The 3 Best Scheduling Apps for Social Media Pros

If you’re anything like most SMMs in my community, you probably spend a TON of time creating high-quality content to push out for your clients.

Not to mention all the bomb content you make for your own business.

And once you finish the video, caption, or epic graphic, you sit back in your chair and think, “Finally, my work here is done” 🎉

BUT - you’re instantly hit with a wave of dread because now you actually have to push out each and every one of these posts.

Why does it always feel like this massive chore?

Why does it feel like more work to post the content than it is to create the content itself?

And what is the solution to this soul-sucking task? 😩

I got you!

I’ve got all the tips and tricks when it comes to pushing out your social media posts in the most low-maintenance way possible. ✅

I’m gonna share my top 3 favorite scheduling tools that I use in my own business as well as to help my clients' accounts grow and thrive.👇🏻

Later

Starting off strong with my fave scheduling software: Later. ❤️

I use this software for both myself and my clients and it truly never fails to do the job.

I’m team Later because it works for almost every single platform I use. That’s Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and even TikTok.

In terms of working with clients, this is a game-changer. ⚡

When I use Later for client work, I don't need to log in and out of a bunch of different software and accounts for each and every client’s scheduling.

I keep it all in one place and toggle between my clients’ schedules.

Keeping it simple saves me SO much time when it comes to scheduling. 

Another huge bonus that comes with using Later is the analytics. 📊

The Later analytics tool helps you manage your community and conversations across so many platforms.

Later’s analytics keeps all the information about how your content is performing in one place. 

That way you can compare how successful the same piece of content is across different platforms and be strategic with your posts moving forward. ⭐

The thing to understand about Later is that, although it does offer auto-publishing for feed posts it does have one catch.

Later will not auto-publish carousel posts or story posts to Instagram. 

Don’t panic. 🙅🏻‍♀️

This software has a pretty great solution to this problem! 🎉

You are still able to plan your story posts and carousel posts in Later. No issues there.

BUT - when the time comes to post them you’ll get a notification on your phone to remind you that it’s time to publish your content manually.

You simply head into the app and the graphics will be auto-saved to your camera roll and the caption will be automatically copied to your clipboard.

Then you quickly head to Instagram and push out the post manually.

While there may be a couple of extra steps to get your carousel and story posts out, but overall, Later has so many amazing features that I find it’s absolutely worth it. ✅

Facebook Creator Studio

If you’re sitting there thinking, “K Amber, I have like SOOOO many clients, pushing out all their carousel/story content manually is gonna be a HUGE pain in the butt! 😫”

I hear you!

I had this exact same problem in my own business which is why I’ve got another tool to help you get around it.

This tool is Facebook Creator Studio.

Because Facebook and Instagram are owned by the same company, Facebook Creator studio is authorized to have more auto-publishing features than Later.

⚠️ WARNING: Facebook creator studio is NOT nearly as user-friendly as Later. ⚠️

It’s a little...clunky. 😬

So my little trick is to use Later for absolutely everything *except* Instagram carousels, story posts, and IGTV.

‘Cause, let’s be real. You’re frickin busy.

You do NOT need to be manually posting this stuff from your phone every few minutes to keep your clients happy.

Facebook Creator Studio is the best way I’ve found to get around the problem of manual publishing.

Later + Facebook Creator Studio helps me feel confident that I’m not wasting any of my precious time and that all my content is getting out into the world. ⚡

Canva

The final scheduling tool I’m gonna suggest is Canva.

Yes, as the self-proclaimed Canva queen 👑, I have to say I’ve been pretty impressed by the new scheduling features they’ve introduced.

They started out with a content planner. Then they gave us the ability to create graphics and push them out to Facebook. 

Now, they’ve added Twitter, LinkedIn and most recently even they got the approval to add Instagram to their list of platforms they publish to.

If you know me, you know that I LOVE Canva. 😍

Like, probably more than anybody else on the internet 😅

But unfortunately, their scheduling feature is just not robust enough for what I need in my business.

Don’t get me wrong, this could be a great tool for a small business owner, a small content creator, or someone who is just getting started.

Canva scheduling is a perfect way to dip your toe into the pre-planning and pre-scheduling world.

That’s why I included it on this list! It’s still a GREAT software. 🙌🏻 🙌🏻

BUT - if you have multiple clients and are using a ton of different platforms Canva might not do the trick.

Myth Busting

Ok, this is where I’m gonna get on my soapbox and preach a little bit.

There are two questions I get ALL. THE. TIME. about scheduling.👇🏻

1. Will using a scheduling tool decrease my engagement?
2. Will my account be shut down if I use a scheduling tool?

Let’s address these two questions head-on.

“Will using a scheduling tool decrease my engagement?”

Some people say this is true and some people say it’s not.

My advice would be to ignore the noise. 

Using a scheduling tool gives you soooooo much of your precious time back, so you can work on other projects or spend time with family and friends.

So really ask yourself: “Is using a scheduling tool worth losing a few likes? 🤔”

Most often, I think people will find that their answer is, “Yes!”

Because they get to spend more time doing what they love and less time stressing over pushing out posts one by one. ✅

“Will my account be shut down if I use a scheduling tool?”

The short answer to this question is no. ❌

That is, if you are using a software that is an approved Instagram partner.

Luckily, the ones I’ve listed today ALL fall under that category. 

But if you’re using another software I didn’t mention, how do you know if it’s approved?

Well, if you’re using a platform (other than Facebook Creator Studio) that auto publishes carousels, stories, and IGTV videos to Instagram - I hate to break it to you, but it’s probably *not* an approved platform.

Instagram does not approve software that does anything on the account owner's behalf. 

If you are using a software that goes against Instagram’s terms and conditions, that is a good way to get your account shut down. 😬

I would recommend checking out one of the three platforms I’ve talked about and starting to make the switch to a platform you KNOW is approved by Instagram to avoid losing all the hard work you’ve done on your page. ✅

Picking the right scheduling app is all about streamlining and making the best of your valuable time while also serving your clients to the highest degree possible. ⭐

If you are trying to figure out even more ways to run your social media business AND continue to create content to serve your clients I’ve got just the thing for you. 

The Creative Content Lab is my membership program for women who are ready to break into the content industry and grow their own social media agency 👊🏻💥

Through this program, you will streamline your business, put systems and organization into place, develop winning strategies for your clients, and develop CREATIVE CONTENT for business owners!

I’ll be there every step of the way through monthly modules, calls, and by hosting a vibrant online community of powerful women who want to help each other succeed. ❤️

Ready to start creating content for your clients with ease? 

Join Us In The Creative Content Lab

WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO 🎥