Using the right social media tools will help you engage with more potential clients in less time.

Spending less time on social media means you have more time to spend on your business.

Using social media as a marketing tool and managing your time effectively is key to ensuring that your online marketing strategy succeeds long term.

So, what tools can help you manage your social media marketing time more effectively?

NetVibes - a web based RSS reader or news aggregator that makes it simple to keep up on the latest blog posts, news and articles from your favorite websites without requiring you to go to each website to see what is new. A popular alternative to Netvibes is Google Reader.

Hootsuite - a web based (also available as a desktop client) tool that allows you to read and post to your Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and other social media accounts. Hootsuite allows you to stay up to speed on what is going on with your connections, easily search for key topics and post or schedule posts to your favorite social media platforms. A popular alternative to Hootsuite is Tweetdeck.

Bit.ly - the standard in url shortening. Bit.ly sidebar, a simple tool you can load to your bookmarks toolbar in your browser, makes it simple to shorten the urls that you share with your readers. Bit.ly also offers users the ability to track the links they share and determine how many people have clicked on your links. There are a number of popular alternatives to Bit.ly including Hootsuite's ow.ly and Google's goo.gl url shortening tools.

Stock Photo Exchange - one of the most extensive free photo sites online. There are a number of paid alternatives such as iStock Photo that may work a bit better, although none of the FREE alternatives are as easy or as extensive as Stock Photo Exchange.

Google Alerts - a web based tool that allows you to monitor various search terms, such as your business name, and track when and where you are mentioned online. Knowing where you are mentioned is crucial in being able to address your customers and prospects. A popular alternative to Google Alerts is Yahoo Alerts.

For more information about how to effectively engage with your target market make sure to check out these articles.

To "Follow" people on Twitter?

The best places to find FREE pictures to use for your blog posts.

5 Reasons Your Business Needs to be On Facebook.

These are my top tools for social media success.  Leave a comment and tell me what your favorite social media marketing tools are.

My newphew can do it for me and I'll save money.

The infamous words of many a small business owner and a few brides. Do you know someone who trusted their nephew and lived to regret it?

• 10 years ago they trusted their nephew to design the business cards and brochure for their business.  Nephew was good at using computers.  Nephew said he knew what to do and would work for pizza.

• 5 years ago they trusted their nephew to design the website for their business.  Nephew was good at using computers, no one complained about the brochure or the business cards - not counting your significant other. Nephew would work for pizza.

• Today they trust their nephew to design and manage their social media marketing.  Nephew knows more about Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and YouTube. Nephew still works for pizza.

Unfortunately trusting your nephew to manage one of the key aspects of your organizations growth is, at a minimum, short sighted.

Who do you know who is "trusting" their nephew to grow their business? Your website and social media marketing are some of the most important marketing investments you will make this year. Invest wisely, choose a professional organization such as MMJ Technology to assist you in expanding your business.

And lest I forget - if you are a bride, remember that your nephew (or uncle for that matter) probably is not a great choice as your photographer either. Would you trust something that important to this guy?

Leave a comment and tell us a "nephew horror story."