Whilst we can catch a quick breathe here are a few tips on how to utilise social media sites for your business. Most companies get a lot of their business through word of mouth, and word of mouth has changed completely since the days of MySpace back last decade. Let's take a look at how to take advtantage of this!

1: Choose Your Website Wisely

Choose what social network sites your going to use according to your customers. Think, what do they use? For example, over 60% of image-centric site Pinterest's users are female. So if you want to reach a female audience Pinterest might be a good bet.

Similarly Tumblr is typically used by younger users, so if you aren't a business who sell to younger people then it might not be worth your time. It couldn't do any harm, but we're all busy folk, right?

Over 60% of Pinterest users are female.

2: Keep It Consistent

Try and link in all of your social media sites to be consistent with your business image. This means if people look at your Twitter and your Facebook they should each be instantly recognisable, not just in how it looks but in the content. Keep a pretty consistent writing style, because that's your company's personality you're putting out there.

Also if you post something up on one social network site think about posting it on others to keep the content easily accessable. Some sites like Wordpress have a feature to automatically post to Tumblr, Facebook and Twitter, and you can also find software to help you manage multiple social media profiles easily, like Hootsuite.

3: Make Sure It's Up To Date

Nothing says unpunctual like an out-of-date website. It's like having a sleeping receptionist, it's just not good for first impressions! Make sure you keep up with updates. You don't have to post every day, just so long as it's more often than every few months you'll look involved enough!

4: Think About Your Followers Before Posting

Don't just post something up for the sake of it. Think about what your users can get out of what you're posting, and why they should read it. Put yourself in your followers' shoes and think if you'd find what you're writing interesting if posted by a stranger.

Posting what you're interested will naturally help your writing style flow better. If you're enthusiastic about something it does wonders for other people reading it!

5: Don't Think About How Many Followers Or Friends You Have

The ammount of followers or friends you have doesn't matter too much, because as they say it's better to have 100 dedicated, listening followers than having 1000 people who don't pay attention. Good followers are ones you can start a conversation with, or who really read what you put up. Those good followers are your real target audience online, and the challenge is getting those good followers!

It might seem slow, but persistence pays off with social media. Keep interested with what your posting and think about what your followers are getting out of your social network posts. Any questions? Why not give us a Tweet with that all that newfound knowledge up there? Follow us on @creativegraffix

Until next time!

Andrew

We thought we'd continue our Meet The Team series and catch Susan, our smiley finance person about films, music and cheese. The usual things really.

What is your full name?

Susan Forbes.

And your job title?

Financial Controller.

What does that actually mean?

I deal with the money coming in, going out, wages and every so often a spot of hoovering with good old Henry Hoover!

What was your first job?

I had a Sunday paper round, a classic first job. My Dad used to drive me when it was raining, which was often. Bless him!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A vet.

Favourite film?

Hard to say, but Kung Fu Panda is fab! Think I’ll go for Kung Fu Panda.

Favourite book?

Any girly trash which goes well with a bottle of red, haha.

Favourite album?

Again, it’s kind of impossible to name a favourite, but really loving The Killers at the moment.

Where is the most unusual place you’ve ever been?

In the snow, near the summit of Ben Nevis on a lovely summer’s day. Seemed weird to me but apparently it’s not rare. I guess I don’t go up a lot of mountains!

Favourite (Pantone) Colour?

Today it’s Pantone Yellow... roll on summer!

Favourite font?

Anything with a bonnie £ symbol!

Favourite Cheese?

Boursin if I absolutely have to choose. Though a bar of Green & Black’s dark chocolate would be a nice alternative!

2 Pull-Ups for £150. Terms and conditions apply.

Come in and have a chat if you've got an exhibition of event coming up. Or you could even come in and take a look at our own pull-up banner, featuring our two wee PR minions - Stan and Jack.

Come back to the blog next week for the next in our 'Meet The Team' series, and next month for the next offer!

- Andrew

What's your full name?

Carol Ann Black

And your job title?

Graphic Designer

What does that actually mean?

I get to play on the Mac all day using all the fancy fonts and pretty colours!

What was your first job?

I was a checkout operator at Wm Low supermarket. The older ones among you should remember that place!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A vet, or something to do with art and design. I guess it all worked out well then!

Favourite film?

Ooh, that's tough. If I'm in the mood for a feel-good film Finding Nemo and for a good cry Schindler's List.

Favourite book?

Maybe not my favourite but one that sticks in my mind is definitely The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks.

Favourite album?

Too hard to choose again! Can I have two? Moving Pictures by Rush and Ten by Pearl Jam. Oh, and I do love Editors too!

What's the weirdest thing you've ever done?

I once had a rather sloppy kiss with a camel. [Editor's note: I'm sure there's a backstory to this, but maybe best not to ask!]

Favourite Pantone colour?

Eh? Guess it has to be black, like most of the clothes in my wardrobe!

Favourite font?

Cooper Black (see what I did there?! Though to be honest Cooper Black is mingin'.)

Favourite cheese?

Any that's washed down with red wine! [Editor's Note: red leicester was crossed out, I think we'll count that as the real favourite!]

Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to get wee goodies, discounts and a good laugh in your inbox!

Well, it's Valentine's Day, and to show we're thinking about you we thought we'd give you a 20% discount on your next order. (This discount counts for print work and design work, not products or exhibition materials)

All you need to do say the code "Can't Wait For Summer" by either phoning 01382 660099 or e-mailing hello@creativegraffix.com.

- Andrew

We thought it'd be nice if you got to know us a little bit better. So here's the first of a wee series of interviews. Might as well start at the top, so this week it's Richard, the director of Creative Graffix!

What is your full name?

Richard Anthony Smyth

And your job title?

I’m the Managing Director here at Creative Graffix - the boss basically!

What does that actually mean?

I actually own the business, and make all the big decisions. I meet with clients, do lithographic printing, finishing on jobs... a bit of everything really!

What was your first job?

A local paper round. Thankfully I’ve moved onto something a fair bit more interesting!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A formula 1 driver, but I’m still working on that one. Watch this space.

Favourite film?

The Usual Suspects, can’t beat a film with a good twist!

Favourite book?

Kill Me If You Can by James Patterson

Favourite album?

Automatic for the People, by REM

Where is the most unusual place you’ve ever been?

Krasnoyarsk Siberia. I went for three weeks to help set up a print shop, which we shipped in containers from Perth. Got to say, was a fair bit different to the setup we’ve got here at Creative Graffix!

Favourite (Pantone) Colour?

My favourite would be 186 - same colour as my coffee mug! A nice vibrant red colour.

Favourite font?

Comic Sans!! Haha. [Editor’s note: I’ll have none of that nonsense, anyone else says Comic Sans and they’re getting a telling off!]

Favourite Cheese?

A good stinky Brie!

Thanks Richard! And thank you for reading! As an extra thanks here's a wee offer for visiting the blog.

Over the next few weeks we'll post up a little bit about ourselves and happenings in the studio. We're just going to have a bit of fun with the blog basically. 

We've also got a wee daily challenge for you to try out over on our Facebook. Try to guess what album art we've posted up each day! I'll admit, I'm not great at keeping the answers secret, almost gave that Dire Strai-- ahem. Nevermind.

Watch this space for something a little different from now on. And why not subscribe to our mailing list? Next week is going to be a doozy! See you then.

- Andrew