Hootsuite: What It Is and How To Use It

What is Hootsuite?

Hootsuite is a professional tool for managing social media. It functions as a central location where users may manage content, monitor feeds, and access other social media networks. Hootsuite can create statistical reports that show various facts relevant to the success of the social media platforms in use, in addition to managing multiple social media platforms all at once.

Should you use Hootsuite?

Hootsuite's ability to schedule material in advance from a single spot is among its most valuable features. A user can enter each post on every social networking platform, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, in 15 to 30 minutes if they have their content prepared for a month's worth of updates. For small business owners who worry about taking time away from running their company to use social media, this is fantastic. Additionally, this is a fantastic approach to guarantee that the content is distributed fairly. The user will know exactly how many posts they need to create for the month to reach their objective once they have decided on a target frequency for posting on each site. For instance, the user must create 30 posts each month for Facebook/Instagram and 60 for Twitter if the intended frequency is once daily for Facebook/Instagram and twice daily for Twitter (assuming an example month length of 30 days, numbers will vary depending on exact number of days per month).

When it comes to simultaneously monitoring all of your social media channels, Hootsuite's dashboard feature is useful. You can always see when a user has a query or issue for you by setting up dashboards to display user activity and comments. Did you receive a direct question over Twitter? You can view it if your dashboard is set up correctly. Did someone express concern in a remark on a Facebook post? With Hootsuite, it will be simple to see. Not only can you view these posts, but Hootsuite also allows you to comment on them. The user can get a quick update by simply browsing through their Hootsuite feeds rather than visiting each separate social media platform and checking at their profile to see whether anyone is engaging with them. This makes connecting with the user's audience more easier.

Hootsuite provides a number of pricing tiers, including a free edition, which is a plus. This enables various users to pay whichever much they see necessary for their social media requirements. Is the user a person or a small business who wants to handle their own social media accounts only? That can be done with the free version. Is the user a company seeking to learn more about various social media platforms through analysis? A paid package can be more advantageous. In conclusion, customers should be aware that Hootsuite at the very least offers a free trial of one of the expensive plans so they can test out some of the features that are only available to the paid versions of Hootsuite.

Users can access analytical data from Hootsuite in the form of reports. Depending on their Hootsuite subscription, customers can access a different number of reports. Users of the free edition will have access to a limited number of basic reports, including overview reports for Twitter and Facebook. Enterprise users get access to all reports, but Pro users can distribute a specific number of points from their account to access reports that are only available to Pro users. Even though free reports still allow you to track results over time, subscription reports are more specific and extensive than free reports (audience engagement, follower numbers, etc.)

Hootsuite is recommended for small businesses because:

• Most social media channels can be watched from a single source when handled appropriately.
• Scheduling content may make it simpler to manage it.
• Reports provide analytical insight on the effectiveness of social media.
• Hootsuite can help you spend less time maintaining high-quality social media accounts if you utilize it properly.

What knowledge is required in order to use Twitter for business purposes?

At first, Hootsuite may seem a little scary. Its initially quite baffling interface is one of its key weaknesses. To begin comprehending Hootsuite, it helps to break down the terminology used by the service. Here is a copy of the glossary from Hootsuite that has been condensed to just the key words that people using Hootsuite will need to know. Click here to access the complete version.

Analytics: Hootsuite is a platform for tracking, examining, and reporting social media data. Analytics is a tool that may be used for market and business research in addition to measuring web traffic. Analytics reports can be created in the dashboard's Analytics section. You can now monitor your social media data in real-time with the new Analytics Overview and Boards.

Analytics Points: Old Analytics generated reports using points. Hootsuite Analytics has point values for each module. A report can be deleted or its modules removed to reuse points.

App Directory: The App Directory section of the dashboard is where apps may be added, uninstalled, and have their settings modified (when applicable).

Apps: Apps are items from a third party that are extensions or applications made specifically for the dashboard. Plugins or streams are used to add apps.

Assignments: Assignments are a tool for team collaboration. Messages from Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ Pages can be divided up among teams and team members for action, enabling thorough and effective response across all of your company's social networks. Assignments are maintained under the Dashboard's Assignments section. This involves making assignments, changing them, reacting to them, and viewing them.

Auto-schedule: Content is automatically scheduled by AutoSchedule. Draft and queue messages in advance, then let AutoSchedule publish them based on preset parameters, the best engagement times, and previously scheduled material.

Bulk Upload Tool: The bulk upload feature enables the upload and scheduling of numerous messages at once. There are no restrictions on individual scheduled messages, however bulk uploads are limited to 350 messages at once. exclusive to the premium program

Campaigns: Hootsuite's Campaigns function is used to create and promote engaging social contests. Sweepstakes, photo or video contests, and full-screen social feeds all fall under this category. Campaigns can assist with lead generation, email database expansion, and demographic research.

