When you’re excited to share your blog post with the world, timing can be everything! Whether you're looking to publish right away or schedule your post for a later date, HubSpot has made this process simple and straightforward.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through setting the publish date and time for your blog posts in HubSpot. By the end, you’ll feel confident managing your blog’s schedule like a pro!
Why Setting a Publish Date is Important
Before we jump into the “how-to,” let’s explore why setting a publish date matters:
- Audience Engagement: Publishing at the right time can boost your readership. Consider when your target audience is most active online. For instance, if your audience consists of working professionals, publishing in the early morning or late afternoon might be more effective than during office hours.
- Content Strategy: Align your posts with relevant events or trends. If you can tie your article to a timely topic, you’ll likely attract more views. For example, if there’s a big industry event coming up, releasing a related post the week before can draw attention.
- Planning and Organization: A clear publishing schedule helps you manage content better. You can plan several articles ahead, ensuring a steady flow of fresh content. This not only makes your workload more manageable but also keeps your readers engaged with regular updates.
Understanding the HubSpot Blog Platform
HubSpot offers a powerful blogging platform that is user-friendly and packed with features. Before we dive into the practical steps, let’s briefly discuss some key features that make HubSpot a fantastic choice for bloggers:
- Easy to Use Interface: HubSpot's blog editor is intuitive, allowing for easy formatting, image insertion, and content organization. You don’t have to be a tech wizard to create appealing posts.
- SEO Tools: HubSpot provides tools to help you optimize your blog posts for search engines. This means better visibility and more traffic to your site over time.
- Analytics: You can track the performance of your posts, seeing how many people read them and how much engagement they received. This data can inform future content decisions.
- Integrations: HubSpot easily integrates with various marketing tools. You can connect your blog to your social media accounts, email marketing platforms, and more to streamline your promotional efforts.
Getting Started with HubSpot
First things first, log in to your HubSpot account. If you don’t have one yet, you can sign up for free. Once you're in, follow these steps to set your publish date for a blog post.
Step 1: Access Your Blog Dashboard
- In your HubSpot account, navigate to the Content tab on the main menu.
- Click on Blog. This will take you to your blog's dashboard where you can see all your blog posts.
Now that you’re in your blog dashboard, you might notice various features and options available at your fingertips. Here you can draft, publish, and manage your posts efficiently.
Step 2: Create a New Blog Post or Edit an Existing One
- To create a new post: Click the Create button, then select Blog Post.
- To edit an existing post: Find your post in the list and click on its title.
When creating a new blog post, think about your topic clearly. Select a subject that resonates with your target audience and aligns with your content strategy.
Step 3: Navigate to the Publishing Options
Now that you’re in the post editor:
- Look for the Publish button at the top right corner.
- Next to the Publish button, click the dropdown menu. Here, you’ll see options like “Publish Now” or “Schedule Publish for Later.”
Choosing to publish now or later depends on your strategy. If you’ve just finished a post that’s time-sensitive, publishing immediately makes sense. However, if you want to plan out your content, scheduling is the way to go.
Step 4: Choose Your Publish Date and Time
If you decide to schedule your blog post:
- Select the Schedule Publish for Later option.
- A date picker will appear. Click it and choose your desired publish date.
- After selecting a date, you’ll also see a time picker. Choose the exact time you want the post to go live.
Consider your audience's habits when selecting this time. Are they more likely to check their emails and social feeds in the morning, during lunch, or in the evening?
Step 5: Confirm Your Scheduling
After you’ve set the publish date and time:
- Make sure everything looks good in your post—check your headings, images, and links.
- Finally, click Schedule or Save to confirm your settings.
This action will save your publish date, ensuring your post goes live exactly when you want it to.
Tips for Choosing the Right Publish Date and Time
Choosing the right time to publish isn’t just about the mechanics—it’s also about strategy. Here are some tips to help you decide:
- Know Your Audience: Research when your audience is most active. Use tools like Google Analytics to check when people visit your blog the most. You can also check social media engagement times to determine the best moments for reaching your audience.
- Experiment with Timing: Try publishing at different times. Monitor the engagement levels to see what works best for your readers. For example, you might find that posts published on Wednesdays have higher engagement than those on Mondays.
- Consider Time Zones: If you have a global audience, think about which time zone you should cater to when selecting your publish time. Scheduling posts for times that overlap with major time zones can help maximize reach.
- Special Events: If you’re planning to publish around holidays or significant industry events, adjust your timing to align with these occasions. For instance, if you’re writing about tax tips, publishing in January could draw more attention.
