The best method to free up time on Instagram so you can devote more energy elsewhere is to familiarize yourself with the platform’s scheduling features. The more intricate your Instagram marketing strategy is, the more useful a scheduling tool will be for you. Whatever size company you run or team you oversee, this maxim holds true. When some of the tedious tasks are automated, it becomes much simpler to plan, create, and distribute consistent, high-quality content. In this article, we will discuss how to schedule posts on the Instagram app for free.
Can You Schedule Instagram Posts?
Yes! Connecting your Instagram account to Producer Studio allows you to schedule posts if you are a content producer or business owner using Meta’s services.
Instagram’s API allows users of marketing platforms like HubSpot to schedule posts in advance, eliminating the need for Creator Studio.
Instagram is also experimenting with a new in-app feature that allows users to schedule posts and reels in advance. An official representative for Meta stated in October 2022, “We are testing the ability to schedule content with a percentage of our global community.”
In the same month, user @WFBrother on Twitter shared a screenshot demonstrating the app in action.
However, it is currently in beta, so for the time being, you will need to use either Meta’s Creator Studio or another social media scheduling application.
Why You Should Schedule Instagram Posts
We’ll quickly explain why before getting into how to schedule Instagram posts. In 2023, you should make scheduling your Instagram posts a high priority for these six reasons.
#1. Save Time
It’s likely that you wear multiple hats, whether as a business owner, an artist, or a social media manager, and time is money. The most compelling argument for planning your Instagram updates in advance is the time it saves.
It frees up resources that can then be used in business strategies, content production, etc.
In addition, you won’t have to think of something to post at the last minute and may instead prepare ahead of time.
#2. Continue in a Steady Fashion
Ask any successful social media manager or content producer, and they will tell you that maintaining a regular posting schedule on Instagram is a major factor in their success.
Posting multiple times per week is preferable to one massive post on the weekend (we get it, that’s not always possible!).
#3. Improve Your Captioning Skills
It’s challenging to think of clever captions on the fly. You could get stuck trying to come up with something to say, make a spelling error, or miss a golden opportunity to present your company in the best light.
Your Instagram captions will be much better if you take the time to plan and schedule them ahead of time. Include these frequently-searched terms and related hashtags to boost your post’s visibility and engagement.
That means the days of boring captions are over!
#4. Construct a Flowing Visual Narrative
In 2023, the Instagram style may not be “picture-perfect,” but users will still be attracted to grids that present a consistent visual narrative.
This may be a grid with contrasting colors, or perhaps a collection of unrelated memes and lifestyle articles.
You only get a few seconds to make a good impression, so it’s important to carefully plan a visually appealing grid that lets visitors know who you are and what you do at a glance.
#5. Maintain an Orderly Content Schedule
Instagram post scheduling is useful for other reasons as well.
To maintain a simpler publication schedule.
In this approach, you can see the big picture of your material and determine where you have room for improvement in the following weeks.
Consider whether there are any opportunities to take advantage of social media holidays or events. Is there a good mix of product images and lifestyle shots in your feed?
It’s a simple (and efficient!) method for avoiding “posting for the sake of posting” and maintaining focus on providing relevant information at all times.
#6. Put Up a Message from Your Computer
If you regularly work on graphics and social media assets on your computer, posting to Instagram from your desktop is a terrific method to save time and effort.
When you schedule posts on Instagram from your desktop, you get a larger display on which to preview them, a full keyboard on which to compose your captions and quick access to other tabs.
Guidelines for Effective Instagram Scheduling
Consider these guidelines as you schedule your Instagram posts:
#1. Publish Content When Your Audience Is Most Active
Observe the success of your articles at various times and adjust your timetable accordingly. Search Engine Journal recommends the following window of time for posting as a starting point:
- Monday: 6 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m.
- Tuesday: 8-10 a.m., 2 p.m.
- Wednesday: 9-11 a.m.
- Thursday: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., 7 p.m.
- Friday: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., 2-4 p.m.
- Saturday: 8-11 a.m.
- Sunday: 6-8 p.m.
