Why HootSuite Kicks Social Media Butt
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David
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September 17th, 2012
I love HootSuite. Sure, there are similar programs out there, but I'm a HootSuite fan all the way. Why?
Scheduling
First and foremost, HootSuite allows you to schedule updates across a variety of social media profiles. Since I spend hours everyday writing updates for companies around the country, this is a must-have feature. Before HootSuite, it took me forever. I had a little scratchpad next to me at all times, and I was always triple checking that everything went out as planned(it didn't). In one hour, I can prepare an entire week of skeleton updates without a hitch.
Built-in Ow.ly link shortener
Social media isn't kind to long hyperlinks. Fortunately, HootSuite automatically shortens anything you post with Ow.ly, which it later tracks through its analytics. Easy!
AutoSchedule
Don't know when to send? HootSuite will do it for you! Just click AutoSchedule and it will deliver those messages at the optimal time for your specific profiles. It will even send at different times of the day (i.e. Google+ at 1 pm, Facebook at 5 pm, and Twitter at 5:30 PM).
Hootsuite Goes 3D (Photo credit: Bibi)
Love HootSuite and want to share it with the world? They have programs on several major affiliate sites, which allow you to make a little dough from sharing your love. It's a great way of saying Thanks to their fan club.
Analytics
HootSuite offers a varying array of powerful analytic tools depending on your need. There are only a certain amount of reports provided for free, but you can upgrade to receive more (the only thing I don't like).
Powerful Integrations
Link up to your accounts across the web. My favorite: MailChimp. I can see the stats on all of my campaigns next to my social profiles.
HootSuite University
For those of us who are absolutely clueless about how to leverage social media for complete internet awesomeness, HootSuite can help. Their university teaches ordinary folsks how to do everything. It's an add-on feature, but in the end, you're a "HootSuite Certified Professional." They even feature you on their page of certified social media pros. It's a wonderful networking tool, and a great way to break into the business.
All-in-One Command Center
I call HootSuite "the Command Center." From one page, I can see everything. It's like NASA's Mission Control but with fewer life-or-death emergencies.
Email Update
Got a big launch coming up? Schedule those posts, but click the box to have HootSuite email you when the post goes live. It's one easy way to make sure everything goes well without refreshing your Facebook profile incessantly.
Mobile App
It's great to have all of these capabilities in one spot, but that doesn't really help me when I'm out and about. Whether I'm rushing to meet a client or getting groceries, I know exactly when something's been posted. A little owl pops up in the update bar on my phone, and I can see who said what, to whom, and when. That means I can breathe easy, because I'll get a hoot if something's awry. To me, that peace of mind is worth a few bucks a month.
Have you used HootSuite? What'd you think? We want to know!