How to Use Hootsuite: 13 Steps
Step 1: Sign up for an account
Go to the Hootsuite website and sign up for a free account by choosing your preferred subscription plan. You’ll be asked to provide your email, name, and create a password.
Step 2: Connect your social media accounts
After signing up, you’ll need to connect your social media accounts to Hootsuite. You can add multiple accounts, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.
Step 3: Customize your dashboard
Set up your dashboard by adding and organizing streams. Streams are like individual columns that display different types of content or activity from your connected social media accounts.
Step 4: Schedule posts
Click on the “Composer” button on the top-right corner of your dashboard. Create a post by adding text, images, or videos and select the social media accounts you want to post to. Set custom schedule times or use Hootsuite’s AutoScheduler feature to automate post timing.
Step 5: Monitor engagement
Use streams to track engagement with your audience. You can create streams for comments, likes, shares, retweets, etc., and monitor all interactions with your posts in real-time.
Step 6: Respond to comments and messages
Engage with followers by replying directly from the Hootsuite dashboard. Click on the comment or message in a stream and type your response in the popup window that appears.
Step 7: Use analytics
Understand how well your content is performing through Hootsuite’s analytics feature. Generate reports that track follower growth, post engagement, and other valuable metrics.
Step 8: Assign tasks
If you’re working with a team, use Hootsuite’s assignment feature to delegate tasks like replying to comments or monitoring specific keywords across multiple accounts.
Step 9: Manage permission levels
Grant different levels of permission to team members, allowing them to collaborate on your social media management without giving them full access to all features or accounts.
Step 10: Save drafts
Compose your posts in Hootsuite and save as drafts if you’re not ready to publish yet. You can resume editing and scheduling them later.
Step 11: Use hashtags and mentions
Increase the visibility of your posts by including relevant hashtags and mentioning other users when appropriate.
Step 12: Explore the Hootsuite app directory
Extend Hootsuite’s functionality by adding third-party apps, such as Canva, Mailchimp, or Feedly, to your dashboard.
Step 13: Stay updated with Hootsuite Academy
Enroll in Hootsuite Academy courses to learn new strategies and best practices for using Hootsuite effectively. Topics include social media marketing, content creation, SEO, and more.