#2. Take Your Time Crafting Your Captions
You may take your time crafting the perfect caption if you plan ahead and schedule your Instagram posts. Think carefully about the call to action you want to convey, the accounts you want to tag (if any), and the hashtag you want to use.
#3. Engage With Your Target Market
Scheduling posts on Instagram in advance frees up more time for interacting with followers, responding to comments, and running polls. If your followers tag you in a story, you should add it to your feed.
How To Schedule Posts On Instagram
Please note that personal Instagram accounts do not have the scheduling functionality that commercial accounts do.
Instagram has three different account categories for its users: personal, creator, and business. When you sign up for Instagram for the first time, you’ll be assigned a personal account.
However, you always have the option to upgrade to a professional account, which grants you access to business and creator accounts.
The main difference between a business account and a personal account is that the business account has access to analytics and the API, whereas the personal account does not. This effectively prevents you from using Facebook Creator Studio, third-party analytics tools, or post-scheduling to efficiently manage your account.
However, with an Instagram Business account, you can schedule your posts and have them automatically published at the specified time. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to consider switching to a business account, even if you’re still in the process of developing your Instagram marketing plan and your audience is expanding.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to schedule your Instagram posts:
#1. Create a Business Instagram Profile
Make the switch from Instagram personal to Instagram business if you haven’t already. From the app’s home screen, select “Menu,” then “Settings,” to change Instagram’s settings. Click the “Account” link afterward. At the very bottom, you’ll see the option to “Switch to a professional account.”
Simply respond to the remaining questions on your business’s industry and contact details, and you will be ready to schedule posts on Instagram.
#2. Create and Modify Your Content
The “+” button on the Instagram mobile app can start the creation of content, then “Post” or “Reel.” Both live and pre-recorded media capture can be done within the app.
After making a decision, you’ll have the option to customize it with a caption, effects, filters, music, text overlay, or augmented reality features.
#3. Set up a Publishing Schedule
Tap the arrow (Android) or the “Next” button (iPhone) once you are satisfied that your post is complete and ready to be published. You can set a specific time by selecting “Advanced Settings” and then “Schedule.” You can then pick a time and date up to 75 days in the future. Select “Done,” then “Back” and “Schedule” to complete scheduling your post or reel.
How To Schedule Posts On Instagram App
Near the end of 2022, Instagram implemented in-app scheduling, a feature that users had been requesting for years. Users can plan ahead for up to 75 days and schedule up to 25 posts each day. Keep in mind that only company pages can see this option. Scheduled posts can’t be made on individual profiles.
To schedule posts on the Instagram app, do as follows:
Step 1
To make something new to share on Instagram, open the app and either hit the plus button at the bottom of the screen or swipe the home feed to the right.
Step 2
Choose either post or reel, depending on what you intend to create.
Step 3
Use the app’s camera to snap a picture, record a short clip, or select an image or video from your library to submit.
Step 4
You can now add a caption after you’ve added any stickers, effects, etc.
Step 5
To access these, select “Advanced Settings” from the settings menu.
Step 6
Just flip the switch labelled “Schedule this post,” and then choose the time and date that work best for you.
Step 7
Tap Schedule to return to the prior screen.
Why Can’t I Schedule Posts on Instagram?
How you plan to schedule Instagram posts depends on the account type you have. Scheduled posts may only be made on Instagram business accounts, not personal ones.
Instagram users can choose from the standard, creator, or business accounts. A personal Instagram account is created for each user upon registration. Converting to a business or creator account is an option available to you at any moment.
Professional Instagram accounts have access to analytics and an API, but personal accounts do not. You can’t use Facebook Creator Studio, gain access to analytics, or schedule posts in advance.
However, with Instagram Business, you may set up automatic publishing of posts at a later time. Even if your Instagram following is still small, you should consider switching to a business account while you plan your marketing approach.
How Do I Schedule a Meta Post on Instagram?
If you’d rather not use a third-party application to schedule your Instagram posts, you may do it with Meta Business Suite by following the instructions below.
Step 1
Go to your Facebook page and select “Meta Business Suite” from the sidebar.
Link your Instagram and Facebook business pages together with the Facebook Meta Business Suite. Either a computer or a mobile device will suffice.
