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Managing multiple social media accounts can become overwhelming and time-consuming. Thankfully, there are ways in which you can manage this easily and post to Mastodon and X (formerly Twitter) simultaneously.

You can save time, reach a wider audience, and ensure consistency across your social media presence. Here, we'll take a look at how you can create, publish, and crosspost to Mastodon and X at the same time.

How to Crosspost to Mastodon and X At the Same Time

Mastodon is an open-source and distributed alternative to X. Cross-posting between these two platforms is possible, but it requires a bit of work.

An iPhone with the Mastodon app on it beside a blue notebook with the Twitter logo on it

So, how do you do this?

The answer is simple. Start off by creating an account on each one, then adding your X (Twitter) and Mastodon.Social accounts on a scheduling tool such as Buffer. We'll show you how to set it all up in the sections below.

1. Choose a Social Media Management Tool

There are several workflow management and scheduling tools available, such as Zapier, Crossposter, IFTTT, Buffer, and Integromat. Each service has its pros and cons, so it's important to research and choose the one that best fits your needs.

However, after running some tests, we found that Buffer is the only tool that works seamlessly to support cross-posting between these two accounts. You'll need to download and install the app or access it via the web to sign up for an account.

Download: Buffer for Android | iOS | Web (Free, subscription available)

2. Set Up and Connect Your Social Media Channels

To get started, you'll need to create an account on Mastodon and X and link your profiles. We'll be using Buffer for this guide, as well as an account on the Mastodon.Social instance. Here's what you need to do:

  1. On your mobile device or web browser, sign up for an account on X and Mastodon.Social.
  2. Next, you'll need to create an account on Buffer and verify your email.
  3. Head over to the Publishing tab > Connect a Channel > New Channel.
  4. Select Twitter (X) from the list and follow the on-screen instructions provided to complete the configuration.
    Mastodon.social connected in Buffer
  5. Repeat the step above for your Mastodon instance or account as well.

After linking your accounts, you'll have the option to customize your content preferences. Determine the kind of content you want to cross-post, such as text, images, or links, and select the desired formatting options for each platform.

3. Compose and Publish Your Content

When you're ready to cross-post, start by composing your content. Check out these quick tips to craft a captivating post, select any accompanying media, and add relevant hashtags or mentions. Here's how to do this:

  1. Once your content is ready, navigate to Buffer and select the platforms you want to post to. In this case, select both X (Twitter) and Mastodon.
    Crossposting on Mastodon and X via Buffer
  2. You can publish the post right away or schedule it for later.
  3. Buffer will automatically share your post simultaneously on both Twitter and Mastodon.

Be Where Your Audience Is

If your goal is to gain more followers by interacting with them in real-time, as well as exploring communities rich in content and discussion to grow your brand, then it's definitely worth your while to try out both of these platforms.

Cross-posting can drastically save you time and effort as you maintain an effective social media presence. By using cross-posting tools and setting up your preferences, you can streamline the process and engage with a wider audience.