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Facebook · Lesson 6 of 43

Social Media Scheduling Tools

As a social media marketer, automating publishing frees time for tasks that need your attention, such as responding to people and planning.

1 Learn the concept

As a social media marketer, automating publishing frees time for tasks that need your attention, such as responding to people and planning. Scheduling tools let you prepare posts in advance and publish them at chosen times. They do not replace being present, but they make consistency possible. This lesson explains how scheduling works and how to choose a tool.

Four steps: plan, create, schedule and engageA BATCHING WORKFLOW1PlanChoose topics fromthe content calendar2CreateWrite and design aweek at once3ScheduleQueue posts at thebest times4EngageReply to commentsdaily
Batching content frees your week for replying and planning.

2 See it in action

  • Batch your work: write and schedule a week or month at once.
  • Choose a tool by what you need: platforms supported, team access and price.
  • Schedule at times your audience is active, then adjust from results.
  • Stay present: check comments and messages daily.

Worked example

A Monday hour that covers the week

10 minutes: choose five topics from the calendar.

30 minutes: write captions and prepare images.

10 minutes: schedule posts for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

10 minutes: check last week's best post and note why.

Rest of the week: 15 minutes a day to reply to comments and messages.

3 Study an example

Example scenario

A freelancer manages five accounts. She spends Monday morning scheduling the week's posts, then spends her daily check-ins replying to comments. Her clients get consistent posting and quick replies.

4 Apply it and download

  1. Choose a scheduling tool and list why it fits.
  2. Schedule five posts.
  3. Create a weekly routine for scheduling and replying.

Worksheet Weekly social routineOpen, print or save as PDF

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