How To Schedule Instagram Posts: An In-depth Guide For 2024

Picture this: no more last-minute scrambles, logging in at odd hours, or constant interruptions to your day. 

Seems way too dreamy? Well, it’s time to end your procrastination and embrace Instagram scheduling. 

Before you freak out saying Meta Business suite is complicated or it is convenient to schedule from your desktop and not the Instagram app, we even have an easy detour as well!

We’ll cover all the possible ways so you can decide for yourself, though. No matter what process you choose, you surely can ace your Instagram game like a boss with scheduling! 

You can plan and create stunning content in advance, ensuring a consistent feed that speaks volumes to your audience. Plus, it saves you valuable time to focus on a gazillion Instagram trends and other creative-first priorities. 

But that’s not all! Here are some more benefits of Instagram scheduling. 

5 Benefits why you should start Instagram scheduling right away

If you’re wondering why you should start Instagram scheduling right away, let me give you not just one but five captivating benefits that will leave you itching to hit that schedule button!

1. Time-saving wonder 

Imagine the hours you can save by scheduling your Instagram posts in advance. With Instagram post schedulers at your fingertips, there’s no need to constantly interrupt your day to post on Instagram. 

It’s like having a personal assistant who does all the work for you while you tackle more pressing tasks or simply enjoy some quality ‘me’ time.

2. Consistent engagement

One of the secrets to building brand on social media like Instagram is maintaining a consistent presence. By scheduling your posts, you can ensure a regular flow of content that keeps your followers engaged. 

No more erratic posting patterns that confuse or disappoint your audience. Instead, establish yourself as a reliable presence, delivering fresh and exciting content right on time, every time.

3. Optimal timing

Have you ever wondered when the best time is to post on Instagram? Well, worry no more! By using scheduling tools, you can easily analyze your audience’s behavior and identify the perfect times to share your content. 

This means your posts will reach maximum visibility, increasing your chances of getting those coveted likes, comments, and follows.

4. Creative freedom

Scheduling Instagram posts allows you to unleash your creative side without feeling rushed or pressured. With the luxury of time, you can brainstorm the perfect captions, edit stunning visuals, and craft killer hashtags that are sure to grab attention. 

Take your Instagram game to the next level, and watch as your content stands out from the crowd.

5. Peace of mind

Finally, imagine the peace of mind that comes with knowing your Instagram strategy is locked and loaded. No more last-minute panic or forgetting to post. 

With scheduling, you have everything under control, leaving you free to focus on other aspects of your business or personal life. It’s the ultimate stress-buster for the avid Instagrammer in you!

Enough of talking already! Let’s get into the action and start scheduling. 

How to schedule Instagram posts from Meta Business Suite

Follow this step-by-step guide to scheduling Instagram posts using Meta Business Suite:

1. Sign up for Meta Business Suite

Visit the Meta Business Suite website and create an account. You’ll need to provide your email address, choose a password, and agree to any terms and conditions.

2. Connect your Instagram account

After creating your account, you’ll need to connect your Instagram business account to Meta Business Suite. This is necessary to gain access to Instagram’s scheduling features.

3. Add your Instagram content

Once your account is connected, it’s time to start adding your content. Click on the “Content” tab on the Meta Business Suite dashboard, and then select the “Create Post” button. 

You’ll then be prompted to upload your images or videos, add captions, and even include hashtags.

4. Customize your post schedule

After adding your content, you can set the date and time for your Instagram posts. Choose the specific date and time that you want your post to go live, ensuring that it aligns with your marketing strategy or target audience.

5. Preview and edit your posts

Before scheduling your post, it’s always a good idea to preview how it will look on Instagram. Meta Business Suite provides a preview feature that allows you to see how your post will appear once published. 

Make sure to edit your captions, check for any mistakes, and ensure that your visuals are optimized for the platform.

6. Schedule your post

Once you’re satisfied with your post, it’s time to schedule it. On the Meta Business Suite dashboard, locate the “Schedule” button next to your post. 

Click on it, and a calendar will appear where you can select the desired date and time. After confirming your schedule, your post will be queued up and ready to go.

You can view all your scheduled posts in the Meta Business Suite dashboard. Get a clear overview of your upcoming content to stay organized and make any necessary adjustments.

How to schedule Instagram posts from the Instagram app

Here’s how to schedule posts on Instagram using the app:

1. Open the Instagram app on your mobile device and log in to your account. Tap on the “+” icon at the bottom centre of the screen to create a new post.

2. Choose the photo or video you want to post and edit it as necessary. Tap on the “Next” button at the top-right corner of the screen. Select the desired filter and tap on the “Next” button again. 

3. Add your caption and any relevant hashtags or tags. Instead of tapping on the “Share” button, tap on the advanced settings. 

4. Toggle the “Schedule this post” button to the right. Select the date and time you want to schedule your post to go live. Tap on the “Done” button again to confirm your scheduled post.

