Posted by Social media is powerful, and we hear this at least one million times a day, especially when sitting as a part of the marketing department. With billions of people active on the internet, a business needs to hang out where everyone is. I mean, what is the point of marketing at a place where no one is available, and all your efforts go unnoticed.
This is why social media is your man, or in this case, the place to be. However, social media is a tricky place, and you cannot just play your cards without a detailed plan through analysis and superstar execution.
This all seems like a one-person job when we see it theoretically, but in actuality, all these tasks take up a whole lot of time and resources to nail social media marketing.
Other than actual human resources, all social media managers require a toolkit with some of the best and preferably free social media tools to assist and automate as much as possible. If you are stuck with which ones to choose from the influx present in the market, we have a custom guide with the top 16 tools for all social media needs.
Social media is a lot to handle, especially since it is made up of multiple different components and each one of them needs attention. Since all of this is not a one-person job, we have different people in the team looking after the needs of each.
Similarly, no one tool can look after all aspects of social media. You need tools for planning, creating, scheduling, designing, coming up with content, and much more. Therefore, you need to employ more than one Mr. right for yourself.
The concept of a toolkit stems from the same concept. Here is your go-to toolkit in 2021, divided by categories and functions!
Free Social Media Tools For Scheduling & Management
One of the essential tasks that are a part of every social media manager’s to-do list is scheduling and managing all the social media pages. I mean, that’s literally what the job title says. So it is pretty evident that you need a set of social media scheduling tools for your toolkit. Here are our top 4 tools.
1.Crowdfire
Crowdfire is a social media scheduling tool that mainly focuses on startups and entrepreneurs. With its phenomenal features, CrowdFire is one of the leading social media scheduling tools to manage all your accounts from one platform.
The tool also helps you discover content based on your industry so that you can keep your profiles buzzing at all times. You can also publish blogs from the website directly to social profiles with an RSS feed. Multiple more amazing features can make your life super easy, so this one should be in your toolkit for sure.
2. Social Champ
Social Champ is a social media management tool to help your social profiles achieve better reach and maximum engagement. With supporting platforms, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Google Business Profile, and Pinterest, you can fully automate all social media marketing processes & scheduling with the tool.
Social Champ offers multiple automation features, including Recycle, Repeat, Bulk upload, Auto RSS, sentiment analysis, social media calendar, and more. Other than this, the tool supports an easy-to-navigate and vibrant UI with multiple functionalities. The content dashboard is also compelling yet straightforward, so much that it lets you create, edit, design, and schedule a post from within.
3. Buffer
Buffer is one of the oldest contenders in the game with social media scheduling tools. The tool also has multiple other branches with different functionalities and the main app. Buffer allows you to put your posts in the queue for automated postings quickly.
There are also options to analyze, track, and maintain campaigns, among others on Buffer. With Buffer, you can add first comments and take care of other such minute tasks. The tool mainly uses third-party apps for functionalities, like Zapier.
4. Hootsuite
Many marketers use Hootsuite because it is one of the first social media scheduling tools. The tool has super unique features and also supports a powerful UI. However, the target audience for this tool is mostly professionals who are looking for a big solution.
The pricing plan is more suitable for established businesses as well.
Free Social Media Tools For Content Production
Many social media managers spend too much time creating content because what else can they put up on social media channels if not this? Social media copywriting puts a lot of strain on time because the lines need to be crisp and on-point at all times.
Here are 4 tools that will help you ensure that all your blogs and captions are perfect each time.
1.Buzzsumo
Buzzsumo is one of the best content marketing tools in the market, with multiple amazing and diverse features. The tool can help you with content reach by scanning and analyzing millions of articles on the internet.
It can help with influencer marketing by finding the ones that resonate with your brand to help you build the right community. Additionally, find relevant content suggestions, so your blog and social media channels never die a slow, painful death.
2. Grammarly
Grammarly is one of the best tools out there to proofread your articles and check plagiarism. The tool comes with a freemium option as well to use, so if you are just starting out and are not comfortable with paying a fee, you could always first use that one.
