Tools for Marketing and Content Creation

Building your presence across multiple social media platforms is incredibly valuable for brands and creators — but it doesn't have to mean spending all day creating unique content for each channel. In fact, many successful creators and brands have a secret: they crosspost across platforms to get more mileage out of their content. Our data shows this approach is remarkably common — 59% of posts created in Buffer are posted to more than one social media platform. Crossposting a game-changer for busy creators and small businesses who want to maintain an active presence on social media without burning out. Instead of starting from scratch for every platform, you can adapt and…

You probably won't have to scroll TikTok for more than a few minutes before stumbling upon a video about how someone has just quit their day job to become a full-time creator. (Not just my algorithm, is it?) It makes for great content, of course, but there really are loads of ways to earn on TikTok — and I don’t just mean through sponsored posts. TikTok is a standout social media platform when it comes to the sheer volume of ways you can earn — without even leaving the app. The platform is constantly experimenting with new ways creators can monetize their content, from participating in challenges with cash incentives to receiving rewards for high-performing content. Wheth…

Conferences have been on my mind a lot lately—specifically, the ones that bring together the brightest marketers and creators in the industry. After sharing the list with my Marketing team, one thought echoed across the board: "Our readers would probably love this, too." So, why are conferences on our radar in the first place? Well, being a remote team has some huge perks—working with people from around the globe, for starters. But there's something about meeting face-to-face that simply can’t be replicated through a Zoom call. Plus, the right conference does two things at once: gives you access to top-tier education and opens doors to incredible networking opportunities.…

Meta has announced a new mobile video editing app called Edits, which will be available in app stores in February 2025. The announcement comes hot on the heels of ByteDance's CapCut temporary removal from major app stores as part of the TikTok ban, leaving creators scrambling for alternatives. The timing is no coincidence, of course. Meta has a history of making strategic moves to fill market gaps. Remember when they launched Instagram Reels right after TikTok's ban in India? Or how Threads emerged as X (formerly Twitter) was going through changes? Still, the news will be a welcome surprise to Instagram Reels creators — particularly since it looks like it’s going to be a …

When your to-do list is already longer than a TikTok scroll, hopping between apps to schedule social media posts is the fastest way to lose focus. That’s why the smartest creators and marketers rely on social media scheduling tools to batch content, stay visible, and actually log off. I used to publish on the fly too, but I’ve been converted to content batching. And after testing a dozen schedulers, I found what really matters — and what doesn’t. Today, planning content in advance lets me stay visible on most social media platforms, reclaim evenings for real life, and still hit my growth goals. In this guide, you’ll find the media scheduling tools that make that possible,…

After digging into millions of posts sent through Buffer, we’ve pinpointed the best time to post on all major social platforms for maximum engagement and reach — LinkedIn included. Discovering the best time to post on LinkedIn was particularly fascinating. While most other social media platforms can be pretty unpredictable, with ebbs and flows in activity happening at random times of the day, LinkedIn’s high-engagement time slots are like clockwork. I’ll be honest: this is a nice change of pace compared to the unpredictability of social media in general! It makes sense, of course — LinkedIn’s primary purpose is to connect professionals, and many users need to log on daily…

With all the uncertainty surrounding the TikTok ban (which is on pause as of writing this article), creators who have built massive followings on the platform are understandably concerned about what the future holds. TikTok has been a game-changer for short-form video content, helping countless creators reach new heights in their careers, connect with global audiences, and even turn their passion into a full-time income. However, as the possibility of a ban looms, many creators are taking proactive steps to secure their futures by exploring other platforms. One popular strategy involves directing their followers to alternative networks using links in their bios, ensuring …

There are no definitive “growth hacks” for increasing the number of followers on your Instagram account — but there are still plenty of things you can do to build your Instagram growth strategy. Here are 13 steps you can take for organic Instagram growth in the order we recommended doing them. Before we dive in: If you’re just starting with Instagram for your business or as a creator, the first step is to tighten the nuts and bolts of your Instagram presence. Don't fall for the temptation to buy fake followers — it'll only hurt you in the long run. The first few tactics in this guide cover the basics and are particularly relevant to new creators or businesses. Even if you…

