This post features a selection of tools that offer significant discounts or free access to 501(c)(3) organizations. And if you have access to a tool but aren’t yet using it, there’s a little something included especially for you at the end of this post!
If your nonprofit is struggling to post regularly on its social media profiles, you’ll likely benefit from adopting a social media scheduling tool. There are an overwhelming number of tools to choose from, but many are either too costly or complex for the needs of nonprofits with small teams or lean budgets. This post features four tools that I recommend—and have personally used!—for organizations with limited resources or capacity.
Social Media Management Tools
Hootsuite
HOOTSUITE is an OG of social media management (it’s been around since the early days of social media), and provides a robust mix of scheduling, content curation, social listening, and measurement features. Eligible nonprofit organizations can apply for up to 50% off Hootsuite Professional and Team Plans.
Buffer
If you care about the values + culture of the businesses you purchase from, Buffer boasts an incredible commitment to transparency. This was my go-to tool for a decade because of its clean and intuitive user interface, smart phone app, and a Chrome browser extension that makes it effortless to save + schedule content you discover on the web (articles, images, videos) to your social media accounts. Nonprofits are eligible for a 50% discount on all Buffer products and plans.
Later
LATER first launched as a tool specifically designed for Instagram, but now also integrates with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and TikTok. Qualified nonprofits are eligible for a 50% discount on annual and monthly subscription payments, and a 100% discount off its Growth monthly plan for nonprofit organizations fighting racism.
Planoly
PLANOLY was the first visual planner for Instagram and was designed to be simple, clean, and easy to use. It now works with Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter, too. Planoly offers 50% off any annual plan for qualified nonprofits. A couple of the unique features that drew me to switch to this tool include Planoly’s calender notes and placeholder feature.
Make the most of your tools!
If you decide to test out a free trial, or go all-in with a paid plan—don’t forget to claim your discount first!—be sure to subscribe for free resources from your platform of choice and utilize the various getting started guides and user support they provide.
You’ll also want to be sure to schedule a couple of 30-minute time blocks to explore and experiment with your new tool. Start with these short sessions to prevent getting overwhelmed, but then be sure to schedule a bigger time block (at least one to two hours) once or twice a month to begin batching the creation of your social media content and then scheduling posts to your organization’s social media profiles.
If you already have access to one of these platforms but haven’t been using it regularly, this list is for you, too!
These learning resources include a mix of platform-specific training (e.g., how to use Hootsuite, Buffer, Later, or Planoly), and additional training on social media strategy, trends, and best practices.
| PLATFORM | LEARNING RESOURCES |
|---|---|
| Hootsuite | Hootsuite Academy; free platform training: $99 for certification Hootsuite Blog – various social media strategy + tips Resource Library – free resources to help you succeed in social Webinars – for those who prefer listening/watching to reading! |
| Buffer | Getting Started with Buffer; learn how to use Buffer Weekly Live Q&A Sessions – learn + get your questions answered! How to Videos – help center videos on how to use Buffer Buffer Blog – social media tips, trends + news Podcast – more great content for those who prefer listening to reading |
| Later | Later Training; learn how to use Later Instagram Training – free Instagram training, e-books + downloads Later Blog – social media marketing strategies, trends + news Video Guides – various social media tips in video format |
| Planoly | Getting Started on Planoly; learn how to use Planoly Planoly Academy – self-paced, on-demand video tutorials Planoly Blog – social media tips, trends + news Library – marketing + design guides, videos + resources |
If your primary social media presence is on Facebook and/or Instagram, you should also consider using the free tools provided by Meta: Creator Studio and Business Suite. Will share more on these in a future post!
If you have additional thoughts or tips to share, or if you found this post helpful, please be sure to comment below!
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