Shoutlet: Social Media Management tool that works well, looks great.
Updated March 18, 2015
Shoutlet: Social Media Management tool that works well, looks great.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Software Version
Shoutlet 6.0
Modules Used
- Contest
- Calendar
- Shoutbox
- Image Library
Overall Satisfaction with Shoutlet
Shoutlet is currently being used to create and schedule social media posts for us. We also utilize the contest section to manage our quarterly sweepstakes.
- The contest/everywhere page feature on Shoutlet is fantastic. It is user-friendly to set up and manage. The end product looks clean and professional
- The Shoutbox feature is incredibly easy to use to create, preview and schedule posts. I love the flexibility it gives in types of posts, ease of scheduling and ability to target your fan segments based on a large variety of inputs.
- The calendar makes it incredibly easy to keep track of what is being posted where and when.
- Honestly, every time I've had a technical issue with Shoutlet, their Tech Therapy team has been quicky, friendly and very helpful.
- My one big "complaint" about Shoutlet is that you can't tag other Facebook pages within the Shoutbox, but that's due to Facebook restrictions.
4 - Social Media Consultant
Media Relations Specialist (highest usage)
Digital Services (several members use)
Marketing (several members use)
Outside Marketing consultant group
Media Relations Specialist (highest usage)
Digital Services (several members use)
Marketing (several members use)
Outside Marketing consultant group
- I think our customer service has greatly improved through the use of Shoutlet.
Shoutlet looks and works head and shoulders above Hootsuite (particularly the free version). With great customer support, clean user interfaces, an easily accessible calendar, incredible tracking options and the versatile contests feature I truly feel all of our social media management needs are met within the Shoutlet platform, with room for us to grow. We are still looking at new platforms to expand into and Shoutlet is continually improving and expanding their offerings. The addition of the new bookmarklet tool will cut the time it takes me to cull through potential content for posting in half, if not more.
Using Shoutlet
5 - Our in-house Shoutlet support comes largely from the Media Relations/Digital teams. You really need very few technical skills to learn and use the system. The training provided by Shoutlet is superb and the customer service is top notch. While we do have some team members with extensive digital/programming knowledge, it's not really a necessity for using Shoutlet. As the main user - a member of the Media Relations team - I have very little technical understanding and it's honestly one of the easiest programs I use on a near-daily basis.
- Social Media content scheduling
- Social Media contests
- Linking Social Media pages to outside web pages for special campaigns
- Bookmarklet -- I can now schedule posts from any webpage (like a Pin It button). This is BRILLIANT and such a time saver
- Mobile - their mobile app makes it much easier for me to interact with the system at any time, anywhere
- Contests - the creation and management of contests is so easy through Shoutlet. I don't know how anyone does contests without it. Super easy, super customizeable. Just a great tool.
- New platforms. We don't currently utilize all of the channels/platforms available through Shoutlet, but I know if we grow and expand our contract adding those platforms (like Pinterest) on will make posting to all platforms at the same time a breeze.
- More use of the everywhere page would be a great way to utilize Shoutlet and better advertise/market our programs and contests outside of our social media channels.
Evaluating Shoutlet and Competitors
Not Sure
- Price
- Product Usability
- Prior Experience with the Product
- Vendor Reputation
As with many companies, we have to really balance price with what features and ease of use are provided to use through any product. While I was not in my current position when Shoutlet was purchased, I can say that the robust nature of the product does make it worth the price.
As I was not involved with the original purchase/selection, I can't speak to how things might be changed. Moving forward, I hope to involve all team members who routinely use the service in determining if the contract should be maintained/expanded or otherwise.
Shoutlet Implementation
Shoutlet Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response | None |
Yes - I've reported some browser-specific bugs in Shoutlet before. Each time the service I've received has been phenomenal. Timely, friendly and understanding help. While one particular bug was tough to fix, the Tech Therapy group did a fantastic job finding a quick, easy work around for me until the issue was fixed. I've never felt ignored or like my bug or technical issue wasn't important. If anything, they've always fixed issues for me faster than I would expect.
At one time I was having issues with the scheduling module. I was the first person (and probably only person) to have the issue. My account rep walked through the issue with me, recorded my screen activity and then helped get me to the top of the Tech Therapy line to have the issue fixed, as there were several hours of the day that I couldn't select for scheduling (which is TOUGH to deal with when you're looking to post at peak use/engagement times). Not only did the Tech Therapy reps work dilligently to figure out why the glitch was happening, but my account rep even offered to post through his account on my behalf at the times I couldn't select until the issue was resolved. I felt like I was truly heard and my issue was the most important issue to the people helping me. Which, to me, is the best customer service.
Using Shoutlet
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar | None |
- Shoutbox -- creating content and scheduling it is all in the same spot, it feels intuitive to how I work and Shoutlet has made wonderful improvements based on user feedback
- Contests -- so much of this is drag and drop that even I (a non-technical team member) can easily create, publish and manage contests on our social channels
- I've not found any particularly difficult functions. I've not used the mobile or the reporting functions extensively, so I may need help navigating those - but only because I rarely use them (if at all).
Yes - I haven't used the mobile interface much, but when I have it has been easy to use and I've been able to accomplish what I need right from my phone. It's available for iPhone and Android devices - which is nice.