With the ever-changing nature of The Algorithm™, hashtags have remained one of the most reliable ways to boost your content’s visibility. Whether you're creating Instagram Reels, posting to TikTok, or scheduling content across multiple social media platforms, the right hashtags can help you reach the right audience — fast. Your TikTok or Instagram hashtags might be what gets your content discovered, shared, or saved — especially when they’re relevant, timely, and well-placed. That’s why having a solid hashtag strategy is still a key part of successful social media marketing. But let’s be real: finding the best hashtags for every post can be a time-consuming task. And not …

TikTok hashtags aren’t a one-way ticket to virality — but they can absolutely help boost visibility. When done right, TikTok hashtags help categorize your content, enable the algorithm to understand what your content is about, and boost your discoverability through TikTok SEO. In this article, we’ll explore everything there is to know about TikTok hashtags: What are TikTok hashtags? Why you should use hashtagsHow to find the right TikTok hashtagsHow to use TikTok hashtags properlyPlus, I’ll share a curated list of 250 trending TikTok hashtags — organized by industry to help you reach the right audience and grow your presence. What are TikTok hashtags?TikTok hashtags are k…

Keeping up with Instagram in 2025 feels a bit like running a marathon. There’s always something new, trends move fast, and maintaining consistency can be exhausting. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to tackle it alone — and you certainly don’t have to spend a fortune. The right tools make all the difference. Whether you’re crafting engaging visuals, planning your content calendar, analyzing your data, or boosting engagement, free Instagram tools can save you hours of work every week. Detailed analytics can help in understanding post performance and user engagement. In this article, I’ve rounded up 26 free Instagram tools for creators, marketers, and small business…

As much as it can seem like a status symbol to be verified, there are also really practical reasons to have a verified Instagram account. Verification helps with engagement, can help Instagram users find real sources of news, and can stop impersonation, among other things. Getting verified adds credibility to any account — so it's no wonder that so many of us are keen to have that blue check on Instagram. And, with the roll-out of the new Meta Verified subscription, getting that little icon is not only reserved for public figures (as long as you're happy to pay a monthly fee, of course). In this post, we'll cover what verification is, the two ways to get a blue check on t…

If newsletters have a million fans, then I am one of them. If newsletters have only one fan, then that is me. If newsletters have no fans, I am no longer on earth. Drama aside, email newsletters are such a fascinating medium because they come in so many shapes and sizes. With the right combination, you get a wide range of experts in your inbox periodically, sharing news, insights, and advice. There are a ton of great newsletters to choose from – almost too many. So for this list, we focused on newsletters relevant to our audience of social media managers, creators, and small businesses. With the newsletters on this list, you can stay on top of all things social media and …

Staying consistent on social media is one of the best routes to success on any platform — though that's easier said than done. Which is why we wanted a way to make this easier (and more fun!). Enter: Streaks! What are streaks? Streaks is more than just a feature — it's your personal trainer for social media content creation. The concept is beautifully simple: share a post every week, and watch your streak count grow. Miss a week, and your streak resets, gently nudging you to stay on track. How streaks workWe've designed streaks with three key motivational elements: Weekly streak counter: A clear, visual representation of your posting consistency. Each consecutive week yo…

If you have a business and you choose not to use TikTok for business, you’re actively sleeping on a goldmine. TikTok has a massive user base of over 1.69 billion (!!) monthly active users — and the number of Americans using TikTok weekly has quadrupled since 2021. Let’s get rid of the top two objections before I tell you how to use TikTok for business. 👉 “TikTok is only for businesses who serve younger demographics.” The audience demographics on TikTok are evolving, including older age groups. The social media site isn’t limited to younger users anymore. The latest U.S. TikTok report showed weekly TikTok users aged between 35-44 have only grown since 2022. 👉 “TikTok won’t…

Instagram reach can seem like magic. How do some creators get tons of views while others rarely see it? And why do some quick, spur-of-the-moment posts seem to get more views than others you spend hours creating? It’s not all smoke and mirrors. In this article, we’ll share 14 ways to get more views and increase reach on your Instagram content. What does 'Instagram reach' even mean?Instagram reach is the number of unique people who view (and hopefully interact with) your Instagram posts. You can track Instagram reach for a single post, for your Instagram profile, or for a social media campaign. Along with the number of unique visitors, you also get insights into the demogr…

