Social media marketing can get hectic. Whether you're promoting your blog, spruiking your products or simply being social and building relationships online - being good at social media often means being on the ball 24/7. Thanks to smart-extension-of-my-arm- phones though, you no longer have to stay deskbound while you maintain your always-on social presence.
Here are 10 of my favourite social media apps. They make life easier by making sure I continue working even while I'm supposed to be at home enjoying my weekend.
1. Tweetbot
Tweetbot is an iPhone app (no Android version...yet) that makes Twitter management easier. If you're a power tweeter, it lets you manage multiple users, mute certain topics (or users) in your timeline and it syncs with the iCloud so you can bookmark away on your iPhone, iPad or even your Mac. A newly updated version of Tweetbot has recently become available and it's aimed at making your friendly neighbourhood Twitter bot even friendlier and useful.
Tweetbot 3 for iPhone from Tapbots on Vimeo.
2. Hootsuite
If your social media efforts involve more than just Twitter, and you're juggling multiple clients or multiple channels of communication, you really need Hootsuite. Hootsuite lets you multitask like a pro and while the desktop version is a great experience, the mobile app will make sure you are up to date with every Twitter mention, every new Facebook comment and you can even set up feeds to keep track of key phrases you're interested in or follow along with Instagram posts. It's super handy if you're collaborating with a team so you can keep track of who is working on what and detailed analytics also give you a great indication of your performance. You can also use it to schedule posts and cross post to multiple platforms at the same time.
Sprout Social is another great option but I have only recently started using it so until I learn more about it, I remain partial to Hootsuite.
3. Buffer
If you're using Buffer yet… you really NEED to get on the Buffer wagon. You can share content to multiple platforms and Buffer will choose the best time of day for you so your fans aren't overwhelmed with a barrage of content only at certain times of day. Plus, Buffer is now integrated with a number of sites and even has a Chrome plugin so you can keep scheduling content for sharing and be rest assured your social media audience will receive a steady flow of content from you.
4. Flipboard
Catching up is fun with Flipboard. Keep up with social media, blogs, videos and photos - all laid out like your very own personalised glossy magazine. You can customise it to deliver the news and updates you want and of course, it's well integrated so when you want to share you have plenty of options, including Buffer!
5. Downcast
If you're a podcast addict like me, you'll agree that even though this isn't technically social media, it deserves a place on this list. I follow some social marketing podcasts and the Downcast app lets me keep up and tune in when I please. You don't even have to worry about iTunes and can simply subscribe via downcast.
6. Feedly
Ever since the death of Google Reader, I've learnt to really love Feedly. I subscribe to hundreds of blogs and Feedly is a great way to keep up with everything even while on the go. I personally love the interface and think it makes the articles really easy to read, even on a phone and if you want to share, there are plenty of options including sharing to Buffer - which is the best!
7. Google Analytics
Love data? Then you need the Analytics app. Keep up with your data and make decisions on the go with this app - no reason to leave your numbers behind ever again.
8. Mention
Listening is an important aspect of good social media marketing and Mention is the perfect tool to keep an eye on what's being said about you online. You can monitor brand mentions or track keywords and keep up with the conversation and respond via the app or have the details emailed to you. Move over Google Alerts.
9. Dropbox
So yes, not a social media app per se, but it helps me keep up with all the additional documentation that is part of the package when managing a social media presence. The Dropbox mobile app is great and lets you easily view your content schedules, client edits, social media strategies and more even while you're half asleep in bed.
10. Instagram
I really couldn't do a post on mobile apps for social media without Instagram. Sure it has a web version now but Instagram is designed to be a mobile social media app and boy does it excel with that. Such a simple concept but such great execution and if you are a regular 'grammer for your brand, for your website or even just for yourself you know that the Instagram app is a great way to keep the world up to date with that perfect latte you had for breakfast or share with them your perfect beach view. But jokes aside, brands are doing great things with Instagram, by posting a real, human side to themselves with their photos and for this I really believe Instagram is a must-have app on your phone.
So that's my favorite 10 at the moment and I reckon they make me work much harder thanks to being able to take my work everywhere! Seriously though, even if you have all these apps you should probably take a break sometimes. But after the break, do come back and tell us - what are your favourite social media marketing apps? Do they make life easier or do they just add to the pressure of working 24/7?
