For any social media marketer, consistent performance is the ultimate goal—but it’s also a constant challenge. With so many factors at play, even the best campaigns can fluctuate from one day to the next. Having the right toolkit is essential to managing these ups and downs effectively. Below are our top 10 recommended tools for streamlining your efforts so you can spend less time troubleshooting and more time driving results—without sacrificing the personal insights that only a marketer can bring.
1. ChatGPT
AI is transforming marketing, but human guidance is vital for the best results. While AI can generate ad ideas or content, it lacks the insight and creativity of an experienced social marketer. Use ChatGPT as an assistant to draft ad content, brainstorm ideas, or research. However, it’s essential to always tailor its output with your knowledge of effective ads, audience preferences, and campaign goals.
2. Varos
One of the biggest challenges in social media advertising is determining whether a performance dip is an isolated incident or part of a larger trend. Varos provides a solution by letting you benchmark your KPIs against real-time data from other brands and verticals. With Varos, you can distinguish between macro trends—like seasonal shifts or heightened competition—and account-specific micro trends. This insight helps guide your decision-making, allowing you to act strategically on what’s truly within your control.
3. Looker Studio
Navigating ad metrics without a clear view of what’s working can be challenging. Looker Studio simplifies this by allowing you to create fully customized dashboards tailored to the insights you need most. From comparing ad formats to analyzing audience performance, Looker Studio lets you transform raw data into actionable insights. With data connectors like Supermetrics, you can pull in real-time data from all your platforms, ensuring your reports are both comprehensive and up-to-date—perfect for making informed optimization decisions and easily sharing insights with your team.
4. Zapier
If lead generation is a significant part of your business, Zapier can be a game-changer. Social media platforms often capture leads through in-app forms, but the data can remain siloed unless transferred to your CRM or other tools. Zapier streamlines this process, automatically moving leads to your CRM, email list, or wherever you need them. With Zapier, you can ensure every lead gets prompt attention—without any manual data entry. Beyond lead flow, Zapier’s vast array of integrations enables you to automate countless tasks across your tech stack, making daily processes more efficient.
5. Cross-Channel Attribution Software
Digital ad measurement often feels like piecing together a puzzle, especially with each platform reporting conversions differently. Cross-channel attribution software bridges these gaps by aggregating data across platforms like Google Ads, Meta, and more, providing a unified view of your marketing efforts. These tools clarify which channels and campaigns drive conversions by mapping the customer journey across multiple touchpoints.
However, every brand’s needs are unique, and attribution solutions are rarely one-size-fits-all. Tools like Funnel, Segment, Wicked Reports, Triple Whale, and Hyros each offer distinct models that cater to specific goals. By researching and selecting a solution that aligns with your objectives, you’ll be well-informedwell informed to make data-driven decisions, optimize spending, and scale campaigns for meaningful, measurable results.
6. Instagram & TikTok
While we often look to external tools for ad creation, Instagram and TikTok’s native features make them powerful resources for producing engaging, platform-specific content. For example, Instagram offers robust editing tools for enhancing feed images and creating dynamic vertical videos with Reels and Stories. These formats are proven to boost engagement, and Instagram’s built-in options make it easier to optimize creative assets without an additional budget.
On TikTok, the creative toolkit is just as impressive. TikTok’s editing features enable marketers to produce authentic, high-impact videos tailored to the platform’s unique style. For paid campaigns, Spark Ads allows you to leverage existing organic posts, seamlessly turning them into ads while maintaining their original feel. This feature is ideal for repurposing successful organic content directly into your ad strategy.
Utilizing these in-platform tools allows you to achieve high-quality, impactful ads that resonate with audiences on Instagram and TikTok—all without heavy production costs.
7. UGC and Influencer Platforms
Branded Content and UGC (user-generated content) are standout formats for driving engagement and boosting ad performance. Branded Content, often created by influencers, uses videos or posts by people with established social followings to promote products or services. Influencers can significantly impact video ad campaigns with their ability to sway opinions. However, influencer-driven content can come at a premium, which may not fit all brands’ budgets.
In contrast, UGC offers a cost-effective alternative that still packs a punch. UGC—created by everyday users rather than influencers—resonates because it feels relatable and authentic, showcasing real customers and their experiences. People connect with honest feedback from other consumers, making UGC a highly effective format for building trust. Numerous platforms exist to help you source both UGC and influencer content, so explore your options to find the right fit for your budget and goals.
8. Canva
For brands looking to enhance their ad visuals without a hefty budget, Canva is a go-to resource. This intuitive platform offers a wide range of templates and drag-and-drop features, making it easy for non-designers to produce professional-looking graphics. Canva may not replace a dedicated graphic designer, but it’s a reliable solution for teams needing quick, polished creatives that fit right into social media ad formats. Many successful campaigns have been built on Canva-based content, proving that high-quality visuals don’t always require complex design software.
9. OpusClip
OpusClip is an efficient tool for turning lengthy videos into short, impactful clips tailored for social media. Leveraging AI, it identifies key moments in your content, allowing you to create quick, attention-grabbing shorts with minimal effort. OpusClip lets you add text overlays and AI-generated b-rolls, and you can even adjust clip styles to suit your brand. While it may lack the full customization of traditional editing software, OpusClip’s AI-driven edits make it an excellent choice for fast-paced ad production, allowing you to create engaging video content that fits perfectly into social media formats.
10. Foreplay
Foreplay is indispensable for any marketer looking to boost ad creativity and effectiveness. It allows you to save and organize ads, build detailed creative briefs, and access a vast library of high-performing ad examples. If you’re ever low on inspiration, Foreplay’s ad browsing feature helps you explore ideas by type, industry, and ad status, making it easy to discover what’s working in real-time. You can even use it for competitor research, gaining insights into their strategies to stay ahead. It’s ideal for brainstorming, refining, and optimizing your creative approach.
With these ten tools, you’ll have what you need to keep your social media campaigns running efficiently and effectively. But as you know, digital marketing is constantly changing. New tools and strategies are always around the corner—so stay curious and keep refining your approach. For even more ways to level up, check out our blog on 10 Chrome Extensions for Social Media Advertising.