Creating content on social media can be powerful, both for businesses and aspiring creators — but it can be tough to figure out where to begin. You’re hemming and hawing over which social media platforms you should be on, which content creation tools you should use, and building a social media content strategy. It’s all too…overwhelming. Where do you even start? As it happens, right here. We've created this guide to be a one-stop shop: your action plan to start, scale, and maintain your social media content creation. Content formats and the social platforms that support itBefore we get down to business, you must know which social media network supports what content form…

Ever wondered how to increase your reach and engagement and, in turn, grow your following on Instagram? Your Instagram captions could hold the key. Yes, Instagram is a visual social media platform, but your caption carries more weight in the Instagram algorithm than you think. A strong visual can catch users' attention, but carefully thought-out Instagram captions can do more heavy lifting when it comes to growing your following on Instagram. For another, your caption can be crucial in prompting engagement from your followers. For example, you could use those 3,000 characters to: Authentically connect with your followers in a meaningful, vulnerable caption.Ask them a que…

We’ve always had teammates who have side projects in addition to working at Buffer. Working on new projects, building, experimenting, and self-improvement are built into our DNA as a company. So it's quite common to be speaking with someone only to find out they own a small business outside of Buffer that started as a side project. We also have several published authors and many apps built by Buffer teammates. We believe this entrepreneurial spirit and creative drive not only enhances our individual growth but also enriches our culture at Buffer. These passionate pursuits outside of work bring fresh perspectives, innovative thinking, and diverse skill sets back to our te…

From brainstorming ideas, creating outlines, repurposing content — AI can make your job as a writer a whole lot easier. Artificial intelligence is not going to do your best work for you, of course. We know there’s (thankfully?) still work to be done in replicating the weirdness and wonder of human creativity. But AI can take some of the work off your plate, so you can focus on exactly that: creating. However, with the ever-growing list of AI software and tools on the market — all promising to help you generate, streamline, and automate your writing process — it can be tricky to figure out which ones are worth your time (and money). Which is where I come in. I’m a produ…

Substack has a reputation. Depending on who you ask, it’s either the best place to build a newsletter business or a platform that only works for big-name writers. The truth? It’s somewhere in between. While Substack has helped established journalists and authors go independent, it’s also a powerful tool for up-and-coming writers, niche creators, and anyone looking to build an audience without relying on social media algorithms. But is it the right platform for you? As a newsletter writer myself, I know how tough it can be to settle on a platform. There are plenty of great options, and choosing one feels like a commitment—especially if you’re planning to grow long-term. I …

More doesn’t necessarily mean better. Think emails in your inbox, glitter on a Mother’s Day card, hot sauce… That applies to social media metrics, too. You might be surprised to hear it. The more information you have, the better you can tailor your social media strategy, right? Well, not exactly. Not all social media metrics are created equal, and which ones to focus on comes down to your specific social media goals. You might be testing a new format, tracking audience growth, or trying to understand how people interact with your posts. And while it’s tempting to track everything, more data doesn’t always mean more clarity. Metrics are most helpful when they guide your …

Whether you're building your personal brand or running social media marketing for a business, choosing the right social media platforms matters. It’s not just about being where everyone is — it’s about being where your audience already shows up. That’s why we put together this guide: a look at the top social media platforms in 2025, ranked by monthly active users and updated with insights on what each platform is best for. From familiar giants like Facebook and Instagram to rising players like Threads and Bluesky, this list will help you make smarter decisions about where to show up and what kind of content to create. And remember: you don’t need to be on every social med…

With each new year, come new possibilities. You’ve probably already set goals to tap into that fresh energy that comes with a change of the calendar. If one of those goals is to grow on social media in 2025, you’re in the right place. We believe new habits take work — and content creation is no exception. It’s not as easy as picking up a phone, despite what some success stories might have you believe. You need systems and structures to build something sustainable. That’s where Creator Camp comes in. Creator Camp is a free 30-day community challenge to help you build consistent social media habits while developing your brand and connecting with fellow creators. We had over…

I have a tendency to treat coming up with content ideas as a solo sport. I’m used to sitting with my thoughts, combined with a post format I saw that I loved and want to recreate. And when I’m stuck, I scroll through my bookmarks with hundreds of post ideas for something to remix. I’ve been fortunate that that system works time and time again for me — but it’s not the only way to create. So, a few weeks ago, instead of forcing it, I tried something different that I should be doing way more often: I asked my community. Not in a vague, “what should I post about?” way — but with a specific, open-ended question. And what followed was a flood of thoughtful, deeply relatable re…