Whether you’re a big brand or a small business, the content you create and share on social media can have a big impact. But if you’re going to the trouble of creating good content, you should make sure you get as much mileage out of it as possible.
Posting content to multiple social networks is a really easy starting point and can be done for free with a social media automation tool. These tools allow you to easily create and share posts on multiple platforms and create a queue of content for the upcoming week.
Many of these social automation tools are similar (in a good way!) and paid versions are in the $15-100/month range depending on what features you’re looking for, including number of connected social profiles, number of users, analytics, review management, etc.
At the free price point, Buffer is my favorite because it’s so easy to create a queue of upcoming content and set a schedule for your posts. For example, you can load up your Buffer account with 10 posts (aka pieces of content) and schedule them to post automatically every two days. Now, you’re queued up for the next week, and your evergreen social content doesn’t feel like a daily/weekly burden.
The free version of Buffer maxes out with a limit of 3 social accounts, 10 scheduled posts, and 1 user, but paid plans let you increase those limits. Competitor Hootsuite allows up to 30 scheduled post, however, since Buffer’s free app and extension are so easy to use on mobile, it’s easy enough to use the free plan and just fill up your queue whenever it gets low.
Sharing additional, in-the-moment content on your favorite channel is great too, but for any posts that can be scheduled, using some type of social media automation tool just a smarter way to go.
P.S. – These social automation tools aren’t meant to be confused with Instagram “reciprocity” tools that violate Instagram’s terms and conditions policy by attempting to use bots to follow other users and engage with content. Most of these Instagram automation bots are loathed by Instagram and you risk getting your account banned so use at your own risk!