SocialBee Review – Social Media Management AppSumo 2019

Introduction [00:00]

In the ever-evolving world of social media management tools, SocialBee has made a notable comeback on AppSumo, offering users a fresh opportunity to streamline their social media scheduling and content management. This comprehensive review dives deep into the features, functionality, and overall value proposition of SocialBee, providing crucial insights for businesses and individuals looking to optimize their social media presence.

As an experienced LTD (Lifetime Deal) enthusiast, Dave from that LTD.life brings a wealth of knowledge in evaluating social media tools. This review aims to walk you through the SocialBee platform, showcasing its capabilities and helping you determine whether it’s a worthwhile investment for your business. From its unique pricing structure to its integration with various social media platforms, we’ll explore every aspect of SocialBee to give you a clear picture of what this tool has to offer in the competitive landscape of social media management solutions.

SocialBee Plan Overview [01:30]

SocialBee’s return to AppSumo comes with an intriguing twist in its pricing structure. Priced at $49, the plan offers a unique approach to social media management tools that sets it apart from many competitors.

Key Features of the SocialBee Plan:

• No stacking: Unlike many AppSumo deals, SocialBee limits users to a single account purchase.
• Profile limit: Users can connect up to 10 social media profiles.
• Content categories: The plan includes 50 content categories with 5,000 posts each.
• RSS feed integration: Connect up to 50 RSS feeds for content curation.
• Analytics: Comprehensive analytics tools are included.
• Google My Business integration: A standout feature among AppSumo-offered social media tools.

Unique Selling Points:

• Google My Business posting: This feature sets SocialBee apart from many competitors on AppSumo.
• Potential for local businesses: The Google My Business integration makes SocialBee particularly valuable for local business owners or agencies working with local clients.
• Generous content limits: With 50 categories and 5,000 posts per category, users have ample room for content management.

Considerations:

• Limited profile connections: The 10-profile limit may be restrictive for agencies or businesses managing multiple brands.
• Upsell option: An in-app upgrade is available to increase the profile limit to 25.
• No stacking: While this might seem limiting, it simplifies the offer and ensures all users are on the same plan.

Setting Up SocialBee [03:45]

Getting started with SocialBee involves a few key steps to set up your workspace and connect your social media profiles efficiently.

Initial Setup Process:

• Account creation: After purchasing the AppSumo deal, users can create their SocialBee account.
• Workspace settings: The first recommended step is to configure your workspace settings.
• Profile naming: Users can name their workspace, typically using their business or brand name.
• Link shortener options: SocialBee offers integration with various link shorteners, including their own (SB.link or socialbee.xyz), as well as popular options like Pixelme, Rebrandly, and Bitly.

Connecting Social Media Profiles:

• Twitter integration: Straightforward process to connect Twitter accounts.
• Facebook connection: Users can connect personal profiles, pages, and groups.
• LinkedIn integration: Option to connect LinkedIn personal and company pages.
• Instagram and Pinterest: These platforms require additional steps through Buffer or Hootsuite.

Notable Features During Setup:

• Pocket integration: Users can connect Pocket for content discovery and easy sharing.
• Google My Business: Direct posting to Google My Business profiles is available.
• Workspace management: The ability to create multiple workspaces for different clients or brands.

Challenges and Considerations:

• Facebook posting limitations: The review notes potential issues with direct posting to personal Facebook profiles due to recent Facebook policy changes.
• Instagram and Pinterest complexity: These platforms require additional accounts (Buffer or Hootsuite) for integration, adding complexity to the setup process.
• Interface design: The reviewer notes that the bee-themed design elements might be overwhelming for some users.

Connecting Instagram and Pinterest [10:15]

SocialBee’s approach to Instagram and Pinterest integration involves a unique workaround that may impact user experience and workflow.

Instagram Integration Process:

• Buffer account required: Users need to set up a Buffer account to post on Instagram through SocialBee.
• Business account necessity: Direct scheduling to Instagram requires a business account.
• Posting limitations: Single image and video posts can be directly scheduled, while other content types require manual intervention.

Pinterest Integration:

• Hootsuite requirement: Unlike Instagram, Pinterest integration requires a Hootsuite account.
• Additional setup: Users need to link SocialBee to Hootsuite for Pinterest posting.

Considerations and Limitations:

• Multiple account management: The need for additional accounts (Buffer/Hootsuite) adds complexity to the workflow.
• No native SocialBee app: At the time of review, SocialBee didn’t have its own mobile app for notifications or manual posting.
• Free plan restrictions: Buffer’s free plan limits the number of connected profiles, potentially requiring users to upgrade.

