I run a Fb group known as Freelancers Who Work Sensible, Not Exhausting, however, for ages, I managed it the arduous method, not the sensible method.
The arduous method appears like this: attempting to recollect to publish frequently (after I generally can’t even keep in mind what day of the week it’s), developing with a few of my finest concepts at 3 a.m. (earlier than promptly falling asleep and forgetting them), and posting sporadically with neither consistency nor technique. Days and even weeks (eek) would go by with out me posting, and the group would lose momentum.
Considerably satirically, issues modified after I went on maternity depart. Earlier than taking three months off work, I scheduled two posts every week to maintain the group lively whereas I used to be coping with diapers. In doing this, the group ended up changing into extra lively than it’s ever been!
So within the curiosity of working smarter, not tougher — whether or not you run a Fb Web page or Fb Group — let me stroll you thru the way you may be capable to arrange the same course of.
On this information, I’ll cowl the principle benefits of scheduling Fb posts and clarify precisely methods to schedule posts on Fb to enhance your posting consistency and content material efficiency.
5 advantages of scheduling Fb posts
Whether or not you’re attempting to extend model consciousness, develop your viewers, construct neighborhood, or generate leads (or all 4!), there are numerous advantages to scheduling your Fb posts prematurely.
1. Preserve consistency
The place content material is king, constant content material is the trusted advisor the king can’t dwell with out. It’s easy: While you publish frequently, your viewers is aware of what to anticipate and when to anticipate it. And also you keep high of thoughts so that they don’t neglect who you might be and what you do.
The numbers again this up. Buffer’s knowledge scientist, Julian Winterhiemer, analyzed engagement throughout all platforms Buffer helps — Instagram, Fb, TikTok, LinkedIn, Bluesky, Threads, X, YouTube, Mastodon, and Pinterest. And, guess what? Probably the most constant posters acquired 5 occasions extra engagement per publish than customers who posted inconsistently.
From my very own small and fewer spectacular dataset, I can definitively say that scheduling = consistency. Try my stats under. I used to be on maternity depart (with scheduled posts) from Could 1st to July thirty first. There’s clearly much more exercise taking place within the former half of the chart in comparison with after I relied on my ad-hoc posting (after August 1st).
So scientifically and anecdotally, scheduling posts persistently is your secret weapon for constructing an engaged, loyal viewers.
2. Create higher-quality content material
The great thing about scheduling your posts is that it offers you the present of time.
As an alternative of scrambling to provide you with one thing on the fly, you’ll be able to plan forward and ensure every publish is thoughtfully crafted and never simply checking the field of, “Oh heck, I must publish one thing earlier than folks assume I’ve disappeared.” (Sure, I’m talking from private expertise.)
Scheduling forces you to decelerate and deal with high quality, quite than dashing by a publish on the final minute simply because it’s good to get one thing on the market.
While you take the time to think about your content material rigorously, it exhibits. Your posts shall be extra intentional, extra aligned together with your objectives, and in the end more practical at connecting together with your viewers. Plus, you’ve acquired a buffer (no pun meant) to refine issues earlier than hitting ‘publish.’
3. Be extra environment friendly and save time
I’ve touched on this above, however time is your most respected useful resource. And posting on Fb can take numerous it, particularly if you happen to’re creating your posts one after the other on the day you intend to share them.
Then there’s the truth that continuously switching between duties isn’t simply inefficient; it’s a brain-drainer too. Do you know multitasking makes you slower, much less correct, and extra mentally drained? I actually don’t want that in my life, and I doubt you do both.
While you schedule your posts forward of time, you’ll be able to batch your work, lowering the psychological load of getting to publish on the fly and breaking your circulate. By setting apart an hour or two to plan your content material for the week, you’ll save time, protect your focus, and be sure that every publish is on level. Effectivity for the win!
As I discussed earlier, I created my content material in batches earlier than I went on maternity depart, which made the duty extra manageable. A lot so, that it’s probably the most constant I’ve ever been, regardless of being away from my desk.
4. Optimize attain by posting at the very best time on your viewers
A part of your content material technique entails determining the very best time to publish on Fb for optimum engagement.
Julian was sort sufficient to dig into the info right here on this, too. He pored over the efficiency of greater than 1 million Fb posts despatched by way of Buffer by companies, creators, and influencers to pinpoint the very best time to publish on Fb, the very best day to publish on Fb, plus the best-performing content material on Fb.
Based on Buffer knowledge, the very best time to publish on Fb is 5 a.m. on Monday.
Be aware that this doesn’t essentially imply that is when audiences are up and consuming your content material — it’s probably that posts want a while to achieve momentum on the feed.
Regardless, it means the best-performing posts have been shared at the moment. If that isn’t an awesome cause to schedule your Fb content material, I don’t know what else is!
Right here’s an important caveat: There’s no universally optimum time to publish, as it is going to additionally rely on your small business and its circumstances. One of the best time to publish on Fb — or any social media platform — all the time will depend on your viewers.
In my group, for instance, I’m reaching two major time zones: SAST and CAT, so I must discover a time that works for each. I purpose to hit the South African viewers at lunchtime, and the US viewers very first thing within the morning as they begin their day.
