My favorite tools as a social media manager

As a former Teachers Pay Teachers Seller and now a manager for social media and influencer marketing for two ed-tech brands, I’ve tried all the social media platforms! This post could definitely get super long but I’ve condensed it to my favorite tools as a social media manager. There are paid and free tools here. If you have a favorite I have not listed, comment below!

Favorite resources for design

1. VSCO

There are tons of editing apps out there but this one takes the cake. Create a quick collection of your favorite filters and instantly edit so that photos match your aesthetic. VSCO has a free version, but for $19.99/year you’re getting some killer presets, great editing tools. I’ve purchased my favorite Grammers presets but I keep coming back to VSCO.

 

2. Canva

If you are not using Canva… You must click this link and create an account ASAP. Canva is a graphic design platform that makes everyone feel like they’re a rockstar designer. You can create social media graphics, presentations, posters, or any type of visual content. The app includes templates for you to use OR you can make your own. They even have options for gifs! 

I upgraded to the PRO account for the following reasons:

1. I can create a brand kit and upload my own fonts, logos, and color palettes so that I can create on-brand images
2. Create templates to easily replicate and create a cohesive feed
3. MAGIC RESIZE! Easily resize to other dimensions

You can try Canva Pro for 30 days here.

Favorite resources for capturing and recording

People underestimate just how much design work is needed for social media. In order to capitalize on what others are talking about, or when that creative idea sparks, you need to move quickly. Here are my favorite resources to capture and record content.

 

Favorite resources for stock photos & sound

Sometimes you don’t have time to create images on your own but you’d still like a similar aesthetic to your feed. Here are my favorite resources for stock photos and THE very best resource for stock sound.

1. Canva
2. Adobe stock photo
3. Epidemic Sound – Try for free for 30 days!

Favorite resources for scheduling content:

1. Sprout Social

Sprout Social combines several social media tools into one platform — from social media scheduling to monitoring, and reporting. It offers ways for me to track competitor trends, pull data by specific type of content, and manage all our inboxes in one stream. I’ve tried all of the social media management tools out there and this one takes the cake. This is definitely on the pricer side and if you have the bones to invest in this, I will happily answer any questions you might have!

2. Tailwind (Pinterest)

Tailwind is the smartest way to manage your presence across Pinterest and offers a complete suite of marketing tools including Smart Scheduling, Analytics & Monitoring, Content Discovery, Education, Communities, Hashtag Suggestions and more. 

Pinterest is the main reason why my personal blog and TPT store continued to drive revenue even without posting or creating new content for THREE YEARS. If you invest in Pinterest, you are investing in your business. I cannot recommend Tailwind enough.

Get $15 credit to Tailwind with my affiliate link!

3. Free options for those starting out

• Hootsuite – FB Groups, all channels (not the best UX design)
• Tweetdeck – Twitter only
• Plann – This helps me organize content visually to match the IG aesthetic 

Favorite Resources for organizing content

Airtable

I have never been the most spreadsheet loving person, but I LOVE cute and organized! Airtable meets my organizational needs with that teacher flair by allowing my to organize all of my content and separate them by ‘bases’. Airtable is a spreadsheet-database hybrid, with the features of a database but applied to a spreadsheet. If you are looking to get more organized with content you TPT products you’ve created, want to ensure you remember to share things ON TIME… Airtable is for you.

Create an account for airtable here.

ASANA

Asana is an interactive task list (think Google Keep on steroids with WAY more bells and whistles). It allows you to visually organize, track, and manage your work. 

It’s super customizable to meet your organizational needs. There’s a free version that you definitely can get by with (& I’ve used the free for years!). 

& my favorite resource? Getting help!

Let me preface that you are an amazing human that can do anything. However, we can do even more with a little help. If you’re just starting out, make friends with other side hustlers like you to brainstorm and set goals with. Make friends in the community niche you’d like to grow in. 

If you’re making money and want to do more with limited time, it’s time to start looking for a contractor or virtual assistant to offload that Pinterest strategy or blog writing. Not sure where to start? I manage one full time intern and TEN contractors (on top of my weekly deliverables). If you have questions for me, I’m ready to answer them. We’re friends after all. 🙂