When I talk with people about Hootsuite versus Tweetdeck, one thing people love about Tweetdeck is that it runs on your desktop versus from within your browser. Well, Hootsuite can too! (By the way, if Hootsuite scares you, my video on the basics of Hootsuite still rings true).
If you use Hootsuite on your web browser, it probably looks a little something like this:
I don’t know about you but I typically have a gazillion tabs open, not to mention all my little bookmarks and doo-dad thingies like the Evernote bookmarklet. Add some Hootsuite tabs and columns in there and it’s total overload! Ouch- my eyes!
Now, behold Hootsuite on a desktop.
Much cleaner, right? This is on a Mac but you can do this on a Mac or a PC.
So How Do You Do It?
It’s quite easy actually! I could walk you through step-by-step but I’d be repeating everything Hootsuite said.
If you’re on a PC, you’ll need to use Chrome (which is what I use anyway). First visit the Hootsuite Extensions page using Chrome and click on Download Now.
It’ll take you a simple process to add Hootsuite to your web store. That just means when you load Chrome, you’ll see a Hootsuite icon on your default page when you open Chrome or a new tab, like so:
Now go back to the Extensions page and click on the Learn More under HootSuite Desktop. You’ll go through five easy steps to set it up. Once you’re done, you’ll have a desktop version of Hootsuite without all the browser clutter!
If you’re on a Mac, the Chrome way isn’t supported. However, there’s a nifty program called Fluid which will turn Hootsuite into a desktop app. Visit the Hootsuite Extensions page and download Fluid.
Once you’ve installed it, just create a new Fluid app. You’ll enter the URL of the app (http://www.hootsuite.com), name it, select where you want it to go (Applications folder most likely) and then choose an icon to use. That’s it! I also dragged the app to my dock so it’s within easy reach.
So did you know Hootsuite could do this? Are you gonna give it a shot?
Psst… there will be no page critique tomorrow. I’m introducing a special series on blog photos that will start next week! Can’t wait to tell you about it!
Momcomm gives blogging chicks practical, can-do tips for writing, blogging and using social media (and sometimes a snarky rant).
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I'm a mom who loves marketing, photography and all things social media. I have two boys whose claim to fame is that they were born on the same day... three years apart.
Twitter: Yourdailydance
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I had no idea! Thanks so much. I love finding tips like these and am thrilled to have found your site.
Angie recently posted..Halloween Songs
Hi Melissa, do you know if this works on OS X mountain lion? I use a MacAir. Thanks!
Dorothy recently posted..The ‘Extra’ Extra Cost of Traveling With Kids
Fluid is for Mac OS X 10.6 and later so it should work just fine!
Twitter: redmestic
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Bye bye, cluttah! Bwahahahahaha!
Thank you so much for sharing! I had no idea!
Audra Michelle recently posted..Matthew 5:16 {Scripture Sunday}
Twitter: artchootwit
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I don’t know if I’ll use this or not- I use Hoot for Web and I don’t mind it. Or maybe I’m just used to having 80 tabs open…. I’ll give it a shot, though. Now I’m going to read your post on using Hootsuite, because I KNOW I’m not using it to its full potential.
Artchoo! recently posted..Ready For a New UNICEF Box?
Totally understand! On the desktop version, I like that I can see more each stream on the screen and that I can toggle to it… to me, that’s more easily to it than clicking a different tab in the browser because I always have lots of tabs open. I hope you learn something new in the HS video– it’s pretty basic though so you might not!
Twitter: CharmCalamaris
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Yay! Such a great post! Melissa, you are always so full of helpful tips! Thanks for making my daily tasks a bit easier!
Charmin – The Momiverse recently posted..Take our survey and you might win a $100 restaurant gift card!
Twitter: andi_fisher
says:
I’m a huge fan of Hootsuite, use the tool all day long and love it!
Andi recently posted..Traveler Tuesday – Andi Perullo of My Beautiful Adventures
Great tip Melissa — we’ll share happily share this post when questions about desktop version come across the pipe.
Let us know if we can help with anything, more importantly, HOOT ON
-HootSuite Community
This was helpful and clearly explained…thanks Mama.Comma!
Thank you for this. I had no idea. This is brilliant!
I am so hoping I can make this happen on my Mac! I really need to streamline. But it seems that Hootsuite is no longer offering Fluid. Do you have any other suggestions for Mac users Melissa? Thanks!
Hootsuite is no longer showing it on their website but I think you can still do it. Here’s a tutorial I found that isn’t too old. http://www.onbile.com/info/hootsuite-for-mac-fluid/
Also, I will say mine crashes a decent bit as of late, which is probably why Hootsuite took it off their site. But I’m still using it!
Just what I was looking for. Thank you!
Twitter: tobyw7
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Thanks for this info – great stuff. Running Fluid on a MBP with Mountain Lion and no problems!
Twitter: ZeanaRomanovna
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I just have to thank you for this tip. HootSuite is an excellent service but I had been hoping there was a desktop client available, but with dual monitors and chrome on one with HootSuite I’m really saving time! Thank you so much!!!
~Zeana
Zeana Romanovna recently posted..Fractal Mathematic Art
Twitter: ZeanaRomanovna
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PS: I never put that link in my post. LOL, I nearly died when I saw it and clicked. Please edit it out