Consistency is the key to engagement and growth, especially for creators and brands. Posting consistently and on time is crucial to establish a strong social media presence and generate leads. With Instagram’s in-app Scheduling feature and powerful third-party apps, the task of scheduling posts has become easier. This guide gives a quick overview of how to schedule a post on Instagram through multiple ways.
Why schedule an Instagram post?
- To ensure consistent posting without any human intervention
- Frees up your time to let you focus on the content strategy rather than being focused on posting on time.
- Allows you to post during peak times to get higher engagement.
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How to schedule a post on Instagram
Method 1: Use the built-in Instagram post scheduler
1. Set up a professional account, as this feature is not available for a personal account
Go to Profile > Settings > Account > Switch to Professional Account(Business or Creator)
2. Create your Instagram Post
- Select the + icon.
- Choose what you want to post (Post, Reel, Short video, Story)
- Design your post and add a caption, location, and hashtags.
3. Go through scheduling settings
- Before posting, scroll down and look for Advanced settings or More options.
- Look for the schedule the post and click on it.
4. Set up the Date and time
- Select your desired date (up to 75 days before) and time.
- Tap done, and go back to the previous window and click on schedule.
5. Manage the Scheduled contentÂ
- Manage and access the scheduled content via Profile > Menu (top right) >Â Scheduled Content
- Edit, reschedule, publish now, or delete the post as per your requirement.
Method 2: Use Meta Business Suite
1. Connect your Instagram account to Meta Business Suite.
2. Go to “Planner” or “Content”.
3. Create your post and select a date/time.
4. Click schedule.
5. Check Planner to review your calendar and manage scheduled posts.
Pros: Great for cross-posting on Facebook.
Cons: Slightly difficult to learn, doesn’t allow scheduling stories.
Method 3: Use Third-party scheduling apps
You can also use Third-party Instagram post automation apps to schedule your posts.
- Later: Schedule posts, Reels, Stories, carousels; enjoy visual grid planner and hashtag suggestions.
- Buffer: The free plan allows up to 10 scheduled posts; the Pro and Business tiers offer analytics and team features.
- Hopper HQ: Ideal for Instagram-focused planning with drag-and-drop calendar and analytics, especially in agency settings.
- RecurPost: Offers AI-generated captions, a visual calendar, and bulk upload support.
- Planable: Great for team workflows, supports post, story, and reel scheduling with easy account connection.
Quick glance
| Tool | Highlights | Use-case | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planable | Visual feed, drag-and-drop calendar, approval workflows | Teams/Agencies | Starts $33/month |
| Buffer | Simple post, carousel, reel scheduling; feed planner, analytics | Solo/Brand | Free & paid |
| Later | Grid preview, hashtag lists, best time to post suggestions | Visual creators | Free & paid |
| Pallyy | Visual feed planner, social inbox, Canva integration | Visual brands | Free & paid |
| Agorapulse | Full content formats, analytics, and team roles | E-commerce/Teams | Premium |
| Hootsuite | Streamlined workflow, multi-channel management | Businesses | Paid |
Pro tips to schedule your content effectively
- Create a social media content calendar to ensure your posts are consistent and diversified.
- Use analytics to know when your audience is most active and schedule your content accordingly.
- Explore Carousel post when available, for higher engagement.
- Create content in batches to save time.
- Revisit scheduled posts and make adjustments before posting.
- Focus on your feed aesthetics to grab more attention.
Final Thoughts
Efficiently scheduling Instagram posts is crucial for maximizing your social media content calendar, enhancing engagement, and accelerating your account’s growth. By leveraging integrated features and dedicated scheduling tools, you can streamline your processes and reclaim valuable time for innovative strategy development.
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