Step 2
To start a new thread, go to “Create Post” and then the “New Post” tab.
Make sure you only select Instagram as a platform under Placements if you only want to schedule your post for Instagram and not Facebook.
The next step is to either click and hold to choose an image or drag and drop to upload a video to Instagram. A carousel post can include up to 10 media items. Reels, however, are defined as videos that clock in at under 15 minutes in length.
Step 3
Make a caption for your Instagram photo and label it with relevant words and phrases.
Step 4
Schedule your Instagram post.
After that, click the blue down arrow to the right of the Publish button. To set the time and day that your post will be published, click the “Schedule Post” button.
Then select “Save” and proceed.
Under Posts and Stories on the left-hand side, you’ll see all of your pre-scheduled Instagram updates.
How To Schedule Posts On Instagram For Free
Scheduling Instagram posts for free can be done through third-party social media management tools. One popular choice is *Later, which offers a free plan allowing you to schedule up to 30 posts per month across various platforms, including Instagram. To use Later, create an account, link your Instagram profile, and then upload your photos or videos. You can plan your posts on a visual calendar, add captions, and schedule the exact date and time you want them to be published.
Also, another option is **Buffer*, which also offers a free plan for scheduling up to 10 posts on one social media profile, including Instagram. Both platforms provide user-friendly interfaces and scheduling capabilities, helping you maintain a consistent online presence without the need for manual posting. Make sure to review the terms and limitations of the free plans before choosing the one that best fits your needs.
How to Manage Scheduled Instagram Posts
It’s a frequent situation: you need to make changes to an Instagram post that was set to go live on the day of a major company promotion, but plans have changed. Scheduled Instagram posts can be modified in one of two ways:
#1. Manage Scheduled Posts From Your Instagram Profile
The first step in managing scheduled posts on Instagram is accessing your profile. Then, in the upper right-hand corner, select the menu button, and finally, the “Scheduled content” button. Then, select the post or reel you wish to modify by tapping its three-dot menu. Choose between “Reschedule,” “Share now,” and “Delete” to alter the post’s visibility and accessibility.
First, open the “Create” menu by tapping the app’s plus icon. From there, you can control your planned Instagram posts. After selecting “Post” or “Reel,” then “Scheduled,” you’ll be able to view all of your future posts and reels. Select the content you wish to edit, and then select either “Reschedule,” “Share now,” or “Delete.”
Why Did My Scheduled Content Disappear on Instagram?
There could be several reasons why your scheduled content disappeared on Instagram. It could be due to a technical glitch or a problem with the scheduling tool you were using. Sometimes, changes in Instagram’s policies or algorithms might affect scheduled posts.
Additionally, if there was an issue with your account, such as a temporary suspension or a violation of community guidelines, your scheduled content might have been removed. It’s also possible that the scheduling tool encountered errors while trying to publish the content. To resolve this, I recommend checking the scheduling tool’s status, reviewing Instagram’s policies, and ensuring your account is in good standing.
What Apps Allow You to Schedule Instagram Posts?
Here are some of the top apps that allow you to schedule Instagram posts:
#1. Tailwind
Tailwind is an app that helps you schedule your Instagram and Pinterest posts in advance and provides you with helpful insights along the way. The program helps small businesses schedule Instagram posts in advance and add personal touches with features like bulk image uploads and a built-in hashtag finder.
This application also provides a unified dashboard where you can preview your Instagram post schedule and grid before publishing.
#2. Buffer
With Buffer, you can schedule updates to your social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google+. Schedule and manage your Instagram posts from a central location with Buffer.
To keep your Instagram photo and caption as short and sweet as possible, you can add hashtags to your post in the comments section instead of the caption. Social media statistics in Buffer can let you see which of your Instagram posts were most successful with your intended audience.
Buffer is a social media management platform that provides both a mobile app (for both iOS and Android) and a browser plugin.
#3. Later
Schedule your Instagram posts in advance with Later. You can schedule posts in advance, plan them with a simple drag-and-drop interface, and have them published immediately to your Instagram Business account—all from within the same platform. In addition, the Linkin bio component of the service also enables users to directly connect their postings to relevant product pages.
