There’s a question I hear from crafty-business owners pretty consistently:
Do I need to tweet/facebook/blog to be successful? So-and-so does it, so I think I should, too…
Here are my tips for deciding whether a social networking site is right for you, and then how to go about it if you decide to.
Is it right for you?
You shouldn’t feel obligated to tweet/facebook/blog/whatever just because some other ‘famous’ designer is doing it, and you think it’ll make you famous, too. Because if you’re doing it just because you have to- it’s going to come across loud and clear- and probably won’t help your business at all!
In deciding if you should join a new social networking site, think about:
- What are your goals for your business? Do you primarily sell your items online, and are looking for new customers? Then joining Twitter or Facebook might be great for you! Is your primary business currently gained through in-person contacts in stores, and you’re looking to strengthen those connections? Facebook might not help you so much. Think about your goals, and how a new way of networking would help.
- Does the medium fit with your personality? Are you a funny person with witty comments bouncing out of your mouth? Twitter’s probably just your style! Are you a fabulous teacher with a knack for explaining concepts? A blog would be a great way for you to convey your ideas. Keep in mind that a new networking site is a time commitment, so you want it to be a way that you’ll enjoy interacting!
- Do you have the time? If your to-do list is overflowing, think long and hard before you add another item like a new blog. Everyone agrees- the saddest thing is reading a blog that (monthly) posts, ‘sorry, I’ve been so busy! I promise to write more next week!’ A good strategy is to think about your past week- would you have had the time to facebook/tweet/blog? Could you have made the time, or would it have made you crazy?
- What’s your work style? Keep in mind that different sites place different demands on your time. If you have a blog, you’ll need to spend 30 minutes at your computer, writing and adding photos. If you tweet, you can use your smartphone for a few seconds a couple times a day.
Tips on getting started
So, you’ve decided to branch out? Getting started can be scary, so here are a few tips:
- Don’t be afraid to just watch. I was completely overwhelmed by twitter when I first joined… thousands of people talking all day long! It’s perfectly fine to start by taking it slow- follow a handful of people and then chime in when you’re feeling comfortable.
- Let others know! Do you already have a Facebook group? Tell your fans that you’re now on Twitter! Maybe not everyone will care, but some of your fans will come over and find you- and give you a nice start in the Twitterverse!
- Make use of the advice columns, cautiously. There are a lot of great blogs/articles on using Twitter/Facebook/blogs effectively. You’ll want to browse them, but don’t feel like you need to implement every tip at once. If you obsess about your SEO (search engine optimization), analytics and setting new goals all at once- you’ll probably feel overwhelmed. Take some advice, but only a little at a time!
There you have it… some tips for getting started! So, let me know: have you recently branched out into a new social networking site? Any tips? How’s it been for business?
Thanks for posting this! Gives me some food for thought. I’ve avoided Twitter like the plague thus far, but I have a friend who just raves about it… and I’m starting to think about whether it would be helpful to my design business.