Time-Saving Templates and Tools for Social Media and Blogging

Templates and tools can help you work smarter and save you time and help your efforts go further. Buffer’s Kevan Lee shared his best tools, tips and tricks for his blogging and social media strategy at our weekly Twitter chat, #Bufferchat.

Check out the curated Storify recap here!

What tools or apps do you use on a daily basis?

From Kevan:

• Buffer to create and schedule social media posts. WordPress and Canva to create blogposts.
• I’m always keen to try new things! SpruceApp has been a fun new one, and JustUnfollow has had some neat Twitter insights!
• I’m a big fan of the Distraction-Free Editor inside WordPress, too!

Other great tools:

• “Daily tools include Buffer/Daily. @canva. @vsco. Feedly and Prismatic are up there too.” @TheNameIsCasie
• “WordPress, @TweetDeck, @buffer (doh), @feedly, @Canva are tops.” @dariasteigman
• “surprisingly google docs really handles the work for organizing our social – Hemmingway app for writing!” @deathtostock
• “Apps I use daily: Photoshop, twitter, instagram, facebook, Buffer, LinkedIn, and my sketchbook :)” @danielerossi
• “My must-haves: @trello for calendar/to-do, @coschedule for promotion, @buffer for scheduling, & @hootsuite for dashboard.” @bberg1010
• “@buffer @feedly @TweetDeck @evernote @WordPress my brain, my MacBook Air and vegan diet :)” @petrpinkas
• “I forgot to mention @IFTTT. That runs in the background daily….” @ChristinKardos

What formulas or templates save you the most time with blogging?

From Kevan:

• Love @neilpatel‘s advice: Write your intro and conclusion first, then outline and write the middle!

• I love using the Before – After – Bridge copywriting formula for blogposts and updates. https://buffer.com/resources/copywriting-formulas …

• Headline formulas, too! A couple faves: “How to ___ Like ___” and “Little Known Ways to __” https://buffer.com/resources/copywriting-formulas …

Other great insights:

• “My templates in Canva help with images for each post. And keeps branding consistent.” @ravendelana

• “We like approaching each post as a blank slate. We enjoy crowdsourcing topic ideas from our community.” @ChiDPI

• “My formula is simple, make sure I have plenty of blog topics at all times. I use @evernote to keep track so I’m always ready” @mcartertweets

• “Killer Opener – Story – Main point – Practical application – @MichaelHyatt has great templates http://buff.ly/12N3UkZ” @pauljolicoeur

• “An eye-grabbing content image/graphic + 500 written first, then edited words that interest followers = #blogsuccess” @_katiewestbrook

What formulas or templates do you use in social media?

From Kevan:

• Always learning from the way others do it! I’m often pulling from this list of options: https://buffer.com/resources/ways-to-write-social-media-updates …

• I’ve tried Title Case headlines followed by URL, headline then URL then commentary, and even multi-line posts!

• A3: We’ve found a publishing schedule works great, too! Schedule all at once, write unique updates. ? #bufferchatpic.twitter.com/USg8iwXDjp — Kevan Lee (@kevanlee) December 10, 2014

Other great insights:

• “For #socialmedia clients I sometimes create a Quote template in Canva and reuse it for other quotes – #Branding” @CathyWebSavvyPR

• “I use images, [NEW], [new post] or [blog post] to tell people what they’re clicking on. I ask questions for engagement.” @EmilyaCarlton

• “For every blog post: 1 headline tweet, 1 question tweet, 1 quote tweet, in a massive spreadsheet.” @bberg1010

• “not so much templates for #socialmedia but tested formulas. Stats. Ask questions. Fun graphics. Etc.” @CShirkeyCollins

• “We use a simple social sharing schedule to plan accounts/time/frequency when we promote blog content http://coschedule.com/blog/promote-your-blog-with-social-media/ …” @garrett_moon

What is a good balance of template use vs. not?

From Kevan:

• I like to start with a template, learn what works, and iterate from there. The non-templates end up informing the templates!

• For beginners and pros, lots of cool stuff to start with there, then grow and develop what works best for you!

• We just released a free resources kit today, filled with great templates and ideas. https://buffer.com/resources/social-media-marketing-resources-kit …

Other great insights:

• “That is 100% up to you. Some posts lend themselves to templates. But the free flow of some is more powerful. Be Flexible.” @domgarrett

• “Template depends on content. Can you use a template for all situations? No, posting should be fluid, evolving with you!” @instanttragedy

• “I think it’s all about balance. Templates for efficiency but not at the cost of authenticity and being present.” @JayVig

• “Templates can be great for starting out and consistency.” @KylaK

What’s the greatest productivity advice you’ve ever received?

From Kevan:

• Focus on what helps you achieve your goals. Cut out the rest.

• The 2-Minute Rule: If something can be done in 2 mins or less, do it now. ?

Other great insights:

• “Turn off notifications on your phone. All of them. Seriously :)” @cmrberry

• “Best productivity advice: Something is better than nothing. Do something.” @YouTooCanBeGuru

• “Another awesome productivity tool is the Do Over Year calendar from @jonacuff! #DoOverYear http://www.neuyear.net/products/2015-do-over-year …” @EmilyaCarlton

• “It’s not a work/life balance its called living… so focus on making everything you do the best it can possibly be!” @iSocialFanz

• “it’s all about building momentum. So even small tasks at first help you build it.” @deathtostock

What social media/blogging pros do you follow for good tips and inspiration?

From Kevan:

• Very inspired by the team here at Buffer! @joelgascoigne @LeoWid @courtneyseiter and more: https://twitter.com/buffer/lists/team …

• Also love learning from @neilpatel @hnshah @copyblogger@Moz @unbounce

Other great insights:

• “@buffer to include all individuals therein, the #SSHour team of@iSocialFanz & @rachelloumiller, @TMFproject, @neilpatel…” @ChristinKardos

• “My fav bloggers are: @kevanlee @garyvee @nickcicero @IanCleary @memktgservices @danielnewmanUV @adhutchinson @briansolis” @isocialfanz

• “@garyvee, @buffer, @copyblogger, @ThisIsSethsBlog to name a few” @BarbaraDiGangi

• “I follow @MichaelHyatt @dalepartridge @jaltucher@IAmMarkManson and many more!” @jentoldyouso

• “so many! @briansolis @jonloomer @danzarrella@garyvee @buffer @annhandley @Mike_Stelzner @neilpatel @jaybaer” @_DanMessina

• “@lkr @ShannnonB @mkramer @GregoryCiotti @NiemanLab@wistia + many writers/journalists ” @lethargian

• “cont: @holeytonal @Whatleydude @2morrowknight@MattNavarra @coralsummers @neilpatel @SocialMediaLond@FR314 @mike_mcgrail” @danielcohen82

Thank you to everyone who participated! Join Bufferchat each Wednesday on Twitter!     Image sources: Unsplash, Blurgrounds, The Noun Project