I have a Facebook page for my craft business. It can be found under my business name, By the Bay Botanicals. I must say it is really fun to have a Facebook page to promote my business, as well as our website, with updating info and most of the time response is immediate. I also like seeing photos of customers/fans as it gives me the ability to write specifically to them and build even more solid customer relationships. In a day and age where customer service is more important than ever - something big box places just can't compete with small business as the little guys will remember your name, your likes and dislikes, as well as genuinely want to know more about their customers. I am wondering if anyone else uses Facebook as a networking/advertising tool and if they have any info they would like to share regarding gaining fans, discussion topics that keeps people wanting to come back, or things people should avoid when doing a facebook page.
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Thanks for that link, Barry! Very smart. Everyone should be linking to this site as well as the ArtFairCalendar.com site -- good for everyone's SEO. Don't think google searches FB. I'll also link back to your site if you link to AFC.com.
Barry Bernstein said:
I just recently created one. I didn't think I would have much to say or much to enter. As it turns out, I use it to announce what shows I'm doing and exhibits I've gotten into, with a link to that show. I use it to quickly post new work I have just finished. I created a link to Art Fair Insiders. I have connected with old friends I haven't seen in a long while and they can quickly see what I am about these days. It's great fun and could turn out to be an excellent marketing tool.
I was dragged, kicking and screaming to FB by my development associates while trying to build our brand. For a while my kids wouldn't let me be friends with them... I have both personal and business FB pages, but I spend very little time on the business page as I have many other outlets. I have, however, sold enough pieces from my FB page to have made the little time invested worthwhile. It's a simple, fast way to put up a gallery. I use it to announce shows, calls to artists, announce new work and other business-related topics.
FB has been very effective at spreading the word and for inviting people to events. Rockford just completed our artspace.org survey (for an artists' housing development) and was able, in large part though FB, to generate huge interest and the requisite number of responses. It seems to be better for some things than others, but I think if you maintain a very busy show schedule, or have specific agendas, it can be a great help.
Michelle Sholund said:
I was thinking about the topic of still using Emailing lists or not if you do Facebook. I think it is important to still stay in touch with those on your email and regular mailing list. It is important to recognize not all people use Facebook (although membership is still growing by leaps and bounds) and not all people use email and appreciate a colorful postcard. But you might want to do a mailing/Emailing to let people know you have a Facebook page and that from time to time those who become fans of your page they will get special coupons and immediate notice upon new shows you will be participating in plus a chance to ask questions and take part in discussion regarding new work. People love to give you feed back on things and it gives them a chance to be involved in the creative process. All it takes is 1-2 really big fans to share your FB page with their friends giving you excellent free word of mouth advertising!
Linda, I too like your posts - I really read what is going on with my art/craft friends on facebook and do participate when I can with various posts. The hard part for me is doing regular posts as well as doing more with networking - getting involved with other similar facebook sites.
I was thinking about the topic of still using Emailing lists or not if you do Facebook. I think it is important to still stay in touch with those on your email and regular mailing list. It is important to recognize not all people use Facebook (although membership is still growing by leaps and bounds) and not all people use email and appreciate a colorful postcard. But you might want to do a mailing/Emailing to let people know you have a Facebook page and that from time to time those who become fans of your page they will get special coupons and immediate notice upon new shows you will be participating in plus a chance to ask questions and take part in discussion regarding new work. People love to give you feed back on things and it gives them a chance to be involved in the creative process. All it takes is 1-2 really big fans to share your FB page with their friends giving you excellent free word of mouth advertising!
Linda, I too like your posts - I really read what is going on with my art/craft friends on facebook and do participate when I can with various posts. The hard part for me is doing regular posts as well as doing more with networking - getting involved with other similar facebook sites.
Great subject again Michelle. I check your fb page out quite a bit. Love the messages we send to each other. I got involved in fb a couple of months ago - actually avoided it for a long time but my marketing friends kept pushing.... so, I added a personal page and a business page along to my business website, community website and numerous blogs to increase internet exposure.
I may be atypical but I was amazed how fb increased my website hits and overall sales. It also increased my shop sales as some of my "townies" are on facebook as well. I used to have "paid advertising" through my website that cost an average of $50 per month.
Well, since establishing a face book page, I have 5x the website hits and 3x the sales. All this during difficult economic times. Needless to say I canceled the "paid advertising". In just less than 2 months, I have 247 fans and growing for the business page. My medium is "Great Lakes Nautical & Nature" and thanks to face book, I have hooked up with all tall ship and lighthouse organizations and people all across the globe (Google Translator sure comes in handy).
