Here is our lowdown on the best social media management tools to help you with everything, from video editing to data analytics.
Plenty has been said about social media’s influence on how people interact with a brand. One social media post can completely transform a brand’s image. As much as social media popularity is about luck, it is also about strategy. That is why more and more businesses are onboarding social media managers. As per a survey, social media spending increased by a massive 74% between February and June 2020, at the start of the pandemic. So, if you’ve decided to pursue a career as a social media manager, we round up some of the top tools you will need to ace it with a focus on what your job description will typically entail:
1. Analyzing data
Frustrated with poor social media performance despite significant investment, businesses shifted to putting their money into data analytics software solutions to understand their audience. In fact, in 2022, about 37% of companies in the U.S. started investing in data analytics.
As an in-house or freelance social media manager, you will need to possess and use social media analytics tools. After all, you will require them to monitor the brand’s performance and devise strategies accordingly. Some tools you can use include:
- HowSociable—a free tool that studies metrics across 12 social media platforms.
- HootSuite—a paid tool that consolidates multiple networks.
- Google Analytics—a free tool that tracks a brand’s website traffic.
2. Tracking online trends
A crucial part of being a social media manager is keeping up with the trends. All things considered, that’s what the success of your social media strategy will rely upon. No doubt, you wouldn’t want your brand to be caught flat-footed when a new trend emerges.
To ensure that you’re always on top of the latest trends, make use of social media listening tools. Some examples include:
- Mention—a paid tool that tracks online conversations in real-time.
- HootSuite Insights—a free tool that analyzes social media conversations.
- Google Alerts—a free tool that delivers real-time alerts of new online content.
3. Creating content
After tracking the trends and analyzing the company’s performance, you are also responsible for creating engaging content for different platform features, from Instagram Reels to Twitter posts. This is where photo and video editing tools come in handy. If you’re skilled at using them, consider leveraging platforms, like Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Darkroom or Final Cut Pro. However, if you’re trying to stick to a budget or are just starting out, you might want to use more beginners-friendly and free applications, such as Canva, iMovie or Pablo.
Along with graphic tools, you might also need access to copywriting tools driven by artificial intelligence (AI) to create captions, blog posts and the like. These tools can save your time and help you create high-quality content. Some popular AI-driven copywriting tools are:
- Jasper—starter plan costs around US$49 per month.
- Copy AI—offers a free version providing 2,000 words per month.
- QuillBot—offers a free version with limited features.
4. Planning and scheduling content
The ability to plan and bulk schedule social media content is an essential skill for any social media manager. It saves you time from having to manually post every day, allowing you to take a step back to analyze the performance of your posts. Most importantly, it helps you be more strategic with your content, especially when you consider budgeting and timeliness. To do this, you can use social media planner tools, like Buffer for scheduling, ContentCal for planning or even Google Calendar to set reminders!
5. Engaging with followers
No social media strategy is complete without a focus on engagement. As a social media manager, it is your job to interact with your brand’s followers and build relationships. The best way to do this is by actively monitoring all comments, DMs and mentions. This way, you can quickly jump in and engage with anyone who has something to say about your brand.
Of course, this can be a lot to keep track of, which is why you might want to use social media management tools, such as Sprout Social, Hootsuite or Buffer. In the future, you might even be able to use AI to automate your digital communication, giving you more time to yourself—a luxury for those in the social media arena.
6. Collaborating with your team
If you’re not an island, you would probably be required to work with a team of social media professionals specializing in different skills. For example, you might have a copywriter on your team who creates the captions for your posts while you focus on creating the visuals. In any case, it is important to be able to work well with others and to be able to share files easily. This is where project management tools come in handy. Some popular options include Asana, Trello, Notion and Slack.
7. Reporting your results
Last but not least, as a social media manager, you are also responsible for reporting the results of your efforts to your boss or client. This is where data visualization tools come in handy. With them, you can take all the numbers and metrics you’ve gathered and turn them into easy-to-understand visuals. This way, you can quickly and effectively show the impact of your work. Some popular data visualization tools include Tableau, Google Data Studio and Microsoft Power BI.
Finally, as a social media manager, you need a can-do spirit and a willingness to keep learning. Social media is always changing, which means there are always new platforms, new features and new trends to learn about. So, if you love your hashtags, memes and all things social media, then this job is definitely for you.
Also read:
- How To Become A Social Media Manager From Your Home In 6 Easy Steps
- How to Measure Social Media ROI
- How to Market Your Brand on TikTok
Header Image by Pexels
