Social Media for Writers: Why Scheduling Facebook is Tricky & Tips for Scheduling Tweets

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Through the years I’ve taught a lot about how scheduling our social media updates can streamline the process and save hours of time for writers. 

That hasn’t changed.

What HAS changed are the tools and the process I use. 

Let’s begin with Facebook. 

No one is shocked to learn that, over the years, Facebook has changed their rules regarding scheduled updates. 

There was a time when a writer could schedule Facebook updates without worries about visibility and rules. 

That’s no longer the case. 

Information for Writers About Scheduling Posts on Facebook

Let’s get the terminology down because it matters what we’re talking about to understand the rules and etiquette.

• A personal profile is where people FRIEND you
• A Page is where people LIKE or FOLLOW you
• A Group is a place to JOIN

Scheduling on Facebook Personal Profile

Facebook has decreed that there are to be NO scheduled updates on a Personal Profile. They don’t allow Buffer, Hootsuite or any other schedule platform permission to post a schedule update on your personal profile. 

However, there is still a work around and it’s a VERY BAD IDEA to use. It’s still possible to have your website send automatic updates about a new blog post to Facebook. 

Why is that a bad idea? Because Facebook doesn’t allow those automatic updates to be seen. They don’t show up in a newsfeed and they often don’t even show up if someone visits your personal profile. Why didn’t we know this? Because they DO show up on your personal profile if you’re the one who owns the site. So we assume others are seeing them, and that’s just not the case. 

What to do about scheduling on your Facebook Personal Profile? Don’t do it. 

Scheduling on a Facebook Professional Page

Facebook has also decreed there isn’t to be any third-party scheduling allowed on a Professional Page. This means FB won’t give Buffer, Hootsuite or any other scheduling platform permission to schedule an update. 

Again, you could use the website work around, but that leads to the same issue. It won’t be seen by almost anyone but you. 

There is another option and it’s a VERY GOOD IDEA. That is to use the Meta Business Suite to schedule your posts on your page. This is Facebook’s own in-house scheduling process and it works very well to schedule the posts to your page. 

NOTE: You can also you Meta Business Suite to schedule posts to Instagram. 

Here’s how to schedule on your Facebook Page:

• Make sure you’re using your page as your page, not your personal profile. 
• To switch, click the circle with your image in the upper RIGHT-hand corner of the page
• Click SEE ALL PROFILES
• Click on Your page
• Once you’re using your page as your page, click on META BUSINESS SUITE in the LEFT-hand menu (It’s under MORE TOOLS)
• This opens a new window. Once here, click on CREATE POST
• Create your post and add any images you want.
• Now scroll slightly and you’ll see three options, PUBLISH NOW, SCHEDULE, SAVE AS DRAFT. 
• Click SCHEDULE and choose the time and date. 

Scheduling in a Facebook Group

Facebook has also decreed there isn’t to be any third-party scheduling allowed in a Group. This means FB won’t give Buffer, Hootsuite or any other scheduling platform permission to schedule an update. 

Again, you could use the website work around, but that leads to the same issue. It won’t be seen by almost anyone but you. 

There is another option and it’s a VERY GOOD IDEA. That is to use the option in your update window in your group to schedule the post. 

How to Schedule in Your Facebook Group

• Click in the update window. 
• Write your update and add any images you want to include.
• Click the calendar icon in the bottom right of the update window and use that to schedule your post.

Information About Scheduling Posts on Twitter

For years and years, I’ve used Hootsuite as my scheduling program of choice. That’s no longer the case. 

Hootsuite has done away with their free option and even their professional option—which used to be 9.99 a month and a great option—is now, in my opinion, crazy expensive.

I’ve gone back to using Tweetdeck as my scheduling program. 

Tweetdeck is great! Here’s what I love about it:

• It’s free.
• It’s owned by Twitter so connecting accounts is easy.
• It’s got a great dashboard so I can follow hashtags and accounts. 
• It doesn’t appear to have a time or quantity limit on scheduling. So you can schedule a long time out and you can schedule as many updates as you wish. 

All you have to do to get started with Tweetdeck is go to www.tweetdeck.com. For me, it immediately connected my twitter account. But you may find you need to give it permission. 

These are the steps I use to schedule my social media updates. I’d love to know what you use and any questions you might have. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comment section below!

Don’t forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Edie

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Social Media for Writers: Why Scheduling Facebook is Tricky & Tips for Scheduling Tweets from @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking to writers, entrepreneurs, or readers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Connect with her on her website, through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.