Bluehost

Divi Website Theme

Envato Market

Save $501 on the Connecting Women Business Conference

7 Compelling Reasons to Schedule Your Social Media

Today we’re going to be talking about 7 compelling reasons to schedule your social media, including the benefits, and tools to use. This is a topic that’s really important if you are trying to maintain a consistent presence online.

So whether you’re a social media beginner or a seasoned pro, this information is for you!

What does the scheduling of your social media mean?

Social media scheduling is a way that you can to plan your social media posting in advance, you are able to setup social posts for a time in the future.  

Scheduling your social content for the future free’s up your time allowing you to focus on other things instead of constantly wondering what to post and worrying that you haven’t posted recently.

Scheduling does not stop you from posting items of importance or interest in the moment.

Top 7 compelling reasons to schedule your social media?

1.  More time to focus on other tasks: By scheduling your social media posts in advance, you free up time in your day to focus on other tasks.
2.  Keep your social media presence consistent: By posting on a regular schedule, you can keep your social media presence consistent, which will help you attract and retain followers.
3.  Reach a larger audience: When you post at regular intervals, you’re more likely to be seen by a larger audience, which can help you expand your reach.
4.  Increase engagement: When you post on a regular basis, you can increase engagement with your followers, which can lead to more likes, comments, and shares.
5.  Drive traffic to your website: By including links to your website in your social media posts, you can drive traffic back to your site, which can help you increase leads and conversions.
6.  Stay top of mind: When you’re posting regularly, you’ll stay top of mind with your followers, which can help you build relationships and grow your business.
7.  Save time in the long run: While it may take some time to schedule your social media posts in advance, it will save you time in the long run by giving you a consistent presence on social media.

How do I schedule?

Scheduling is done using a scheduling tool.  A scheduling tool is an online piece of software that allows you to schedule your social posts across multiple social media accounts and platforms.

There are a lot of different scheduling tools out there, and it can be overwhelming to try to figure out which one is right for you. But don’t worry, I’m here to help!

I’ll be discussing the different features of some of the most popular scheduling tools, and giving you some tips on how to use them to your advantage.

Before you start researching what tool is right for you.

What do you need the tool to do for you?  What inclusions do you want in your chosen tool?  Consider some of the following items. 

1. What platforms you can schedule to
2. What type of posts you can schedule
3. Social media calendar
4. Analytics
5. Reporting
6. Inbox Management
7. Stock images
8. Content recycling
9. Drag and drop functionality
10. Bio Link Function
11. Manage Ads
12. Monitor your competitors
13. Historical Data
14. Ability to import posting data
15. Show optimal posting times
16. How many posts you plan on doing (some platforms limit this)
17. Zapier Integration
18. Canva integration
19. How to tutorials

Some Benefits of using a scheduling tool;

1. A scheduling tool makes it easy to keep up with your social presence, including managing, mentions, comments, and direct messages all from one place.  (this is super helpful for me as I get overwhelmed with all the different apps on my phone and keeping up with messages etc)

1. Instead of having to go and post into all the different social platforms you use to post you can schedule your posts across them all.  All managed from one convenient location. 

1. Tools can help track engagement, keywords and create reports too.  This helps you know what type of content is working best, and then you can focus your energy on producing similar content. 

1. Most scheduling tools allow for multiple users, so that you can have your team work on creating the content together.

Is there a free tool to schedule my social media?

Many tools offer a free plan, these plans are great as trials to see if you like the platform.  But be aware they are usually limited in some way.

Facebook has a scheduling tool built into the Meta Business Suite.  

You are also able to look at analytics in Facebook Creator Studio, but I hear that this is going to be closed down and all functions will be moved into the Meta Business Suite.  So I will just discuss the Meta Business Suite here.

To access the Meta Business Suite tool, click on Meta Business Suite on the left and then select content.

Pro’s of Meta Business Suite Content Scheduler  

• It’s free
• Feed and story posts
• Can integrate with some other business apps

Con’s of Meta Business Suite Content Scheduler  

• Only schedules posts to Facebook, Instagram and Messenger
• Limited analytics
• It’s constantly changing
• No free stock images
• A bit clunky and regularly has updates and changes

Some of the Social Media tools on the Market

• • Metricool
  • Later
  • Hootsuite
  • Buffer
  • Monday
  • Planoly
  • Sprout Social
  • Meet Edgar
  • Tailwind
  • Social Bee

  There are many more options, but these are the ones that I know about and I’ve used a number of them also.

Which Social Media Scheduling tool does Oh She Did recommend?

I use and recommend Metricool.  Metricool is a social media analytic and planning tool to measure, analyse and manage online content and digital campaigns.

Want to know why I use and recommend Metricool for social media scheduling?

