Many Financial Planners use social media in one form or another as part of their businesses and daily lives.

But what can planners do to improve their social media output?

As part of Financial Planning Today magazine’s special feature on social media, two experts gave us their do’s and don’ts.

Read on for more:

3 Do’s from Jodie Cook

1. Show some personality. Look to strike a balance between professionalism and being personable and approachable.

2. Share information that is relevant and engaging to your audience. Demonstrating that you understand what resonates with individuals is the fastest way to build their trust.

3. Adapt to your audience. Shift your focus based on what works and what doesn’t. Social media requires both proactivity and reactivity when it comes to optimising your approach.

3 Do’s from Jeff Lunn

1. Start with delivering valuable educational content to your ideal audience.
2. Always have a specific call to action that focuses on generating leads for your business.
3. Keep your message consistent across all platforms.

3 Don’ts from Jodie Cook

1. Don’t leave all your social media until a quiet Friday afternoon. No one is online and no one is going to take the action you need to generate leads.

2. Don’t try and cover all your bases and post on six or seven social networks. Focus your efforts on two or three channels, the ones you’re seeing the most benefit from.

3. Don’t be too ‘sales-y’ in your language. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter are usually regarded as someone’s personal space and few welcome pushy messages, especially if they’re not well targeted. Always attempt to add value to your audience somehow.

3 Don’ts from Jeff Lunn

1. Don't forget about the other social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, your WordPress blog or email newsletter when posting content.
2. Don't publish content that is irrelevant to what you do.
3. Don’t be intimidated by using live video. You already have the tools necessary to use live video in social media successfully.

Jeff Lunn is the founder of Next Stage Web, a USA web consultancy focused on helping clients in the financial services industry. Located just outside of Atlanta, Georgia; Jeff and his team help deliver effective digital marketing campaigns to financial advisor clients throughout the world. NextStageWeb.com

Jodie Cook founded JC Social Media in 2011, a specialist social media agency in Birmingham. She works with clients from independent restaurants to a global automotive brand, and everything in between. They have extensive experience in the professional services sector having worked with solicitors, Financial Planners and accountants.

The article on social media for Financial Planners, packed with practical tips from experts, is now available to all website users through the third issue of Financial Planning Today.

Our new 40-page magazine, is now live online and can be read HERE.

Turn to page 31 and 32 for insights on how to improve usage of social media to find new clients, including input from American Financial Planner Michael Kitces, pictured below, who has 33,000 Twitter followers.

The new publication features exclusive content including contributions from leading figures in the worlds of Financial Planning and Paraplanning plus features and insights produced by experienced financial journalists in London.

Financial Planning Today's third issue highlights include:

• A Special Report on the great Cashflow Modelling debate, which has got the industry talking

• Columns from high profile Financial Planner Julie Lord, PFS chief executive Keith Richards, CISI head of Financial Planning Campbell Edgar and Paraplanner John Redmond

• Analysis of the 2017 investment prospects post the shock Trump US Presidential victory

• New Investment and DFM section with 180+ DFM providers listed plus DFM updates

• Plus, The Client Hunter, Planner Casebook, Inside My Business with Colin Lawson, Financial Planning and Paraplanning news and much more

Feedback on the new magazine has been excellent with well over 2,200 people reading the first two issues and the number rising steadily. There have been many positive comments about the quality of the magazine and the unique content.

Financial Planning Today Publisher and Editor Kevin O’Donnell said: “We're delighted to make available issue 3 to all website users and we hope the content will be invaluable.

“There is lots of insight, news and comment plus many business tips and ideas to help Financial Planners do an even better job and build on their professionalism.

"We have designed Financial Planning Today magazine to be an essential publication for all professional Financial Planners, Paraplanners and Wealth Managers and we'll be announcing some exciting developments for 2017 soon."

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