75% of organisations use marketing automation software, and scheduling social media posts is the most popular digital marketing element, with 83% of marketers automating social media posting. In this article, we will discuss what is social media automation, the pros of social media automation, some pitfalls to avoit and the social media automation tools that you can use.
What is Social Media Automation?
Social media automation is the process of scheduling posts, updates, and other content to social media platforms in advance. It’s a great way to save time and ensure a consistent presence on social media, without having to manually post content every day.
Pros of Social Media Automation
Social media automation has many advantages that make it a great way to manage your social media presence.
> Time Savings
Scheduling posts in advance is one of the biggest time savers of automation. This allows you to create content, plan your campaigns, and schedule posts all at the same time, so you don’t have to worry about manually posting every day.
> Consistency
Automation tools help you maintain a consistent presence on social media, which is key for increasing engagement and building a community.
> Efficiency
Automation tools help you streamline your social media tasks, which makes it easier to manage multiple accounts and campaigns.
> Analytics
Automation tools provide insights into your performance, so you can see what’s working and what’s not.
Social Media Automation Tools
There are many different types of automation tools available, ranging from simple scheduling tools to more sophisticated ones that offer analytics and insights. Here are some of the most popular automation tools:
> Hootsuite: one of the most popular social media automation tools, offering scheduling, analytics, and insights into your performance.
> Buffer: a great tool for scheduling posts in advance and tracking engagement.
> Sprout Social: one of the most comprehensive automation tools, offering scheduling, analytics, insights, and more.
> MeetEdgar: a great tool for automating your content and creating campaigns.
> Agorapulse: a powerful automation tool that offers scheduling, analytics, and customer service features.
Each of these tools has its own unique features, so it’s important to do your research to find the one that best fits your needs.
Pitfalls to Avoid When Using Social Media Automation
While automation tools can be great for managing your social media presence, there are some pitfalls to avoid when using them.
> Over-automation
Automation tools can save you time, but it’s important not to rely on them too much. Make sure to regularly post fresh content and engage with your followers.
> Not tracking performance
Automation tools provide insights into your performance, so it’s important to track important metrics like engagement, reach, and impressions. This will help you adjust your strategy and ensure that you’re getting the most out of your automation tools.
> Not monitoring conversations
Automation tools also allow you to monitor conversations and respond to messages quickly. This is a great way to build relationships and increase engagement.
> Not testing & optimizing
Automation tools offer testing and optimization features, so you can see what’s working and what’s not. Make sure to take advantage of these features to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your automation tools.
> Not setting goals
Before you start using automation tools, it’s important to set clear goals and objectives for your social media presence. This will help you create a strategy and ensure that you’re using the tools effectively.
To Sum Up…
Social media automation is a great way to save time and ensure a consistent presence on social media. There are many different types of automation tools available, ranging from simple scheduling tools to more sophisticated ones that offer analytics and insights. It’s important to do your research to find the one that best fits your needs, and to use the tools effectively. With the right automation tools and strategy, you can save time and increase engagement.
If you want to go further and automate other monotonous tasks in your marketing strategy, check out our complete article about marketing automation.