Batch Work Resources
Party Favors
Before we get this resource party started let’t chat about what the heck batch work is.
BATCH WORK … for at least social media is when you schedule out a large amount of posts to be posted on their own. Batch posting is great when you already have things you know you want to post. You can also actually see what your feed will look like with most of these. This is also perfect, because it frees you up to post more on stories or be more creative in other areas. You also do not have to batch work. Even I go through series where I will batch work a ton, but then I will go through seasons where I just really like posting on my own. Regardless if you batch work or not, just post. & I know I am preaching to myself too, but show up and be present. People follow along on your journey for a reason and give them another reason to buy from you.
So, let’s start this party…
PLANOLY - https://www.planoly.com/
Planoly is honestly my favorite program to use when I am batch working. They allow you to schedule out your post, write the captions and even save them for when you are ready to schedule them and see what your feed looks like all at the same time. Planoly is easy to use on both the computer and your mobile device. The bad thing about Planoly is if you have a photo that is vertical it has to be the right size, but when there is bad there is good. You can still schedule out vertical photos and they will actually send the photo and caption for you to post.
I have attached an image below of what the desktop version looks like & there are some things I want to point out.
Hot Pink Highlighted Dots - These are the photos I have uploaded to Planoly, wrote a caption but never actually published. The “U” stands for Unpublished and as you have published posts these will continue to move to the top of your feed. I love this feature, because if I have an idea I can always go back to pull from a post that is all ready to go.
Lime Green Highlighted Line - This is your monthly grid. I have nothing published right now (simply because I am in a phase of really enjoying posting as I go, but still using that content calendar.) As you have published a post you will be able to see the time and the day the post is published & in fact it will show in published order on your grid.
Blue Highlighted Checks - Planoly also keeps your stats of how each post did, which is helpful when knowing what the people who follow you enjoy the most. My stats from the last six posts are showing me that my peeps are loving personal & fun photography features.
** The one thing about Planoly is if you want only the free version you can only schedule out 30 posts, but honestly that is all you need, because you can always post the others on your own.
Hootsuite
Whereas Planoly is perfect for your instagram, Hootsuite is seriously an umbrella for all of your social media platforms; facebook, instagram, twitter, ect. I am such a visual person & for that hootsuite is not where my heart thrives, but if you are looking for a place to schedule out and batch all of your posts or at least your main post Hootsuite is your gal. The bad thing about Hootsuite is they DO offer a free trial, but NOT a free plan. The great thing about Hootsuite is you can do everything under one umbrella.
I have used hootsuite in the past (when I worked for other companies) however, I do not currently have a plan. If you do have questions about hootsuite please still ask in the comments below & if I do not know then we will figure it out together.
Facebook Schedule
TOTAL GAME CHANGER!!! My friends if you do not know about this one then get ready to be mind blown, if you do then you know what I mean. Ok … it is my understanding that you can only do this on your desktop, but with them having an in house publishing tool I am totally not complaining.
To get there...
Open facebook
Go to your page or group
Tap on “Publishing Tools” (this is usually on the left hand side.)
Tap on “Scheduled Posts” (On the left side as well under published posts)
Tap the “Create Post”
Then totally act like you are posting, but when you get done…
Tap schedule post and schedule that bad boy out.
I also just found out that you can filter it through your instagram and man if they would come out with a way you could see what your feed would look like, like Planoly I would so be all over that.
Ok, so the bad thing about facebook is it is only under the desktop version, but if you are batch posting this honestly might be easier. The good thing is it is on the facebook platform and very easy to use. Once you schedule your post out you will get to also see what you have scheduled out.
** Funny Story about Facebook Scheduler. I went in to order a set of custom shirts and the owner found out I was a photographer through my email. He was asking me about my product photography prices and then asked me If I was willing to help him with social media, especially facebook. I told him I did not do social media management for anyone any more, but told him I would help him find the perfect person. I then asked him if He knew about the facebook scheduler. He didn’t, so I showed him. & guess who saved money by not having to hire a social media manager? That guy did. **
Instagram “Save As Draft Feature”
Like facebook I love that this resource is in the actual instagram app.
To get there...
Open Instagram
Tap the middle button at the bottom. The square with the + in the middle.
Select your image or multiple images
Click Next
Click Next Again (TOTALLY SKIP THOSE FILTERS CAUSE MY FRIEND YOU DO NOT NEED THEM, if you need help with your image visualisation start with the “WHAT A PRESET? & WHAT’S THE POINT”, I promise there will be an actual course on this one very soon.)
Write Your Caption
Tag Your People
Add Your Locaiton
BUT DON’T CLICK SHARE.
Click the < arrow.
Click the < arrow again.
Click “Save Draft”
& When you are ready to post that one…
Open Instagram
Tap the middle button at the bottom. The square with the + in the middle.
Select your image from the DRAFT section
Click Next
Then Share That Bad Boy.
I love this feature, because sometimes you have a post you want to post, but you're not ready for it to be on your feed. Totally, get it out of your head and then save it so you can post it later.
My friend, like I said you do not have to batch work. No not at all. Extend grace to yourself and totally allow yourself to do what works for you in this season of your life. If you have any questions please ask them below or in the Content Creation & Keeping A Cohesive Feed. I would rather you ask than wonder. Now, let’s chat about those Caption Resources.