Social Media Tools:

How to set up Buffer to quickly share blog posts

to Facebook and Twitter

What is Buffer?

You can find this useful tool at http://bufferapp.com

The description is right from their own website…

Why use Buffer?

I use a number of different tools to manage my social media schedule because I make sure to add relevant content every day to my Facebook Fan Pages and Twitter account, as well as making personal comments and interactions.

What’s great about Buffer is that you can add it to your toolbar to make sharing articles and posts even easier.

Ready? Let’s get started!

Buffer

Type bufferapp.com into the address bar. This is what you’ll see.

I’d recommend signing in with your Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter account – then there is one less username & password for you to remember!

Buffer

Next go to the Dashboard. This is where you can analyze reactions (such as shares and comments) to your posts/tweets, or look at what posts are pending and ready to be sent out to each social network.

Buffer

Once you set up your new FREE account, you can update your personal information under Account. Then go to the Settings.

You can use up to 2 social networks in the free version of Buffer. I’ve chosen my personal Twitter account AngeliqueDuff, and my company’s Facebook Fan Page Bright Spark Media.

Buffer

Personally, I don’t often go back to the Buffer dashboard once I have it set up because I send all my tweets and Facebook posts from the Buffer icon I’ve installed on my toolbar.

Along with setting up iGoogle (also called the Google Homepage – we’ll show you how to set this up in another tutorial), this makes for a more efficient social media workflow.

When I open my web browser (I use Google Chrome) this is what my toolbar looked like BEFORE installing the Buffer application.

Buffer

Now let’s install Buffer into your toolbar – note that I’ll demonstrate with Google Chrome, but there is also a toolbar app for Firefox and Explorer too.

If you are already inside Buffer, choose the Apps & Extras tab, or simply type bufferapp.com/extras in the address bar. Then click on the Buffer for Chrome image.

click here if you are using

Firefox or Explorer

Buffer

Now click Add. The little black stacked icon is the Buffer app that will appear on your toolbar.

Buffer

And now the Google toolbar looks like this, with the Buffer app installed.

Buffer

Let’s look at an example of the Buffer in use.

Pick any blog or website – I’ve typed in Nothinggreatiseasy.com

Buffer

I’ve looked around the website, read some articles, and decided that I want to share this blog post which includes a video of a local swim event because I think it might interest my Facebook fans or Twitter followers.

Simply click on the Buffer icon…

Buffer

…and the title appears in a popup box. Here you can choose where you want to post the article (I’ve chosen my Facebook Fan Page – notice Twitter appears very faint), customize the text, and if you’re sharing to Facebook you can change the photo that will display in your post by clicking on it.

Then click the Add to Buffer button to be added to the stack, and this post will be automatically distributed later. You can also post immediately by choosing Post Now.

As you add to your Buffer, this bar will turn green, adding one segment for each new post.

Buffer

Go ahead and try it with a few posts.

Test out the different features and sharing options.

Check out how the posts appear on your Facebook wall, or how the Tweets look in your Twitterfeed.

In a few days log in to in your Buffer Dashboard and see what the analytics show you.

Thank you for viewing:

How to set up Buffer to quickly share blog posts

to Facebook and Twitter

Still got social media questions?

There are tips & trips on our website and Facebook Fan Page;

Tutorial videos on our YouTube Channel;

or you can post your question on Facebook or Twitter.

Do you want us to create a

social media strategy

for your business?

Email us to set up a free 30 minute consultation.

BrightSparkSocialMedia@gmail.com