@BufferApp

Time. We don’t have enough of it. Intelligence. We can always use more of it. So when a free tool comes around that will both save you time and provide you with real, quantifiable and actionable intelligence on your social media efforts, you’d be a fool to ignore it. Say hello to BufferApp.

At its core, Buffer is a free tool that allows users to schedule their tweets to be posted automatically throughout the day. Sounds simple, and it is. But Buffer is more than just a Tweet scheduler, it addresses 4 common social media pitfalls making your chances of social media marketing success just that much more likely.

1. Social Media Fatigue
We’ve all felt it. It’s the initial rush of something new – a new marketing objective, a new blog posting or big event. But eventually, trying to tweet something interesting multiple times a day gets both exhausting and far-too time consuming. Buffer alleviates this by allowing you to dedicate a set amount of time a day (10 minutes, as an example) to load up your buffer with multiple tweets which will be automatically released throughout the day. Your followers get a steady stream of your brilliance and you get a much needed break.

2. Lack Of Focus
With social media fatigue can also come a blurred focus. If you’re a business, then you should have focused business objectives for your social media efforts. Tactics always sound good on paper, but keeping focused on them all day, every day can prove difficult. By focusing your mind and your attention once or twice a day on your Twitter posts, you’re more likely to avoid those careless and/or pointless tweets posted simply to keep a feed populated.

3. The Unclickable Link
Chances are most of your tweets have links (I hope). Outside of your own website where you can track referrals,  do you know if those links are being clicked? No clicks, means no engagement which means what’s the point? If you combine your BufferApp with your Bit.ly account, Buffer will automatically track the number of clicks, retweets and favorites inspired by your tweets.

4. Misreading Your Audience
In theory, you should have developed a strategy based on both your business goals and your audience (which would require an understanding your audience’s wants and needs). But let’s face it, theories are called theories for a reason – they can be proved wrong. BufferApp, when combined with a Bit.ly account, gives you real intelligence into what your Twitter followers find interesting enough to click or not. Chances are pretty good you’ll be surprised how many “can’t miss” Tweets get no response while others go viral. I know I am.

About The Author: Robert J. Munson is a marketing and public relations strategist based in Baton Rouge, LA. His firm, RobertJMunson, specializes in modern marketing strategies including social media marketing, content marketing and corporate social strategy. Follow Robert J Munson on Twitter.