I use and recommend Metricool for a social media scheduling tool because;

• It met the needs of my business
• The price was good for what was included
• It posts across all the social platforms that I use (including Linkedin & Pinterest)
• Great analytics
• Great tutorials
• Reporting
• Planner
• Best Hours to post
• Auto Lists and Auto Publish
• RSS feeds
• Analysis of competitors
• Message management
• Canva Integration
• Multiple Accounts (I can manage clients socials too)
• Stock Images

Here is a sneak peak at the planning screen on Metricool

These are the platforms you can schedule to using Metricool

I hope this has given you some more information so that you are able to make an informed decision regarding selecting a scheduling tool.

Metricool Pricing

Metricool has a Free plan, which is what I used to test out if I was happy with the platform.  Yes it does limit some functionality, but for most small businesses it’s a perfect starting point.  After a few days using Metricool, I found it to be exceptional and immediately signed up for a paid plan.

The paid plans start at $12USD per month, cheaper if you pay annually.

  Grab the free plan today > Metricool

For More Resources – checkout my blog ‘Must Have Resources for Getting Your Business Online.’

A couple of weeks ago I joined Kerwin’s Rae’s Fast Growth Summit online.

He shared some interesting statistics and information about social media.

Did you know that in In 2019 the statistics tell us that it takes potential customers 20 or more interactions with is before any conversation is started?

 “20 or more interactions!”

So, to be able to start getting these interactions with potential clients, via your social media, your social media needs to:

1. Create comfort with your brand
2. Create exposure to your brand
3. Create trust with your brand
4. Create familiarity
5. Give an element of entertainment and inspiration
6. Get potential customers onto your website/email list, so you can sell to them from your website via email.

So how exactly do you get your business in front of potential clients 20 plus times? 

It’s as easy as, not marketing to them!

What do I mean?

They need to get to know, like, and trust you before they will engage with you.  It’s kind of like dating, you don’t just go on a date with anyone, usually, you chat online, via text, perhaps on the phone.  Generally, it’s only once you have established that you like the person that you arrange that first date.

There are two types of marketing on social media;

1. Direct Marketing – ‘Buy My stuff’ (usually repels people.)
2. Utility Media – Helpful social media

Utility Media is the key, so how do you create helpful social media posts?

• Create content people want to interact with.
• Get to know your potential clients, their needs, and pain points
• Show you understand their pain points (Eg. got a problem with x – this is how I’d deal with it.)
• Create interest through your posts.

Some more stats

• Shoppers are 181% more likely to buy by watching a video
• 54% of social media users use social media to research products and services before they buy
• 71% of people will do business with shared content (as it’s a form of referral)
• Clicks from shared posts are 41% more likely to convert

 The current statistics on social media usage – Australian figures

• 16.5 million Facebook Users
• 9 million Instagram Users
• 6.4 million Snapchat Users
• 1.1 million Tik Tok Users

The average social media user is on 8.6 social platforms!

I must admit, this statistic astonished me!  How many platforms do you use?

So, which platform should you be using?

The answer is:  As many as possible, as the more visible your business, is, the more potential clients you are reaching.

So how do you do this?  We are all time-poor, so we need to make the best use of our time.

The key is to Create ONE Quality piece of content and then repurpose it into about 15 uses. (this is a topic I will cover another day).

Kerwin Rae, said that for his business Instagram generates 4 x more biz than Facebook.  This is something that you will need to assess for your individual business.

This is what’s working on Instagram at the moment;

Hashtags

• On Instagram posts with hashtags average 12.6 times more engagement than posts without hashtags.
• The best practice currently is to use between 9-12 hashtags per post
• Carousel posts are popular (highest engagement at the moment)
• Images are popular
• Video is popular

Instagram is a photo platform

• Use Instagram to search 50-60 relevant active hashtags and use 9-12 per post
• Add hashtags to the bottom of the post caption
• Love and reply to comments on your page within 15 minutes of the post being posted
• Use direct messages to engage with potential clients

80% + of social media users respond to messages so this is a great opportunity you need to be utilizing.

Look at selling via chat (then point to website link to buy the product).

 Online Conversation is the new Lead!

Updated October 2022

Starting a new blog or getting your business online can be overwhelming.

So, I’ve compiled a list of all my favourite tools and resources that I use and love to keep my business and my client’s businesses running.

You’ll find my must have resources for getting business online will help you with a beautiful blog, new website, social media tools, marketing, managing your business, book recommendations and much more!

 This post contains a few affiliate links. If you a purchase through one of my links, I’ll earn a small commission. We’re talking latte money, not enough to buy a pony.  I only recommend products that I use or have used and love.

Website Tools

BlueHost  for .com domains and website hosting.  This is what I use and recommend to my clients.

GoDaddy for domains and hosting – I purchase all my domains here but host my websites with BlueHost.  GoDaddy has good customer service.  Anytime I’ve had issues, I call and get to speak to an actual person and they’re always super helpful.  If you want a .com.au domain you can purchase from Godaddy.

