Being able to schedule posts and create a comms plan ahead of time is a real-time saver for many marketers. X is a fast-paced social media site that relies on a constantly updated news feed to keep its audience engaged.

That means it's hard to schedule posts for the perfect time because you never know what's going to happen on the platform when your post goes live.

Marketers use scheduled posts to set up the core posts of a campaign. Be it a product launch, a new audience engagement initiative, or a branding exercise. Scheduled posts are great for content that does not require follow-up interaction.

Why scheduling posts on X is a game changer

Scheduling posts can transform your X strategy. You can plan content ahead of time instead of rushing to post in the moment, and follow the steps you've outlined in your marketing plan more closely.

You avoid mistakes because you're not posting in a hurry, and can prepare better-performing photo, video, and audio content.

You'll also save a lot of time with batch scheduling, which means you can focus on other tasks like monitoring your X profiles.

Scheduled posts also reach more people because you can set them for optimal times. You'll increase engagement without having to be online 24/7.

As for your workload, scheduling makes it much easier to maintain a consistent posting schedule. This in turn reduces the stress and anxiety of having to keep up the pace of posting. Instead, you can maintain a steady, reliable flow of content even when you're busy or on vacation.

Below, we'll explain how you can schedule your posts and what you can do to maximize the impact.

In this guide, we cover:

How to schedule posts using the X website

Most marketers will schedule posts on the desktop instead of trying to go through the X app. This is a smart move, especially because it's easier to create, post, and review before hitting the schedule icon.

Here's how you do it.

First, log in to your brand's account on the X website. Click the blue “Post” button to open the post composer and type your post as usual. Then add the images, videos, polls, or other content that you want to publish. 

Once your post is ready, click on the calendar icon at the bottom of the composer. This opens up the scheduling options, where you can pick the date and time you want your post to go out. You can choose any time up to 18 months in the future.

After setting the time, click “Confirm”. You'll go back to the main content of your scheduled post, at which point you can hit the “Schedule” button. Your post is now set to go live automatically.

If you want to see or edit your scheduled posts, then click “Post” and the schedule icon, and you'll see a blue “Scheduled posts” link at the bottom of the box. Click on that to see “Unsent Posts”.

X's built-in scheduler is a useful scheduling tool for planning content ahead. However, if you want to get a better picture of when to post, then we suggest using an X analytics tool like Brandwatch.

Scheduling posts on mobile (X Pro only)

Being able to schedule posts on mobile is a little less straightforward than desktop. For a start, normal users can't do it. There's no function in the X app to do it on your mobile, so you'd need to log in to X via your phone or tablet's browser if you really wanted to get around it. 

Only those who are X Pro members can schedule posts via the mobile app.

To do this, start by downloading the iOS or Android app to your device, and log in as normal. If you're not yet an X Pro member, then you'll need to subscribe.

From there, tap the “+” icon at the bottom of the screen and write your post as usual. Add the images, videos, and so on that you need to include.

Next, look for the calendar icon below your draft. Tap it to open the scheduling options. You’ll see a calendar where you can pick the date and time for your post to go live. It's the same format as the desktop version.

Choose your desired date and time, then hit “Confirm” to schedule your post. It’s that simple.

You can use post scheduling on mobile to schedule multiple posts this way to maintain a consistent presence on your X profile. However, be sure to triple check your content as posting on mobile often leads to more errors than via a computer. 

Using third-party tools to schedule posts on X

There are also a number of third party scheduling tools that can do the job for you, and make scheduling multiple posts really simple.

These schedulers are usually part of a wider social media management tool that oversees all your brand's activity on X and other platforms, so you have a 360-degree view of your social media presence.

Here are two top scheduling tool examples to get you started.

Brandwatch (Publish feature)

Brandwatch is a social media management tool that does everything in one place. Not only can you schedule posts with ease, but you can build an entire strategy for your brand.

From launching multiple X profiles in one place, to creating marketing campaigns for each one and analyzing the data as it comes in. You can do it all with this social media management tool.

The schedule posts function is part of Brandwatch Publish, where you can design posts from scratch. From there, you can publish posts at the optimum time and focus on your target audience, all by using the calendar. 

Mapping out posts ahead of time is the best way to stay on top of your social media strategy and give you more time to be reactive to the things you need to respond to. This helps marketers maintain consistency when dealing with feedback from audiences because there are no manual posts to keep an eye on.

Hopper HQHopper

HQ is another tool that lets you schedule posts in advance. You can plan your content calendar, manage multiple accounts, and post at optimal times.

The tool offers a user-friendly interface and analytics to track post performance. This data helps you understand what content works best for your audience.

You can use these insights to refine your social media strategy. The tool also lets you collaborate with team members, which is great for businesses that need multiple people to manage their social media accounts.

Best practices for scheduling posts on X frequently

Scheduling posts is great, but the art of perfecting social media isn't to simply throw a hundred posts into the calendar and sit back and relax. Instead, it's important you adhere to best practices when dealing with a content calendar so that you don't stray away from your strategy goals.

