Art or Craft Show Social Networking 101

May 26th, 2009

by Shasta McLaughlin
The Extravaganza Craft Productions
copyright 2009

Sites like facebook, twitter, myspace are sweeping the nation. What is the big deal about social networking you ask? Well let’s answer that question as it pertains to your art or craft show booth.

No one knows about your art or craft business when you first start out. You might not even know who your customers are going to be, and you definitely don’t know how to reach them. You don’t have a lot of money to spend on random advertising or your business will go broke before it starts. Don’t despair yet, there is free advertising out there that will let everyone know about your art or craft show business.

Facebook, myspace, and twitter are all free advertising where you can afford to let everyone know about your business. Plus there are many more social networking sites where you can freely promote your business.

Some key points to remember.

Read the terms of use and abide by them. The goal is to get the word out about your business not to get you banned from every site on the internet. You want people saying good things about your business not bad ones.

No one like to be pressured to buy something so participate respectfully in conversations. Give people the information they are looking for including: product information and care sheets, updates on events you will be attending, notices of sales and discounts they can receive, articles, hints and tips, how to’s, and checklists. Disguise your advertising as information. Remember that when your customers feel like you care about them they are more likely to buy from you.

Use plug-ins on you blog to make your posts to your blog automatically post to your social networking sites to save time. Post on your blog that your customers can follow you on their social networking sites. Have all posts on both point back to your website.

The Benefits of Social Networking for Your Business

Not everyone who hears about your business through social networking is going to be your target customer or in your area of service, however, they may have friends who are your target customer or in your area of service. The people who hear about your business through social networking tell their friends. When a friend recommends your art or craft to them they are more likely to buy.

People who are interested in your product or service go to social networking sites and search for the topic they are interested in. Sometimes they stumble across your site. They can then follow your social networking, visit your blog and site, and potentially become customers.

Did I mention it’s free!? You can’t afford to advertise to everyone with paid advertising -and if you are YOU ARE WASTING YOUR MONEY! You should always target your exact customer with paid advertising. With social networking you allow your friends and family to spread the word about your business and since it’s free you can share your business with everyone.

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