Avoid Spamming – Networking on Social Media

Is the prospect of constant spam keeping you away from taking your handmade business to the social media world?  Already using social media to connect with buyers and finding out much of your time is spent filtering out unwanted spam messages?HandmadeMarketing.org reader Chrys Bonnay-Lewis recently shared her experience with social media with our team.

“I have been using networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to promote my Etsy shop for only a couple of weeks,” Chrys, from Etsy’s chrysbonnaylewis, told HandmadeMarketing.org.  “The experience has been fun, informative as well as productive. In fact, according to my Google Analytics 50% of the traffic entering my Etsy pages have come from these sites. I am just beginning to see the rewards of my Tweets and status updates.”

However, Chrys says she has also noticed a trend.  “The trend feels much like email spam,” she said.  “I have seen some handmade sellers – presumably using some sort of automatic status update aid that continually posts uninteresting, boring and impersonal status updates to their social networking sites. Posts that read: “ruby red collection” or “ck out my new item” will quickly be glossed over by sellers – especially if seen on a continual basis. Posts like these tell potential buyers that the artist is lacking imagination.”

The problem may lie in how handmade sellers approach social media, and what it can add to a craft business.  Blogger JD Rucker, from Social News Watch, may have put it best.  “Businesses are looking at social media as “how can I get more business from it” instead of approaching it as “how can I help contribute to my industry and my customer base by offering a genuine resource, and thereby potentially increasing business as a result?”“

Chrys says that social media messages that are being broadcast to the shopper repeatably make matters worse for handmade sellers.  “Who wants to purchase an handmade item from someone who’s lacking creativity?” she says.

“Having spent years in sales, I have learned that revealing a glimmer of personality and wit is a great selling tool,” she explains. “I make a point to show off my artistic talents by posting fun, enticing, and creative status updates.”

Chrys shared a few examples of her social media updates to potential buyers.  “For example: “Genie in a Teapot – Don’t let the Genie ESCAPE”, “Belly Button on SALE”, here I’m selling a serving tray with a gestural marks resembling a belly button, or perhaps, “NUBIES can’t be rubbed off!”, showcasing my now famous Nubby Cups. Who couldn’t resist seeing what a belly button sale is about or what nubbies are?“

“Posting updates that tantalize potential buyers provides that personal touch that is often hard to create with an online buyer,” Chrys explains.

Social media spam can often have the opposite effect for handmade sellers.  “Currently, I’m trying to figure out (testament to my less than stellar tech skills) how to un-follow one of my contacts because of the lackluster posts,” she told HandmadeMarketing.org.  “I have never once looked at her Etsy page, she’s never given me a reason! Quite honestly I am assuming that her handmade items are as boring as her relenting status updates and posts. I’m willing to bet that I’m not the only follower bored or irritated by the continual stream of imagination impaired updates.”

You can connect via social media with Chrys by visiting her Facebook page or reading what’s new on her blog.

Do you have social media suggestions for handmade sellers?  What social media sites have you found help grow your business?  What is your shop’s social media marketing goals, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Share your social media tips with HandmadeMarketing.org!  Submit a link to a recent social media-focused blog post, or write your thoughts like Chrys did.  If HandmadeMarketing.org publishes your ideas, we’ll link to your social media pages and handmade selling platform as the source of the great information!