5. Your post will now be saved as a draft and automatically published at the scheduled time.

You can also edit your scheduled content. Just tap on the Hamburger icon(☰) on the top. Select Scheduled content and do the needful. 

This is how you can easily schedule your Instagram posts at the date and time that’s most convenient for you right from your phone. 

How to schedule Instagram posts using Keyhole

Before scheduling, you need to first ensure that your account is added to Keyhole’s dashboard. Here’s how to do that:

1. Log in to your Keyhole account and click on the Publishing tab.

2. Click on the Instagram logo located at the top right corner of the page to add your page.

3. A pop-up opens where Keyhole takes permission to continue with your Facebook account. Click on Continue as <Your Name>. Alternatively, opt to log into your account if the default account is not the one you need.  

4. Another dialog box appears that lists all the professional Instagram pages connected to the before-mentioned Facebook account. Select your page. 

Click on the Next button and select the Facebook pages you want to connect to Keyhole. Tap on the Next button again.  

5. Choose your preferences to enable third-party publishing. Tap on the done button once done. 

6. Click on the Done button. Your profile is now connected to Keyhole.

Now, you’ll be redirected to the Keyhole dashboard. Note that, adding your Instagram page is just a one-time activity. You’ll be able to schedule posts from Keyhole after this. 

Follow the given steps for scheduling: 

1. Click on the +Compose button. 

2. Select the profile icon with Instagram logo and type in captions, add emojis, and your media files to the post composer dialog box. Toggle the Post as Reel button to the right if you want to schedule Instagram Reels instead of the usual images/videos as feed posts. 

3. Set the date and time you want the post to go live on Instagram. You can also choose to publish the post immediately or save it as a draft.

4. Once everything is set up, click on the “Schedule” button to schedule the post. A pop-up appears on the left-hand corner confirming the successful scheduling. 

5. You’ll be able to spot it on the publishing calendar. You can directly publish, discard, and edit the scheduled posts. 

That’s it! Your post will be automatically published on Instagram at the date and time you’ve scheduled it for.

Bonus: Steal your competitor’s best time to post

Itching to know why your competitors are getting more likes than you? One of the many reasons can be the timing. 

They are posting just at the time their intended audience group is actively scrolling their feed. Here’s how you can experiment with your posting and find your optimal timings for posting. 

1. Add your competitors and your Instagram profiles under Profile Analytics. 

2. Once you add a profile tracker, tap on one of the trackers and head to the Optimization tab from the navigation panel to the left.

3. From here, you’ll be able to see the optimal post time of your competitor. If you further scroll down, you’ll be able to find the best times to post on a daily basis and the optimal post length. 

4. On further scrolling, you’ll also find their top hashtags by engagement, the optimal number of hashtags, and average engagement by day.

5. Now, you can check your profile tracker by following the same steps. Experiment with your posting timings by using the schedule feature that was covered before this.  

5 expert tips to master scheduling on Instagram 

Here are five expert tips to help you schedule your Instagram posts like a pro:

1. Plan ahead

Before scheduling your posts, take some time to brainstorm ideas and plan out your content for the week or month ahead. This will save you time, help you maintain consistency and provide direction for your content.

2. Consider your target audience

Always keep in mind who your target audience is and what they are interested in. This will help you tailor your content and ensure that it resonates with your followers. You can use Keyhole’s QuickTrends feature to analyze a particular trend and decide if it’s worth hoping on or not. 

3. Keep a consistent theme

Consistency is key when it comes to your Instagram feed. Consider creating a consistent theme or color scheme to create a cohesive and visually appealing profile that will attract more followers.

4. Analyze your posts

After scheduling your posts, track your Instagram analytics provided by under Profile Analytics to track engagement and determine which posts are performing well. This will help you fine-tune your content strategy to better engage with your followers.

5. Monitor and respond to comments

Scheduling your posts doesn’t mean you can set it and forget it. Allocate time each day to respond to comments and engage with your audience. Track keywords and hashtags under the social listening tab and know who’s talking about you. 

Final Words

Mastering the art of scheduling Instagram posts is a game-changer for social media marketers and influencers alike. By planning ahead, utilizing scheduling tools like Keyhole, and considering your target audience, you can create a visually stunning and engaging feed that captivates your audience.

Remember to keep a consistent theme, analyze your posts’ performance, and adapt your content strategy accordingly. It’s also important to stay up-to-date with trends, collaborate with influencers, and make the most of hashtags to boost your discoverability.

To simplify the process and take your Instagram scheduling to the next level, we highly recommend trying out Keyhole’s free trial. With its advanced features and analytics, Keyhole provides invaluable insights that will empower you to optimize your content strategy, boost engagement, and grow your Instagram presence.

Don’t miss out on this power hack. Get started with Keyhole’s free trial now and unlock the full potential of your Instagram strategy. Happy scheduling!

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