How To Schedule Instagram Posts in 2023 [Guide + Best Practices]

Today I’m going to show you how to schedule Instagram posts in 2023 step-by-step.

When your audience is active on Instagram, scheduling posts can increase engagement, brand awareness, traffic and conversions, etc. In fact, scheduling your post on Instagram can save you a lot of TIME, so you can focus on other important tasks.

In this post, you’ll learn how to schedule posts on Instagram using Instagram scheduling tools with best practices and tips.

Let’s get started:

Why You Should Schedule Instagram Posts in 2023?

Before you learn scheduling Instagram posts, you need to learn why should you do it:

#1 Benefit - Save Time

As a business owner or a social media marketer you must be performing multiple tasks – and you know that time is money.

Scheduling IG posts can give you enough time to build strategies, create content and other important tasks that matter most.

Additionally, scheduling Instagram posts in advance will help you publish high-content.

#2 Benefit - Be Consistent

Consistency is a key to social media marketing success. Because within a few seconds Instagram flooded with multiple posts, and if you’re not publishing regularly you might miss the opportunity to reach your target audience.

Scheduling posts on Instagram will keep publishing schedules consistent.

#3 Benefit - Write Stronger Captions

When you publish in a hurry chances are you might make a grammar mistake in writing captions. By planning and scheduling content in advance you can write engaging captions that attract users.

Moreover, you’ll have enough time to do the keyword research and find trending hashtags to increase your Instagram reach.

#4 Benefit - Craft an Engaging Visual Story

When you have enough time you can create eye-catching visuals for your Instagram posts.

Planning in advance gives you that spare time to plan and design your Instagram post as you want.

#5 Benefit - Keep Your Content Calendar Organized

The main benefit of Instagram posts scheduling is:

You can keep your social media calendar organized and can fill it with the topics that matter to your business and products.

Additionally, you’ll be on the point and be sure that nothing is left behind – even if you are on holiday or busy with other work.

#6 Benefit - Post From Your PC or Mac

Scheduling Instagram posts can increase your productivity and help you publish high-quality content on your profile.

And:

You can review your upcoming posts on a bigger screen when you schedule Instagram posts from desktop or PC. You can also write the best captions for Instagram posts to do further research.

Can You Schedule Instagram Posts?

Of course.

Brands with business accounts can use Instagram scheduling apps like Circleboom, Later and Hootsuite to schedule posts on multiple social media channels like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest, etc.

Now, let’s see.

How to Schedule Instagram Posts Step-by-Step

To schedule you’ll need an Instagram post scheduler like Hootsuite, Circleboom or Later.

Let’s see how to schedule Instagram post with Later.

Step #1: Connect Instagram Business or Creator Profile

First, you need to sign up with Later and connect your Instagram business or personal profile.

However, due to Instagram API limitations each account business and creator have different access to Later features.

Step #2: Upload Content to Later’s Media Library

Next, click to ‘Upload Media’ on Later for desktop to add content from computer, Google Drive, or Dropbox.

You can also directly drag and drop posts to the media library from your PC.

Step #3: Find User-Generated Content (Optional)

Later has a pretty cool feature ‘Collect Media’ that helps you find Instagram posts that mentioned or tagged you on Instagram.

You can repost those post on your Instagram profile after taking that user’s permission to avoid report.

Step #4: Select Content to Schedule

Check the highlighted circle of the Instagram profile you want to post to.

Select the content you wish to use from the Media Library and drag it to the Calendar:

Step #5: Optimize Your Instagram Post

Before publishing you should write optimized captions that include target keywords and hashtags to get maximum engagement and reach.

Later has a Saved Captions tool using it you can save captions and use them in future whenever you want.

You can upgrade your Later account to use its hashtag suggestions feature to find trending hashtags for your Instagram posts.

Step #6: Edit Your Image or Video (Optional)

If you want to add design elements to your post, just select “Edit Image” or “Edit Video”.

Whether you have square, portrait, or landscape content, Later’s crop tool can help you meet Instagram’s approved dimensions.

You can enhance your photos with colorful filters using the filter tool.

You can also trim your videos with the trim tool.

Additionally, you can update an image or a video by clicking “Update Image” or “Update Video.”

Step #7: Choose the Date and Time to Schedule Your Post

Business profiles can use “Auto Publish” to schedule IG posts whenever they want to publish.

However, Instagram creator and personal profile can’t use the auto publish feature because of the Instagram API limitations.

Tap “Open in Instagram” to copy your caption (and hashtags) to your clipboard, and the image to your camera roll.