5. Higher content material planning and management
I do know that random posting can really feel a bit like throwing spaghetti on the wall to see what sticks. However whenever you schedule posts, you’re within the driver’s seat.
You’ll be able to plan strategically, ensuring your content material is spaced out in a method that retains issues contemporary and interesting. This additionally permits you to plan for time-sensitive content material, guaranteeing it goes out when it’s most related.
It’s additionally a lot simpler to keep up a constant voice and magnificence whenever you’re accountable for your posting schedule. As an alternative of lashing out with one thing spicy and off-brand since you’ve had a foul day, planning and scheduling forward will get you within the circulate of making considerate, on-brand content material that displays your values and resonates together with your viewers.
For me, scheduling Fb posts supplies peace of thoughts that the whole lot’s taken care of, leaving me with extra mind house to a) do my actual job, and b) deal with creating much more superior content material.
Now that we have coated the ‘why’ of Fb scheduling, let’s dive into the ‘how:’
Learn how to schedule a publish on Fb utilizing Buffer
Let’s begin with probably the most feature-rich scheduling route, a social media administration instrument like Buffer.
Right here’s methods to schedule utilizing Buffer in 4 easy steps:
Go to your Buffer dashboard.Choose your Fb Web page or group.Craft your Fb publish.Schedule your publish.
1. Go to your Buffer dashboard
When you’ve signed up for Buffer and linked your Fb account, you’ll see your Buffer dashboard:
2. Choose your Fb Web page or group
Choose the Fb Web page or profile you wish to publish to, within the left-side column. Click on on the ‘+ New’ create publish button on the highest right-hand facet of your display, then select ‘Publish.’
3. Create your Fb publish
A popup the place you’ll be able to craft your publish will seem. (You may as well add some other channels you’ve got linked to crosspost your content material elsewhere.)
Use an concept you’ve generated or create from scratch. Select ‘Publish,’ ‘Reel, or ‘Story,’ relying on what content material you wish to publish. Add your media and add your caption.
4. Schedule your publish
When you’ve crafted your publish, you’ve got just a few scheduling choices:
Add to Queue (default): Add the publish to the subsequent out there posting time in your posting schedule.Schedule Posts: Schedule the publish for a particular date and time.Share Now: Share the publish instantly.Share Subsequent: In case you are on one in every of our paid plans, you’ll be able to add the publish to the highest of your queue and have it printed subsequent.
📌 Fast suggestions:
To auto-publish your publish at a particular time, be certain that the ‘Automated’ choice is chosen.To schedule Fb Group posts, you’ll want to decide on ‘Notify Me’ to get a notification when the time involves publish.
Will utilizing scheduling instruments have an effect on my engagement?
No, utilizing scheduling instruments is not going to negatively affect your engagement. The truth is, consistency — one thing scheduling instruments assist you to preserve — can enhance your attain and engagement.
Analysis has proven that posts scheduled by way of third-party instruments could even obtain greater engagement in comparison with posts printed natively.
Whereas scheduling posts would not assure success by itself, it ensures that your content material goes out at optimum occasions and frees up time so that you can deal with creating and interacting together with your viewers. Engagement drops when customers neglect to answer feedback or deal with posting often with out contemplating content material high quality.
The underside line is that with good content material, correct timing, and lively engagement, utilizing scheduling instruments will be an effective way to boost your social media presence.
Learn how to schedule a publish on Fb on the app
If in case you have a Fb Web page, a profile in skilled mode, or a Fb Group, you’ll be able to create, schedule, and handle posts instantly on the Fb app.
Learn how to schedule a publish in your web page or skilled profile:
On the high of your feed, web page, or profile, faucet ‘What’s in your thoughts?’Create your publish.Faucet ‘Subsequent’ to open publish settings and scheduling choices. You’ll be able to then select a time to publish your publish or use the really useful occasions.
⚡️ Professional tip: To see all of your scheduled posts, faucet ‘Handle Posts’ in your web page or profile.
Learn how to schedule a Fb Group publish:
Faucet ‘Write one thing’ in your group and create your publish. Faucet the calendar icon to set a date and time, then ‘Schedule’.
Learn how to schedule a publish on Fb utilizing Meta Enterprise Suite
Meta Enterprise Suite is a free instrument from Meta that permits you to handle your Fb and Instagram content material in a single place.
In comparison with Fb’s native scheduling, Enterprise Suite offers you extra management and allows you to publish to each platforms without delay, although it is a little more sophisticated to make use of.
Navigate to the enterprise web page you handle.Click on on ‘Meta Enterprise Suite’ on the left-hand menu or at enterprise.fb.com.Within the Enterprise Suite dashboard, select ‘Planner’.Click on ‘Create publish’: Select the place you wish to publish (Fb, Instagram, or each), then write your publish, add media, and hyperlinks.Scroll all the way down to ‘Scheduling choices’ and toggle ‘Set date and time’.Decide the date and time you need the publish to go dwell.Click on ‘Schedule’ to verify.