Grammarly also lets you set your own grammar rules and vocabulary so that the tool stays true to your brand voice. The tool uses AI to scan the content and point out any language and style issues. It helps you eliminate inconsistencies, word choice, and more that is often overlooked in the first draft.
3. WP Headline Analyzer Tool
No amount of amazing vocabulary can save a blog if the headline is not catchy enough, which is why the WP headline analyzer tool is one of my favorite ones to use. The best part about the tool is that it is entirely free and is incredibly easy to use.
You need to type in your headline and analyze how well it is. The tool also provides suggestions on what can make the headline a head-turner. Additionally, the tool helps you improve your headline writing tools by helping you identify the problem area.
4. Surfer SEO
With it comes to perfecting the content and making it next level optimized, there is no better option than Surfer SEO. It provides with you all the essential steps and metrics that you need to take to make your content 100% optimized.
Surfer SEO simplifies the content creation process and also reduces the manual labor required. It enables you to fit in the crucial keywords and questions that your target audience is looking for.
The tool helps identify gaps in content and point out the crucial pointers to make your blogs better.
Free Social Media Tools For Visual Content Production
Visuals have the power to make or break your social media content, which is why all social media management teams need a solid visual tool in their toolkit. One that can help them with images, videos, gifs, and more.
From still images to infographics, these four tools can do it all.
1. Lightroom
Lightroom is our top pick for all visual editing with both a web app and a mobile application. It allows you to create your signature presets as well so that you don’t have to manually select editing options each time you want to edit an image.
Additionally, you can use your favorite influencers’ presets as well to edit your visuals. This is one of the best editing tools and should be a part of your kit to do everything from changing the backgrounds to hiding unwanted objects from pictures.
2. Canva
Canva helps you design images from scratch using the easiest set of steps and amazing templates on the platform. With Canva, you can design short videos, photos, and gifs. Use custom text, images, and much more.
The tool is also easily integrated with multiple scheduling tools, so you can quickly design and schedule directly from the content dashboard.
3. Freepik
Freepik has the most extensive library of free images on the internet, including templates, PSDs, and much more. With Freepik images, you can design amazing visuals with little to no help at all.
All you need is a free account and photoshop so that you can use the images however you like. However, always remember to download the resources on the website ethically, as all designers work equally hard to create them for you and me; therefore, their products deserve respect.
4. Venngage
Infographics are highly engaging and excellent for your SEO, which is why every social media team should focus on creating high-quality images. Infographics are also super versatile since they can be used to show findings, stats, and more.
With Venngage, you can use ready-made templates to design your very own templates and share them on your social media channels. Use your high-performing blogs and break them down into easy-to-understand infographics to make the most out of them.
Free Social Media Tools For Monitoring & Social Listening
Keeping an eye on your mentions and an ear on what everyone else is saying about you is a big part of social media. It helps you know what the audience perceives your brand and its actual potential.
This is why you need a high-performing and competent monitoring and social listening tool in your toolkit. Here are four of the tools that can help you out.
1. Brand Mentions
Brand mentions notify you whenever your preferred keywords are used anywhere online. You can use your brand keywords or even your business’s name to keep an eye on them.
The community team will surely love this tool as well because, with adequate social listening, they can better track all mentions and conversations. The tool allows you to keep tabs on consistent information on your brand.
2. Avario
Avario is another great tool for social media and web monitoring for mentions and tracking competitors. The tool can help you find prospective sales opportunities, high-converting leads, and influencers who are interested in your brand.
Such social listening tools also enable you to engage in meaningful conversations around your brand. And if you don’t want to engage, at least you would know what is being said.
3. Rival IQ
Rival IQ provides detailed social media analytics with advanced competitive analysis and social listening for all platforms. The tool also helps you maximize your impact on social media with competitive benchmarking and comprehensive reports on social media.
It also enables you to track insights and keep a close eye on your brand’s performance on social media. You can also track your performance with your competitors.
4. Story Heap
Story heap does precisely what the name says; it helps you put up stories on Snapchat and Instagram. With stories, you can elevate your social media reach, improve engagement, and get suitable attention from the best influencers in your industry.
You can upload the same stories to all platforms using the autopilot feature.