The Tools You Actually Need to Win on Social

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Shoppers are adding to cart for the holidays

Over the next year, Roku predicts that 100% of the streaming audience will see ads. For growth marketers in 2026, CTV will remain an important “safe space” as AI creates widespread disruption in the search and social channels. Plus, easier access to self-serve CTV ad buying tools and targeting options will lead to a surge in locally-targeted streaming campaigns.

Read our guide to find out why growth marketers should make sure CTV is part of their 2026 media mix.

Learn more.

Win Social—With Systems

If you’re building a brand into 2026 and still managing your socials with a mix of screenshots, Google Docs, and late-night copy-paste marathons, it’s time to grow up. Respectfully.

Your customers live on social.
And not just to be sold to.
They’re there to feel something. To see what you stand for. To get a vibe check before they buy.

And that vibe? That’s on you to deliver. 

But it’s powered by systems. These systems allow you to save time and scale…without losing your sanity. 

So let’s build you a tech stack that supports your brand. And saves you from having to change your role to full-time social media manager.

Here’s what you actually need (and nothing you don’t):

1. A Scheduling Tool That Keeps You Consistent

Being “on brand” doesn’t mean you need to be always online.
But consistency builds memory…and trust. So your stack starts with a smart scheduler.

Try:

• Buffer: Lightweight, reliable, and newly Threads-compatible. Great for startups who want less clutter.
  

• Later: Drag-and-drop visuals, built for aesthetic brands on Instagram and TikTok.
  

• Hypefury: Optimized for X (formerly Twitter) and great for batching posts that build thought leadership.

Pro move: Set aside 90 minutes a week to schedule everything. Use templates to reinforce brand voice, and recycle top performers across platforms with minor tweaks.

2. A Visual Engine That Reflects Your Identity

You don’t need a designer for every social post. But you do need a look—a consistent look. 

Your visual content should look like it came from one place, even when it’s showing up in ten.

Try:

• Canva Pro: The gold standard for turnkey design. Build and lock in brand kits and templates with colors, fonts, and logos.
  

• Figma: More advanced, but great if you’re collaborating with contractors or an early creative hire.
  

• Mojo: Excellent for animated IG Stories, with modern, non-cringe templates.

Pro move: Create three “on-brand” post templates per platform. One for company updates, one for culture, and one for engagement. Rinse and repeat.

3. An Analytics Layer That Tracks What Matters

Likes are nice. But you know what’s better? Brand recall.

The tools below help you see what’s sticking—not just what’s spiking.

Try:

• Flick: AI-powered insights into your best-performing tone, topics, and hashtags.
  

• Rival IQ: Competitive benchmarking to see where your content stands out—or falls flat.
  

• Sprout Social: Premium, but powerful if you're running multi-brand accounts or deeper reporting.

Pro move: Measure engagement quality, not just quantity. Track saves, shares, replies, and link clicks—these signal actual interest and intent.

4. A Listening Tool That Keeps You Dialed In

On social media, you’re not the only one talking.
People are already discussing your category, your competitors—and possibly you. Know what’s being said.

Try:

• Mention: Tracks brand, product, or keyword mentions across the web and socials.
  

• SparkToro: Uncovers where your audience actually hangs out (podcasts, blogs, YouTube channels).
  

• Feedly: Helps you curate and monitor niche trends and topics to keep your brand voice relevant.

Pro move: Build a private “listening dashboard.” Track common phrases customers use when describing your value, and use those exact words in your copy.

5. A Conversion Layer That Turns Social Into Subscribers

Social is top-of-funnel. But email? That’s where you own the relationship.
Your stack should make it easy to convert casual viewers into loyal subscribers.

Try:

• Beehiiv: Modern newsletter platform with built-in lead capture and growth tools.
  

• Kit (formerly ConvertKit): Simple, elegant, and ideal for founders or creators growing a brand-first list.
  

• Carrd: One-page landers that work great in bios and CTAs. Cheap and clean.
  

Pro move: Link to a specific offer or lead magnet offering value to win the e-mail signup, not your homepage. Think: “Get our launch checklist,” not “Learn more.” High perceived value = high conversion.

Final Thought

The goal isn’t to be everywhere.
It’s to show up with purpose, with personality…and with consistency.

What happens if your tech stack helps you sound like yourself, stay visible, and actually connect with people? That’s not just having a social presence. That’s a ‘W’ that keeps on giving. 

So, until next time, here’s to scaling your presence….without scaling your stress.

Best,

Edwin