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5 Best Social Media Schedulers for Small Businesses

James Hogan
James Hogan Originally published Nov 19, 24, updated Dec 17, 24

Searching for the best tool for your social media posting schedule? You've come to the right place! Maintaining regular posts can be tough with all the other tasks on a business owner's plate. That's where a social media scheduler comes in to save time and ensure well-planned, organized content.

In this guide, we'll show you the best 5 social media schedulers for small businesses. Each of these tools lets you easily plan and schedule posts across your active social media platforms. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about each tool and find the best fit for your needs.

social media scheduler for small business
In this article

Part 1. Social Media Scheduler for Small Businesses – Top 5 Tools

Finding the right social media scheduling software can transform your social media productivity and boost engagement. Here are the top 5 tools that you, a small business owner, can rely on.

Top 5 Social Media Schedulers
1. Wondershare Filmora
2. Hootsuite
3. Buffer
4. Later
5. Sprout Social

1. Wondershare Filmora

Wondershare Filmora is a video editing software with many powerful AI tools. You can use it as software to schedule social media posts. It supports sharing videos on social media platforms directly. With its Smart Short Clips feature, you can schedule posts on YouTube after editing a long video into a short one.

filmora to schedule social media posts

Key Features

  • Social Video Planner: It allows you to schedule when to post a video after editing it. Currently, this feature can only be accessed from the Smart Short Clips feature.
  • Smart Short Clips: Transform videos with a long duration into short clips and auto-edit them for quick, ready-to-share content.
  • Extensive Media Library: Access a built-in library of royalty-free music, sound effects, and stock footage. This feature ensures your content complies with social media copyright rules.
  • Support Multi-Platforms: Share videos on social media platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and TikTok.
Pros
  • You can create, edit, share, and schedule videos directly within the same software.
  • Large library of royalty-free music and media assets for copyright-safe content.
Cons
  • The Social Video Planner feature is only accessible after using the Smart Short Clips tool.
  • Primarily focused on video content; less suited for text or image-based posts.
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2. Hootsuite

Hootsuite is a social media management platform that enables businesses to schedule posts. With this tool, you can schedule posts, monitor social media activity, and analyze performance across multiple platforms.

hootsuite social media posting schedule

Key Features

  • Unified Dashboard: Manage multiple social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, from a single interface.
  • Bulk Scheduling: Upload and schedule multiple posts simultaneously, saving time and effort.
  • Analytics and Reporting: Access detailed reports to measure the effectiveness of your social media campaigns.
  • Team Collaboration: Assign tasks and collaborate with team members within the platform.
Pros
  • Supports a wide range of social media platforms.
  • Offers powerful analytics to track performance.
  • Facilitates team collaboration with user roles and permissions.
Cons
  • Pricing can be high for small businesses, especially for advanced features.
  • The interface may have a learning curve for new users.

3. Buffer

Buffer is a tool designed for small businesses for social media posting schedules. Using Buffer you can schedule, publish, and analyze posts across multiple platforms. It simplifies the process of scheduling posts, tracking performance, and managing multiple accounts.

later social media scheduler

Key Features

  • Multi-Platform Support: Schedule and publish posts across various platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
  • Content Calendar: Visualize and organize your posting schedule with an intuitive calendar interface.
  • Analytics: Access insights to measure engagement and the effectiveness of your social media strategies.
  • Team Collaboration: Work seamlessly with team members by assigning roles and permissions.
Pros
  • The free version allows posting to three social media accounts with up to ten scheduled posts.
  • Offers a free plan suitable for small businesses with basic needs.
  • Provides browser extensions for quick content sharing.
Cons
  • Advanced analytics and features are limited to higher-tier plans.
  • Does not support direct posting to certain platforms, such as Instagram Stories.

4. Later

Later is a social media scheduler to manage your posting schedule for social media content. With a focus on Instagram, offering tools for editing, scheduling, and auto-publishing. It supports Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.

later social media scheduler

Key Features

  • Visual Content Calendar: Later offers a calendar interface, allowing users to plan and schedule posts visually. It ensures a cohesive and organized content strategy.
  • Link in Bio Feature: The platform includes a 'Link in Bio' tool. This tool allows users to drive traffic and turn followers into customers by adding multiple links to their Instagram bio.
  • Analytics and Reporting: Later offers analytics tools to analyze the performance of posts and social profiles, providing insights that help users optimize their social media strategies.
Pros
  • It has a free plan and affordable options for content management.
  • Supports direct Instagram scheduling, including the first comment.
  • Drag-and-drop calendar aids in organizing posts.
  • Tailored features enhance Instagram content scheduling.
Cons
  • It has limited analytics. The in-depth reporting is primarily available for Instagram.
  • Lacks message automation and CRM functionalities.
  • Team Collaboration may not fully meet the needs of larger teams or agencies.

