Top Tools & Strategies for Social Media Content

Information in this blog post was obtained from the HubSpot Blog, Social Media Examiner, and Social Media Today.

Woman Scrolling through phone — Image courtesy of Media from Wix.

Imagine you are a student on a weeknight, scrolling through Instagram while taking a break from studying. Between cute animal videos, viral music edits, and funny prank trends, you come across a content creator’s profile that stops you in your tracks and captures your full attention. Yeah, that was me looking at my new favorite content creator inspiration. Her visuals were cohesive and clean, with filters that weren’t overdone but perfectly matched her page’s aesthetic. The captions for the post were on-brand, sharp, and engaging. As I blindly took in everything, I thought to myself, “How do they create this and make it look so easy? Can little ole ME do something like that?”

If ANY of that sounds even remotely like you, you’re going to want to see what I have in store FOR YOU! This guide is for students learning the ropes in their first marketing class and young professionals trying to stand out in a competitive digital marketing world.

I’m going to walk with you hand-in-hand down the yellow-brick road through the best social media content creation tools, break down some of the most popular tools for social media, and share different strategies that not only look great but work just as hard as you do for your brand. You come away from this with clear, actionable steps on how to utilize these hidden gems at your fingertips to blaze your way through the social media realm.

long road through trees — Image courtesy of Media from Wix

Design Like a Pro, Even If You’re Not One

HubSpot’s guide for small businesses points out that the very first hurdle that most aspiring social media marketers run into is content design. We all envision our posts to look like they were pulled off a more modern mood board from your early childhood days that grew up…but who has the time, or extra play money, to hire someone to design something like this? (Not ME – a struggling working wife and full-time student THAT’S for sure!)

According to the article, small businesses and creators are turning to intuitive design tools to boost their brand presence. And the GREAT news is…most of them are free or low-cost.

Some of the tools that HubSpot mentions are:

Canva – This one is basically the GO-TO of social media post design apps. From creating stunning posts, stories, and even LinkedIn carousels. Auto-resize features make multi-platform design a breeze. Who doesn’t love an all-in-one?!

Asana –Not just a planner but a content command center. Organize tasks, manage deadlines, and map your posts for the week or month. This makes scheduling a piece of cake and allows others to get a clear understanding of your content creation plans.

I started using Canva for a class project and now use it for everything, even my work presentations. It boosted engagement and gave me the confidence to post more consistently. Tools like these don’t just make your content look more appealing, they make you feel more confident about sharing it.

Creating colorful background on tablet — Image courtesy of Media from Wix

AI: Your New Content Creation Sidekick

Let’s talk about the dirty little secret everyone is afraid of…or overly excited about… AI. No, it’s not here to replace your creativity, it’s here to enhance it.

According to Social Media Today, AI tools are revolutionizing how we create and connect.

AI Tools to Give a Shot:

SE Ranking – This is a multifaceted tool that highlights hidden opportunities, and helps you figure out what content will connect best with your audience. A feature you can use from this tool is the Competitor Research feature. This helps you discover the best-performing content on social media, then helps you implement the ideas that work for your social media strategy.

Messagely – This provides the capacity to integrate chatbots into different social channels. The platform is packed with advanced features that can help you to quickly set up and engage with customers 24/7. This platform can help you better understand your audience’s needs and assess potential problems within your chatbot flows. This enables you to take a tailored approach with your marketing efforts and maximize connection with your followers.

NapoleonCat – This tool enables you to manage all of your social media profiles within one dashboard, covering everything from publishing and conversation tracking to analytics and reporting. This can be a major timesaver for businesses and individuals that want to monitor their brand/presence online.

I used to think that AI felt impersonal when trying to use it for personal branding or being perceived as being “lazy”. But truthfully? It cut my time in half while also keeping my sanity when trying to make a name for myself in the social media content space, as well as bringing fresh, new ideas I may not have otherwise thought of.

For more information about how AI can save you time when paired with your social media, check out my colleague Angela's post about it here.

words in glass — Image courtesy of Media from Wix

Strategy Over Aesthetic: Crafting Smart Content That Works

So, you have the tools at your disposal, you have the raw talent to get those creative juices flowing…. Now, how are you going to put it all together? Without a solid strategy, even the most mind-blowing, eye-catching posts won’t generate the traction or impact you're aiming for.

The Social Media Examiner offers a 2025 content marketing framework, and do you know what they say is KING to all… Strategy. Let’s take a look and see how some top strategies can be used in your content starting today.

Key Strategies to Start Using Today

Begin with basic tracking methods and a manageable number of channels. As you learn what works, you can expand your efforts and potentially invest in more sophisticated tools.

Instead of constantly creating new content, look for opportunities to repurpose your existing high-performing pieces. This approach often yields better results than continually pushing out new material.

Always remember that content marketing is about building lasting relationships with your audience. Focus on creating value and trust rather than pursuing quick wins.

Before learning about strategies, I used to think that posting more content would equal more results. I have found out the hard way, this is not the case. Once I started focusing on who my target audience was and reviving old content instead of making new content constantly, my engagement grew AND I stopped stressing about what I was going to post every day. Strategy gives you structure and space to enjoy why you wanted to create content in the first place.

woman drawing plan on window — image courtesy of Media from wix

Now, You Have All the Tools in Your Toolbox – Now What?

Let’s rewind back to the beginning of this journey. You’re sitting on your bed, trying to brainstorm on how to make content that actually hits its mark and maybe, JUST MAYBE, changes the trajectory of your future.

Well, it’s not magic beans or fairy dust. It’s about mastering the tools, utilizing AI when it makes sense, and sticking to a strategy that keeps your audience hanging onto every post you make, waiting to see what you have in store next.

Let’s sum this up in three key points:

First: We looked at the best free design tools that can help you create professional-level posts.

Then: We covered AI tools that save time and unlock your inner creativity.

AND Finally: We dove into content strategies that ensure your posts aren’t just pretty—but purposeful.

So…. now what, you ask?

Pick one tool from each section and try it this week (I mean WHY wait?!). Set up a free Canva account. Write five captions using AI. Plan your next three posts on a calendar. These small steps can lead not only to better changes but big results in the end.

And…..if you’re serious about building a career in digital or social media marketing, keep learning, keep experimenting, and lean into communities like The Social Media Marketing University—where your journey is just beginning!