How Do You Advertise

[MythOfTheWild]

Hi all! Been a long time since I've pottered about around here, but I'm looking for advice.
My biggest weakness without a shadow of a doubt is advertising. I have absolutely no idea how to get myself seen. My pictures are good, products are unique enough, and I'm confident in my titles, tags and descriptions. The trouble is that I have no idea how to put my products out there in front of people without relying on searches alone.

The same goes with my novel - I'm an indie fantasy author, one book published, another on the way early next year I'm and half way through writing a third. But I don't know how to advertise those, either.

If anyone has any advice, I'd hugely appreciate it. I learned years ago that giveaways do little good because people are just looking for freebies and though I tried a good many times, only a few resulted in any views to have been worthwhile and next to none of them provided any sales.

I use Twitter and facebook, as well as Facebook ads, but I admit that I have no idea how to use any of them effectively.

Any help - do's or don't's - would be immensely appreciated!

[ObjectApparel]

I have never used any ADs to sell products, but I can share a few ways that we try to build our customer base, and get seen. We sell at makers fairs and markets, which help to get new eyes on our products. We give stickers with our website on it, so people will know how to purchase after the show. We also have a sign up list so people can join our newsletter. We don't send out but one or two emails a year.. but they have been successful in generating sales.
We too have found that blogs, and giveaways do not really lead to sales. I get a lot of bloggers and photographers that want to collaborate with us. So now when I work with people I will give them items in exchange for pictures of them wearing the item (usually 10 pictures per item) It gives us new and interesting pictures, saves me time, and they post about us on their social media as well, or write a blog if they're a blogger.. which can lead to some views, and followers (but in this case its really the pictures I am after so anything else is a bonus).
I have heard some people having success with Pinterest Ad's but I haven't tried it myself.
I think your shop is so cute!! It seems to me you're doing well, with a large amount of sales, and great feedback from customers. Best Wishes!

[RomaMiaTradingCo]

I'm becoming a bit jaded when it comes to advertising on social media. It never really worked for me, even with buying ads. Twitter was the best to bring people into my shop, but. . . I think I only got one sale from it.

My advice is being your own walking billboard for your stuff. If you don't already, order business cards, start carrying them around with you, and wear your jewelry. Your stuff is super cute and unique, so I'm sure people will stop you and ask you where you got your stuff from.

[RomaMiaTradingCo]

Another way of advertising that Im currently working on was basically born out of me being lazy and trying to get rid of some products. My friend's youth group is having a spaghetti dinner fundraiser. I'm throwing together 3 baskets for the raffles. One is going to have all baby stuff I knitted that I don't feel like listing and I'm throwing in a business card. Another one is a knitting basket, another business card, and the third is a tea/coffee basket with a cup cozy I made, and another business card in there. That's one way to get exposure for your items.

It might not work for everyone, but it's worth looking into if the opportunity arises.