Benefits of a Social Media Management Tool
Amy Alexander • August 17, 2022
What's in it for me?
The other day, I upgraded my client off the free version of a social media management tool I was using for his business. For the past ten months, I’ve been using a free version of Buffer, which allowed for me to share content on three of his social media channels. Fortunately, Buffer and Google My Business will now connect. Cue ecstatic social media director here. Since GMB is a huge channel for client acquisition, it was a necessary upgrade as the business updates you can share on the Google Knowledge Panel are actually seen by so many prospects, it’s important to keep it updated. What did this update mean for my Buffer use? I needed to add an additional channel to his account and thus the conversation of free versus paid ensued.
Me: “I had to upgrade our social media management tool off of the free version to have access to more channels. You’ll see a charge for $240 on your Mastercard for the year.”
Client: “What does Buffer do for me? Why do I need it?”
Me: “I’ve been using Buffer for the past ten months to pre-schedule your social media posts to all our channels, so I do not have to do it on the fly. There was a free version for a few channels but when you add more channels it is no longer a free service. So while it doesn't’ benefit you directly, it does impact me.”
Client: “So I don’t need it.”
The conversation went on for a few more comical rounds, to which he finally said, “No Problem.”
The banter though between my client and I got me thinking, why is this tool such a useful addition to our social media marketing program? As well as, if he did not have an understanding on why this is a useful tool, what other business owners might also be in the same position?
What is Buffer anyway? Buffer is a social media management platform for any business large or small to maintain a businesses social media. This and other social media management platforms allow the coordinator to streamline their time by pre scheduling all necessary business content that will be pushed to various social media channels. In one app, you can load your content and preschedule all your posts.
Additionally, many social media management platforms also provide analytics and hashtag monitoring.
There are many platforms on the market, so doing a bit of research can allow for you to select the best one for your business. I personally, am using a few different platforms to test which are my favorite for my clients, and each of my clients “owns” their own. I do not use one login for all my accounts. I want my clients to have access to their own data. Currently, I go between Buffer and Later for my podcast, personal and client use. I enjoy the interface and the ease of them both. In Buffer, you can also easily respond to any comments direct from the platform, so you don’t miss any potential sale opportunity.
Interested in seeing how a social media management tool can help you grow your business on social media? Review the A2 Sales & Marketing recommendations below. Feeling overwhelmed with even where to start with your social media? It’s why I’m here, let me help you get your social game on point and scheduled. Comment below or schedule a time for us to meet.
https://calendly.com/a2digitalconsult/intro30
A2’s Social Media Management Platform Recommendations:
◦ Buffer
◦ Later
◦Meta (Facebook) Directly within Facebook there is a scheduler on your business page that you can link to Instagram. Con, if you are using more than two channels, you’ll have to on the fly schedule those posts.
◦Social Bee
◦Sprout Social
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