📌 Be aware: Meta Enterprise Suite at the moment doesn’t permit posting or scheduling to Fb Teams.
Evaluating the three scheduling choices at a look
Function
Native
Buffer
Meta Enterprise Suite
Supported Platforms
Fb, Instagram
Fb, Instagram, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, Google Enterprise Profile, Bluesky, Mastodon, Threads
Fb, Instagram
Fb Group publish scheduling
Sure
Sure – with cell notifications
No
Content material Scheduling
Sure – Restricted to Fb & Instagram
Sure – Centralized dashboard for multi-platform scheduling
Sure – Restricted to Fb & Instagram
Scheduling Options
Fundamental scheduling with restricted choices
Superior scheduling choices with options like queue administration and optimum timing ideas
Fundamental scheduling capabilities with out superior queue administration
Create house
No – No central content material library or concept board out there
Sure – Devoted dashboard to save lots of and set up concepts, photographs, GIFs, PDFs, movies, hyperlinks, or textual content so you’ll be able to rapidly flip them into posts later
No – No central content material library or concept board out there
AI Help
No
Sure – AI Assistant helps write, rephrase, and generate publish concepts based mostly on prompts
Sure – AI ideas for captions and publish enhancements for Fb/Instagram.
Content material Repurposing
No
Sure – Composer permits you to tailor posts for every platform, guaranteeing your content material is optimized for various audiences
No
Personalized Touchdown Web page
No
Sure – Create a Begin Web page in minutes
No
Group Collaboration
No
Sure – Draft approvals, feedback, function assignments
No
Centered Scheduling
No – Should navigate by Fb
Sure – Third-party instrument helps keep away from distractions from social platforms
No – Should navigate by Fb or Instagram apps
Entry to Newest Options
Sure – Fast entry to platform-specific options
Oblique – Could not all the time have instant entry to platform-specific options
Sure – Fast entry to Fb & Instagram updates
Ease of Use
Easy interface, however can really feel restricted
Easy, clear interface with centralized dashboard
Could be complicated to navigate, particularly for learners
Pricing
Free
Free plan out there with premium options at inexpensive charges ($5/month)
Free
Learn how to edit or delete a scheduled Fb publish
Noticed a spelling error to repair? Or maybe circumstances have modified (is TikTok banned or not?!) and also you now not want the publish in any respect? Excellent news; you’ll be able to edit or delete a scheduled Fb publish. Right here’s how:
On Fb:
To vary a publish after you’ve scheduled it, faucet ‘Handle Posts’, then delete the publish and recreate it.
On Buffer:
Faucet your profile image to go over to your web page, then faucet the ‘Settings and exercise’ menu icon on the highest proper (the three horizontal strains).
Faucet ‘Scheduled content material.’Right here, you will discover a listing of the Fb content material you’ve got scheduled. Faucet on the one you wish to edit.Faucet on the three dots on the highest right-hand facet of the publish.On this menu, you will have the choice to delete, edit, and reschedule your publish, and even publish it straight away by tapping ‘Share now.’
On Meta Enterprise Suite:
Go to enterprise.fb.com and choose your web page. On desktop, from the left-hand menu, click on ‘Planner’ or ‘Content material’ > ‘Posts & tales’. On cell, faucet the calendar icon or navigate to Scheduled Posts.
Use the calendar view or filter choices to find the publish you wish to edit.Click on on the publish.Click on the three dots to pick ‘Edit’ or ‘Delete’. Make your required adjustments and save or affirm deletion.
5 fast suggestions for scheduling Fb posts
1. How typically to publish
We advocate posting to Fb one or two occasions a day.
Motion step: Plan out 5–7 high-quality posts per week in your scheduler.
2. Finest time to publish
Our knowledge means that early weekday mornings are the very best time to publish on Fb.
⚡️ Motion step: Use Buffer’s Analyze function that will help you discover the very best occasions to publish.
3. What can and might’t be scheduled
There are some publish sorts that may’t be scheduled instantly by third-party instruments like Buffer.
Issues that may be scheduled
Textual content updatesImages (as much as 4 photos with Buffer)VideosLinksStories and reels (with cell notifications)
Issues that can’t be scheduled
Photograph albumsEventsCheck-insGIFsPolls
⚡️ Motion step: Double-check every publish kind earlier than scheduling.
4. Keep in step with objectives and streaks
Buffer’s posting objectives and streaks options assist customers keep constant, which improves attain and builds viewers belief over time.
⚡️ Motion step: Set a posting purpose in Buffer and use the streak tracker to maintain your self accountable.
5. Observe analytics and engagement
Analyzing publish efficiency helps you enhance future content material.
⚡️ Motion step: Use Buffer’s analytics dashboard to trace engagement, attain, and click-through charges throughout posts. Repurpose or develop on what labored and ditch what didn’t.
Over to you
There you’ve got it; scheduling posts on Fb makes it simpler to remain constant, develop your viewers, and smash your social media objectives. From my very own expertise, I extremely advocate exploring how a scheduling instrument like Buffer can assist you’re employed smarter, not tougher.
