10 Social Networking Tips for Beginners

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10 Social Networking Tips for Beginners 

I have been experimenting with several social networking sites to learn what works and what does not.  Here are some basic tips to get you started WITHOUT paying for advertising.

1.      If you have not started social networking site yet I would suggest starting with FaceBook.  If you do not have an FB fan page or personal page, I would suggest creating a personal page first so you can find your friends and family and ask for their support and can recommend your fan page.   

2.      It is a popularity contest!  The amount of visits, comments, page and/or post likes and shares the higher the “priority” you page/post will become.   For Facebook the number of times you post a day is really dependant on your following, but a good baseline is 1-3 times a day.  Experiment with the times of day you post to see where you get the most response.

a.      I know I thought the same thing…I don’t know that many people.  Ask your friends, family and colleges for their help.  We all need to start somewhere and we all need help in promoting.  Just explain to them the information above.  If they can do this for you daily for a few weeks to a month to get your posts listed higher and gain a following they can slow down visiting to your page.  There is nothing wrong with asking for their help.  It is no different from asking for a job reference and in essence, you are!

 

3.      Try a more interactive approach.   Instead of just posting your Etsy listings on what you have for sale try asking questions and making it a sort of game.  Some ideas would be  - what is your favorite color in pottery or a painting….guess my inspiration…you will never believe what I was wearing when I made this….things of that nature.  Make it fun!  Also instead of just posting your listings on what is for sale – post a picture of your work with a quick blurb about your work or yourself.  Let them get to know not just your product…but you!  This makes it more personable and less of a sales pitch.   

4.      Give them a story to share!  We all love to brag about a great bargain we found.  For instance, “I got this blouse for 45% off!”  When selling art and handmade you can’t afford to give bargains, so add value to their purchase by telling the story behind it.  Your buyer will love to share that story to their friends when showing off their purchase!  An example would be, “Did you know she took this photograph in her P.J.’s?  She saw this otter on the lake and grabbed  her camera and ran outside in her P.J.’s and slippers to get the shot when it was 20 below zero!  Her neighbors thought she was nuts!”  It really makes it a conversation piece, gives it more character and gives something for people to remember you by.  

 

5.      Support your fellow sellers!  Commenting on each other’s sites/posts not only helps your popularity, but it also shows the respect you have for other artists and businesses!  It also promotes trust with your colleges and with your fan base/customers. 

6.      Reciprocate!  (to give and take mutually)   Please remember that other people out there are trying to get promoted just as much as you!  If a person is promoting you, return the favor!  It take just a few moments and is just good etiquette!  You reap what you sow.

 

7.      Schedule the time!  If you are selling online it is imperative to promote online.  Schedule a few 15 minute breaks throughout the day to promote yourself and others.  It is like exercise..you will not get stronger if you don’t work out and moderation is important so you don’t burn out. 

8.        Respond to your posts.  Let people know you appreciate their participation and support.  People like to be recognized.  The ywill see in their FB notifications that you liked or responded to their comment.  They will come back and comment again. 

 

9.      Do not be discouraged!  I live on instant gratification, and I can be very impatient.  It takes time to build a following so give it time for these tips to work.   It is like a diet, you cannot expect to lose all the weight in one week! 

10.   Be consistent!  Consistency breeds dependability.  It also makes it easier for someone to follow you if they know when to expect your postings.   Consistently promoting others and reciprocating will encourage them to consistently promote your back.  

 

Good luck fellow artists!   Please do not hesitate to give me your FaceBook page link.   I don’t have a huge following, but I am happy to do my part to help promote you page!   You can find my page on the link at the top of my blog.

Mel