheduling Workflow
First – Plan Your Content: Before scheduling, plan your content mix. Use a calendar or project management tool to allocate different topics and themes (tips & tricks, industry news, engaging questions, etc.) across platforms. I use a simple Excel spreadsheet and list out topics of each day. Think about your target audience and what resonates with them.
Second – Craft Compelling Content: The first line of your post, the post headline, is the most important line in your copy. It is that one line that grabs your audience’s attention and has them pausing to read what you have posted. Write attention-grabbing headlines that spark conversation and reflect your brand voice. Provide value. Include relevant hashtags and calls to action. Remember, each platform has its own “language” – tailor your content accordingly.
Third – Scheduling Savvy: Now comes the magic! Here’s a platform-specific breakdown:
Facebook Group Pages:
- Simply create a post indie your group and in the bottom right corner of your post you will see a little calendar. Click on that to schedule your post.
- Choose the date and time.
- Save and you are all set!
Facebook Business Pages and Instagram:
- Use the Meta Business Suite to create and schedule content for both your business pages and connected Instagram accounts.
- Click on Content in the Meta Business Suite and select Scheduled on the top menu.
- Click on Create Post and write your post or copy and paste from your previous prep work (I keep most of my posting content in a Word doc so it can be repurposed at a later time.)
- Choose the date and time for the post.
- Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words. Use high-quality images and eye-catching formats.
- Schedule the post and you are done.
LinkedIn:
- In the “Start a post” section, click the clock icon at the bottom of the post to schedule.
- Select the date and time.
- Make sure you have some relevant hashtags.
- Click Next and you are all set.
Scheduling is a great way to ensure you are consistently posting to your audience.
Pick a day of the week and create the content, choose the images, and set up your posts for the week ahead.
NOTE: Scheduling Doesn’t Mean Set-and-Forget:
Remember, social media is about engagement. Even with scheduled posts, respond to comments and messages promptly to create and nurture a real connection with your audience.
Stay flexible – if a trending topic emerges, adapt your content and post in real time.
Using the built-in scheduling tools, you can transform social media from a time-consuming chore to an easy checkmark on your weekly to-do list.
Spend less time frantically posting and more time focusing on what matters: growing your business and connecting with your community.
Start scheduling and start saving time.
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If you are interested in getting my very simple Excel scheduling template with dates for 2024, shoot me an email at
https://autumnascent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AdobeStock_754895013-scaled-1.jpeg@autumnascent.com with the Subject “Template” and I will send it over to you. 🙂
#MarketingTips #ContentMarketing #SocialMediaScheduling