How to make Twitter work for you

[CustomBrickTiles]

A lot of us are on twitter, and it can be tricky to make twitter 'work' for your crafting business. So, I've put together some tips that have helped me (@freshstitches) on twitter:

* No one wants to follow someone who only tweets about a new listing in their shop. Sure, you want to use twitter to promote your listings, but you've gotta tweet interesting content, too. I try to keep 'sales' tweets to less than 10% of my total tweets.
* Twitter is your chance to let customers get to know YOU as an artist! Just like you take time to write thoughtful, first-person descriptions on Etsy that let your personality show through, you should do the same on twitter!
* Become an expert in your craft on twitter! Do you do sell photography? Post a link or a helpful hint about the best way to display photographs in the home! If you help your customers use your items, they'll come back to you!
* Ask questions! Customers love interacting with designers/artists... and questions are an easy way to engage your audience, and also help you learn more about who's interested in you! Remember, defining and learning more about your audience is key to selling!
* Aim to get a reply/retweet on 75-80% of your tweets. Yes, this takes work! You're going to have to be interesting, funny and engaging... but that's what twitter is about! The more replies/retweets you get, the more your audience will grow, leading to more customers & sales!

These are just a couple of things that I've figured out... what are your tips? Please share!

[HopSkipJumpPaper]

I read in an Etsy blog post that you're supposed to talk to your Twitter followers like you would your colleagues at an office. That means no screaming from your cubicle: BOGO sale on my widget today!

It's more of a friendly interaction, not a place to bombard people with your sales/listings/treasuries.

I don't use Twitter as much as I should. Staying active on it uses up a lot of time.

[PeonyandThistle]

Thanks for this post. I have been really stuck about what the point is of being on twitter from a business point of view....

[justByou]

Thanks for posting. I'm brand new to twitter, so this is helpful! =)

[CustomBrickTiles]

@hopskipjumppaper- Yes, it's true that using twitter is a time commitment... but there are ways to keep it from taking over your life (because, we have items to make!)

I use tweetdeck (hootsuite is another one), which allows you to schedule your posts. So, in the morning, you can reply schedule a picture (or clever tip or witty saying) to post a couple times later in the day. That's one timesaver.

Another timesaver for me is that Tweetdeck 'chirps' at me if someone replies (so I'm able to respond immediately). This means that I can remain interactive during the day, but I don't need to spend all day 'checking' twitter.

[Former_Member]

I have a blog and on it a DIY craft tab. I don't have a tutorial on how to make my products because then I think "why would they buy from me if they could make it themselves?" Is that silly? Would it be better to have it up there? And then I could tweet about it...?

Thanks for this post!!

[artworksbycarol]

I've learned not to get stuck on the computer, set limits, LIFE is too important!

[NeedlesnPinsStichery]

I like to use Twitter as I can talk to my followers with short sayings. I don't like how some of the one's I follow just blast all their listing and items for sale one after the other and then I have a whole list on my Twitter of their stuff. I tend to go right past those. I had a hard time getting going with it as I am a private person and I felt wierd talking about myself on Twitter, but I am getting better at it.

I agree with artworksbycarol.......I have to limit my time on the computer or I will never get anything made. :)

:)

[LittleGrayFox]

I always try to tweet more conversationally than spammy. I will link up my latest blog posts, but I also post behind the scenes pics and day-to-day things

I've removed most shops I followed that only posted links to their items for sale. I never click on them, so I don't need them clogging my feed!

[CustomBrickTiles]

@LittleGreyFox- Spamming is the worst!

Does anyone have an opinion about how unfollowing 'spammers' affects the suggestions about who to follow? I tend to keep following them just so I'll get suggestions for folks who do similar work (but aren't spammy). Ideas?

[Former_Member]

Jeez, thank you so much fresh, I needed the info. New to twitter, but now finding it fun and engaging.

[ElegantElementsOnlin]

Very useful information. Thanks for sharing it, very helpful for me.