What is Business Hour & how does it work?

When is Business Hour?

The North Shore Mums Business Hour is held in the Facebook group on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 8-9pm.

Early posts are accepted from 4pm (and approved during the dedicated hour). Click here to get an email reminder at 4pm on the day!

Who can post during Business Hour?

During this dedicated hour, members who advertise on the North Shore Mums website are invited to post a free ad about their business. Business Hour posts can only be from your personal profile (not business page or anonymous posts).

How do I post during Business Hour?

1. Go to the North Shore Mums Facebook Group (you must be a member first)
2. Click 'Add Photo/Video' and upload up to four photos, or one video or reel.
3. Start your post with Business Hour post… [Your company name], then write your post (see the checklist below).
4. Click 'Post'.

Business posts should include the following:

Business Hour posts must include the following:

• Company name: This is absolutely essential! Start your post with Business Hour post… [Your company name]. Our members need to know which business the post is for, and our moderators use your company name to check that you advertise with North Shore Mums. If the name doesn't match a business in our advertising records, we won't approve the post.
• Description: Write an engaging description of what your business offers, plus any special offers. You're competing with lots of other businesses during this hour, so make it personal, interesting and valuable so people stop and read your post.
• One link: Add one link only, to your website or social media. Copy it straight from your browser's address bar so it's short and clean, without long strings of tracking code. More than one link can confuse readers.
• Contact details: Include an email address or mobile number.
• Up to four photos OR one video: This could be product shots, your team or examples of your work. You can also link to a YouTube video.

Are there any rules?

We have a few rules to keep things running smoothly and fair for everyone. 

1. Advertisers only – Business Hour is only for members who advertise on the North Shore Mums website.
2. Do not ask people to comment on the post – If you are giving away a free sample or running a competition, please ask people to enter via your website or Facebook page, as it unfairly bumps the post.
3. No bumping – don’t artificially ‘bump’ your post by commenting with a random fact. However, if someone asks you a direct question, you can reply.
4. Do not PM members who have shown interest but have not invited contact – never send a message to a member unless they have specifically asked you to contact them with more information. Unsolicited messages are considered SPAM and will do more harm than good. If members want more information, they can contact you first.
5. No anonymous posts. For transparency and trust, a real personal profile must be behind the Business Hour post. Anonymous posts are only for sensitive issues, and not for Business Hour.
6. No job ads: Job ads are not permitted during Business Hour.

How can I become an advertiser so I can post during Business Hour?

List your business in our Directory

A listing in our Directory is an affordable & accessible entry-level advertising option for most businesses. 

If you want to post during Business Hour but haven’t yet advertised on our website, get started by listing in the North Shore Mums Directory. Give it a try! You can cancel at any time. Click here for more details.

Don't leave it to the last minute! We recommend creating your Directory listing at least 24 hours before Business Hour, in case you run into any technical issues. Business Hour is always a very busy time for our moderators, so we cannot assist you or answer personal questions during this time.

Book an advertising campaign

We offer many other advertising options that give your business excellent exposure across the North Shore Mums platform - like banner advertising, promotions, advertorials, e-newsletter & Facebook packages.

You are eligible to post if you have run an advertising campaign with North Shore Mums in the last 12 months. 

Click here for more details & to download our Media Kit.