Marketing Time Management? Twitter, Blogs, Facebook OH MY!

[correenscdesigns]

I just started participating with some teams and have learned so much so far. I am forever trying to learn new things to grow and market my business. But the marketing along is overwhelming.

I comb through my Etsy store and main website for improvements every few days when I can but my Facebook page is neglected because I run out of time in the day. Adding Twitter and Blogging to the mix I just can't imagine how to do it. I get up at 4am as it is to sew before my kids get up as it is.

Just wondered how everyone fits it all in???

[TheJewelryBlock]

i tend to do my networking stuff on a rotating basis, or i combine them by linking a facebook post to my blog. i'm going to start twitter sometime in the next week, so i can't give much advise about that, but in the end you need to find what works best for your audience. i try to post on my blog once every week or two, since that's a longer and more involved activity, but i'm usually posting on facebook once a day-ish. i usually do post a link of my blog entry on my facebook page so the two are linked, and i know it's possible to link your facebook and twitter so what posts on one automatically posts on the other. i don't think i'm going to do that, since the two sites tend to attract different types of individuals who want different levels of communication, but if you're having trouble doing both it could be a time saver for you.

where i have trouble is taking the time to set up my light box and photograph new items i make. i love the creative process, but photography isn't my strong suit. after taking photos, there's editing, and then adding to my site... playing with beads and chain is so much more fun!

[Former_Member]

It is hard because for me I get sucked in! If I start thanking treasuries or doing Facebook, I start looking and browsing and playing.... before I know it no actual work has been done... ugghhh!!

[Former_Member]

Well, I get sucked in also, and I love the creative process, not very good with photography and can't afford a professional...lol, not very good at blogging, or selling myself...I guess too many years being taught it is not nice to brag on yourself, etc..:)but I keep working on it....I love Facebook....hope ya'll have an awesome day...God bless

[Former_Member]

I'm in the same boat. Just spent the last two days virtually glued to the computer, trying to keep up with etsy teams, treasuries, listings, twitters, facebook pages (personal and fan), stumbleupon, flickr and my blog. Holy cow, it's crazy and I'm starting to feel burnt out. But I'm trying hard to be seen and figure I need to work hard at it in order for it to do me any good. I'm hoping once my shop is more well known I can cut back on some things. It's just crazy! I wish I knew a time management secret...

[BackAtTheOffice]

I think we all feel that way. When I was still working at a day job I was in retail mgmnt. In order to succeed at that you had to be organized. That was probably the most important thing. Taking an hour or so the evening before to organize your chores for the next day was always the best use you could make of your time. I still approach my work now the same way, I am in several teams and I know what committments I have to those teams, so the night before I prepare what I'm going to do, for my teams, like who I will be promoting for and what I'll be promoting and I line up everything I'm going to do for myself. When I keep things organized this way I can get everything done and I don't rely on my memory but can keep referring to my computer notes or usually have things printed out. I hope this helps someone out there,

[Former_Member]

Marilyn that is a really good idea. It might help someone like me not to get to distracted. It's easy to say you will promote someone or yourself, and then see a interesting tweet, blog, status update etc and run off to that instead. If I had a set to do list, It should keep me on track. I hope. :) Thank you for that advice.

[Former_Member]

marilyn - definitely agree that time management is key - still trying to figure out how/when to schedule things
currently work in retail and find that some of the merchandising tactics work with selling online and some don't!

[Former_Member]

I don't know how people who are on every social network manage it - maybe we are missing out? We just have a blog (which we use the most) and also facebook (but this is somewhat neglected - except to post that we have just blogged and our new items.

Twitter, I haven't joined but it seems to move too fast for me - am I missing out?

I find that the best is always to put energy (and money) into listing new items.

All the best

http://sisterbatik.blogspot.com/

[Former_Member]

I do the twitter, blogging, FB regualr page and the fan page. My biggest friend is linking or copy and paste when it comes to showing new items. However remember to personalise each one a bit so if you have someone following you on more than one site they get something some what new each time.

[additionsstyle]

You don't have to do everything. Find a few social media sites that you enjoy being a part of and spend your valuable time on those sites.

When I started I tried everything and it got to be overwhelming real fast, and very discouraging as well as ineffective.

Now I have a blog, facebook, twitter, and Etsy teams and I spend my time doing just what I need to keep my marketing effective.

Like Marylin said, time management is also key. It is easy to get sucked in, so limit your time on each site. 5 - 10 minutes is enough time for facebook and twitter, and the more you stick to a schedule the easier it will become.

Good luck,
Valerie
http://additionsstyle.blogspot.com