Social Media Best Scheduling Tools for 2024: Let’s Talk Metricool, Hootsuite (..and more)

In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, staying on top of your social media game is crucial. Marketers and influencers are constantly on the lookout for ways to streamline their scheduling processes, making them faster, more efficient, and ultimately more effective. 

As a team of individuals who handle a substantial amount of scheduling, we’ve decided to share our insights and opinions on the top social media scheduling tools. And no, none of these recommendations are at all sponsored – we’re just a team of people who know the pain of scheduling all too well.

First Things First, Why is Scheduling Social Media so Important?

Posting at Specific Times: Posting at specific times can significantly impact the performance of your social media content. Different social media platforms have varying peak times when their users are most active. By scheduling your posts during these periods, you increase the chances of your content being seen and engaged with. This is especially critical if you’re targeting a global audience, as aligning with active time zones can expand your reach.

Algorithm Favorability: Social media algorithms tend to favor fresh content. Posting when your audience is most active increases the likelihood of your content appearing in their feeds, leading to more likes, comments, and shares, and ultimately improving your post’s visibility.

Competitive Edge: Scheduling content during non-peak hours when there’s less competition can help your posts stand out. This is particularly advantageous for businesses seeking recognition in crowded markets.

Consistency: Consistently posting at specific times establishes a routine for your audience, making them expect and look forward to your content at these times. This, in turn, enhances their engagement and loyalty.

And how can scheduling tools help?

In a world where every minute counts, nobody wants to spend hours each week tied to their computer, scheduling posts on multiple platforms. At Digital Storyteller, we’re all about efficiency. We leverage scheduling tools to slash the time spent on this task, guarantee reliability (no more missed posts due to hectic meetings), and ensure our content reaches its audience when it matters most.

The Challenge of Managing Social Media (and How Scheduling Tools Can Help)

Maintaining an active and engaging social media presence is no small feat. Each social network has its own peak activity times when users are most active. To reach as much of your audience as possible, you need to post during these peak periods. However, for most businesses, posting everything in real-time is a logistical nightmare.

To address this challenge, software providers have developed solutions that simplify social media scheduling and posting. These tools allow you to create and schedule multiple posts in advance, giving you the freedom to post at optimal times. They also grant you more time for content creation and strategy development. In this blog post, we’ll delve into some of the leading social media scheduling and posting tools.

Now, let’s discuss our favorite social media scheduling tools.

Metricool

First on our list is Metricool, often hailed as the “Swiss army knife” of social media tools. Metricool has become the go-to choice for over a million professionals, agencies, and brands seeking a comprehensive solution for managing social media and online advertising.

Key Features

Multi-Platform Management: Metricool simplifies the process of managing multiple social media platforms, allowing you to centralize your efforts and save time.

Scheduling and Analytics: This tool offers a robust scheduling feature, enabling you to plan and schedule posts in advance. It also provides in-depth analytics to help you track the performance of your content.

Competitor Analysis: Gain insights into your competitors’ strategies, benchmark your performance, and refine your own tactics for better results.

Custom Reporting: Metricool lets you generate customized reports that highlight the metrics most relevant to your business.

Online Ad Management: In addition to social media, Metricool also supports online ad management, making it an all-in-one solution for your digital marketing needs.

User-Friendly: Metricool’s user-friendly interface and intuitive features make it accessible to both beginners and seasoned professionals.

Metricool caters to a wide range of users, from individual influencers to marketing agencies and large brands. Its versatility and comprehensive feature set make it an attractive option for those looking for an all-in-one solution.

Hootsuite – The Time-Tested Social Media Scheduler:

Hootsuite has long been a household name in the social media management realm. Renowned for its scheduling capabilities, it’s a trusted choice for marketers worldwide.

Key Features:

Social Media Dashboard: Hootsuite’s dashboard allows you to manage multiple social media profiles from a single location, streamlining your efforts.

Bulk Scheduling: Schedule posts in bulk, saving you time and ensuring a consistent posting schedule.

Content Curation: Discover and share content from a variety of sources to keep your audience engaged.

Team Collaboration: Collaborate with team members, assign tasks, and maintain a unified social media strategy.

Analytics: Hootsuite provides detailed analytics to measure the impact of your social media campaigns.

App Integrations: Easily integrate various apps and tools to enhance your social media management capabilities.

Hootsuite’s reputation as a reliable and user-friendly scheduling tool remains intact. It’s an ideal choice for those who prioritize efficiency and organization.

Buffer

Buffer is a popular social media scheduling tool that can help you streamline your social media management efforts. Here’s why Buffer is a valuable choice for managing your social media presence:

Key Features:

Share Click-Worthy Content:

Buffer provides insights on the best times to publish your content to maximize engagement and click-through rates. It helps you make your content stand out and grab your audience’s attention.

Build an Engaged Audience:

Buffer assists in growing your social media following organically. It can suggest relevant hashtags and share your content on the right channels to help you reach a wider audience.

Save Tons of Time:

Buffer allows you to schedule and automate your social media posts, reducing the manual workload. You can plan your content in advance and let Buffer take care of publishing it at the optimal times.

Coordinate with Ease:

Buffer offers collaboration features, such as permissions levels and approval flows, which facilitate teamwork without micromanagement. This is especially helpful for businesses and teams managing multiple social media accounts.

Company Information:

10 years in business: Buffer has a decade of experience in the industry, making it a reliable and trusted option for social media management.

Customer Support:

Buffer provides round-the-clock customer support through email and social media. Additionally, they maintain a comprehensive and regularly updated help center for users who prefer self-service options.

Buffer is an intuitive and affordable solution for those looking to efficiently manage and grow their social media presence. Its scheduling and automation features, coupled with its emphasis on engagement and audience growth, make it a valuable addition to any social media marketing toolkit.

Any Questions?

The goal of an outsourced digital marketing agency is to understand your business and your brand voice to then let the world know how awesome you are.

We start every engagement with a Brand Storytelling Session where we identify your unique brand voice. Then, our team uses bi-weekly client calls, and shared content calendars to make sure you know what’s happening.

We’ll bring you fresh ideas from our kick-a** creative team from a relationship built on trust. Because that’s the beauty of digital marketing.

For those who are interested in learning more about the difference between outsourced marketing and in-house marketing, read on here.