How to Schedule LinkedIn Posts for Free

How To Guides

Open the LinkedIn app on your mobile device. Tap the "Start a post" button. Write your post, add images or videos, and write your caption.

how-to-schedule-linkedin-posts-for-free

Tired of manually posting on LinkedIn? Want to maintain a consistent online presence without the constant hustle? In this guide, we'll explore effective strategies and free tools to automate your LinkedIn posting. By scheduling your content in advance, you can save time, increase your visibility, and maximize your impact on this professional platform.

Why Schedule Your LinkedIn Posts?

Scheduling your LinkedIn posts offers a multitude of benefits for both individuals and businesses:

  • Consistency: 

Ensure a regular posting schedule to keep your audience engaged and maintain brand visibility.

  • Time Management: 

Save time by planning and scheduling posts in advance, allowing you to focus on other tasks.

  • Strategic Timing: 

Optimize your post timing to reach your target audience when they're most active.

  • Peak Performance: 

Share your best content during peak engagement times to maximize visibility and interaction.

  • Improved Productivity: 

Streamline your content creation process and reduce the stress of real-time posting.

  • Global Reach:

 Effectively connect with a global audience by considering time zones and scheduling posts accordingly.

 

How to Schedule LinkedIn Posts Within the App

LinkedIn has a built-in feature that allows you to schedule posts directly from the app. Here's a step-by-step guide:

  1. Create Your Post:

    • Open the LinkedIn app on your mobile device.

    • Tap the "Start a post" button.

  • Write your post, add images or videos, and write your caption.

 

  1. Schedule Your Post:

    • Instead of tapping the "Post" button, tap the clock icon next to it.

  • Select the date and time you want your post to go live.

  • Tap "Next" and then "Schedule."

Note:

  • You can schedule posts up to three months in advance.

  • Once scheduled, you can't edit the content of the post. However, you can reschedule or delete it.

  • To view your scheduled posts, go to the "Start a post" section and tap the clock icon.

 

How to Edit a Scheduled LinkedIn Post

LinkedIn has recently introduced the ability to edit scheduled posts directly within the platform. Here's how you can do it:

  1. Access Your Scheduled Posts:

    • Go to the "Start a post" section on LinkedIn.

 

  • Click on the clock icon to view your scheduled posts.

 

 

 

  1. Select the Post to Edit:

    • Find the specific post you want to modify.

 

  1. Edit the Post:

    • Click on the three-dot menu next to the post.

 

 

  • Select "Edit Post."

 

  • Make the necessary changes to the text, images, or any other elements.

 

  1. Save or Reschedule:

    • Once you've finished editing, you can either save the changes or reschedule the post for a different time.

 

Note: While you can now edit the content of your scheduled posts, you cannot change the post type (e.g., article, photo, video) after scheduling.

Ways to Schedule your Linked in Post for Free

Here the details on how to schedule your Linked in Post for free:

 Buffer

Buffer is a popular social media management tool that allows you to schedule posts across multiple platforms, including LinkedIn. It's a user-friendly tool that can help you maintain a consistent online presence and save time.

Key Features for LinkedIn:

  • Post Scheduling: Create and schedule your LinkedIn posts in advance.

  • Content Calendar: Visually plan your content strategy and see your scheduled posts.

  • Analytics: Track the performance of your LinkedIn posts to identify what works best.

  • Team Collaboration: Collaborate with your team members to create and schedule posts.

How to Use Buffer for LinkedIn:

  1. Create a Buffer Account: Sign up for a free or paid plan.

  2. Connect Your LinkedIn Account: Link your LinkedIn profile or company page to Buffer.

  3. Create a New Post: Write your post, add images or videos, and select your desired LinkedIn profile or page.

  4. Schedule Your Post: Choose a specific date and time for your post to go live.

  5. Review and Publish: Review your scheduled posts and make any necessary adjustments.

Hootsuite

Hootsuite is another powerful social media management tool that can help you schedule your LinkedIn posts effectively. It offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features, making it a popular choice for businesses and individuals.

Key Features for LinkedIn:

  • Post Scheduling: Create and schedule your LinkedIn posts in advance.

  • Content Calendar: Visually plan your content strategy and see your scheduled posts.

  • Analytics: Track the performance of your LinkedIn posts to measure engagement and reach.

  • Team Collaboration: Collaborate with your team members to create and schedule posts.

  • Social Listening: Monitor brand mentions and industry trends on LinkedIn.

 

How to Use Hootsuite for LinkedIn:

  1. Create a Hootsuite Account: Sign up for a free or paid plan.

  2. Connect Your LinkedIn Account: Link your LinkedIn profile or company page to Hootsuite.

  3. Create a New Post: Write your post, add images or videos, and select your desired LinkedIn profile or page.

  4. Schedule Your Post: Choose a specific date and time for your post to go live.

  5. Review and Publish: Review your scheduled posts and make any necessary adjustments.

IFTTT (If This Then That)

IFTTT is a free automation tool that can be used to schedule LinkedIn posts.While it's not a dedicated social media management tool, it offers flexibility and customization.

How to Use IFTTT for LinkedIn:

  1. Create an IFTTT Account: Sign up for a free account.

  2. Connect Your LinkedIn Account: You'll need to connect your LinkedIn account to IFTTT using their API.

  3. Create an Applet: An applet is a simple automation that consists of a trigger and an action.

    1. Trigger: This could be a file being added to a specific folder in your Dropbox or Google Drive.

    2. Action: This could be posting the file as a LinkedIn post at a specific time.

Limitations of IFTTT:

  • Limited Flexibility: While IFTTT offers powerful automation capabilities, its flexibility for complex LinkedIn post scheduling might be limited compared to dedicated tools.

  • Technical Knowledge: Creating applets requires some technical understanding and might not be suitable for everyone.

Zapier

Zapier is a powerful automation tool that can integrate with a wide range of apps, including LinkedIn. It allows you to create automated workflows, or "Zaps," to streamline tasks and improve efficiency.

How to Use Zapier for LinkedIn:

  1. Create a Zapier Account: Sign up for a free or paid plan.

  2. Connect Your Accounts: Connect your LinkedIn account and other apps you want to integrate with Zapier.

  3. Build a Zap: Create a Zap with a trigger and an action:

    1. Trigger: This could be a new post being added to a Google Doc or a new RSS feed item.

    2. Action: This could be posting the content to your LinkedIn profile or page.

Limitations of Zapier:

  • Complexity: Building complex Zaps can require technical knowledge and understanding of APIs.

  • Potential for Errors: While powerful, Zaps can sometimes encounter errors or unexpected behavior.

Best Tool for Beginners

For beginners looking to schedule LinkedIn posts, Buffer is an excellent choice. It offers a user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate and understand. The free plan provides a solid foundation for basic scheduling needs, allowing you to plan and organize your content visually. 

Buffer's analytics feature helps you track the performance of your posts, providing valuable insights to refine your strategy. While Hootsuite is another popular option, Buffer's simplicity and intuitive design make it an ideal tool for those new to social media management.

Conclusion

In conclusion, scheduling your LinkedIn posts can significantly enhance your social media strategy. By using free tools like Buffer, Hootsuite,IFTTT, Zapier or LinkedIn's built-in scheduler, you can save time, maintain consistency, and optimize your content delivery. 

These tools allow you to plan your posts in advance, ensuring that your message reaches your target audience effectively. Remember to leverage analytics to track your performance and make data-driven decisions. By consistently scheduling your LinkedIn posts, you can strengthen your professional brand and drive meaningful engagement.