The digital age has drastically changed the world of advertising and marketing. In the past, the only outlets were traditional billboards and magazine spreads. But thanks to social media, it has opened up a whole new array of platforms to create campaigns and relay messages.
At present, Dream Grow estimates that there are now around 3.48 billion active social media users — and this number continues to grow every day. This confirms that social media is indeed a hotbed for potential customers. As marketers, the challenge now lies in finding the best ways to reach and connect with audiences. With so much competition, it isn’t enough to put up a post on Facebook and hope for the best. To stay ahead of the curve, check out these essential apps and tools for social media marketers.
For analyzing and scheduling posts: Buffer
A report by Forbes Insights reveals that over 66% of companies who use web analytics strategies have growth rates of at least 15%. After all, data is power and one of the most important factors that social media marketers must take into account is when and how to schedule their posts and campaigns. Of course, it’s time-consuming to do this manually. Not only does Buffer automate the posting process across multiple social media platforms, it also provides detailed reports — from your target market’s most active hours online, to their locations and age groups.
For managing ads: Acquisio
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a useful tool across numerous industries. In fact, Marcus Sawyerr’s article on Yoss about ‘AI and the Future of Work’ predicts that approximately 47% of jobs have the potential to be impacted by AI. Fortunately, marketing and social media is one sector that will only be amplified by this particular technology, using it to supplement day-to-day tasks. On that note, Acquisio harnesses the power of AI for digital advertising, using predictive algorithms to manage bids and ads. Suitable for a variety of ad platforms like Google AdWords and Facebook Ads, Acquisio’s data science tools are great for acquiring new customers online, making selling that much easier. It also automates time-consuming tasks like reporting and optimizing budgets.
For creating striking visuals: Canva
It only takes one look at Instagram to know that there are billions of pieces of content out there, making it harder to stand out. According to an article on Business 2 Community, having striking pictures is the key, especially as people are naturally more drawn to visuals than text. Not everyone has graphic designing skills, so tools like Canva are there to make sure your images are looking wonderful and crisp. Plus, it’s easy to use and its equipped with editing features like stickers, frames, effects, and text. Even the least artistically inclined marketers can benefit from this very practical tool.
For staying in the loop: Feedly
In the world of social media, trends can come and go in a matter of minutes. That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re constantly in the loop with news, so your posts remain timely and relevant. Feedly allows you to browse the latest news — from retail and pop culture to tech and current events — all through a straightforward interface. The app pulls articles from both websites and blog posts and can be tailored according to your preferences, so you can be sure that you’re getting all the info you need in one place.
There are many more apps out there to help make your job easier. As previously discussed by our tech writer Daniel John, successful social media marketing doesn’t have to be a chore. You simply have to choose the right tools that cater specifically to your needs and working style, so you can increase productivity and improve your brand.