Eight Essential Tips to Work Smarter on Social Media

Working on social media can give you some serious burnout — from keeping up with unpredictable algorithms to scheduling posts on Meta Business Suite, you need to find ways to work smarter and not harder to protect your sanity and your brand image.
Anyone who uses social media platforms for their brand knows that it can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. This is why it's crucial to implement more efficient strategies that enhance your impact while reducing the effort required.
Here are eight strategies that will help you work smarter on social media:
1. Plan Your Content in Advance
Make use of a content calendar to help you plan your content in advance. This will ensure that you always create a good mix of content while staying consistent.
2. Use Scheduling Tools
Scheduling tools are going to be your best friend — they help you stay consistent, organised and ensure that you never forget to post. These tools also give you the ability to schedule posts to go out on multiple platforms simultaneously.
3. Repurpose Your High-Performing Content
When you have a piece of content that is performing really well, repurpose it into a different format for other platforms. This is a great way to boost engagement while saving you time.
4. Batch Create Your Content
Creating content is tiring, so set aside some time to create multiple pieces of content in one sitting. This will help prevent any last-minute stress and help keep your brand voice consistent.
5. Make Use of Analytics
Speculating about what might be effective won't give you results. It's essential to base your choices on data. You have access to both internal and third-party analytics tools to help you determine which content your audience likes or doesn't.
6. Follow the 80 / 20 Rule
The 80 / 20 principle suggests dedicating 20% of your time to producing content and the remaining 80% to interacting with your online audience. This approach will enhance loyalty and boost visibility with minimal effort.
7. Outsource or Delegate Tasks
If you're overwhelmed and social media is consuming time you can't spare, consider seeking help. Bringing on a freelancer or assistant to manage content creation, scheduling and interaction can free up your time while maintaining active social channels.
8. Automate Engagement
Utilising automated replies for direct messages or a customer service chatbot can significantly save time and effort. Automated responses to DMs enable you to maintain a connection with your audience even when you're offline.
For more social media tips, take a look at What Are the Seven Cs of a Social Media Strategy?
*Image courtesy of Canva