Social Media Management Tools

Why Use a Social Media Management tool?

If you are serious about a social media campaign for your business, it can help to use a social media management tool. You will set up the tool, usually an online, subscription-based source, by connecting the tool to your social media accounts. It will then allow you to pre-write posts and date them for publish – across several types of media. Commenting and connections can be managed. And, all important, you can track how your posts affect your fans and the world.

That’s it in a nutshell. Each of the media can do the above tasks. But you manage each in its own location. A management tool helps to bring that all together, which will save you time and provide a better cross-platform comparison of success.

Social Media Management ToolsThere are many to choose from – what should you look for?

  1. What media (queue’s) they will manage
  2. How many “brands” at a time can be managed
  3. Calendar tool for scheduling posts are helpful
  4. Are they accessible from what devices: computer, phone
  5. Is easy-access support available
  6. Are learning tools available
  7. Do they offer research tools: relevant keywords, tags, trendings
  8. Some tools have available content to give you ideas about what to write
  9. Does the tool help manage paid ads
  10. Reporting tools are important: visits, shares, followers, reach, etc. must be available to analyze

Some that I’ve researched

Hootsuite – leader in the market, has a free package with which you can get started, move up when needed
https://hootsuite.com/plans/free

Social Pilot – more robust than some below. Individual account is reasonably priced.
https://www.socialpilot.co/plans

Buffer – free looks to be lacking in needed features, but might be good to get off the ground. Pro is reasonable at $15/month
https://buffer.com/

PostPlanner – low cost, use for Facebook & Twitter only
https://www.postplanner.com/

Socialoomph – their forte is Twitter in the free plan
https://www.socialoomph.com/

Friends+Me – use for Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr in the free account
https://friendsplus.me/

Zoho Social – use for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Instagram for a single brand
https://www.zoho.com/social/

In closing:
Decide what is important to you in your social media marketing campaigns – not all tools do all things.
Try out a few; many offer 30-day trials!

Happy Social Media Marketing!

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