Like it or not, social media has become an essential part of our modern lifestyle. It has changed the way we share information, how we communicate, and even how we behave. With a record-breaking number of participants across a wide range of social networks, social media is one of the top-performing online marketing tools to boost business growth.
However, with so many social platforms and millions of users on each, it becomes difficult for businesses to keep up with the content planning, writing, posting, and optimization for each platform. Plus, there’s also the fact that business owners are busy with, well, actually running a business. This is where social media automation can help.
What is Social Media Automation?
Social media automation is technology that is used to automate or semi-automate the process of sharing content and posts on social media platforms. Automation tools also make it possible to share on multiple social networks—like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram—simultaneously.
A human still needs to write the content and post consistently, but social media automation can help schedule many posts in advance that can be shared on multiple networks. Social media automation is not only efficient, it’s a successful business strategy. In fact, businesses who tested automation saw a 32% increase in revenue after 12 months and approximately 77% increase in conversions. Plus, 80% of marketers using automation software report that they generate more leads.
Social Media Automation Tools
There are a plethora of social media automation software companies like Buffer, CoSchedule, HubSpot, SproutSocial, and even Instagram that are easy to use and can help make your social media marketing more efficient. Most of the above-mentioned software companies offer basic plans that are simple, inexpensive, and may be ideal for entrepreneurs or small businesses. Paid feature-rich plans might include in-depth analytics, posting schedule suggestions, content recommendations, and customization.
Because there are so many social media automation tools to choose from, it may be worthwhile to narrow down the list based on your priorities as well as how much you are willing to spend. Do you want to integrate your blogging platform? Do you need CRM functionality? There is a tool for every feature you need—the hard part will be choosing just one!
What You Shouldn’t Automate
Don’t forget about human interaction. While you can schedule and post at scale, your follow up should be done one-on-one. Be sure to monitor all of your social channels and engage with the followers who reply to your posts. You must have someone ready, willing, and able to monitor social conversations at any time of day. Remember—the goal of social media marketing is to be social!
In the next two years, an additional 21% of marketing leaders say they plan to use a marketing automation platform. Although there are many tools to help you manage and schedule across multiple social channels, you may still need content writers and strategists to help you navigate the world of social media marketing. That’s where we come in. Millennium Agency offers a variety of social media marketing options as part of our larger content/public relations services. Want to talk to us about how we can help with your social media strategy? Contact us today.
About Millennium Agency
Millennium Agency is a national, award-winning, digital, creative, content/PR, and video marketing firm. With offices in Boston and New Hampshire, our team unites creative branding and data analytics to accelerate our clients’ growth, while combining our clients’ vision with our marketing expertise to increase sales opportunities and drive brand success. From video advertising and web design to social media and PR, Millennium can guide your marketing efforts every step of the way. Contact the professionals at Millennium Agency to learn more!
Linda Fanaras is the CEO and Founder of Millennium Agency (www.mill.agency) located in Manchester, NH and Boston. She can be reached at 877-873-7445 or lfanaras@mill.agency.
