Variations: A Smarter Way to Recycle Social Posts

You can now create different Variations of your Evergreen posts!  🎉

Between rule changes on some social networks and organic reach still on the decline, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd on social media without dedicating hours and hours of manpower to it.

We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to make it as easy as possible for you to keep your content fresh and engaging, while simultaneously saving you tons of time.

 

Introducing Variations and Multi-Image Posts

Variations allows you to create as many text and media versions of an Evergreen post as you like, keeping your social feeds fresh and enticing, and also enabling you to A/B test different copy or visuals to see which gets you the most engagement.

You can now also create multi-image Facebook and Twitter posts with up to 4 images!

Some examples of how you might use Variations:

  • To A/B test different visual assets
  • To A/B test different messaging
  • To fill up your Queue fast with multiple text/media combinations
  • To recycle posts without breaking duplication rules

 

How Does it Work? (The Short Version)

Create an Evergreen post as normal in the Post Editor, and you’ll see the options to add Text or Media Variations to the post. Once you’ve created your Variations, you’ll continue to add your Evergreen post to your Queue as normal. When the post is recycled, SmarterQueue will automatically cycle through the Variations. Hey presto, beautifully original Evergreen content, each time!

Read our full guide in the Knowledge Base for even more information (The Long Version).

Want a Video Demo?

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Using Variations to A/B Test Different Media

OK, let’s jump in and test this out.

Remember: When you’re A/B testing, it’s important to keep your other variables the same, so make sure you only change the media!

  1. Create a new post in Post Editor
  2. Ensure it’s set to Re-Queue after Posting
  3. Write your post text
  4. In ‘Media Options’, Select ‘Vary media’ instead of ‘Multi-Image Post’

SmarterQueue Variations

5.Add as many images, GIFs or videos as you like (though you can’t mix images and videos in the same post)

6. View the preview on the right to cycle through your post previews

7. Add to the Queue as normal!

SmarterQueue Variations

 

Using Variations to A/B Test Different Text

You might have a link, or a visual asset that you’re happy with, but you want to pair it with a variety of copy options. This could be for A/B testing, or it could be because you have a few different key messages. Whatever the reason, here’s how to do it!

  1. Create a new post in Post Editor
  2. Ensure it’s set to ‘Re-Queue after Posting’
  3. Add your link or media
  4. Write your first copy option
  5. Hit ‘Add Text Variation’
  6. Enter your second post option
  7. …Do this as many times as you like!
  8. Your preview on the right-hand side will update. Cycle through them to view your post copy options alongside your chosen media.

SmarterQueue Variations

Using Variations to Fill Up Your Queue, Fast

You might want to take things to the next level and mix up both your text and media. To do this, just combine the steps above. It’s worth mentioning here:

  • Your post Variations will go out in order – you can reshuffle the order of both text and media by dragging and dropping in the Post Editor.
  • If you have the same amount of Media Variations and Text Variations, the text and images will sync up each cycle, and be published in the order you added them.
  • If you’re looking for more combinations, add a different number of Media Variations than you have Text Variations, so that the two will cycle out of sync. Both will continue to cycle through in their original order, resulting in a larger number of possible combinations.

 

Using Variations to Recycle Your Tweets

Twitter changed their rules in 2018, meaning that you are no longer allowed to reschedule duplicate Tweets. Variations is the perfect solution to this issue: you’ll still be able to make the most of your great content, and by scheduling different versions of your copy from the get-go you don’t need to worry about breaking the rules – they’ll be original each time.

Twitter’s guidelines state that your content should be ‘substantially different’ to avoid being seen as duplicate content. In other words, don’t just change the punctuation: craft original, compelling messages each time.

  1. Create a new post in Post Editor
  2. Ensure it’s set to ‘Re-Queue after Posting’
  3. Add your media
  4. Write your first copy option
  5. Hit ‘Add Text Variation’
  6. Enter your second post option
  7. …Do this as many times as you like!
  8. Your preview on the right-hand side will update. Cycle through them to view your post copy options alongside your chosen media.

Using Stats-Per-Cycle to A/B Test Social Posts

Easily view which Variation has garnered the most engagement, clicks or impressions with Stats-Per-Cycle. You’ll also be able to see the post’s total engagement as a whole of all its Variations. Simply click on the menu icon for a post, and click “Stats per Cycle” from the menu.

SmarterQueue A/B Test Social Media

Boost Your Engagement 10x!

So now, when you’re scheduling your Evergreen content, don’t forget to set up Variations.

A small proportion of your audience sees your content organically, but Evergreen recycling boosts engagement up to 10x. By using Variations, you’re giving your content an even better chance of succeeding, by appealing to your audience in different ways and allowing you to test what works.

Want to know even more? We’ve got full details in the Knowledge Base:

We’d love to know how you get on with Variations: do give us feedback in the comments! 👇

If you’re not a SmarterQueue customer yet and you’re ready to try it out: welcome to the family. Start your two-week free trial now.

Suzie Ryan

Suzie is a Content Marketer for SmarterQueue based in London, UK. She loves helping brands and businesses find their voice through content and storytelling; and is particularly fond of the creative possibilities of social media as a platform. When she’s not writing, she’ll be found somewhere in North London, seeking out the bars that serve G&Ts in goblets. 🍸