Small Business Tip: Making friends

"Sailing" woven friendship bracelet by JDStar

In a world of competition and rivalries, it's good to have people that support you. Connecting with other small business owners isn't just a good way to meet people, it's a great way to network your business and share customers.Tonight, I'm sharing a simple tip: make friends with your craft community.

Sure, the tip seems easy. Being involved in local craft or Etsy groups (like this one!) is a great way to meet people in your area with similar interests. Non-crafty friends don't always understand the excitement of getting into a good craft show or designing new business cards.. but crafty friends do! But, there are some things to note.

DO

• Connect with crafty friends on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. It's a great way to easily message and get to know people, but like any relationship.. don't be creepy.
• Cross-promote businesses! Offer your friend's fans or blog readers a discount on their purchase with discount codes or have them host a giveaway for one of your items. It could open up a whole new customer base.
• Support your fellow artists. Just because you aren't vending at a craft fair or being featured at a gallery doesn't mean you shouldn't attend or promote it through social media. Show them you're a fan-- that's what friends are for.
• Share resources as you feel comfortable. There's a difference between being friendly and giving away trade secrets.
• Build relationships with brick and mortar shops. Become a Facebook fan, follow them on Twitter, shop there, tell your friends about them. If you're consigning with a shop, show them some love! They're not the only one responsible for promoting your items. You need to get the word out.

DON'T

• Don't force it. You won't always connect with everyone. Just like with dating, you don't build a relationship on one similarity alone. Be yourself and you'll find like-minded crafters.
• Don't let them see you sweat. Rivalries are out there. Ever seen Storage Wars? Although they sure are fun to watch on TV, it's not a cute look in the handmade community. Believe in your business and don't dwell on the haters.. even if they try and send you nasty remarks to bring you down. 

Those are the main points to keep in mind when connecting with other crafters. Be social and find some fun people! Check out the Discussions in the OkEtsy group-- the perfect way to chat with the rest of the OkEtsy team!

Casey Maute is a contributor to the OkEtsy blog and lives in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She has worked under the name Lollywood from 2008-2010 and recently opened a new Etsy shop called OSO handmade. She loves craft shows, eating from food trucks, finding cool local shops, and working with PR and social media.

Managing Facebook Posts

Like Framed Cross Stitch by bombastitch on Etsy

Like every part of your business, your social media efforts should have a plan.

If you want to gain the most out of your Facebook fan page, take it seriously. This is free advertising for your brand, supported on thelargest social media network used daily. It's been reported that American Internet users spend more time on Facebook than any other website. 

Start off by writing some goals. What are you hoping to gain from your presence? What kind of results are you looking for? What do you want your page to say about your brand? Keep these goals somewhere you can see them when you are planning your Facebook posts. Stay true to what you are hoping to convey and consistently work towards achieving those goals. 

A fan page for your business is the place to talk about your shop, show off new items you are working on, get advice from your fans, promote craft shows you will be part of, and give fans a sneak peek at your life.

Post when you update your shop. Don't post a link to every single new listing, but if you add several new items, let your fans know! 

Post about sales you are currently running, when the sale ends, and any stipulations or rules.

Ask your followers for their opinion if you are looking to create new items. What colors do they like best for clothing or jewelry, do they prefer a certain type of shirt or chain, what size prints do they buy the most? 

Remind fans where you will be vending at and give them information about the shows. Link to the show's Facebook page or website so potential customers can get directions, show times, etc. Have a show that you aren't vending at, but will be shopping at? Advertise it and support your fellow crafters!

Give your fans a peek at your life. Show them where you create, post a recent photo from your world that means something to you, or share an exciting piece of news. When buying from a handmade business, fans want to know that you're a real person, too. 

A fan page for your business is not the place to rejoice about the latest football win, post an album of your latest vacation photos, complain, or give a play by play of your day's plans. This is a little too personal for a business page and you don't want to start too much controversy with opposing views. Keep things light and entertaining.

Like I said in my previous Facebook post, don't over do it in one setting. This just clogs up everyone's news feed and can look bad on your business. If you have a lot of things you want to say, space them out. Keep a word document going of posts you'd like to make, and post them in a timely fashion. 1-2 posts a day is great, 3-5 can be pushing it, and anything over 5 posts in a day is just overshare.

Social networking is what you make of it. Do a little or do a lot, it's up to you. Feel free to make your own rules, and change things to fit your business. The resources are there for you! Until next time, keep connected! If you have any specific social media questions, feel free to post in the comments and check back for my answers.

Casey Maute is a contributor to the OkEtsy blog and lives in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She has worked under the name Lollywood from 2008-2010 and recently opened a new Etsy shop called OSO handmade. She loves craft shows, eating from food trucks, finding cool local shops, and working with PR and social media.

Get Connected

Facebook Icon Pillow by Craftsquatch on Etsy

How do you hear about new stores in your area? I'm always on the lookout for a hidden gem.. a funky little shop with cool printed t-shirts and unique accessories and gifts for my friends. Do I have time to walk into every shop in town to hope to find something neat? Not a chance. 

As soon as I hear about a new shop, I google them and check for a Facebook page. Sadly, most of the time, they don't have a social media presence. 

Are you on Facebook? Yes. Are your friends, family, and worst enemies on Facebook? You bet. Why shouldn't your business be there, as well?

When I find a shop on Facebook or Twitter, I love it. I can see pictures of their store, see what kind of merchandise they have, and interact with them... at any time of the day. I can find out about sales, when they have extended or limited hours, and when they get in new items I've been wanting.

Online businesses are no different. Your shoppers are already on Facebook, so connect with them! It's easy to get your own Facebook page for your business, plus it's free. Facebook can walk you through it here. 

I'd like to go in depth in future posts about ways to make your Facebook page the best it can be.. so until then.. here's a couple things to note:

• Don't over-post. If you have a number of things you'd like to tell your fans about, post them over time. Blogs let you schedule posts, but Facebook does not (that I know of.. yet.) Keep a word document of posts you'd like to make if you think you will forget, and post them sporadically. Also plan to post them at times your readers will read them. If you are an online-only business (not a brick and mortar shop), limit your posts to 2-3 daily.
• Communicate! Social media is all about interacting with your fans. Answer their questions, ask for their advice on new items, reply to their posts, and be friendly!
• Get personal. Your customers aren't just buying from a company.. they are buying from a person.. and they'd love to know more about you. Isn't your handmade business a huge part of your life anyway? Not every post needs to be about your new products.. but share little snippets of your world. I love seeing what others are doing.. and how other crafters spend their time.

Your page is what you make it. So until next time-- post pictures, share interesting content, and publish your Facebook URL when connecting with your customers and fans: through your business cards, e-mail signature, on your Etsy page, etc. It makes a difference! 

Casey Maute is a contributor to the OkEtsy blog and lives in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She has worked under the name Lollywood from 2008-2010 and recently opened a new Etsy shop called OSO handmade. She loves craft shows, eating from food trucks, finding cool local shops, and working with PR and social media.