1. Switch to a Business Account
To access Instagram’s scheduling feature, you need to have a business account. If you haven’t already switched to a business account, do it by following these simple steps.
Go to your Instagram profile
Tap on the three vertical lines at the top right corner
Click on settings and then choose “Account” from the list
Then select “Switch to Professional Account” and “Business.”
Connect your Instagram account to your Facebook Page if you have one.
2. Select a Scheduling Tool
Instagram itself does not have an in-built scheduling feature, so you need to use a third-party tool. There are many available options such as Later, Hootsuite, Planoly, Buffer, etc. Each of these tools work slightly differently, so you need to find the one that suits your needs and budget. Later is one of the most popular options as it offers a free basic plan.
3. Plan Your Content
Once you have selected your scheduling tool, it’s time to plan what content to post and when. You can create a content calendar to keep track of what posts you plan to share. You can also use a social media content calendar template to streamline the process. When planning content, consider the interests of your target audience, your brand message, and the overall aesthetics of your Instagram profile.
4. Schedule Your Posts
Now that you have a plan in place, it’s time to schedule your posts. Here’s how to do it on Later, one of the popular scheduling tools:
To start, log in to your Later account and click on the “+ Add New Post” button.
Select Instagram from the list of social media platforms
Upload your image or video and add a caption.
Choose the date and time you want your post to go live.
Click on “Schedule.”
Later will send a notification to your phone when it’s time to publish your post. All you need to do is go to your phone, open the notification, and select “Open in Instagram” to publish your post.
5. Use Instagram Insights to Monitor Your Performance
Lastly, it’s essential to keep track of how your posts perform. Instagram Insights is a tool that allows businesses to track the performance of their Instagram posts. You can see information such as engagement, reach, and impressions. You can use this data to adjust your content strategy accordingly and continuously improve your Instagram marketing efforts.
In conclusion, scheduling Instagram posts is a useful tool for businesses looking to maintain a consistent presence on the platform. It saves time and effort, allowing you to focus on what’s essential, growing your business. Start by switching to a business account, select a scheduling tool, plan your content, and track your performance with Instagram Insights. With these steps, you can create a successful Instagram marketing campaign that will help grow your business.