9 Free Tools I Can’t Live Without as a Social Media Marketer
By: Jenessa Stark
Tags: Tools, Digital Marketing, Business, Social Media, Social Media Marketing

3. Downloader for Instagram

If there’s anything that makes my brain itch, it’s when I can see that an image was screen-captured from Instagram. Or even worse, that a repost app has been used and has its logo disrupting the image—which disrupts the whole feed.

Avoid this by using the Downloader for Instagram extension. With it installed on your computer, simply hover over an image or video and a download option will appear. Download and share without a third-party logo. Of course, be sure to give proper credit!

Bonus: Direct message is another feature of this extension, allowing you to manage those DMs without being glued to your phone.

The Downloader for Instagram app is also available on the Google Play store for Android phones.

Downloader for Instagram makes it easy to re-share images and videos.

4. Grammarly

I have a love-hate relationship with Grammarly. On one hand, it’s one of my favorite free writing tools. On the other hand, adhering to its suggestions can suck the life and personality out of your writing. Still, I keep the Grammarly for Chrome activated. The fact is that when you’re writing pithy captions at breakneck speed, typos and blunders are more likely to happen.

Free Design Tool for Social Media Graphics

5. Canva

As a former Adobe suite die-hard, straying from Photoshop and Illustrator wasn’t something I was keen on. But once I tried Canva, I was impressed at how many functions it had, and how efficiently I could create custom graphics for multiple brands. Now it’s my primary tool.

Even without the Pro version, you can access free photos, elements, and fonts. Personally, I do use the Pro version and think it’s worth every penny. Specifically, the brand kit function makes managing multiple brand styles a breeze. You can try it out for free for 30 days before making the investment.

If you’re new to graphic design, take Canva’s free Design School courses.

High-quality graphics come easy on Canva.

Try Canva Pro to create and use Brand Kits for easy on-brand designing.

File Management for Social Media Content and Assets

6. Google Docs

There are endless uses for Google Docs. When it comes to social media management, here are a few of the ways I use it.

Drafting posts

Sharing post drafts with clients

Storing client directives and requests

Pasting links for content to be used in future posts

Content brainstorming

7. Google Drive

I know, I know. I rely a lot on Google. But show me another free cloud storage option that offers 15GB (standard Google account) and up to 1TB (G Suite Business and Enterprise) per user. I’ll wait.

In the meantime, I’ll tell you that Google Drive makes it ultra-simple to store and manage photos and other files. When a client sends over images, they get uploaded to their Drive folder. I can then access them on any device, and share them easily if needed.

Free Social Media Scheduling Tools

8. Creator Studio

If Facebook and Instagram are your primary platforms, look no further than Facebook Creator Studio to schedule your posts. It allows you to toggle easily between Facebook and Instagram, plus manage multiple accounts in the same place.

The features it offers for Instagram are more extensive than even some paid tools, such as the ability to post to IGTV and post videos for regular posts from your computer. It will also let you know when you’re reaching the maximum number of hashtags and suggests hashtags within your post drafts.

Other notable capabilities of Creator Studio:

Send the same post to both platforms

Get Instagram DM alerts on Facebook (when accounts are linked)

Include multiple images in posts

Insights for both platforms

Monetization for Branded Content

I do wish photo filters were available. Hopefully, they’re on the way.

See your active and scheduled posts in your Content Library.

Hashtag suggestions are a huge time-saver.

9. Other Free Social Media Scheduling Tools

Since Creator Studio is limited to Facebook and Instagram, another scheduling tool is essential if you’re publishing on Twitter, LinkedIn, or other platforms. That is unless you want to be strapped to your desk to publish posts every day.

Depending on where you’re active and how your business is structured, you’ll want to shop around to find a free tool that’s right for you. I’ve had a good experience using Planoly and Hootsuite. Here’s a list of other social media management tools from Buffer with free plans specified.

Your Systems Define Your Output

You might be gung-ho to take charge of your company’s social media or rock your own. But without a system in place to create eye-catching, value-adding content, each post will feel like you’re climbing a new mountain. Try out these tools, discover your own, and find your formula for social media success.

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