As a business owner, marketing director, or social media manager, you know that engaging content is key to building a strong online presence. When it comes to scheduling your posts, you might be wondering if it is better to schedule posts in advance or to post in real-time. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of scheduling vs. real-time posting and how you can make the best decision for your company.
What is Scheduling of Posts?
Scheduling of posts is the practice of planning and creating posts ahead of time, using a social media scheduling tool to set the date and time that the posts will go live. Scheduling your posts in advance can help save time and ensure that your content is uploaded at the best possible time to reach your audience.
What is Real-Time Posting?
Real-time posting is the practice of creating and posting content in real-time as it happens. This can be a great way to engage with your audience in a more personal way, and also allows you to stay on top of breaking news or current events in your industry. Real-time posting can also be a great way to capitalize on trends and take advantage of relevant hashtags and topics.
Benefits of Scheduling Posts
Scheduling your posts in advance can have several benefits. First, it can save time by allowing you to batch create content and schedule it all at once. Scheduling posts can also be a great way to ensure that your content is consistently being shared at optimal times to reach your audience. Additionally, scheduling content can be a great way to plan and organize your content strategy and make sure that your posts are aligned with your overall marketing goals.
Potential Downsides to Scheduling
One potential downside to scheduling your posts is that it can sometimes make your content feel less authentic. If your audience feels like your content is being mass-produced and scheduled in advance, they may not engage with it as much. Additionally, scheduling your posts too far in advance can make it difficult to stay current and take advantage of new trends or topics.
Benefits of Real-Time Posting
Real-time posting can be a great way to engage with your audience in a more personal way. When you post content in real-time, it feels more authentic and can increase engagement and interaction with your audience. Real-time posting can also be a great way to capitalize on current events, trends, and relevant topics.
Potential Downsides to Real-Time Posting
One potential downside to real-time posting is that it can be time-consuming. Creating and posting content in real-time requires you to be constantly monitoring your social media accounts and can take away time from other important tasks. Additionally, real-time posting can increase the risk of posting the wrong thing or saying something that is not aligned with your company’s message.
Conclusion
Choosing between scheduling and real-time posting ultimately depends on your company’s goals and resources. Scheduling posts can be a great way to save time and stay organized, but can sometimes make your content feel less authentic. Real-time posting can increase engagement and offer opportunities to capitalize on current trends, but can be time-consuming and increase the risk of posting the wrong thing. The best way to make the decision is to weigh the pros and cons of both, and possibly use a combination of both strategies to achieve the best results.