Is Social Networking a Devil's Craft?

[Former_Member]

Sit me in front of a sewing machine or stick a glue gun in my hand...no problem, I'll whip up something crafty. Ask me to Social Network...big problem. Forget about the little snippets one must put out on a regular basis just to get noticed...That's a day job in itself...It's a long climb to the top and I can't even get on the first step...Organizing! Let's see I've Etsy, Facebook, Twitter, Indiepublic, my blog, friends blogs, Artfire, Craft Cult, et cetera, et cetera...I can only assume anyone who has gotten a handle on Social Networking is one very crafty individual. Essentially, I'm a really short person in a huge crowd of tall people jumping up and down like an insane Chihuahua barking my head off. I get heard while I'm in the air but the second my feet hit the ground...I'm gone. Buried under a pile of blogs, tweets and status reports. Case and point, yesterday I was at the top of the Indiepublic blog leaderboard...today...gone. So, those of you who are successful Social Net-workers...is it a magic craft? Do you not have day jobs? Or is it a deal with the devil...and if so, does He have a Facebook I could 'like' or a blog I can join?

Happy Halloween, Susan (the same Susan who is the Captain of this team) ;)

[ShadyGrovePottery]

Love it! ...and I'm not just saying that to get heard.

[Former_Member]

Hi Susan,
As an older person who grew up familiar with computers as huge wall pieces in sci fi movies, I feel your pain.

I've managed to use social media effectively. I think what works is to have a long range plan. here is my blog
http://thebeautyyoulove.blogspot.com/

I wrote in it for 2 years without generating many sales from it. Then other big blogs, like Handmadeology and Apartment Therapy, found me through my blog, and those contacts paid off handsomely.

I've also gotten tons of heartfelt thanks, and even unsolicited gifts, from people who found something useful on my blog. It lifts my spirits to know that i've sparked a creative fire or 2; you just can't put a price tag on that.

Here's my Facebook fanpage
http://www.facebook.com/LeeWolfePottery

It is less than a month old, and has already generated over $200 in sales. I use it as a way to interact with avid buyers and collectors of my work, some other artisan friends, and increasingly, people I've never heard of before who just happen to like the photos and conversation.

Facebook is also highly useful as a way to gauge the market potential of new designs. When i've posted new pieces and asked who likes the glazes, or what other colors might be desirable, i've been able to get lots of valuable feedback. I love how instant it is. It's like being able to invite other potters and buyers into my studio any time I want to give me suggestions and encouragement.

So, while my readership and Fandom is relatively small, it is rewarding me very well for the time I put into it. I'm quite happy with these results.

[barbaradonovan]

Thanks for that great response Lee. I'm older too, and while not a luddite, have trouble caring about social media. That said, I feel like I need to keep up at least somewhat and I have a blog and recently added a facebook page. I'm curious -- a recent Etsy blog post on the subject suggested mentioning your facebook page, etc. in your "message to buyer" after a sale. Do you do that? Didn't know if it would feel pushy, but I suppose it's all in how you word things.