Facebook’s post scheduler allows users to plan and schedule posts in advance rather than posting content live. This handy tool helps social media managers and business owners manage a steady stream of content without having to constantly log in to manually share updates.
How to Find the Post Scheduler
The Facebook post scheduler can be accessed in a few different ways depending on the version of Facebook you are using:
- On the desktop website: Go to your Facebook Page and click “Publishing Tools” in the left sidebar. Then click “Scheduled Posts” to access the scheduler.
- On the mobile app: Go to your Facebook Page, tap the “More” menu and select “Scheduled Posts.”
- On Facebook Creator Studio: This is Facebook’s desktop publishing platform. Once logged in, click the dropdown menu next to “Publish” and select “Scheduled Posts.”
So in summary, the scheduler can be found within the Publishing Tools section of Facebook Pages and within Creator Studio. The location may vary slightly depending on which interface you are using, but these are the general places to access it.
Benefits of Using the Scheduler
There are a few key reasons why using Facebook’s built-in scheduling tool can be beneficial:
- Planning ahead – Scheduling posts allows you to plan and space out your content in advance. This helps ensure your Page has a consistent flow of updates.
- Timing posts – You can strategically schedule posts during peak times when your audience is most active on Facebook.
- Managing workload – Scheduling content ahead of time can save time and make it easier to manage posting regularly.
- Analyzing performance – Facebook provides insight data on scheduled posts, so you can see how well they perform before going live.
Having the ability to schedule content removes the stress of having to manually post updates day-of. Overall, it provides more control over your Facebook marketing strategy.
How to Use the Scheduler
If you’re new to using Facebook’s built-in scheduler, here is a quick step-by-step guide:
- Access the scheduler from your Facebook Page or Creator Studio.
- Click the “+” button to create a new scheduled post.
- Select the Facebook Page you want to schedule the post to.
- Write your post text, upload any images or videos, and customize the post as needed.
- Select a date and time to have the post go live.
- Click “Schedule” to confirm and set the posting time.
- View all your scheduled posts in a list and make any edits as needed.
As you get familiar with the tool, you’ll find additional options like choosing a posting frequency, adding locations, tagging other accounts, and more.
Tips for Success
Here are some top tips for getting the most out of Facebook’s scheduler:
- Schedule posts 1-2 weeks in advance. Scheduling too far out can make it hard to keep content relevant.
- Space out scheduled posts every 1-2 days for a consistent cadence.
- Avoid scheduling on major holidays when engagement is generally lower.
- Test scheduling posts at different times to see what timing works best.
- Analyze your Facebook Page Insights to inform when your audience is most active.
- Mix up post types – don’t over-schedule a single format.
- Schedule a variety of content – promotions, community engagement, industry news, etc.
Following best practices with your scheduling approach will help boost engagement and get your posts in front of more of your target audience.
Troubleshooting Issues
While Facebook’s scheduler is fairly robust, you may occasionally encounter some issues:
Scheduled post didn’t publish
If your Facebook scheduled post doesn’t go live when expected, here are some things to check:
- Make sure the Page Access Token hasn’t expired. This connects your Page to the publishing tools.
- Check your account hasn’t been restricted from scheduling.
- Confirm the date and time set was correct.
- See if there were any platform issues when it failed to post.
In most cases, rescheduling the post with an updated access token should resolve the issue.
Edited posts revert to original
If you edit a scheduled post but it reverts to the original, this is standard Facebook behavior. To update a scheduled post:
- Delete the current scheduled version.
- Recreate and reschedule the post with your edits.
This will ensure the updated version is what publishes at the scheduled time.
Posts not optimizing for different Pages
If you manage multiple Facebook Pages but notice scheduled posts don’t adapt properly for each audience, make sure to:
- Customize each post with relevant images, captions, hashtags, etc for that Page.
- Analyze each Page’s Insights analytics to inform content.
- Check the post is actually scheduled to the correct Page.
With a bit of extra care, you can optimize scheduled content for each of the Pages you manage.
Additional Scheduling Tools
Facebook’s built-in scheduler covers the basics, but social media managers often need more advanced scheduling functionality. Here are some additional tools that integrate with Facebook:
| Tool | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Hootsuite | Schedule to multiple networks, collaborate with teams, auto scheduling based on previous performance |
| Buffer | Optimal send times, integrates with other marketing channels, analyze performance |
| Sprout Social | Comprehensive analytics, custom reporting, manage Instagram and Facebook from one dashboard |
While most social media management platforms require paid plans, they enable more robust scheduling, analytics, and collaboration features. The investment can be worth it for agencies and larger brands.
Conclusion
Having a streamlined way to schedule social media content is crucial for any brand maintaining an active Facebook presence. Facebook’s built-in scheduling tool provides an easy option right within your Page or Creator Studio.
Optimizing when you schedule updates based on your audience’s activity patterns can help maximize engagement. Additional social media management platforms offer more advanced features and analytics as well.
Overall, leveraging Facebook’s scheduler along with best practices for timing and content will keep your Page generating consistent engagement and traffic.