5. Sprout Social

Sprout Social is a comprehensive social media management platform designed to help businesses effectively manage their online presence. It offers a suite of tools for scheduling posts, monitoring engagement, and analyzing performance across various social media channels.

sprout social to schedule posts

Key Features

  • Unified Smart Inbox

Consolidates messages from all connected social media accounts into a single platform.

  • Publishing and Scheduling: It allows users to plan, schedule, and publish posts across many social media.
  • Analytics and Reporting: Provides detailed insights into social media performance. It can help small businesses measure the effectiveness of their strategies.
  • Social Listening: Enables monitoring of brand mentions and industry keywords to stay informed about relevant conversations.
  • Team Collaboration: Supports assigning tasks and collaborating with team members within the platform, enhancing workflow efficiency.
Pros
  • It offers a wide range of features that cater to various aspects of social media management.
  • Delivers in-depth reports that assist in refining social media strategies.
  • Provides responsive and helpful support to address user inquiries and issues.
Cons
  • It may be more expensive compared to other social media management tools. This situation could be a consideration for small businesses.
  • The extensive feature set might require time for new users to fully understand and use it effectively.

Part 2. How to Schedule a Video Post Using Wondershare Filmora

Unlike other apps to schedule social media posts that only focus on post timing, Filmora allows you to create, edit, and share video content in one place. It combines powerful video editing features with scheduling capabilities for social media platforms.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to schedule social media posts using Filmora:

Step 1 Open Filmora and Access Smart Short Clips

Launch Wondershare Filmora on your computer. From the main dashboard, select the Smart Short Clips tool from the available features.

open the smart short clips feature
Step 2 Import Your Video File

Choose a method to import your video. You can either paste a YouTube link, upload a video directly from your device, or select a file from Filmora Cloud. If using a YouTube link, ensure it is from your channel.

import video or paste a youtube link
Step 3 Adjust Video Settings

In the customization window, select the video Language, set the desired clip Duration, and choose a Theme. For more advanced options, click Advanced to modify the Aspect Ratio and enable Smart BGM for automatic background music. Click Generate once you're ready.

set the video preferences
Step 4 Choose a Short Clip

After processing, Filmora will generate a selection of shorter clips. Pick the one that best fits your needs. You can also click Reset to create new clips or enhance the audio with the AI Speech Enhancements feature. Click Edit to proceed to the next step.

pick a shortened clip
Step 5 Fine-Tune Your Clip

Make final adjustments in the editing workspace. Add text, adjust fonts, and apply effects like transitions, filters, and stickers to enhance your clip.

customize your video in the editor
Step 6 Share Your Edited Video on Social Media

To export your video, go to the Export window. Select the Social Media option, then choose your desired platform (YouTube, Vimeo, or TikTok). Fill in the necessary details, such as video title and resolution, and set the posting schedule. Click Save to confirm.

export video to social media platforms
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Part 3. When are the Best Times to Post Content on Social Media?

Scheduling when posting social media content is essential for maximizing reach and engagement. Each social media platform has unique user activity patterns, so understanding these data can significantly enhance your content's performance.

Below is a summary of recommended posting frequencies and optimal times for various platforms:

Social MediaPost FrequencyOptimal Posting Times
Facebook1-2 times per dayWeekdays at 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Instagram1-2 times per dayWeekdays at 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
TikTok1-3 times per dayTuesday to Thursday at 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
X (Formerly Twitter)3-5 times per dayMonday to Wednesday at 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
LinkedIn1 time per dayTuesday to Thursday at 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
YouTube1 time per weekThursday and Friday at 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

These recommendations are based on studies analyzing user engagement across various platforms. However, optimal times may vary depending on your specific target audience. It's essential to monitor your audience's behavior and adjust your social media posting schedule accordingly.

Conclusion

Finding the right social media scheduler for small businesses can streamline your content planning and posting. Options like Hootsuite, Buffer, Later, and Sprout Social offer various features to meet different business needs.

Using a social media scheduler simplifies your social media posting schedule. It enhances your online presence and supports business growth. For video content, Filmora is a great choice with its integrated video editing and scheduling tools. Remember to monitor your audience's behavior and adjust your schedule to maximize reach and engagement!

James Hogan
James Hogan Dec 17, 24
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