Step #8: Review How Your Grid Will Look With Later’s Visual Planner

The Visual Planner, Later’s Instagram feed planner, is a user favorite.

This feature will help you identify the right Instagram grid for your post before you post. Moreover it will find you the perfect grid for your post to get maximum engagement.

Instagram Posts Scheduling Tips and Best Practices

Here are some best tips that you need to consider before you schedule Instagram posts:

#1. Post at Best Time

There isn’t a sure answer to what is the best time to post on Instagram.

However, you can try and test what works best for you.

In fact, choosing when to post on Instagram can depend on your followers and their time zone, so it’s worthwhile to work out a schedule based on when they are most engaged.

Analyze Instagram’s analytics to identify peak engagement times, and plan your posts accordingly.

#2. Use Right Hashtags

Hashtags can help you connect with potential followers who may be interested in your content.

Using hashtags that are relevant to your content and target audience can help boost visibility of your posts

A study by Later, they found using 20-30 hashtags can increase your Instagram engagement.

Make sure you use the relevant hashtags when scheduling your Instagram posts.

#3. Add SEO Keywords in Your Captions

Including SEO keywords in your captions can help your post show up in search results, so think about what people might be searching for that relates to your post.

You can use keyword research tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to find trending keywords.

#4. Make A Strong Visual Impact

Lastly, ensure that your post has a lasting visual impact. This means using high-quality images or videos, and making sure the composition and lighting are on point.

To get people’s attention, your post needs to be engaging so they’ll stop scrolling and take a look.

I hope these tips are helpful in planning your Instagram posts!

Best Instagram Scheduling Tools to Post on Instagram

There are the best Instagram scheduling software you can use to schedule Instagram posts.

HubSpot Social Media Management Software

With HubSpot’s social media tool you can schedule and publish posts on popular social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. You can also edit, schedule and insert relevant hashtags to your posts.

HubSpot social media tool comes with four pricing plans:

Free: $0/month
Starter: $45/month
Professional: $800/month
Enterprise: $3600/month

HubSpot’s social media software will save your time and will keep you focused by scheduling and publishing your Instagram posts.

Later

Later has a dedicated Instagram post scheduler that allows you schedule, edit and design your Instagram posts. The tool has multiple features that will help you grow your Instagram profile.

Later pricing comes in four plans:

Free: $0/month
Starter: $18/month
Growth: $40/month
Advanced: $80/month

Circleboom

Circleboom is another popular social media app that offers Instagram scheduler that lets you design, edit, schedule and publish your posts on Instagram. It also provides you time when you publish to get maximum engagement.

Circleboom social publish pricing plans are:

Pro – $18/month
Premium – $44/month
Business – $89/month
Enterprise – $179/month

Some of the top brands (Netflix, CNBC, and L’Oreal) around the globe are using Cirleboom Instagram scheduler.

Tailwind

Tailwind is a social media scheduler that helps you schedule posts on Instagram and Pinterest.

The social media posting tool has features like bulk image upload and hashtag finder that take your social media profile to a next level.

Additionally, you can preview your scheduled Instagram post and grid before you post it.

Tailwind pricing structure are:

Free -$0/month
Pro – $12.99/month
Advanced – $19.99/month
Max – $39.99/month

Buffer

Buffer is a popular social media marketing tool that lets you schedule posts on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.

Using Buffer analytics you can identify the best time to post on Instagram. Furthermore, it helps you find the trending hashtags to add in your posts.

You can use the Buffer chrome extension along with its iOS and mobile app.

Buffer pricing plans are:

Free – $0/month
Pro – $6/month
Essentials – $65/month
Team -$12/month
Agency – $120/month

Sprout Social

Sprout Social is a social media management tool that allows all major social media platforms including Instagram.

With Sprout Social media calendar you easily manage, schedule, and publish content at the right time.

Simply, upload the media, add captions and other Instagram post details and schedule posts on Instagram for the day and time you want to make it live.

Sprout Social plans are:

Standard – $249/month
Professional – $399/month
Advanced – $499/month

Wrapping Up

I hope this guide shows how to schedule posts on Instagram in 2023.

Instagram posts scheduling will help you stay organized and ensure that your content is reaching the right audience.

Using social media tools like Circleboom, Hootsuite, Tailwind, and Later you can easily plan out your content in advance and set specific times for it to be published.

Make sure you spend your time researching relevant hashtags, so you can maximize the reach of your posts and increase engagement with your followers.

With a little bit of effort, you can create an effective strategy for scheduling Instagram posts that will help you grow your account and build relationships with your followers.

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