Below are some tips for doing this right, whether you're planning to bulk schedule posts or just have one post that you need to schedule:

  1. Pick the right times. It sounds simple, but a third-party tool will help you find when your followers are most active. X Pro users can also access this data. Schedule posts for those peak times to get more eyes on your content.
  2. Mix it up. If you're a brand that sells products, then be mindful not to solely schedule promotional posts. Remember, you're trying to connect and get your audience engaged.
  3. Be consistent. Set up a regular posting schedule to maintain a steady presence. This will help build trust with your followers.
  4. Plan ahead the smart way. Create a content calendar to organize your posts and schedule posts ahead. This is a far better option than scheduling posts on an ad-hoc basis.
  5. Stay up to date. While scheduling is handy, be ready to post in real-time for current events or trending topics. X is lightning fast when it comes to audience interaction, and the news cycle shifts quickly. Be sure you don't have a scheduled post that could harm your brand.
  6. Use the right tools. Pick a social media scheduler such as Brandwatch that fits your needs. Bulk scheduling and cross-platform posting are a must for brands and agencies.
  7. Keep it fresh. You can always change a scheduled post, even if it's set for 18 months in the future. Review and update regularly. If your brand strategy changes, and you decide to use different hashtags, for example, then make sure the unpublished scheduled content is updated.
  8. Consider time zones. If you have a global audience, schedule posts to reach people in different regions at optimal times.

That didn't work! Mistakes to avoid when scheduling posts on X

Scheduling posts on X makes life much easier when you do it right. Unfortunately, mistakes can arise, especially if you're an agency working across multiple social media platforms for the same brand.

Here's who you need to avoid when scheduling posts::

  1. Posting at the wrong times: Be aware of when your audience is online. Research your followers’ active hours and plan to schedule posts when they're most likely to see them. Brands can waste thousands of dollars posting marketing campaigns only to realize the content has been published at the wrong moment.
  2. Forgetting time zones: Bigger brands and agencies can something trip up on this problem. If you have a global audience, be mindful of when they might be asleep or less engaged on the platform. A brand can get around this by creating multiple profiles that target specific audiences.
  3. Using outdated content: Double-check your scheduled posts for timely information and be willing to make instant changes. You don’t want to post about an event that’s already passed.
  4. Ignoring analytics: X produces millions of data points every day, and ignoring these analytics is foolish. Pay attention to which scheduled posts perform well and use this data to refine your strategy and improve engagement.
  5. Posting too much: There's a temptation to post heavily on X, but your audience will notice when you go overboard. Quality is, as they say, better than quantity. Space out your posts to maintain a steady presence without overwhelming your audience, and make sure each post carries maximum impact.
  6. Neglecting engagement: X is the world's town hall, and brands can't get away with not interacting with their audiences. Yes, you can schedule your main posts, but you also need to be engaged and respond in the moment.
  7. Not varying content: It's easier to create one content type and repeat it again and again. However, the easy option is also the wrong option here. You've got to be flexible on X and post various types of content, including images, videos, polls, and text-only posts to keep a feed interesting. Stick to the same thing each time and audiences will soon get bored by you.
  8. Forgetting to proofread: No one is immune from typos. Always review your posts before scheduling and make sure any errors are eradicated before everyone sees them.
  9. Inconsistent branding: Being able to schedule posts up to 18 months in advance means marketers have to be mindful of brand changes across that time period. This is a big one among marketers for sports teams who change their playing kits each season and, in turn, often change their branding.

Frequently asked questions

Scheduling X posts is really straightforward. In fact, it's so easy that mistakes often come when marketers try to bulk schedule content and forget to check for errors and typos. Here are some answers to common questions about scheduling posts to help you navigate the process on different devices.

How do I set up a post to be published later on an iPhone?

Open the X app on your iPhone. Tap the compose icon, which looks like “+”, to create a new post. Write your message and add any media such as a video or photo.

Tap the calendar icon at the bottom. Choose your date and time, then tap “Schedule” to complete the process.

What's the process for scheduling posts on X on an Android device?

The steps are similar to an iPhone. Open X, tap compose, write your post. Tap the calendar icon, pick your date and time, and hit the “Schedule” button. 

Android's interface might look slightly different from an iPhone, but the process is the same for all scheduled social media posts on X.

Can you guide me through viewing my scheduled posts on X?

To see your scheduled posts, go to your X profile. Hit the “Post” button and then click “Drafts” in the top-right corner. You'll see a list of all your unsent posts and all of those that are scheduled.

Is there a way to schedule a post at a specific time without using third-party tools?

Yes, you can schedule posts directly on X via your desktop.

Why am I unable to schedule my posts occasionally?

This can happen if you hit your daily post limit or if there's a temporary glitch. Try logging out and back into your X profile. If the problem persists, check X's status page for any known issues.

What are the steps to schedule multiple posts in advance for free?

X allows basic users to schedule up to 25 posts at once for free. More than that and you'll need to subscribe to X Pro. Compose your posts as usual, then either save them as drafts to come back to later, or schedule them right away. This method works well for planning content ahead of time.