Staying on top of your LinkedIn presence can feel like a full-time job. Between publishing engaging content, monitoring discussions, and tracking analytics, finding time to plan and schedule posts on LinkedIn often falls by the wayside.
However, having a consistent posting strategy is key to cutting through the noise and connecting with your professional community on LinkedIn. This is where leveraging scheduling tools can save busy marketers and entrepreneurs precious time while optimizing visibility.
In this post, I’ll walk through the various options for scheduling LinkedIn posts to streamline your efforts, including LinkedIn’s built-in scheduling feature, Third-party automation platforms, and Best practices for timing and scheduling cadence.
Can you Schedule Posts on LinkedIn?
The answer is yes! LinkedIn rolled out post-scheduling capabilities for individual profiles in late 2022. This allows all the members to plan and schedule content directly within the LinkedIn platform.
Previously, scheduling features were only available to administrators of LinkedIn Company Page. But now, with the LinkedIn Post Scheduler, all users have access to this handy tool.
You have two options when it comes to scheduling LinkedIn posts:
1. Native LinkedIn Scheduling
LinkedIn’s built-in scheduling tool allows you to set posts to publish at your desired date and time up to 3 months in advance. This option is free and convenient for basic scheduling needs.
2. Third-Party Social Media Scheduling Tools
Alternatively, you can use an external social media scheduling platform like RecurPost. These tools connect to your LinkedIn account and provide advanced functionality like bulk scheduling, content recycling, performance analytics, and more.
Utilizing these platforms is a strategic move within a broader LinkedIn marketing strategy, allowing for more efficient management of your content calendar, and ensuring your posts align with your marketing goals and audience engagement patterns.
Many third-party tools offer free tiers or trials so you can test out the features before committing. They give you the ability to schedule posts across other social networks too.
So whether you want to stick with LinkedIn’s simple native scheduler or leverage the social media management tool like RecurPost, you have flexible options to plan your content calendar.
For Personal Profiles
Schedule Posts on LinkedIn Using the Native Scheduler
Scheduling your LinkedIn posts is straightforward and can be done directly within your account. Here’s how to keep your LinkedIn profile active without having to be online all the time:
1. Log into Your LinkedIn Account: First things first, sign in to LinkedIn. It’s where all the magic begins.
2. Compose Your Post: Here’s where you get creative. Add whatever content you want to share with your network. This could be text, images, videos, or documents. Make it engaging!
3. Set the date and time: After composing your post, look for a little clock icon in the bottom right corner of the window. Pick when you want your post to go live. Think about when your audience is most likely to be scrolling through LinkedIn. Choosing the right time can help more people see and interact with your post.
4. Schedule the Post: Got your date and time all set? Great! Hit ‘Schedule’, and you’re all done. Your post will automatically be shared with your network at the time you choose.
By following these steps, you can plan your LinkedIn activity, ensuring your profile stays active and engaging, even when you’re busy elsewhere. This strategy is fantastic for maintaining a consistent presence on LinkedIn, helping you to increase visibility and connect with your audience more effectively.
Schedule Posts on LinkedIn through RecurPost
Using RecurPost to schedule your LinkedIn posts is a smart move, especially if you’re looking to leverage advanced features not available on LinkedIn’s native scheduler. Here’s how you can get started:
1. Connect Your LinkedIn Profile: Once you’re in RecurPost’s dashboard, look for the option to link your LinkedIn Page or account. Follow the steps to permit RecurPost to manage your posts. This step is crucial for automating your LinkedIn activity.
2. Compose Your Post: A new pop-up window will come up where you can type in your message, and add any attachments from the media library, hashtags, or mentions. RecurPost allows for a more detailed composition, making your posts richer and more engaging.
3. Choose Your Schedule: This is where RecurPost shines. Select ‘Schedule for later’ and pick the perfect date and time. RecurPost even suggests the best time to post on LinkedIn based on when your audience is most active, taking the guesswork out of scheduling.
