How to make MySQL handle UTF-8 properly

Question

One of the responses to a question I asked yesterday suggested that I should make sure my database can handle UTF-8 characters correctly. How I can do this with MySQL?

Answer 1

These tips on MySQL and UTF-8 may be helpful. Unfortunately, they don't constitute a full solution, just common gotchas.

Answer 2

Was able to find a solution. Ran the following as specified at http://technoguider.com/2015/05/utf8-set-up-in-mysql/

SET NAMES UTF8;
set collation_server = utf8_general_ci;
set default-character-set = utf8;
set init_connect = ’SET NAMES utf8′;
set character_set_server = utf8;
set character_set_client = utf8;