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Did you know that multi-channel marketing can increase engagement by over 300%? In other words, a solid content distribution strategy will put your business in the spotlight and strengthen relationships with the target audience. However, manually promoting, publishing and managing content on multiple social media platforms or other channels can be cumbersome — that’s where content distribution software comes in.
To spare you the research, I’ll cover the top content distribution platforms currently available. But first, let’s get a better look at what this software does, its main benefits, and what features you need to look for. So let’s get to it!
Contents
Content distribution software refers to a tool designed to manage and disseminate marketing content like articles, images, and videos across multiple channels at once. This software enables content creators and marketers to easily publish, share, and promote their content to target audiences.
With features like content planning, scheduling, and audience targeting, a content distribution system simplifies the complex task of strategically delivering digital content to specific online platforms. The result is maximized reach, increased engagement, and a bigger impact on the intended audience.
Content distribution system example
Now that we’ve seen what a content distribution platform is and what it does, let’s get into more detail about its benefits.
A content distribution platform allows you to easily create, manage, and publish posts across various channels — providing a unified overview of your content marketing efforts. Coupled with analytics tools, you can measure each marketing channel’s performance and identity growth opportunities.
Content marketing campaign management in Planable
Most content distribution tools offer built-in collaboration features, and review and approval workflows. You can easily delegate work to teammates and set up custom user permissions. This improves communication and gives you an overview of everyone involved in the content creation process, encouraging accountability among team members.
Some content distribution platforms allow you to easily leave feedback on posts via comments-in-context. This ensures that team members can offer and receive input on the distribution process at every stage.
Blog post collaboration in Planable
Media libraries allow marketers to store and organize all the assets needed for content development, streamlining the creation process. Coupled with content calendars and bulk scheduling, you can easily publish content across multiple channels and reach a large audience.
There are many content distribution platforms in the market, each having different functionalities and excelling in various departments (like content planning, collaboration, analytics, etc.). However, here are a few must-have features you should look for when picking a content distribution system:
Creating content requires a lot of creativity and two heads are always better than one! Make sure your chosen content distribution tool facilities real-time collaboration, file sharing, and comments in context. These features allow you to easily leave feedback, get multiple members to work on the same project, and keep communication centralized.
Multi-step approvals involve pushing a piece of content through multiple approval stages before the final sign-off — essential for ensuring that your content rolls out error-free. For instance, your content will first need to be approved by the team leader, then by the marketing manager, while the client gets to do the final sign-off.
Multi-level approvals in Planable
An editorial calendar allows you easily plan, visualize, and schedule upcoming posts. Look for tools that include bulk scheduling, color-coded labels, and calendar notes. These functionalities help you post content across multiple platforms simultaneously and neatly organize upcoming posts.
A multimedia repository allow you to store and organize all the design elements needed to whip up a post (graphics, logos, videos, etc.). This functionality can boost your creative team’s productivity and make the creation process a bit faster.
Creative assets media library in Planable
Now that we’ve seen what content distribution software is, its must-have features, and how it can boost your overall marketing efforts, let’s go ahead and see some of the best content distribution platforms currently available. I’ll cover each tool’s pros, cons, and key features as well as show you what each platform is best for.
Content distribution channels organized in calendar view
Planable is a straightforward content approval, collaboration, and planning solution that allows you to collaborate and preview any type of written content you want — be it social posts, blogs, newsletters, copy for social ads, and more.
The platform stands out through its approval workflows and intuitive content calendar. Planable facilitates four types of approvals: None, optional, required, and multi-level. You can approve content with just one click directly from the calendar.
Approval levels & workflow
Speaking of which, the platform’s content calendar allows you to arrange posts via a drag-and-drop interface. From there, you can schedule posts in bulk, post the same piece of content on multiple social channels simultaneously, and organize your posts through color-coded labels. You can also quickly leave feedback through calendar notes.
Other notable features include the following:
Collaborate on posts with your team in real time. Leave comments next to each draft, mention team members to notify them of urgent changes, and hold behind-the-scenes conversations via internal notes (not visible to the client).
Real-time, in-context collaboration in Planable
Organize all of your media files within a centralized location. Give teammates easy access to design assets and preview images, videos, and more, to see in how many posts they’ve been included.
Easily share content with external collaborators or invite them to your workspace via shareable links (no sign-in required). External collaborators can leave feedback next to each draft.
Post the same content on multiple social media accounts with Planable’s Sync Content functionality.
Use the platform’s version history to quickly restore unwanted changes or view whether the feedback was implemented correctly.
See all your social media insights at a glance, spot top-performing content, and create intuitive reports for your clients or stakeholders.
Supported networks: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Google Business Profile.
Drawbacks: Planable doesn’t have any integrations with CMS platforms for website publishing yet.
Pricing: Paid plans start at $11/user/month (annually). Pricing depends on the number of users and workspaces you want. There’s also a free version that gives you access to all of the platform’s features and allows you to schedule up to 50 total posts. Try it out now.
HubSpot can help you build and enhance your content distribution strategy through the platform’s Marketing Hub — HubSpot’s all-in-one marketing software solution. The platform stands out through its omnichannel marketing automation tool. You can build automated workflows that will help you create and run campaigns across websites, emails, paid social media ads, and more.