4. Preview and Schedule the LinkedIn Post: With everything set, preview posts and hit ‘Schedule’. RecurPost will take it from here, ensuring your post goes live at the exact time you’ve chosen. It’s that simple!
RecurPost is a powerful LinkedIn scheduling tool for managing your online presence. It not only saves you time but also helps you maintain a consistent posting schedule, enhancing your visibility and engagement on the platform. With RecurPost, you can focus more on creating great content and less on the logistics of posting it.
For LinkedIn Pages
Using LinkedIn Native Scheduler
Scheduling posts for the LinkedIn page involves a few additional considerations compared to personal profiles. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Access Permissions: Before you can schedule LinkedIn posts, make sure you have the right permissions on your LinkedIn page. Typically, you need to be an admin or have a role that grants you posting privileges.
2. Navigate to Your Company Page: Once you’re logged into LinkedIn, head over to your company page. This is where you’ll manage all your content.
3. Create and Schedule Your Post: The process for creating LinkedIn content is similar to personal profiles. You’ll click on ‘Start a post’, compose your message, and then use the clock icon to schedule. However, you’ll be doing this from your company page’s interface, which might look slightly different from your personal feed.
4. Page-Specific Settings: Pay attention to any page-specific settings or features that might affect your post. For instance, you might have the option to target your post to a specific audience segment based on their location or industry.
5. Review and Schedule: After composing your post and selecting the ideal time for it to go live, review everything to ensure it aligns with your company’s messaging and branding. Then, hit ‘Schedule’.
Using LinkedIn’s native scheduler for company pages is an effective way to maintain a consistent online presence, engage with your target audience, and share timely updates or news about your business. Remember, keeping a regular posting schedule can significantly enhance your company’s visibility and engagement on LinkedIn.
Through RecurPost for LinkedIn Pages
RecurPost offers a streamlined process for scheduling content on LinkedIn Company Pages, with some added benefits:
1. Sign Up and Connect: After logging into RecurPost, connect it to your LinkedIn Company Page. You might need admin permissions to complete this step.
2. Create Content: Use RecurPost to craft your Image or Video posts. The platform allows for drafting, editing, and organizing content in a more detailed manner than LinkedIn’s native scheduler.
3. Advanced Scheduling Options: RecurPost shines with its ability to schedule posts in bulk and suggest optimal posting times. This is especially useful for planning your content strategy well in advance.
4. Utilize Analytics: One of the standout features of RecurPost for company pages is its analytics capability. You can track the performance of your scheduled posts and gain insights into engagement metrics, helping you refine your content strategy over time.
5. Schedule and Publish: Once you’re happy with your post and have chosen a time, schedule it. RecurPost will take care of the rest, ensuring your content goes live on the scheduled date.
RecurPost’s additional functionalities like bulk scheduling and in-depth analytics make it a valuable tool for managing a company’s LinkedIn presence. It not only saves time but also provides actionable insights to boost engagement and reach on the platform.
Which tool is better?
| Features | RecurPost | |
| Ease of Use | Simple interface directly integrated into the post-creation process. | User-friendly interface with more detailed guidance and support. |
| Scheduling Capabilities | Allows scheduling individual and page posts up to three months in advance. | Advanced scheduling options, including recurring posts and bulk scheduling. |
| Platform Integration | Limited to LinkedIn. | Supports multiple social media platforms, providing a unified scheduling solution. |
| Analytics and Reporting | Basic analytics related to the performance of scheduled posts. | Comprehensive analytics dashboard offering deeper insights into post-performance and audience engagement. |
| Cost | Free feature available to all LinkedIn users. | Offers a 14-day free trial with more advanced features available in paid versions. |
| Flexibility | Scheduling and editing are limited; you cannot edit a post once it’s scheduled. | Greater flexibility in editing scheduled posts and adjusting the content calendar. |
| Additional Features | Native to the LinkedIn ecosystem, ensuring seamless integration. | Features like content recycling, hashtag suggestions, and best time to post recommendations. |
Highlight: RecurPost offers better flexibility, advanced scheduling capabilities, and comprehensive analytics compared to LinkedIn’s native scheduler. These features make RecurPost a more versatile tool, especially for users managing multiple platforms or requiring in-depth performance analysis and strategic planning.
