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Guide

A social media approval workflow that clients actually use

A clear social media approval process stops posts going out with a mistake, and stops you chasing people on chat apps. Here is a simple 5 step workflow and how to run it in Postozo.

Customer settings in Postozo with approval turned on, the first step of a social media approval workflow

The 5 step social media approval process

Write the post

An editor writes the post and picks the channels, which sit under a customer (client or brand).

Send it for review

If approval is on for that customer, the post waits. Share a review link, or let the Client member see it in the app.

Approve, change or comment

The reviewer approves, requests changes or leaves a comment. Every answer is saved with the post.

Fix and resend

On a change request, the editor updates the post. A changed post always goes back for a new yes.

Publish on time

Approved posts go out at their set time. You choose what happens if nobody answers in time.

Who does what

RoleCan do
Owner and AdminConnect channels, manage the team, approve posts, fix failed posts.
EditorWrite and schedule posts. Posts that need approval wait for an admin or the client.
ClientSees only their own brand. Approves, requests changes and comments.
Reviewer with a linkNo account needed. Sees a preview of 1 post and answers.

Team members and Client members need the Team plan or higher. Review links work on every plan. See team and roles.

Decide what happens when nobody answers

This is the part most approval workflows forget. In Postozo you choose it per customer:

  • Keep waiting. The post does not go out until someone approves it. Good for legal, health and finance clients.
  • Publish anyway. The post goes out at its time. Good for clients who want to see posts but trust you.
  • Move it back to drafts. The post is taken off the schedule so you can decide later.

3 example approval setups

Client typeApprovalIf nobody answers
Law firm or clinicOn, every postKeep waiting
Shop or restaurant that trusts youOffNot needed
Busy brand that wants to see postsOnPublish anyway at the set time

These are starting points. Agree the rule with each client at the start, write it down, and change it any time in the customer settings if the client's needs change.

Approval checklist for reviewers

  • Are the facts right: prices, dates, names and links?
  • Is the picture or video the right one, and allowed to be used?
  • Does it follow the brand voice and the words to avoid?
  • Is it going to the right channels at the right time?
  • Does it follow the rules of the industry, for example no health promises?

Tips for a smooth approval process

  • Agree the timeout rule with each client at the start. It avoids arguments later.
  • Send posts for review 2 to 3 working days ahead.
  • Keep feedback in comments on the post, not in email, so the history stays in 1 place.
  • Use 1 approver per client where you can. 3 approvers means 3 opinions.
  • Batch reviews: send a week of posts on the same day, so the client answers once.

Connect approvals to your own tools

Postozo sends signed webhooks when approval is requested, when a post is approved and when changes are requested. Send them to n8n, Make or Zapier to post in Slack or update a task. See API and MCP.

Approval workflow with your brand

On Pro and Ultimate, clients can see your agency's name, logo and colour on review pages and emails instead of Postozo. See white label social media management. For the full feature list, see client approval and Postozo for agencies.

FAQ

Questions

What is a social media approval workflow?

The steps a post goes through before it is published: write, review, approve or change, then publish. It makes sure the right person says yes first.

Does my client need an account to approve posts?

No. They can approve from a review link. You can also invite them as a Client member if they want to log in.

What happens if I edit a post after it was approved?

It goes back to waiting for approval, so the client always approves the final version.

Can editors approve their own posts?

No. Editors write and schedule. Owners, admins or the client approve.

Can different clients have different rules?

Yes. Approval and the timeout rule are set per customer.

Which plans include approvals?

Review links and approval rules are on every plan. Client members and team roles need the Team plan or higher.

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