You can also use HubSpot to set up blogs and landing pages. Other notable features include:
Supported networks: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter.
Drawbacks: Users report limited design flexibility in landing pages, while customer support may not always be helpful. The platform supports limited social media networks.
Pricing: The Marketing Hub covers a free version. Paid plans start at $18/month (annually).
Hootsuite is an all-in-one social media management platform that enables businesses to handle social listening, scheduling, reporting, advertising, and more. The platform can aid you in your content distribution efforts through its wide variety of supported social networks, content curation tools, and in-depth analytics.
Hootsuite’s entry-level plan allows you to connect up to 10 social accounts. Coupled with its bulk-scheduling tool and the ability to post the same content across multiple channels, Hootsuite is the perfect candidate for those seeking to manage various channels.
Other noteworthy features include:
Supported platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest.
Drawbacks: Unlike the other two platforms mentioned above, Hootsuite doesn’t support any channels outside social media. If you’re on the lookout for a tool supporting other channels as well, check these Hootsuite alternatives.
Pricing: Hootsuite starts at $99/month (annually, for one user).
Zoho is a comprehensive software suite that includes solutions for customer relationship management, social media management, customer service, team collaboration, and more. Although these solutions are separate, Zoho One is an integrated system that allows you to handle multiple aspects of your business — especially content marketing and creation.
Here are some of the multiple tools Zoho One brings to the table:
Other features include a website builder, email marketing, and more.
Supported networks: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, Google Business Profile.
Drawbacks: Zoho One includes numerous functionalities that are not necessary for content distribution (HR, finance tools, etc). As such, Zoho One won’t bring the best value for money for those strictly focusing on content marketing and creation. You can get the tools mentioned above separately.
Pricing: Pricing starts at $37/user/month (annually).
Coschedule is a straightforward content planner with social and project management capabilities. The platform offers an intuitive calendar that allows you to schedule content via a drag-and-drop interface and organize upcoming posts through color-coded labels.
Some other notable features include:
Supported networks: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest.
Drawbacks: The platform supports limited social networks compared to other tools in this list. To cut off the research for other tools that support more platforms, check out these CoSchedule alternatives.
Pricing: There’s a free version available to one user. Paid plans start at $19/user/month (annually).
Sprout Social is a social media management solution that accentuates social monitoring and audience analytics. You can use the platform to monitor customer feedback, determine consumer sentiment regarding a specific product or topic, and uncover key details regarding your target audience (device usage, age, gender, location, etc.).
You can also use the platform Smart Social Inbox to identify influencers relevant to your niche.
Other noteworthy features include:
Supported networks: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube.
Drawbacks: The platform does not support any other networks besides social media.
Pricing: Pricing starts at $249/month (1 user). Each additional user costs $199, $299, or $349/month based on your selected plan. If you’re looking for a more budget friendly software, check out these Sprout Social alternatives suitable for any budget.
SocialPilot is a social media management and publishing platform that helps businesses boost their social presence across multiple platforms. SocialPilot supports all major social networks while the platform’s starter plan costs $25.50/month and allows you to connect up to ten accounts.
Some notable features include:
Supported networks: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, Google Business Profile.
Drawbacks: The platform’s inbox management capabilities are limited to Facebook, Instagram, and Google Business Profile. The platform doesn’t facilitate social PPC advertising.
Pricing: Pricing starts at $25.50/month (annually). It includes one user and ten social accounts.
Content Studio is an all-in-one social media management tool that handles scheduling, analytics, and social inbox management. However, the platform shines through its content curation and influencer marketing capabilities.
You can search for influencers relevant to your brand by niche or location. You’ll get a detailed overview of each influencer’s demographics and the engagement levels they generate. You’ll also receive all the contact details necessary to get in touch with them.
Other noteworthy features include:
Supported networks: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Business Profile, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, Tumblr, WordPress, Medium, Webflow, Shopify.
Drawbacks: Users report that the content discovery tool is tricky to use and occasionally offers irrelevant article recommendations.
Pricing: Plans start at $20/month (annually).
Planable is an excellent example of a content distribution platform, especially in terms of approvals and collaboration.
The platform allows you to choose between multiple types of approval workflows: None, optional, required, and multi-level.
As for collaboration, you can work with teammates in real-time on any type of written content — be it a blog post, social post, or email copy, for instance.
There are three types of content distribution channels: owned, earned, and paid. Owned media refers to all the marketing channels you have complete control over, like your own blog or social accounts.
Earned media represents content about your business that you haven’t paid for or created, like customer reviews or any other type of user-generated content.
Paid media refers to content promoted through paid channels, like PPC, display ads, etc.
Instagram is ideal for highly visual content like product photos or infographics. Twitter is excellent for short-form text-based posts like news updates or product launch campaigns.
Facebook is perfect for posting content that drives traffic to your website, like sharing snippets of your blog, for instance. LinkedIn works for establishing yourself as a B2B thought leader. As such, longer text-based posts regarding industry-related topics will work just fine.
Lastly, since videos typically experience higher engagement levels, TikTok is ideal for increasing brand awareness.
Digital marketing enthusiast, language nerd, and content writer. Horea loves writing about SaaS and anything that involves boosting online presence – from SEO to social media, web design, and more. His content is allergic to fluff and eats research for breakfast.
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