Schedule Social Media Posts with Buffer Free Plan

Buffer’s free plan offers a surprisingly robust set of features that can transform your social media workflow. Whether you’re a small business owner, a content creator, or just looking to streamline your personal accounts, this step-by-step guide will show you how to make the most of Buffer without spending a dime.

Why Schedule Social Media Posts with Buffer?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s look at why Buffer’s free plan is worth your time:

Buffer Free Plan: What’s Included

Before we get into the step-by-step process, let’s clarify what you get with Buffer’s free plan:

Now that you understand what’s available, let’s set up your account and start scheduling.

Step 1: Creating Your Buffer Free Account

Getting started with Buffer is straightforward:

1. Visit Buffer’s signup page
2. Enter your email address and create a password
3. Click “Sign Up” (no credit card required)
4. Verify your email if prompted

After signing up, Buffer will guide you through connecting your first social media account. If you prefer to explore the dashboard first, you can skip this step and add your accounts later.

Step 2: Connecting Your Social Media Accounts

Buffer’s free plan allows you to connect up to three social media accounts. Here’s how to add them:

1. From your Buffer dashboard, click on “Connect Channels” in the left sidebar
2. Select the social media platform you want to connect (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, etc.)
3. Follow the authentication prompts to grant Buffer access to your account
4. Repeat for up to three accounts (choose wisely based on your priorities)

Buffer currently supports these platforms on the free plan:

Step 3: Navigating the Buffer Dashboard

Before you start scheduling, familiarize yourself with Buffer’s interface:

The most important section for scheduling is the Publishing tab, which we’ll focus on next.

Step 4: Setting Up Your Posting Schedule

Before creating posts, set up your ideal posting schedule:

1. Select a social account from the left sidebar
2. Click “Settings” at the top of the page
3. Select the “Posting Schedule” tab
4. Set your timezone
5. Click “Add a posting time” to create time slots
6. Select days and times when you want posts to go out
7. Repeat to create multiple time slots

These time slots create your posting queue. When you add content to Buffer, it will automatically fill these slots in chronological order unless you specify a custom time.

Step 5: Creating and Scheduling Posts

Now for the fun part—creating and scheduling your content:

1. From your dashboard, click the “Create Post” button in the top right
2. Select which social accounts to post to by clicking their icons at the top
3. Write your post in the composer
4. Add media (images, videos) by clicking the image icon or dragging files
5. Add links if needed (they’ll be automatically shortened)
6. Click “Customize for each network” to tailor your post for different platforms
7. Choose when to publish:
   • Add to Queue: Uses the next available time slot
   • Share Now: Posts immediately
   • Schedule Post: Pick a specific date and time

Platform-Specific Customization

One of Buffer’s most powerful features is the ability to customize each post for different platforms:

• Twitter/X: Keep under 280 characters, use relevant hashtags
• Instagram: Can use more hashtags, focus on visual content
• LinkedIn: More professional tone, longer text if needed
• Facebook: Conversational tone, questions work well

Step 6: Managing Your Content Queue

After scheduling posts, you’ll want to manage your queue:

• View Queue: See all scheduled posts in chronological order
• Edit Posts: Click the three dots next to any post to edit or delete it
• Rearrange: Drag and drop posts to change their order (on paid plans)
• Calendar View: Click “Calendar” to see posts in a calendar format

Remember that on the free plan, you’re limited to 10 scheduled posts per channel at any time. Once a post is published, that slot becomes available again.

Step 7: Using Buffer’s Free Analytics

While limited compared to paid plans, Buffer’s free analytics can still provide valuable insights:

1. Click on “Analytics” in the left sidebar
2. Select the social account you want to analyze
3. View basic metrics like engagement and reach
4. See which posts performed best

Use these insights to inform your future content strategy. Pay attention to:

• Which types of content get the most engagement
• Best times for engagement (to refine your posting schedule)
• Topics that resonate with your audience

Buffer Free Plan: Limitations and Workarounds

Practical Workarounds

Here are some strategies to maximize the free plan:

• Rotating Accounts: If you manage more than three accounts, rotate which ones are connected based on priorities
• Batch Scheduling: Set aside weekly time to refill your queue as posts publish
• Content Recycling: Keep a spreadsheet of your best-performing posts to reuse when appropriate
• Complementary Tools: Use free tools like Canva for graphics and Google Analytics for deeper metrics

Tips for Optimizing Your Buffer Free Plan

Make the most of your limited free plan slots with these optimization strategies:

Content Ideas to Maximize Engagement

With limited posting slots, prioritize these high-engagement content types:

• Questions and polls to encourage audience participation
• Behind-the-scenes content to build authentic connections
• User-generated content to foster community
• Timely, trending topics relevant to your niche
• Educational content that provides value to your audience

Is Buffer’s Free Plan Right for You?

Buffer’s free plan is ideal for:

• Individuals managing personal social media
• Small businesses or startups with limited social presence
• Content creators just starting to build an audience
• Anyone wanting to test social media scheduling before investing in paid tools

While it has limitations, Buffer’s free plan offers significant value for streamlining your social media workflow. The ability to schedule posts across three platforms, customize content for each network, and access basic analytics makes it a powerful tool even without paying.

As your social media presence grows, you might eventually need more features like additional accounts, more scheduled posts, or team collaboration. At that point, Buffer’s paid plans start at just $6 per social channel per month.

Have you tried Buffer or other social media scheduling tools? Share your experience in the comments below, or follow our blog for more social media management tips and tutorials.