Getting started with Buffer's publishing features

The first step to getting started with Buffer is to connect your social channels. You’ll then be able to configure your perfect posting schedule, engage with your audience, and analyze the results. Let’s get started!

In this article:

1. Connect your first channel to Buffer
2. Set up your timezone, posting schedule, and other channel settings
3. Compose, schedule, and publish a post
4. Using Buffer's account settings

Connect your first channel to Buffer

Watch the video below to learn more about connecting your social channels to Buffer.

1. To speed up the connection process, log into your social channel first, then open Buffer in a separate tab.
2. Once you're logged into Buffer, click the "Publish" tab. 
3. In the lower left corner, click the Manage Channels button.
4. Click the channel you’d like to connect.
5. Click Start Connecting when the pop up box appears.
6. Authorize permission to Buffer to access your social channels (for specific details on each network’s permissions, see our guide to Connecting Channels)
7. Click the Add to Buffer button.
8. You’ll see a dialog box in the top right corner that your connection has been made successfully!

Success! 🎉 Next, let’s set up your timezone and configure your posting schedule.

Set up your timezone, posting schedule, and other channel settings

Watch the video below to learn more about adjusting your channel settings Buffer. This includes information on adjusting your timezone, posting schedule, link shortening, UTM parameters, and more.

1. Click Publish tab at the top of your dashboard and then click one of your connected channels on the left.
2. Next, click on the settings cog next to the channel name (⛭).
3. Replace the city listed with one in your timezone.
4. Next, scroll down to the Posting Times. Here, you can add a new posting time (for every day, or for weekend, weekdays, or individual day), or click the “X” to remove a posting time.
5. Repeat steps 1-3 for each social channel you have connected to Buffer, and explore other channel settings explained in the video below.

All set! Now your composed posts will automatically be scheduled and published according to your posting schedule. 📆 You’re ready to compose your first post through Buffer!

Compose, schedule, and publish a post

Watch the video below to learn more about how to schedule posts in Buffer.

1. Click the blue + New button at the top of your dashboard to open the composer.
2. Select the channels you want to publish to.
3. Write your text, upload an image or video, and then select Customize for each network. You can now edit the messaging as needed for different social channels.
4. Next, on the left side of your composer, you can schedule your post to publish by clicking Next Available to add the post to the next available posting slot in your posting schedule, Prioritize to slot it in at the very top of your posting schedule (moving all other posts down by one slot), Set Date and Time to choose a custom day/time, or Now to publish it immediately.
5. Finally, click Schedule Post on the right side of the composer to complete the process.

You're finished! Your post will be published through Buffer at the selected time.

Using Buffer's account settings

Once you're up and running with scheduling and publishing, take full control of your workflow by exploring Buffer’s account settings.

Watch the video below to learn more about:

• Setting up your email notifications,
• Managing tags,
• Configuring channel groups, and
• Updating saved replies for your Community comments.