New to Optimate, or to scheduling posts at all? This takes you through your first post, one screen at a time. Nothing goes out until you press the button to post it.
1. Connect one account
- Open Connections in the menu.
- Press Connect on the platform you post on most.
- That platform's own page opens. Sign in there and say yes.
- You come back to Optimate, and the card says Connected in green.
For Instagram, your account needs to be a Business or Creator account, which is free to switch to in the Instagram app. Connecting your social accounts explains it.
2. Let Optimate write the post
- Press Create post at the top of the page (the + on a phone).
- Choose Write it for me.
- Tap where the post should go, then Next.
- In "What's the post about?", write one sentence, the way you'd tell a friend. For example: "New autumn candles are in, £8 each, this week only".
- Press Generate with AI. Read what it wrote and change anything that doesn't sound like you.
3. Add a picture
Instagram, TikTok and YouTube won't post words on their own, so add a photo or video on the Media step. Upload one from your phone or computer, or search the free stock photos. No photo at all? "No photo? Make one from your post" turns a line of your post into a picture in your brand colours.
4. Post it now, or later
Press Post now to send it straight away, or Schedule for later and pick a day and time. Not sure when? Best picks a time your posts have done well, once you've posted for a while. Scheduled posts go out on their own, even with Optimate closed.
5. Check it went out
Post Activity, in the menu, shows every post that went out and where. If a platform turned one down, it says why in plain English and how to fix it.
Then, when you have ten minutes
Fill in your Brand page, so every post sounds like your business. Scanning your website fills in most of it for you. And every main page has its own short tour: look for Tour this page in the menu.