Introduction
Overview of Sprout Social
Features and capabilities of Sprout Social
Sprout Social is a social media management tool that helps businesses and organizations streamline their social media efforts and improve their online presence. It offers a range of features and capabilities, including:
- Social media account management: Sprout Social allows users to add and manage multiple social media accounts from a single dashboard. This includes the ability to schedule and publish posts, as well as track and respond to messages and comments from one place.
- Engagement and collaboration: Sprout Social includes tools for managing and responding to customer inquiries and interactions, as well as collaborating with team members on social media strategy and content.
- Analytics and reporting: Sprout Social also provides detailed analytics and reporting capabilities, including the ability to track key performance metrics and generate customized reports.
- Customer service and support: Sprout Social offers a range of support channels, including in-app chat, email, and phone support, to help users get the assistance they need.
- Integrations: Sprout Social integrates with a variety of other tools and platforms, including Google Analytics, Salesforce, and Hootsuite, to provide a more comprehensive view of social media post performance and customer interactions.
Setting up and using Sprout Social
Account creation and setup process
To get started with Sprout Social, users will need to create an account on the platform. This involves providing some basic information, such as name, email address, and business name, and choosing a subscription plan. Once the account is created, users can begin adding and connecting their social media accounts.
Adding and managing social media accounts
To add a social media account to Sprout Social, users will need to provide login credentials for that account. Once added, the account will appear in the dashboard and users can manage it from there. This includes the ability to schedule and publish posts, respond to messages and comments, and track performance metrics.
Using the dashboard and navigation
The Sprout Social dashboard is the central hub for managing social media accounts and activities. From the dashboard, users can access various features and tools, such as the publishing calendar, analytics reports, and customer interactions. The dashboard also includes a navigation bar on the left-hand side, which allows users to access different sections of the platform, such as the Inbox for managing messages and the Analytics section for tracking performance metrics.
Communication and engagement features

Managing and responding to messages
Sprout Social includes an Inbox feature that allows users to manage and respond to messages and comments from all of their connected social media accounts in one place. Users can filter and organize messages by various criteria, such as account, type of interaction, or assigned team member. They can also use pre-written templates or saved replies to streamline the response process.
Scheduling and publishing posts
Sprout Social offers a publishing calendar that allows users to establish social media scheduling of accounts in advance. This includes the ability to set a specific time and date for a post to go live, as well as the option to schedule recurring posts. Users can also use the publishing calendar to draft and schedule posts across multiple accounts simultaneously.
Collaboration and team management:
Sprout Social includes tools for collaborating with team members on social media strategy and content. This includes the ability to assign tasks and interactions to specific team members, as well as track their progress and performance. Users can also use the platform’s permission system to control which team members have access to different features and accounts.
Social listening a way of identifying and assessing what is being said about an organization, product or service . This is usually done to structure the data well so that it can help achieve an efficient social profile.
Analytics and reporting

Tracking key performance metrics
Sprout Social provides a range of social network analytics and reporting tools that allow users to track key performance metrics for their social media accounts. These metrics can include things like reach, engagement, and conversions, and can be viewed in various formats, such as charts, graphs, and tables.
Generating and exporting reports
Social Sprout allows users to create customized reports that focus on specific metrics and time periods. These reports can be generated on demand or scheduled to be delivered automatically. Users can also export reports in various formats, such as PDF or CSV, for further analysis or sharing with team members or clients.
Integrations with other tools
Sprout Social integrates with a variety of other social media tools and platforms, including Google Analytics, Salesforce, and Hootsuite. These integrations allow users to view social media performance data alongside other business metrics, such as website traffic or customer data, for a more comprehensive view of their online presence.
Customer service and support

Available support channels
Sprout Social offers a range of support channels to help users get the assistance they need. These channels include in-app chat, email, and phone support, as well as a comprehensive knowledge base with articles and tutorials.
Quality of support
Reviews of Sprout Social’s customer service and support generally report that the team is knowledgeable, responsive, and helpful. Some users have noted that phone support may not be available at all times, but overall, the quality of social support is generally considered to be good.
Handling and resolving issues
In the event that users encounter issues or have questions while using Sprout Social, they can reach out to the social media managers for assistance. The team is typically able to resolve issues in a timely manner, and users can also use the knowledge base and other social content resources to troubleshoot problems on their own.
Pricing and plans

