How to use social networking sites to raise your jewellery making profile and increase sales

Part One.

Any business these days whether it be a huge commercial concern or a small hobby home run business, needs a web presence. If you haven’t already got a web site, then look out because information on that will be coming soon.

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Once you have a web site or even an eBay type of store, you will need to promote it. Customers need to find you. And as much as the media like to promote the idea that someone suddenly puts up a web site and then immediately a lot of people come to visit it that simply isn’t true. In fact, there is a whole internet business based around “web site optimization”, which is the art of making your web site attractive to various search engines like Google, so that they will index your web site and return your site as a result when someone types in a keyword associated with your site or product.

The whole business of optimization is very complicated and you could spend a vast amount of time and money on this, but for the small jewellery maker or business, it is hardly economically viable. And so whilst we will give out some information about web site optimization at another time, in the meantime you can make use of social networking sites to draw visitors to your web site or auction page.

The main aim of social networking sites is to connect people with similar interests and hobbies. Internet marketers have seen the huge benefit of being able to make contact with highly specific groups of people interested in niche markets, and have developed ways to reach these people to send them messages about products or services which are of direct interest or relevance to them.

The first rule is to be genuine and to offer information about yourself of your product that is of real value to people who would want to buy your jewellery. The second is to try and build up a real relationship with the people you converse with.

Facebook has been going though some interesting changes recently, mainly is would appear to countermand the growing interest in twitter. Ibeadmag is monitoring the changes and developing strategies to communicate effectively with potential customers. As we have more news on the situation we will bring it to you. But in the meantime, check out Facebook, twitter and other social networking sites, become familiar with the set up. See what people are chatting about

On twitter, use the search facility to “listen in” to people’s conversations. Look for those talking about “jewellery” or “jewelry” or fashion items, or people wanting to make over their wardrobe, or even people discussing new outfits for weddings or proms. Follow their conversations and make helpful suggestions and include a link to your own site where you have pictures of your jewellery. Remember the aim is to not to launch a blatant sales pitch for your products, but to usefully contribute to the conversation. For example if someone is having trouble co-ordinating an outfit for a special event, make some suggestions about colours or accessories (not necessarily your jewellery or designs) that you think would work well.

Remember, build relationships, don’t launch a sales pitch, and contribute useful information.
Here is a list of other sites that you may want to check out: And remember to look out for further updates on ibeadmag about social networking site and how they help you sell more jewellery and beadwork.
MySpace.com
CafeMom.com
DeviantArt
YouTube
Flickr
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