Top 5 Tips for Hootsuite

Posted on July 29, 2011 in Social Media

Wishing you could pull all of your social media accounts into one place? Maybe even access your accounts through one mobile app? Why not have a look at Hootsuite?

Hootsuite - Social Media Dashboard

I’ve been using Hootsuite for a while now. Early on when I was searching for a social media aggregator/dashboard, I found myself switching between Hootsuite and Postling. I’ve also dabbled with Tweetdeck, Cotweet and Seesmic, but now I work primarily with Hootsuite. It’s a great platform and the mobile app’s great to use as well.

Hootsuite have some great tips on using their app, but I thought I’d do a quick summary of my own Top 5 Tips for Hootsuite.

Scheduled updates need to be balanced

Hootsuite’s ability to schedule in batches is a great feature and it’s tempting to run your social media accounts on auto-piolt… but if you do, you’re missing the point of ‘social.’ Balance your scheduled tweets with a ‘human’ presence. Your followers like it when you interact with them and not just push your message.

Choose your mobile notifications

Hootsuite’s mobile app allows you to choose which accounts you get notifications for. This is handy if you have numerous accounts attached to Hootsuite which are firing off notifications all the time. You might only want to be notified about your personal accounts, and you can do this by going to the ‘Edit Streams’ option.

Extend your desktop experience

Hootsuite offers a bunch of great extensions available for different browsers so that it’s easier to use and easier to share links. You can find a link to the Hootsuite extensions and downloads in the ‘tool’ menu. As an avid Google Chrome user, my personal favourites are Chrome Hootsuite Desktop and Chrome Hootlet.

Use analytics like a pro

Hootsuite’s Pro accounts are only $5.99USD a month, but they pack in a bunch of added features. One of the biggest benefits is bringing your Facebook Insights and Google Analytics to the game and getting them to play nicely with added URL stats. The “quick” analytics are free but if you can pay bit extra for customised reports.

Join a #Hootup

Hootsuite listens to their community, and encourage them to give their feedback. They also encourage their users to get together and have a bit of fun at #hootups across the globe. I was fortunate enough to organise a #hootup with a local social media users group here in Adelaide. It was a great chance to talk and learn from each other.

Hootsuite were also generous enough to send down some of their Hootkits for us, with the tattoos and stickers being a huge hit with those who came (and their kids!). Check out the pics!

For more tips, make sure you check out the #HootTip posts on the Hootsuite blog

Do you use Hootsuite? What are your top tips for using it?

About Ben Teoh

Ben Teoh is a husband, dad, blogger, social media junkie and wannabe ninja. Ben loves the way in which social media and online communities can connect people beyond traditional borders.
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