Available pricing options
Sprout Social offers a range of pricing plans to meet the needs of different businesses and organizations. These plans include a Standard plan, a Professional plan, and an Advanced plan, with increasing levels of features and capabilities. Prices for the plans vary depending on the number of social media accounts and team members, with discounts available for annual billing. A free trial is also available for users to try out the platform before committing to a plan.
Comparison to other social media management tools
When compared to other social media management tools, Sprout Social is generally considered to be on the higher end in terms of pricing. However, it also offers a wider range of features and capabilities, including more robust analytics and reporting tools, as well as a greater focus on customer service and support.
Value for money
Overall, users generally report that Sprout Social offers good value for money, considering the range of features and capabilities it provides. While it may not be the cheapest option on the market, the platform is well-regarded for its robust analytics and reporting tools, as well as its strong focus on customer service and support.
Conclusion and overall rating
Summary of key points:
Sprout Social is a social media management tool that offers a range of features and capabilities for businesses and organizations looking to streamline their social media efforts and improve their online presence. It includes tools for managing and responding to customer inquiries and interactions, scheduling and publishing posts, tracking performance metrics, and collaborating with team members. It also offers a range of support channels, including in-app chat, email, and phone support.
Pros and cons
Some of the pros of using Sprout Social include its robust analytics and reporting tools, its focus on customer service and support, and its integration with other tools and platforms. Some of the cons include its higher pricing compared to some other social media management tools, and the fact that phone support may not be available at all times.
Overall rating and recommendation
Overall, Sprout Social is generally considered to be a high-quality social media management tool that offers good value for money. It is particularly well-regarded for its analytics and reporting capabilities, as well as its focus on customer service and support. Therefore, it would likely be a good choice for businesses and organizations looking for a comprehensive tool to manage their social media presence.
How does Sprout Social Compare with other social media management tools in the market
Sprout Social is a popular social media management tool that is generally well-regarded for its range of features and capabilities. Some of the ways in which it compares to other tools in the market include:
Features and capabilities
Sprout Social offers a wide range of features for managing and optimizing social media accounts, including tools for scheduling and publishing posts, managing and responding to customer interactions, tracking performance metrics, and collaborating with team members. It also includes robust analytics and reporting tools, as well as a focus on customer service and support.
Pricing
Sprout Social is generally considered to be on the higher end in terms of pricing compared to some other social media management tools. However, it also offers a wider range of features and capabilities, which may justify the higher cost for some users.
Integration with other tools
Sprout Social integrates with a variety of other tools and platforms, including Google Analytics, Salesforce, and Hootsuite. This allows users to view social media performance data alongside other business metrics, providing a more comprehensive view of their online presence.
Summary
Sprout Social is a strong contender in the social media management tool market and may be a good choice for businesses and organizations looking for a comprehensive solution to manage their social media efforts.
Frequently asked questions about Sprout Social
Here are some frequently asked questions about Sprout Social:
What is Sprout Social and what does it do?
Sprout Social is a social media management tool that helps businesses and organizations streamline their social media efforts and improve their online presence. It offers a range of features and capabilities, including tools for managing and responding to customer interactions, scheduling and publishing posts, tracking performance metrics, and collaborating with team members.
How much does Sprout Social cost?
Sprout Social offers a range of pricing plans to meet the needs of different businesses and organizations. These plans include a Standard plan, a Professional plan, and an Advanced plan, with increasing levels of features and capabilities. Prices for the plans vary depending on the number of social media accounts and team members, with discounts available for annual billing. A free trial is also available for users to try out the platform before committing to a plan.
Can I use Sprout Social for free?
Sprout Social does not offer a completely free version of its platform. However, it does offer a free trial that allows users to try out the platform and its features for a limited time before committing to a paid plan.
Does Sprout Social integrate with other tools?
Yes, Sprout Social integrates with a variety of other tools and platforms, including Google Analytics, Salesforce, and Hootsuite. This allows users to view social media performance data alongside other business metrics, providing a more comprehensive view of their online presence.
Is Sprout Social suitable for small businesses?
Sprout Social is suitable for businesses of all sizes, including small businesses. It offers a range of pricing plans that are tailored to meet the needs of different businesses, including those with limited resources. It also includes a range of features and capabilities that can help small businesses optimize their social media efforts and improve their online presence.