As you read this, I am enjoying a nice family vacation (for which I have saved freaking forever) in the land of the rising sun 🍙🍡🏯🗾
I know, I know. Shocking. Marketers and Social Media Experts do take vacations. We should all do this at some point in life. Time off is important, but making sure that everything runs smoothly when you are out is as important: if your business (and your social media) can’t operate without you, you are in trouble.
In Case of Vacations, Break The Glass.
Being out of the office can be hard for a small business or entrepreneur. Chances are, you are used to being in everything—answering questions, posting content, tracking engagement, keeping your audience warm, and maybe even ✨micromanaging✨ (which is not good, BTW, STOP IT)
But here’s the truth: you deserve rest just as much as you deserve success—and the two are not mutually exclusive.
Learning to delegate is part of being a good leader and a business owner. If you have to babysit everyone and micromanage EVERYTHING, it will significantly reduce your chances of growth and survival. This is not just about the fact that you deserve to rest but also about how you manage your business. Learning to prepare, schedule, and delegate are skills we can all develop.
Prepare to Actually Unplug
Now that we have reminded you of the importance of delegating, unplugging, and practicing self-care, we should make triple sure you are well-prepared. Just disconnecting while leaving everything in the air with no plan is not a good thing and can lead to ✨Panic and Anxiety✨ (and a pile of never-ending work and issues to solve when you get back)
And we do not like those here.
Start preparing beforehand. Set everything up before you leave the office:
- Building a content bank if you do not have one
- Scheduling content in advance
- Automating what you can
- Briefing your team (or trusted VA)
- Turning on your out-of-office email responder
- And yes, letting go of the idea that everything needs your input
You don’t have to vanish off the internet entirely (unless that’s the vibe or you are going to Burning Man—no shame in full-on digital detox), but your audience won’t forget you if you take a few days off. Trust me. They’ll still be there, doom-scrolling.
If your social presence is built on consistency and connection, scheduling content should be your best friend. It keeps the engine running while you sip on your Starbucks Cup while looking at Shibuya Crossing (like me, if you share this post, I might share a picture) or sleep in without a guilty conscience. It’s like giving your future self a big ol’ hug.
TL;DR: Schedule the Damn Content.
You can be the heart and soul of your brand and still have boundaries.
Scheduling content is a simple but powerful act of self-care. It tells your business, “I respect you.” And it tells you, “I matter too.”
But How Do I Schedule Content?
Well, that is a great question. There are a lot of tools out there. You don’t need all of them—but you do need the right one for you. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the scheduling platforms we have used ourselves (with zero fluff):
💻 Meta Business Suite
Pros:
- It’s free (our favorite flavor)
- Native to Facebook and Instagram
- Built-in messaging and insights
Cons:
- Buggy. Like, “Why is this post stuck in drafts again?” buggy
- Limited to FB and IG
- Clunky UX (User Experience, aka user exasperation)
📊 Metricool
Pros:
- One of our favorite tools that you can start using FOR FREE.
- One dashboard for scheduling, analytics, AND ads (yes, please)
- Works with IG, FB, X (Twitter), TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, Google Business… basically all the things
- Great reporting tools
Cons:
- Limited amount of posts on their free tier
- Some features (like hashtag analysis) are paid-only
✂️ Simplified
Pros:
- Another FREE.99 option.
- Built-in AI writer + graphic design tools = chef’s kiss
- Schedule + create all in one place
- Works with FB, IG, LinkedIn, X, TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube
Cons:
- Still improving their UX—it can feel a little clunky
- Limited analytics on the free plan
📣 AgoraPulse
Pros:
- Excellent for managing multiple clients or brands
- Unified inbox = all your DMs and comments in one place
- In-depth reporting and collaboration features
- Free 30-day trial
Cons:
- Pricey (this one’s for when you’re ready to level up)
- It may be overkill if you’re only managing one brand
🦉 Hootsuite
Pros:
- One of the OGs—reliable and packed with features
- Great multi-platform support
- Solid analytics
- Offers a 30-day free trial
Cons:
- Expensive, especially for small teams
- Interface feels a little… corporate
- Some limitations on the lower-tier plans
What if I Don’t Like Automations and Scheduling Tools?
We get it. Some people prefer to do things the old-fashioned way. If tools stress you out or the little control freak inside you does not permit you to delegate to a scheduling tool (no shade—we see you), you can always map out your content in a spreadsheet and set reminders to post manually. It’s not automated, but it’s better than flying blind!
Self-Care Isn’t Selfish (It’s Strategic)
This is not just about the fact that YOU DESERVE REST but about what you have to offer to your audience: when you’re rested, inspired, and mentally clear, you create better content, make smarter decisions, and show up way more confidently. That post you wrote while riding a wave of burnout? Your audience can tell. We all can. 😅 But that Reel idea that came to you after a morning hike and a good coffee? That’s the magic. That’s sustainable creativity.
Taking care of yourself isn’t just good for your personal life—it’s good for business.
So, next time you’re planning a trip, don’t guilt yourself into staying on your phone the whole time. Plan ahead. Batch the posts. Turn on the autoresponders. And let yourself enjoy the moment.
✨Your business will survive. You’ll come back better.✨