With Sprout Social, you can easily manage your presence on Instagram and the other five major social media platforms. Schedule your social media posts in advance and track reactions once they go live using this tool’s built-in content planner.
Schedule Instagram posts in advance by simply uploading the image, adding the caption, and specifying additional Instagram post details (such as location) at a later time.
Additionally, the social listening features of the application allow you to spot patterns in your Instagram posts and incorporate them into the rest of your Instagram advertising campaign.
#5. Loomly
Loomly is a content management, social media publishing, and scheduling application geared towards growing your brand’s online presence. Prepare your social media content in advance by taking advantage of the various social media platforms’ automated scheduling and publishing tools. Another feature that Loomly offers is automatic Instagram (and Facebook) ad publication.
Also, you can simply keep track of both your free and paid social media posts using this platform, and your entire team can work together on content thanks to the built-in notification system (through email, Slack, and more). The app will suggest things to post on social media based on things like current events, holidays, and the best practices of the various platforms.
Benefits of Scheduling Instagram Posts
For a long time, businesses have requested that Instagram include scheduling options. If so many marketers are willing to queue up their material, why is that? Some of the most important advantages of prescheduled Instagram posts are listed below.
#1. Build a More All-Encompassing Plan For Your Content
Consider this little piece of information: the average percentage of viewers who click on various kinds of content varies widely. That’s why it’s important for firms to branch out and not just recycle the same old stuff over and over again on their social media feeds.
Instagram scheduling frees up mental space for you to evaluate your editorial calendar.
When you aren’t under time pressure to upload on Instagram, you may take your time assembling the elements that will go into making something truly special.
Intent on devoting a few days to refining a narrative article or video? It is certainly not an issue.
#2. Make Extra Time for Engaging With Your Audience
Scheduling Instagram posts, if nothing else, can provide significant time savings. As a result, there will be more chances to engage with one’s fan base and respond to feedback.
No Instagram scheduler, no matter how sophisticated, can replace personal interaction with clients. You’ll have more time for interaction if you use a social media post planner regularly.
#3. With Better Time Management Comes Better Content
Reflect on the time and energy that go into any given post or campaign.
Doing the captioning. Adjudicating visuals. Tagging. That’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Posting to Instagram at the last minute is a certain way to wear yourself out. Instagram’s post-scheduling feature allows users to better organize their time and create more thoughtful updates.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, Instagram post scheduling can be highly valuable for individuals and businesses alike. By scheduling posts in advance, you can maintain a consistent online presence, reach a global audience across different time zones, and engage with followers when they’re most active. It saves time, allows you to plan your content strategy effectively, and ensures that your posts are timely and relevant.
Additionally, scheduling tools often offer analytics, helping you track performance and optimize your content. Ultimately, this can lead to increased follower engagement, brand visibility, and potential business growth. So, yes, investing in Instagram post scheduling can significantly enhance your social media marketing efforts.
How to Schedule Posts on Instagram FAQs
What is Meta posting?
Meta-posting refers to a type of online discussion where users talk about the community itself, its rules, policies, and general behaviour. It’s a self-referential discussion about the platform or forum where the discussion is taking place. Meta posts are often used to address issues within the community, propose changes, or seek feedback from other users. In addition, it’s a way for the community to self-regulate and improve its overall functioning.
What is the easiest Instagram planner?
Simplified is the best Instagram feed planner because it lets users plan, schedule, create, and publish content without having to switch between multiple apps. Easy management of all your social media profiles, including Instagram, is just one of the many benefits of using Simplified.
What is the peak time to post on Instagram?
In general, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. are the best times to post on Instagram. The “off” time is the same as Facebook’s: between midnight and four in the morning, every day of the week. Since its early, photo-only days, Instagram has expanded greatly.
Similar Article
- HOW TO ENABLE LIVE CAPTIONS IN ANDROID 12
- How to Schedule an Email in Gmail, Effectively (Updated)
- How To Remove Instagram Account From Phone: Simple Guide
- How To Hide Like Count on Instagram: Quick Guide & Tips
Reference