Best Practices for Scheduling LinkedIn Content
Scheduling posts can be a powerful tool, but it’s important to go beyond simply setting the date and time. Here are some best practices to maximize engagement and success on LinkedIn:
1. Timing is Key:
Research suggests: Aiming for early weekdays (Tuesday through Thursday), with mornings (around 10 AM) generally performing well.
Utilize analytics: Track your post performance over time and adjust your scheduling strategy based on what resonates with your specific audience.
Consider RecurPost’s insights: If you’re using RecurPost, take advantage of their audience-based suggestions for optimal posting times.
2. Craft Compelling Content:
Focus on value: Provide insightful information, industry updates, or career advice that your audience finds genuinely helpful.
Variety is key: Mix up your LinkedIn content formats with text, images, videos, and articles to keep your audience engaged.
Spark conversations: Ask questions, encourage comments, and actively participate in discussions to foster a sense of community.
3. Track and Analyze:
Monitor performance: Use LinkedIn’s analytics or tools like RecurPost to track key metrics like reach, engagement, and click-through rates.
Analyze insights: Understand what resonates with your audience and adapt your content strategy accordingly.
Learn and improve: Use data to refine your approach and continuously improve the effectiveness of your scheduled posts.
4. Stay Flexible:
Be responsive: Even with a schedule, respond to comments and messages promptly to maintain a personal connection.
Adapt to current events: If something newsworthy happens, consider creating unscheduled posts to capitalize on real-time opportunities.
Maintain a balance: Scheduling is about efficiency, but remember to also interact authentically in the moment to build meaningful connections.
By following these best practices and utilizing the insights from scheduling tools, you can make informed decisions about your content strategy, maximize your reach, and cultivate a thriving presence on LinkedIn.
Conclusion
Embracing the power of scheduling LinkedIn posts can transform your social media strategy, saving you time while boosting your visibility and engagement. By leveraging tools like LinkedIn’s native scheduler or RecurPost, you can ensure your content reaches your audience at the optimal time, even in your absence.
Remember, the key to a successful LinkedIn presence lies in strategic planning, consistent quality content, and the agility to adapt to changing circumstances. Keep these best practices in mind, and you’re well on your way to maximizing your LinkedIn potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
First, log into your LinkedIn account. Go to the home feed and click on ‘Start a post’. Once you’ve created your content, click the clock icon in the bottom corner to schedule your post. Choose the date and time, and then hit ‘Schedule’.
As of the last update, LinkedIn doesn’t allow direct editing of a scheduled post. If you need to make changes, you’ll have to delete the scheduled post and create a new one with the updates.
Yes, you can use LinkedIn’s native scheduling feature to plan your posts directly on the platform without any third-party tools. Just look for the clock icon in the post editor to access the scheduling options.
To view your scheduled LinkedIn posts, go to the post creator and click on the clock icon. There, you’ll find the option to ‘View all scheduled posts’. This section will show you everything you’ve planned.
No, scheduling posts directly on LinkedIn is a free feature. However, if you choose to use a third-party tool like RecurPost for more advanced features, there might be costs involved depending on the plan you select.
LinkedIn’s native scheduling feature is primarily for individual profiles and company pages. For scheduling content to LinkedIn Groups, you would need to check if the group’s settings allow posts and if your third-party tool supports this feature.
The best time to post can vary based on your audience. However, general recommendations suggest posting early in the workday, Tuesday through Thursday. For more personalized timing, use analytics from LinkedIn or third-party tools like RecurPost, which can suggest optimal times based on your audience’s engagement patterns.
Debbie Moran is a Digital marketing strategist with 5+ years of experience producing advertising for brands and helping leaders showcase their brand to the correct audience. She has been a part of RecurPost since 2019 and handles all the activities required to grow our brand’s online presence.