I find it also helpful in distributing notices about the events I am participating in.
Love it! Glad I spent the couple of days putting it together. Wish I would have done it sooner!
It is very important, however, to work at it on a daily basis. Adding interesting threads, loading new work, thinking about fresh marketing approaches etc. I have it running on my computer 24/7.
Michelle, getting a business facebook page has been on my to do list for some time. Now I'm wondering, if you have a business facebook page, do you still regularly send out emails to your customers as well?
I view the facebook fanpage like a business card. I don’t feel it will make or break my business, but I feel I am expected to have it in social media world. It is also makes it real convenient for your customers to tell their friends about you. Also, becoming a fan is much easier than signing up for a newsletter…just one click. I have also enjoyed interacting more with my customers and seeing their pages and websites.
For me it is slow going to get people interested in the business site, but people do find you. From what I have learned on my own, through other business owners, and friends is that the first part about getting noticed on facebook is connecting your "personal" friends and sharing the site with them. Then follow up by saying if "please share my site by posting a link via your facebook page". Some of my personal friends are huge fans of my work and do this regularly, thus opening up the door to others finding the business FB page. In addition I comment on other forums, with viable interesting feedback and casually mention my site too. I have gotten 2-3 fans this way through various posts on other FB pages. Linking up with local city FB pages becoming a fan and sorts is another way to promote your FB page as well. - Michelle
The business facebook pages do not work as well as I would like them to. I have not seen a way to invite people to be fans of it that are not already your facebook friends. I do not want my customers on my regular account. I have had a few find me there and invite me, but I wish that I had not allowed a couple of them and will probably take them off. I try to mostly have it be true friends that want to hear the little details as they share them with me as well. That is the point of status updates. Bigger news is usually shared in notes or by tagging someone specific.
I use facebook a lot and find it easy to update fans that way. I will be adding a link to it on my regular website to get people to join up.
Replies
Barry Bernstein said:
My FB page: http://www.facebook.com/AscenderRisesAbove
My FB Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/AscenderRisesAbove-Jacquelyn-Berl/117...
My Blog: http://ascenderrisesabove.com/
FB has been very effective at spreading the word and for inviting people to events. Rockford just completed our artspace.org survey (for an artists' housing development) and was able, in large part though FB, to generate huge interest and the requisite number of responses. It seems to be better for some things than others, but I think if you maintain a very busy show schedule, or have specific agendas, it can be a great help.
Michelle Sholund said:
Linda, I too like your posts - I really read what is going on with my art/craft friends on facebook and do participate when I can with various posts. The hard part for me is doing regular posts as well as doing more with networking - getting involved with other similar facebook sites.
Michelle
www.bythebaybotanicals.com
www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com
I may be atypical but I was amazed how fb increased my website hits and overall sales. It also increased my shop sales as some of my "townies" are on facebook as well. I used to have "paid advertising" through my website that cost an average of $50 per month.
Well, since establishing a face book page, I have 5x the website hits and 3x the sales. All this during difficult economic times. Needless to say I canceled the "paid advertising". In just less than 2 months, I have 247 fans and growing for the business page. My medium is "Great Lakes Nautical & Nature" and thanks to face book, I have hooked up with all tall ship and lighthouse organizations and people all across the globe (Google Translator sure comes in handy).
I find it also helpful in distributing notices about the events I am participating in.
Love it! Glad I spent the couple of days putting it together. Wish I would have done it sooner!
It is very important, however, to work at it on a daily basis. Adding interesting threads, loading new work, thinking about fresh marketing approaches etc. I have it running on my computer 24/7.
My business page
My personal page
Thanks,
Lisa Crisman
www.LeftEarArt.com
Cheers,
Mark
Frame Destination, Inc.
Its perfect to invite people to gallery opening or let them know about art shows.
Its actually brought in a little business too!
For me it is slow going to get people interested in the business site, but people do find you. From what I have learned on my own, through other business owners, and friends is that the first part about getting noticed on facebook is connecting your "personal" friends and sharing the site with them. Then follow up by saying if "please share my site by posting a link via your facebook page". Some of my personal friends are huge fans of my work and do this regularly, thus opening up the door to others finding the business FB page. In addition I comment on other forums, with viable interesting feedback and casually mention my site too. I have gotten 2-3 fans this way through various posts on other FB pages. Linking up with local city FB pages becoming a fan and sorts is another way to promote your FB page as well. - Michelle
I use facebook a lot and find it easy to update fans that way. I will be adding a link to it on my regular website to get people to join up.
Amy Schulz
custom engraved art & gifts
www.happymagpie.com/etching
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