Streamlining content scheduling, performance monitoring, and multi-platform follower engagement can be effectively done by businesses with the right tools. 78% of marketers say social media tools improve efficiency and help meet marketing goals (Buffer State of Social Report).
What is Social Media Management?
As the name implies, Social media management is the process of creating, publishing, and analyzing content on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn, amongst others. Social Media Management also consists of community engagement, audience building, and monitoring of social media output.
Businesses opt to leverage social media management tools to streamline these processes and maintain a consistent and effective online presence. According to Hubspot, Businesses using social media management tools experience an average 20% increase in productivity.
Benefits of Social Media Management Tools
Social media management tools are designed to simplify and optimize the process of managing multiple accounts:
- Time-Saving: Automates scheduling and posting. Businesses using social media tools save an average of 6 hours per week on content management (Sprout Social).
- Performance Tracking: Provides insights into engagement, reach, and audience behavior.
- Improved Engagement: Helps manage responses and interactions efficiently.
- Collaboration: Allows multiple team members to work together seamlessly.
- Content Curation: Finds and suggests relevant content for sharing.
Key Features to Look for in Social Media Management Tools
When choosing a social media management tool, consider the following features:
- Scheduling and Automation: Ability to schedule posts in advance across multiple platforms. Posts scheduled at optimal times generate 30% more engagement than manually posted content (CoSchedule).
- Analytics and Reporting: Detailed insights into post-performance and audience behavior.
- Collaboration Tools: Multi-user support with approval workflows.
- Integration with Multiple Platforms: Support for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and other platforms your social media strategy will use.
- Customer Support & Engagement: Features like message inbox and comment management.
- Affordability & Scalability: There are different price options for small and large corporations, with solutions that scale as you expand your business and underlying processes.
Top Social Media Management Tools
1. Hootsuite
Overview:Many social media managers use Hootsuite to schedule their posts on social media platforms. Hootsuite creates multi-channel social media marketing campaigns. Users of Hootsuite experience 23% more customer engagement after simply using Hootsuite for three months. (Hootsuite Internal Reports).
Key Features:
- You can schedule your posts for several social media networks like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X(formerly Twitter), etc.
- Access robust analytics to track performance.
- Monitor brand mentions and conversations in real time.
- Team collaboration features for assigning tasks.
Pricing:
- Free plan available (limited features).
- Paid plans start at $49/month.
| Example Use Case: A digital marketing agency uses Hootsuite to manage accounts for multiple clients, schedule posts, and generate performance reports. |
2. Buffer
Overview:Buffer is a tool that can make scheduling content and tracking performance easy.
Key Features:
- The best time to post will get automated.
- Study how posts perform through reporting.
- Strategize and Foresee Instagram Stories.
Pricing:
- There is a free plan with three social accounts.
- The paid plans begin at $6 per month for each social channel.
| Example Use Case: Buffer helps small businesses create a consistent posting schedule to increase their Instagram engagement by 15%. |
3. Sprout Social
Overview:Sprout Social is a social media and customer relationship management (CRM) software.
Key Features:
- Advanced analytics and reporting.
- Brand mentions can be tracked using social listening tools.
- This tool helps you to manage your customers.
- All-in-one inbox for responding to messages across platforms.
- Unified inbox for responding to messages across platforms.
Pricing:
- Plans start at $249/month.
| Example Use Case: A retail brand uses Sprout Social to track customer feedback and improve response times, leading to a 20% increase in customer satisfaction. |
4. Later
Overview:Later is a visual-first platform ideal for Instagram and Pinterest management.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop post-scheduling.
- Linkin.bio feature is used to drive traffic to your website.
- Hashtag suggestions for better reach.
Pricing:
- Free plan available.
- Paid subscriptions begin at $15 a month.
| Example Use Case: A fashion influencer uses Later to plan Instagram posts and track the performance of their hashtag strategy. |
5. SocialBee
Overview:SocialBee helps you categorize and automate your content to achieve a diverse content calendar.
Key Features:
- SocialBee makes it easier to post different types of content by creating categories.
- Use lasting content over and over again to get more audiences.
- Analytics for performance insights.
Pricing:
- Plans start at $19/month.
| Example Use Case: A tech startup balances promotional content with educational one to keep the audiences engaged. |
6. Agorapulse
Overview:Agorapulse aims to simplify social media management with a neat and clean interface.
Key Features:
- A single box that handles messages.
- Automated appointment setting and content posting.
- Listening to Social Media to see Trends.
Pricing:
- Free plan available.
- Paid plans begin at $79/month.
| Example Use Case: A nonprofit organization uses Agorapulse to keep track of its campaign hashtags and respond to supporters. |
7. Canva (with Content Planner)
Overview:Primarily a design tool, Canva now includes a content planner for scheduling visually appealing posts.
Key Features:
- Design templates for social media graphics.
- Schedule directly from Canva to platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
- Team collaboration for content creation.
Pricing:
- Free plan available.
- Paid plans start at $12.99/month.
| Example Use Case: A bakery and cafe business uses Canva to design Instagram graphics and schedule social media posts for its daily specials. |
8. Sendible
Features:
- Multi-platform publishing
- Social listening tools
- White-label reports
Pros: Good for agencies, customizable dashboard.
Cons: Can be overwhelming for beginners, expensive.
Pricing: Starts at $29/month.
9. eClincher
Features:
- Unified inbox
- Smart scheduling
- Advanced analytics
Pros: Excellent automation tools, powerful analytics.
Cons: UI needs improvement, slightly expensive.
Pricing: Starts at $59/month.
Choosing the Right Tool for Your Business
Factors to Consider:
- Budget: Determine what you can afford monthly or annually.
- Platform Support: Ensure the tool supports the platforms you prioritize.
- Team Size: Look for collaboration features if multiple people will use the tool.
- Features: Match the tool’s features with your specific needs (e.g., analytics, scheduling).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best social media management tool for small businesses?
Which tool is best for Instagram scheduling?
What is the most affordable social media management tool?
Do these tools support multiple users?
Can I track competitor performance with these tools?
Do social media management tools help with content creation?
The Bottomline
Social media management tools are important for the proper business running and to help optimize the online presence. From Hootsuite’s all-in-one dashboard to Later’s strictly visual-first approach, there’s a tool for every need and budget.
To choose the right tool, you should know your goals, audience, and resources. Beginning with free plans helps analyze results and upgrade later if necessary. When you have the right tool, you will save time and increase engagement and measurable success on social media.
Make your move today- and choose a tool to start scheduling on your social media!