Divi  by Elegant Themes – I use and recommend Divi by Elegant Themes.  Divi is a premium WordPress Theme and standalone WordPress plugin from Elegant themes that allows users to build websites using the visual drag-and-drop Divi page builder. … Elegant Themes’ Divi is a visual page builder and makes it easy to build websites without the need to know any code such as HTML, CSS or PHP.

Email Marketing

Flodesk – I use Flodesk for my emails.  Use Flo desk To Create Stunning Campaigns That Grow your Business.  Design emails that people actually Love to get in their Inbox— and look great on any device.  Easily convert leads with forms and an intuitive email builder.
Monthly Fee is $39USD BUT if you use my affiliate link you can get 12 months  at 50% OFF for only $19USD per month. >  https://flodesk.com/c/OHSHEDID 

Get Response – One of the best online marketing solution.  Includes, Autoresponders, landing pages, and email marketing automation.  Fee free when you have up to 500 contacts.

MailChimp – All in one marketing platform for managing customers and clients.  Mailchimp has Fee free plans for when you are just starting out in business.

Email Vault by Nikki Clark – A stack of 47 plug and play high-wattage email templates at your fingertips that will instantly turn subscribers into raving customers without you EVER having to write from scratch! (even if you’ve got a tiny list and haven’t emailed your subscribers for 6 months!)

Grahics + Design

Canva is my go to, I use it every day for creating social media content and graphics for my website. They offer free and paid options (hint, paid is best as you can do one image and with the click of a button resize for all platforms)

PicMonkey is another great (free!) tool for creating blog graphics

Unsplash – Free stock images, just ensure you check terms and use.

Label Life AU – for vinyl labels, gifts and custom business orders.

Envato Market for… EVERYTHING! Seriously – WordPress themes, icons, graphics, social media templates, AND… just be careful, it’s easy to waste hours on this site!

Etsy – Graphics and digital files

Social Media Tools

Metricool – this platorm has changed my life!  Metricool allows me to schedule and post content across all my social platforms, and I also use this to post content for all my clients too!  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this.

Stories that Sell by Nikki Clark – Stories That Sell system will give you an easy way to create social posts, emails an video to attract your ideal clients and customers.

Canva – For creating social graphics

Bitly for shortening links and tracking individual link analytics.

Business Organization + Planning

Trello for business and life organization, project, virtual assistant, and team management

Notion.io – Notion is a workspace to keep notes, tasks, databases, it helps organise your thoughts, ideas, projects and information.  There is a free version.

Other Business Support

Searchie.io – Searchie.io is a web-based platform that allows you to create, manage, and sell your content all in one place.  I use this platform to manage video content for myself and my clients.  This is also the platform I host my free DIY 7 Day Website Course  .  Searchie transcribes your videos too!

Xero – I use and love Xero for all my bookkeeping needs.

Brilliant Biz & Life Academy – Leonie Dawson’s academy is packed with simple, bulletproof courses, workbooks & resources to help you build and grow an enormously abundant business.

Kerry Hort Rowe from Brain Thinking – Kerry is a Business and Life Mentor  and is a registered HBDI practitioner.  Kerry has helped me so much in my business and life.  You will not be disappointed by having a chat with her. Ph; 0437 700 907

Stories that Sell by Nikki Clark – Stories That Sell system will give you an easy way to create social posts, emails an video to attract your ideal clients and customers.

Grammarly – helps with spelling and grammar

Favorite Ladypreneurs

 Chalene Johnson

Julie Stoian 

Carrie Green of Female Entrepreneur Association

Mel Robins

Recently Read Books / Audio Books

Chillpreneur– Denise Duffield-Thomas

Launch – Jeff Walker

The New Hustle – Emma Isaacs

The High 5 Habit – Mel Robins

Passion to Purpose – Amy McLaren 

Build your own website

I’m excited to announce that I’m working on a New Course Called;

DIY 7 Day Website

This is a  FREE course that I’m making just for you.

The course will teach you how to build and maintain your own website.

What’s Included?

This is an actual course which you will have unlimited access to!

Here are just a few of the inclusions;

• Broken down into modules to make it easy for you
• Video tutorials for each step
• Video explaining what makes up a website
• Links to my recommended products
• Where to buy your domain
• Where to host your site (and what this means)
• What is teach is a website with solid foundations
• This website can grow with your business
• How to build your site on a solid platform so you don’t need to start again as your business grows
•  I’ll teach you how to not get hacked
• I’ll show you how to ensure you have backups

…. And lots of other tips and information to help you out.

I’m busy filming the course content video’s at the moment.

Are you interested?

It’s Coming Soon!

Make sure you click the link above and I’ll notify you as soon as the course is released.