Contacts: Contacts are those who follow or follow you on Google+ or Twitter. A contact makes sure that person's social media posts are seen in streams. The dashboard's Contacts area is where contacts are maintained.

Hootfeed: A Twitter feed is formatted by HootFeed so it may be seen (full-screen). HootFeed is a real-time Twitter feed that was created for usage at live events.

Hootlet: A free Chrome plugin called Hootlet makes it possible to share material right from the browser. Hootlet preloads the title and URL of the web page to share, mimicking the appearance and feel of the compose message box.

Keyword Tracking: Twitter search query refinement enhances search stream outcomes. One Twitter stream can be used to track up to three keywords or phrases.

Launch Menu: The primary menu for Hootsuite may be accessed from the dashboard's left side. Along with the Sign Out button, it lists each of the primary dashboard sections.

Organization: The highest level of a company account is an organization. Organizations can be configured to mimic real-world corporate structures by adding teams, team members, and social networks. This enables for the best possible collaboration. Within an organization, many levels of permission can be granted.

ow.ly (Shortened URL): A URL shortener is ow.ly. Links can be shortened into manageable ow.ly links from the compose message box to conserve characters in messages. Ow.ly links can be tracked, so you can use Analytics to learn more about the reach of your social media posts.
A plugin is a tiny piece of software that can be used to extend the functionality of already-existing apps. There are numerous plugins that may be added to the dashboard through the App Directory.

Plugin: A plugin is a tiny piece of software that can be used to extend the functionality of already installed programs. There are numerous plugins that may be added to the dashboard through the App Directory.

Private Social Networks: Within the User Profile part of the dashboard, there is a section called Private Social Networks. It provides a list of social media sites that have been introduced for individual usage. Only the account holder is permitted to access this area.

Publisher: Content (scheduled messages, suggested messages, messages pending approval) and content sources (RSS feeds, bulk message upload, content library) are managed in the Publisher part of the dashboard.

Settings: Account settings (profile information, authentication, security, and billing), dashboard preferences, archived messages, RSS/Atom feeds, vanity URLs, dashboard notifications, and AutoSchedule settings are all accessible under the Settings section of the dashboard.

Streams: Columns on the dashboard called streams show content from social networks. Every social network has a different stream functionality available. The main interaction interface is located in the Streams portion of the dashboard, where users may view profiles, reply to messages, use third-party app functionalities (where applicable), and much more. Tabs and streams can be added here to organize incoming content.

Tab: The streams in the dashboard are separated and arranged using tabs, much as those on filing folders. You can delete, rename, and rearrange tabs.

Teams: Organizational structural elements include teams, team members, and social networks. Within the dashboard, these blocks may represent actual team or department structures.

Tools: The Hootsuite Academy, details on Partner programs, mobile apps, and Hootsuite extensions and downloads are all easily accessible from the Tools section of the dashboard.

You need to have a social media plan before using Hootsuite. Hootsuite provides you with all the resources you need to successfully implement a solid social media strategy, but the platform isn't much use without one. Learn about your audience and what types of content they enjoy.

Checklist

Let's look at some information you can use to make Hootsuite work for you now that you have a basic understanding of the service itself.

#1 - Activate the social media accounts for your business on Hootsuite.
#2 - Hootsuite works best when connected to more than one social media platform, not just one.
#3 - Make your content available in advance.
#4 - This avoids the last-minute content scramble. Establish a consistent timetable for your content (every week, every month, etc.) and stick to it.
#5 - The Bulk Scheduler function is available to Hootsuite Pro subscribers and above. This enables you to upload up to 350 posts simultaneously using Excel in a very particular format that Hootsuite specifies.
#6 - Utilize the analytical reports.
#7 - The free reports provide some basic interaction numbers as well as data on how a social media profile has evolved over time.
#8 - For individuals that want to thoroughly understand their social media performance, the reports that are available with paid profiles provide more in-depth information.
#9 - Utilize streams to keep an eye on each social media feed and gauge viewer interest
#10 - The user can view incoming Twitter mentions, Facebook comments, direct messages, etc. by setting up streams.
#11 - A business could manage productive Facebook and Twitter accounts without leaving the Hootsuite service by utilizing streams and the publishing feature on Hootsuite. Instagram postings can still be scheduled but require mobile confirmation within the app.

External Hootsuite Resources

Here is a selection of resources that have been collected from various online sources. Although there is still a ton of material in Hootsuite that can be studied, this tutorial has covered a lot of ground. Here, we also provide a more detailed, step-by-step tutorial on how to use specific Hootsuite features.

This Hootsuite fast start guide explains how to set up your account with essential features like streams and apps.

This is a straightforward resource from Mashable that contains useful data. Although some of the information is a little dated, much of it is still relevant.

For advice on how to integrate Hootsuite into your social media strategy, get in touch with us today. Shakabaka's customer service team would be delighted to work with you.