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Managing multiple social media accounts is a challenging task. Fortunately, free social media management tools make it easier by allowing users to efficiently plan, schedule, publish, and analyze social content.
According to Sprout Social, 52% of marketers say social media management is their biggest time sink. The right tools help optimize that effort.
This comprehensive guide will first highlight key benefits of using a management platform over manual methods. I will then provide specific evaluation criteria you should apply when selecting a tool. Finally, I will offer actionable recommendations on the leading free options available today.
Why Free Social Media Management Tools Are Essential
These platforms drive significant value by providing users:
- Time savings – top tools reduce social media process management by over 60% through automation and efficiency features
- Content inspiration – leading platforms like Hootsuite and Sprout Social tap into trends, viral posts, and user interests to offer content recommendations
- Performance insights – built-in analytics provide key metrics on engagement, best times to post, follower demographics, and more to optimize efforts
- Expanded reach – scheduling, recycling old posts, and managing multiple profiles in one place inevitably extends user reach over manual methods
While 75% of US companies engage on social media, 70% are not using specialized management software. This oversight leaves massive efficiency gains on the table.
Even free tools that offer core publishing and analytics features can drive significant benefits for lean organizations.
How To Choose the Best Free Social Media Manager For You
All the major platforms offer free versions of their software, but tools differ significantly across dimensions like platform scope, specific features, audience size limits, post volume limits etc.
As you evaluate offerings, keep these aspects in mind:
Core functionality differences
While scheduling and analytics are table stakes, tools have strengths in areas like calendar views, collaboration features, customer service integrations, mobile optimization etc. Outline must-have abilities for your team.
Network and account limitations
Paid versions offer more expansive platform connections (e.g. YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest management etc.) and less restrictive account caps. Confirm free offerings match target channel mix.
Engagement needs
Larger brands require listening capabilities, customer service integrations, sentiment assessments and response recommendations. Most free versions offer basics only.
Team requirements
Larger or dispersed teams need permissioning, workflow and advanced collaboration functionality. Entry tiers focus on solopreneurs and very small groups.
Mapping product strengths to your needs simplifies selection. Clarity on targets and priorities is essential.
Leading Free Tool Options
While social media management platforms number over 200 globally, below are the top free versions based on market adoption, platform scope, and functionality.
1. Hootsuite Free
With over 18 million users, Hootsuite leads social media manager offerings. Their free version allows:
- 3 social accounts
- 30 scheduled posts
- Basic analytics
- 1 user
- 30-day free trial of Professional plan
The tool is very intuitive with dashboard simplicity being a strong suit. Hootsuite also offers strong social listening capabilities, campaign organization, and integrated services like Canva – making it highly versatile for personalization.
It leads options for getting started affordably while still providing enterprise-grade power.
2. Sprout Social Free
Sprout Social alternates between second and third among the main platforms in terms user adoption.
Their free offering allows:
- 2 social accounts
- 30 scheduled posts per profile
- Standard analytics
- 1 user
- 30-day free trial of Standard plan
The tool creates an extremely strong user experience through workflow simplification. Management of drafts and storyboarding allows for collaboration around post ideas.
Their recent addition of Google Analytics integration also makes Sprout highly unique in the monitoring space.
3. Buffer Free
With over 2 million registered users, Buffer pioneered social scheduling. Key components of their free version include:
- 3 connected accounts
- 10 schedules per profile
- Post analytics
- 1 user
Socket, their chat functionality, helps manage communication around content processes. Repurposing old posts is also extremely simple within their scheduling system.
For solopreneurs looking ease of account integration, content recycling, and analytics, Buffer should be strongly considered.
Other Notable Free Offerings
While the above platforms lead in market share, Sendible, Crowdfire, CoSchedule, SocialPilot, and Sked Social have excellent free versions catering to start-ups and very small groups. Most provide core publishing and analytics.
SocialOomph stands out for groups prioritizing RSS feed integration. Later, Planoly, Preview and Dash Hudson are top Instagram focused platforms with solid entry-level functionality.
Getting Started With Social Media Management
While the tools highlighted offer extensive capabilities, optimizing processes around software takes time and discipline. Here are best practices to accelerate success:
- Outline and rank goals for social media management based on business objectives
- Document ideal workflow stages based on current roles and responsibilities
- Select software based on functional fit, starting small with broader tools
- Develop guidelines for tone of voice, branding, profile objectives for institutionalization
- Build a library of approved content aligned to stage in buyer’s journey
- Train staff early across all features to build confidence
Getting alignment on processes and guidelines prior to roll-out leads to adoption and impact.
While free offerings limit certain functionality, they still provide immense efficiencies over manual management. And getting started is an important first step to long term success.