- Content Types: Different types of content may resonate better at different times. For instance, how-to guides may work well on weekdays when readers are looking for productive activities, while thought leadership articles might perform better on weekends when engagement is generally higher.
Editing Publish Date and Time for Existing Posts
Sometimes, life happens, and you may need to change your previously scheduled publish date or time. Here’s how to adjust it:
- Go back to your blog dashboard under the Content tab.
- Click on the blog post you wish to edit.
- Head to the same Publish dropdown menu.
- Select Change Publish Date.
- Adjust your date and time as needed and click Update Now.
It’s that easy! Changing the publish date on your posts gives you the flexibility to pivot based on trends or new information that may affect your topic.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While setting your publish date and time is usually straightforward, there are a few pitfalls you can avoid:
- Forgetting to Schedule: Always double-check your settings. If you want to schedule, make sure you don’t hit “Publish Now” by mistake! A quick review can save you from premature posting.
- Ignoring Notifications: Watch for email notifications from HubSpot. They can inform you about upcoming posts and remind you of what’s scheduled. This can help you avoid overlapping posts or forgotten content.
- Neglecting SEO Factors: When choosing a publish time, consider other scheduled marketing activities. This way, you can maximize exposure when promoting your content. Cross-promote on social media platforms, and coordinate with your email marketing efforts.
- Not Engaging with Comments: After publishing, engagement doesn’t stop with just the post. Make sure to check the comments section. Responding to readers can foster community and encourage future interactions. It can also improve your content’s visibility as more engagement often leads to better rankings on social media platforms.
Engaging Your Readers After Publishing
Once your post is live, the work doesn’t stop! Engaging your audience is key to building a successful blog. Here are a few effective strategies:
- Share on Social Media: Let your followers know your new post is live. Use catchy headlines and engaging images to attract their attention. Craft posts that highlight a key insight from your blog to entice users to click through.
- Email Newsletter: Send out a notice to your email list about your new post. This keeps your most loyal readers updated. You could include a brief summary of the article and a call to action to encourage them to read it.
- Interact with Comments: If you receive comments or feedback, respond to them! Engaging with readers demonstrates that you value their input and helps build a community around your blog. You can ask follow-up questions or thank commenters for their insights, encouraging further discussion.
- Repurpose Content: Consider turning your blog post into different formats. Create a video summarizing the key points, or develop an infographic to share on platforms like Pinterest or Instagram. This expands your reach and caters to different audience preferences.
- Monitor Analytics: Look at your blog post performance through HubSpot’s analytics tool. This data can provide insights into what topics resonate best with your audience and what times yield the most traffic. Use this information to refine your content strategy moving forward.
Advanced Scheduling Features in HubSpot
As you become more familiar with managing your blog posts, you may want to explore additional scheduling features that HubSpot offers. Here are some advanced options to consider:
- Recurring Posts: If you have a series of related posts, consider scheduling them to publish at regular intervals. This can keep your audience engaged with continual content on a specific theme.
- Drafts: If you have ideas that aren’t ready to publish yet, save them as drafts. You can revisit and refine them later, ensuring that your blog maintains high-quality content.
- Collaboration Tools: If you work with a team, utilize HubSpot’s collaboration features. You can assign posts to team members for editing or review, helping maintain smooth communication and quality control.
Building a Consistent Publishing Schedule
Creating a consistent publishing schedule leads to many benefits. Here’s how to develop and stick to one:
- Create a Content Calendar: A content calendar helps you visualize what to post and when. It can include important dates, deadlines, and themes to focus on in each blog post.
- Set Realistic Goals: Decide how often you want to publish (weekly, bi-weekly, etc.) and stick to it as much as possible. Consistency builds trust with your audience.
- Plan Ahead: If you know major holidays or events are coming up, plan your content accordingly. This allows for timely posts that can capture your readers’ attention.
- Stay Flexible: While consistency is important, be flexible. If a hot topic arises that isn’t in your original plan, be willing to adjust your schedule to include it.
Conclusion
Setting the publish date and time for your blog posts in HubSpot is a simple but crucial part of managing your content.
By following these straightforward steps and tips, you can ensure that your posts go live exactly when you want them to, maximizing your chances of audience engagement. Take the time to plan and test your publish schedule, and soon you’ll be mastering your HubSpot blog!
If you want to dive deeper into HubSpot development or need assistance, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help you succeed!