Once you’ve decided to embrace social media and all it has to offer, you now need to decide which platforms you want to use. Your decision shouldn’t be made on which one you enjoy the most but the one where you will find your target audience and that reflects the messaging you want to put out to the world. Research has shown that the five most valuable social media platforms are: Facebook – officially the world’s most popular and profitable social media channel, Facebook is now responsible for nearly half of the internet traffic so it’s important to ensure your Facebook presence is both effective and appropriate. Instagram – number one for image sharing, businesses now market themselves as being ‘instagrammable’. It’s gained a lot of credibility in recent years for its powerful digital marketing capabilities. Hashtags, saves, location tags and other functions make this platform a necessity for any business wanting to stay ahead. X (formerly known as twitter)– keeping things short, snappy and to the point, X is perfect for short bursts of information and for searching out and connecting with celebrities and influencers alike. Hashtags and reposts are key marketing points for this platform. Linkedin – it used to be the stomping ground for recruiters but over the years, Linkedin has become an essential tool for every business and business owner. A well curated, active presence can improve sales, generate leads and connect you to prospective clients, possible employees and industry leaders.