Social media platforms are immensely powerful for businesses but when they are not used wisely, they can cause some problems. When you are starting out, it's important to define your objectives and strategically plan how you will achieve these goals. But before you dive into the world of social media, I would love to share a few points:

1. Don't spread yourself thin.
With so many social media platforms out there, it's really important to decide which are the best for your business. If you're not outsourcing social media,it's difficult to keep on top of them. The best thing is to choose two and branch out if / when you can handle it.

2. Don't be salesy.
People go on social media to have fun,to share news or to educate themselves. If you constantly share posts about your products and services, people get bored.
It's not about you or your business, it's all about your community. Before sharing any post, ask yourself: Does this post entertain, inform or educate my community? 

3.Don't forget that your community is watching you.
Dedicate a staff to monitor the platforms and answer each and every comment. If you receive negative feedback, don't get aggressive.Take the conversation offline and bear in mind that sometimes negative feedback help you improve your business. Remember your community is watching! Angry customers can be very helpful in amplifying your message if handled well.

4. Don't leave your social media to unqualified staff.
Managing a company's social media accounts is very different from managing a personal account. You need a strategy and expertise to achieve your goals so make sure you have a qualified expert to look after your accounts.

5. Don't buy followers.
It might sound like a good idea if you are just starting out but don't ever fall into this trap. Yes, you might have thousands of followers but the number of followers don't mean anything. The important thing is having an engaged community, even if it's a small one. You won't gain leads from a group of people who are not interested in your products. 

Social media is not magic. It works but it takes time and requires effort! If you don't have the time or the knowledge to do it yourself, just get in touch and we can talk about your requirements.

In the UK most children go back to school today or tomorrow. It's a  day full of excitement and as parents we like sharing their photos on social media. 

As a social media marketer and someone who reads a lot about online safety, I sometimes see how much parents give away inadvertently when sharing these photos.
If you would like to read more about how to safely share your back to school photos,please head over to Clare Murthy Photography to read my guest post.  www.claremurthy.com/blog/2017/9/first-day-of-school-photos

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