The finite lattice method of series expansion has been used to extend low-temperature series for the partition function, order parameter and susceptibility of the $q$-state Potts model to order $z^{56}$ (i.e. $u^{28}$), $z^{47}$, $z^{43}$, $z^{39}$, $z^{39}$, $z^{39}$, $z^{35}$, $z^{31}$ and $z^{31}$ for $q = 2$, 3, 4, \dots 9 and 10 respectively. These series are used to test techniques designed to distinguish first-order transitions from continuous transitions. New numerical values are also obtained for the $q$-state Potts model with $q>4$. ; Comment: 32 pages, incl. 3 figures, incl. 3 figures