Social media is a must have component of any successful marketing strategy.
But with multiple platforms, diverse content formats, and ever-changing algorithms, managing your social media presence can be overwhelming.
That’s where the right tools come in.
Whether you’re a small business owner, a marketer, or part of a large team, having the best tools for social media content planning at your disposal can streamline your workflow, improve consistency, and boost your social media’s overall effectiveness.
As a product photographer who helps businesses by creating social media content, I’ve had a look inside many of the tools we will discuss here.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the best tools for social media content planning available.
You’ll get insights into their features, pricing, and how they can fit into your strategy. So let’s get started.
Why You Need Specialized Tools for Social Media Content Planning
Streamlining Workflow
The right tools can transform your social media management from a chaotic task into a streamlined process. By organizing your tasks, scheduling posts in advance, and managing multiple platforms from a single dashboard, these tools save you time and reduce stress. For example, platforms like Hootsuite and Buffer allow you to schedule posts across all your social media accounts, ensuring that your content goes live at the optimal times without needing constant manual intervention.
Ensuring Consistency
Consistency is key in social media. A well-maintained posting schedule keeps your audience engaged and builds trust over time. Tools like CoSchedule and SocialPilot not only help you schedule posts but also offer analytics that ensure you’re posting the right content at the right time. This consistent presence can be a game-changer in building brand loyalty.
Integration Capabilities
One of the most powerful aspects of these tools is their ability to integrate with other software and platforms. Whether it’s syncing with your design tools like Canva, pulling in data from Google Analytics, or managing customer interactions through a CRM, the ability to integrate various aspects of your workflow means fewer headaches and more efficient processes.
Design and Scheduling Tools
Canva Pro
- Features: Canva Pro combines a drag-and-drop design interface with scheduling capabilities, allowing you to create and schedule posts directly from the platform. It’s perfect for those who want to maintain a cohesive visual style across all their social media platforms.
- Use Case: Ideal for marketers who need to design and schedule posts without switching platforms.
- Pricing: $14.99 per month.
Not an affiliate link!
Google Sheets
- Features: Google Sheets offers a highly customizable and budget-friendly option for social media planning. It’s great for smaller teams or individuals who need a flexible tool for tracking and scheduling posts.
- Use Case: Best for small teams or individuals on a budget who need a flexible tool.
- Pricing: Free (and don’t forget to check out the free social media calendar template I offer).
Pro Tip: For those just starting, combining Canva Pro’s design capabilities with Google Sheets’ organization might be the perfect low-cost solution.
Comprehensive Social Media Management Tools
Hootsuite
- Features: Hootsuite is a robust platform that offers multi-platform management, advanced scheduling, and analytics, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes. It also supports team collaboration, making it a strong choice for larger organizations.
- Use Case: Suitable for businesses of all sizes needing a robust management tool.
- Pricing: Starts at $99 per month.
Not an affiliate link!
Buffer
- Features: Buffer simplifies social media scheduling with an easy-to-use interface. It offers a free plan for small businesses, making it an excellent option for startups looking to build their online presence.
- Use Case: Ideal for small businesses and startups looking for an affordable, easy-to-use tool.
- Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $15 per month.
Not an affiliate link!
Sprout Social
- Features: Known for its advanced analytics and social listening capabilities, Sprout Social is a powerful tool for businesses that want to deeply understand their audience and track the effectiveness of their campaigns.
- Use Case: Best for businesses that need in-depth insights and customer engagement tools.
- Pricing: Starts at $249 per month.
Not an affiliate link!
Pro Tip: If you’re managing a small team, Buffer combined with Hootsuite could cover all your bases, offering both simplicity and depth in your social media strategy.
Tools for Content Recycling and Repurposing
Maximizing Content with MeetEdgar
- Features: MeetEdgar automates the process of content recycling by categorizing your content and scheduling it for reposting. This ensures that your evergreen content continues to reach new audiences, maximizing its value over time.
- Use Case: Ideal for businesses that want to keep their social media feeds active without constantly creating new content.
- Pricing: Starts at $29.99 per month.
Not an affiliate link!
Optimizing Campaigns with CoSchedule
- Features: CoSchedule offers a comprehensive marketing calendar with AI-assisted features that optimize the timing of recycled content. It’s perfect for marketers managing multiple campaigns who want to maintain a consistent posting schedule.
- Use Case: Best for content marketers managing multiple campaigns across different platforms.
- Pricing: Starts at $39 per month.
Not an affiliate link!
Content Recycling Advice
Content recycling isn’t just about reposting the same material—it’s about strategically repurposing content to extend its reach and impact. Here are some tips:- Repurpose Across Formats: Turn a popular blog post into a video, infographic, or social media series. This allows you to engage different audience segments who prefer various types of content.
- Refresh Evergreen Content: Regularly update your evergreen posts with new information or visuals to keep them relevant. This also gives you a reason to re-share them with your audience.
- Create a Content Library: Store your top-performing content in a library, making it easy to pull from for future posts. Tools like MeetEdgar and CoSchedule can automate the process of re-sharing these posts at optimal times.
- Use Data to Guide Recycling: Rely on analytics to determine which content resonates best with your audience, and schedule it for recycling at optimal times using AI-assisted features in CoSchedule.
Analytics and Performance Tracking Tools
SocialPilot
- Features: SocialPilot offers in-depth analytics, AI-assisted content creation, and bulk scheduling, making it a powerful tool for small teams that need detailed insights without the enterprise price tag.
- Use Case: Great for small teams needing detailed insights without the enterprise price tag.
- Pricing: Starts at $30 per month.
Not an affiliate link!
Iconosquare
- Features: Focused on visual networks like Instagram and TikTok, Iconosquare provides advanced analytics and social listening capabilities, making it ideal for brands heavily invested in visual content.
- Use Case: Ideal for brands focused on visual content on platforms like Instagram.
- Pricing: Starts at $39 per month.
Not an affiliate link!
Specialized Tools for Unique Needs
Pallyy
- Features: Pallyy offers visual planners, media organization, and client collaboration tools, making it particularly useful for agencies managing multiple clients with a strong focus on aesthetics.
- Use Case: Perfect for agencies managing multiple clients with a focus on visual content.
- Pricing: Affordable plans starting at $15 per month.
Not an affiliate link!
Agorapulse
- Features: Agorapulse combines scheduling, monitoring, reporting, and team collaboration tools, making it a comprehensive solution for businesses that require robust engagement and customer service tools.
- Use Case: Best for businesses that require robust engagement and customer service tools alongside content planning.
- Pricing: Starts at $79 per month.
Not an affiliate link!
Choosing the right tools for social media content planning can significantly impact your effectiveness and efficiency. By combining automated tools like Hootsuite, CoSchedule, and MeetEdgar, you can create a powerful social media strategy that drives engagement and builds your brand.
Ready to optimize your social media content planning? Start exploring these tools today and see how they can transform your social media strategy into a well-oiled machine.
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