Competitive Landscape:

• Industry comparisons: The reviewer notes that other platforms like Promo Republic and Pubblebox are working on direct Instagram posting features.
• Unique selling point: Despite the complexity, SocialBee’s ability to post directly to Instagram (via Buffer) sets it apart from some competitors.

SocialBee Dashboard and Content Management [15:30]

The SocialBee dashboard serves as the central hub for managing your social media content and scheduling, offering a range of features to streamline your social media strategy.

Dashboard Overview:

• Profile visibility: All connected social media accounts are displayed on the dashboard.
• Content status: Users can see whether content is running or paused for each profile.
• Quick actions: Options to enable content and set posting schedules are readily available.

Content Scheduling:

• Automated scheduling: SocialBee offers an option to create a schedule based on best practices.
• Custom scheduling: Users can also set up their own posting schedule from scratch.
• Profile-specific scheduling: Different posting frequencies can be set for each social media platform.

Content Categories:

• Pre-set categories: SocialBee provides default content categories to organize posts.
• Category types: Categories are labeled as either “evergreen” for repeated posting or “share once” for topical content.
• Custom categories: Users can create their own categories to suit their content strategy.

RSS Feed Integration:

• Easy setup: Users can quickly add RSS feeds to import content automatically.
• Category assignment: Imported content can be assigned to specific categories.
• Approval settings: Options to automatically approve imported content or review before posting.
• Expiration settings: Users can set posts to expire after a certain number of shares or time period.

Content Creation and Editing:

• Multi-platform posts: Users can create different versions of a post for each connected social media platform.
• Image handling: The review notes some inconsistencies in how SocialBee handles featured images from WordPress blogs.
• Content customization: Options to edit and customize imported content before scheduling.

Analytics and Audience Features [22:45]

SocialBee provides analytics tools to track post performance and audience engagement across different social media platforms, offering insights to refine your social media strategy.

Analytics Dashboard:

• Platform-specific metrics: Users can view analytics for each connected social media profile.
• Engagement tracking: The tool allows tracking of likes, comments, shares, and other engagement metrics.
• Historical data: Access to post history and performance over time.

Audience Insights:

• Twitter-focused: The audience features primarily cater to Twitter analytics.
• User search: Ability to search for Twitter users and analyze their profiles.
• Competitor analysis: Tools to examine competitor audiences on Twitter.
• Keyword search: Options to find Twitter users based on specific keywords.

Audience Management Tools:

• Follower insights: View data on your Twitter followers, including their interests and engagement patterns.
• White list and black list: Features to manage user interactions by creating lists of preferred or blocked users.

Limitations and Considerations:

• Platform restrictions: The audience features are primarily focused on Twitter, limiting insights for other platforms.
• Depth of analytics: While useful, the analytics may not be as comprehensive as some dedicated analytics tools.
• Audience tool utility: The reviewer notes that many of these features are available directly through Twitter, questioning the added value.

Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts [25:30]

As we conclude this comprehensive review of SocialBee, it’s evident that this social media management tool offers a unique blend of features catering to a variety of users, from small businesses to agencies managing multiple clients.

Strengths:

• Competitive pricing with a lifetime deal through AppSumo at $49.
• Robust content management system with category-based organization.
• Direct posting to Google My Business, a valuable feature for local businesses.
• Flexible scheduling options with platform-specific frequencies.
• RSS feed integration for automated content curation.

Challenges:

• Complex setup for Instagram and Pinterest posting via third-party tools.
• Limited to 10 social profiles in the base plan.
• Audience insights primarily focused on Twitter.
• Some limitations in handling custom WordPress post types.

User Experience:

• Intuitive interface with easy navigation.
• Bee-themed design may be overwhelming for some users.
• Lack of a native mobile app for notifications and manual posting.

Value Proposition:

• Ideal for users prioritizing efficient content management and scheduling across multiple platforms.
• Particularly beneficial for local businesses leveraging Google My Business integration.
• Offers good value for its price point, especially with the lifetime deal.

The reviewer’s score of 8.2 out of 10 reflects SocialBee’s strong performance in key areas while acknowledging room for improvement. As with any tool, potential users should carefully consider their specific needs and workflow to determine if SocialBee aligns with their social media strategy.

For more information and to stay updated on the latest software reviews and LTD offers, be sure to follow Dave Swift on his various platforms:

🌐 Web: https://clientamp.com
📘 Facebook: http://facebook.com/groups/daveswift
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidswift

Remember, the world of social media management tools is constantly evolving, and staying informed about the latest options can help you make the best choice for your business or personal brand.