Lots of Fans and Friends But Where Are The Jewelry Sales?
Social networking is hot for businesses – at least that’s what we’ve been told. So I’ve devoted my waking hours to promoting Rose of Sharon Jewelry via Facebook, Twitter and this lonely blog for months. We’ve been blessed with Rose of Sharon fans and personal Sharon Fullen friends and store traffic is growing rapidly. I’m loving connecting with everyone and sharing a love of handmade arts and crafts BUT
where are the sales?
I’m not a newbie marketer but social networking as a marketing tool is still pretty new. There are tons of “experts” telling us what to do and how sites like Twitter and Facebook can level the playing field for small businesses like Rose of Sharon Jewelry.
What I’d like to know is how well Social Networking is working for your business? How much time to do spend every day in keeping up with tweets and wall posts?
I’m spending so much time talking to everyone online that my studio time is really an afterthought. And that’s not why I launched Rose of Sharon Jewelry.
I’d love to hear from everyone about their real-world experiences and thoughts about their marketing via the Internet.
Thanks,
8 comments
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What a good question? One I think we have all struggled with. How much time do we devote to craft and how much to the necessary evil of marketing. Think I’ll blog a bit about it and link your article if that’s ok.
Lois
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Thanks for the comment. Most “experts” say up to 70% during the first 3 years of business which I’m easily exceeding but I can tell you my satisfaction rate drops when I’m plugged in for so many hours.
Lois from A Beaded Affair (above comment) shared her thoughts at Indie Public article – http://www.indiepublic.com/profiles/blogs/rose-of-sharon-asks-where-are?xg_source=activity and We Love Etsy at http://etsylove.ning.com/profiles/blogs/rose-of-sharon-asks-where-are
Permalink5
Sharon,
I think the key here is that your marketing efforts must be targeted to your customers. While you may have generated lots of fans/followers, are they of your customer base or of other crafters? Are you posting info for fellow crafters or for your customers to learn more about you?
Stay focused on identifying who your target market is, what your brand/jewelry is about, and go after those folks.
good luck,
peggy
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Peggy,
Those are the million dollar questions. I started by posting and sharing info about Rose of Sharon Jewelry and my family partners creating jewelry. After months, never had enough traffic to pay for the hosting! Expanded to talk to small business people and helping them in hopes of building a network where our products are shared. The resulting sales just don’t equal the time and effort spent to “get the word out”.
Frankly – I don’t who our target market is but just don’t know how to find them! Any other tips?
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Sharon,
not sure what you mean by hosting cost, as a service like WordPress is free, so there shouldn’t be a charge.
As for target market, you are doing the right thing by connecting with other crafters who have similar businesses — check out where they sell their items, and pehaps what kind of press they are getting. Approach similar blogs/press for reviews and coverage of your product. Tell a little bit about your story — who you are and why you create.
Target market — what do you think your work stands for? Who do you see wearing your work? How old are they? What kind of job do they have? Ask yourself these questions and that will start helping you hone in on your target market. For example, my work isn’t right for approaching Vogue for press, but it is for a working professional woman, so maybe a Glamour or Marie Claire would be more appropriate.
Are you more of a beader? Beading magazines and suppliers have publications and design contests that might be good for you to enter.
Don’t forget to market your online places whenever you do an in-person event — a show, whatever.
You mentioned my placement on Google — find out more about SEO (search engine optimization) and if you run your own website, do the little things to make your site better. Every little bit helps, you can do it slowly over time.
hope that helps! good luck!