Efficient Instagram Scheduling for Small Business Owners
Updated: May 19
Photo by Katka Pavlickova on Unsplash
Summary
Instagram is fast becoming the social media channel for entrepreneurs to show the world what they have to offer. Although the ‘insta’ in Instagram refers to the right now philosophy of the app, as a small business owner, it is better to plan your posts and make use of Instagram scheduling to ensure they go out as planned.
1. What is Instagram scheduling?
Posting to Instagram with the right amount of frequency is a lot of work. Even if you are only posting once a day, it takes precious time to create and post. As a small business owner, you don’t have time to waste. Everything you do is urgent and important. In an environment of over a billion active users with short attention spans, you can’t afford not to post either.
Instagram scheduling means that you create your posts in advance, and with a help of a software tool schedule them automatically to be published at the time you want.
Instagram scheduling means that you create your posts in advance, and with a help of a software tool schedule them automatically to be published at the time you want. Then you can concentrate on other tasks, knowing your posts will be reaching your audience timely.
2. What is the benefit of Instagram scheduling?
As a small business owner, why should you choose Instagram scheduling and why is Instagram scheduling important?
Here are some of the top reasons:
Always post at the best times for your audience
Never miss a post
Stick to your pre-defined posting frequency
Ensure your posts are consistent and well thought out
Schedule your posts in one go, freeing up time for other important tasks
Photo by Eaters Collective on Unsplash
For efficiency
To stand out in the Instagram crowd, you need to be efficient and organized. Missing a post one day this week, then a few days the next can make all the difference to meeting your targets. Social media, and especially Instagram, take dedication and, if you are not working efficiently, a lot of time.
Missing a post one day this week, then a few days the next can make all the difference to meeting your targets.
Instagram scheduling is an effective way to keep your channel active and engage your audience with lots of valuable content at the right times. And you can do it without messing with the time you need to run your business.
For consistency
Coming up with great ideas for your social media content is hard work. When you schedule all your posts ahead of time you also create a consistent message that has been well thought out and researched.
Instagram scheduling allows you to be consistent in the number of posts you share, when they go out and what message they deliver to your audience.
For better reach
When you schedule your posts, you can choose the best times for that content to be seen and engaged with. Social media for entrepreneurs and small business owners is no longer about trial and error. It is a science. Your audience is more active at certain times of the day. Make sure you reach them when they are available or risk missing out.
Instagram scheduling means you won’t ever accidentally forget to post at the right time.
Instagram scheduling means you won’t ever accidentally forget to post at the right time. And you will know that your posts are always reaching the right audience.
3. The step-by-step guide to Instagram scheduling
Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash
Master Instagram scheduling and start seeing the benefits to your business right away.
Step 1 - Plan your content
Whether you want to schedule your posts for the next week or month, having a good plan in place is essential. A good plan includes your message content, how frequently you want to post, and when you want to post. When you have your plan, you are ready to post.
Step 2 - Add your Instagram profile to your Instagram scheduling app
In order to schedule your posts directly from your app, you first need switch your Instagram profile to a business profile. Once you have a business profile, add your business Instagram account to your scheduling app, like Hookle. Now you are loaded and ready to create and post.
Step 3 - Create and add your content
You can create your social posts directly in your scheduling app. Once you have sourced your image or video, draft your text or caption and add any hashtags you wish. Then you can choose to post immediately or schedule your post. You can also schedule Instagram Reels.
Step 4 - Set up your calendar and schedule
If you chose to schedule your post for a later time or date, you can set a custom schedule in your app, setting the date and time for each post. Once scheduled you should be able to view all scheduled posts in your calendar. When it is time for your post you will receive a notification. Efficient Instagram scheduling means all the hard work setting up your post has already been done.
Step 5 - Preview your posts
As a small business owner, it is important to ensure everything you publish is considered, correct and on brand. Remember to preview all your posts before finalizing your schedule. View all your scheduled posts in chronological order or as individual posts in your app.
Step 6 - Make changes easily if needed
With Instagram scheduling you are in control of what content gets posted when. Even after your posts are scheduled you can still go back and edit them as needed. You can also reschedule or change the order of your posts. Because in business, plans do change.
4. Social media scheduling tools
Photo by Hookle
Scheduling your social media posts on Instagram and other social media channels is one of the most powerful social media marketing practices - it saves you time, nerves and increases the value of your content.
Hookle is one of the best social media scheduling apps in the market. Hookle has been created especially for small business owners and entrepreneurs like you. Because it is so easy to use, you can master your social media plans more efficiently and effectively with less effort. Hookle makes it easy for you to be agile when needed.
5. Top tips for effective Instagram scheduling
To take full advantage of scheduling features, make sure you have a business Instagram account.
Start with a Clear Social Media Strategy: Before diving into scheduling, develop a clear social media strategy. Identify your target audience, set goals, and determine the type of content you want to share.
Create a Content Calendar: Plan your posts in advance with a content calendar. This helps you organize your messaging and maintain a consistent posting schedule. With Hookle, you can check your planner to see what you have already published and what you have scheduled, helping you avoid duplicate messaging.
Utilize Smart Scheduling: Take advantage of smart scheduling tools like Hookle. These tools analyze various factors, including post content and engagement trends, to recommend the best times and ideal days to publish your posts. This ensures maximum visibility and engagement with minimal effort.
Check Your Time Zones: Ensure the time zones in your scheduling app are set correctly. This is crucial for reaching your audience at the optimal times, especially if they are in different time zones.
Verify Your Instagram Credentials: Make sure your Instagram credentials are still linked with your scheduling app so that scheduled posts publish as planned.
Now that you have mastered the art of Instagram scheduling, you can spend more time building your business. With your content schedule in place and smart scheduling optimizing your post times, you can grow your Instagram following with minimal effort and greater efficiency.
Hookle is a free, AI-powered social media management app designed specifically for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Schedule posts across multiple channels and more. Download Hookle and try it out now!
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