Private Sales – Use Social Networks to Draw Buyers

Mary Bence, from Etsy’s purbliss and at the website www.purbliss.com shared an idea for using Twitter and other social networking sites to promote your handmade shop.

“Offer crazy deals every once in a while,” Mary suggests.  “Something off-the-cuff seems to really prompt people to buy.”

Mary recommends using Twitter and other social networking sites to host a “private” sale to those in your networks.  “A private sale is something I “semi-privately” offer on Twitter for example,” Mary tells us.  “I don’t post it anywhere in my store but I offer it in chat or some other social medium.”

One example of a great promotion Mary help was posting a Tweet after midnight to make her 20^th sale.  “I posted that I would send out two candle tins with any purchase from my Etsy store,” Mary told HandmadeMarketing.org.

“The promotion worked!” Mary shared.  “I got a sale almost immediately and after midnight! You never know!“

Mary suggests online handmade sellers be flexible and offer freebies with purchases of a certain dollar amount in order to help promote their shops.

“I offer freebies whenever I can,” she says.  ”If I invest time and product into someone customers appreciate it.  If they don’t want to feel obligated, they won’t partake in that freebie. Simple as that. You give a little and take a little.”

Mary says the same principle applies in business across the board. “People love that you can show them you have confidence in your product enough to give a little bit out for free!”

“I give out 2 tealights and a postcard with a discount they can use on my main website if they wish to buy online. Yes, some may throw out the postcard but at least my brand has made it into their hands. They may even pass it along to friends and family,” she said.

“If you have a great product,” Mary says, “don’t be stingy with it. Share it without short-selling yourself!“

How do you promote your Etsy, ArtFire, 1000 Markets, or other online handmade store?  Have you ever tried hosting a “private” sale like Mary?  What were the results?

Tell us what works for you!  If our editors publish your information, we link to your shop.  Sellers receive free press for their knowledge – it’s a win-win for everyone!  Share with HandmadeMarketing.org.