by Regina Anderson of Impression Art. Follow her @impressionart.
Twitter is such a great place to track what’s going on with friends, communities, and commerce.
Why not use it to find new markets for your business?
I knew I would be in Denver for a month, so I decided to follow some Denver media Twitters before I left home. Not only did I get the heads up on what was happening around town, I heard about stores, galleries, restaurants, and all kinds of interesting places and events. My business sense went wild.
I am a handcrafting artist, so I made a list of ‘artsy’ cities, located their media names in Twitter, and began following them one at a time. Almost all of them followed me back. As I read through the tweets, I found business names, mostly shops and boutiques, mentioned in each city, so I started following them.
Since my tweets describe the project I’m working on at that moment, I was able to generate interest and credibility as an artist. This is in addition to the artists I follow on twitter who regularly provide me with creative ideas, venue possibilities, and trade show information. I’ve even been interviewed and showcased on two different sites as a direct result of my Twitter connections. As all these relationships developed, I started adding more city twitters to follow.
So far I have targeted six cities and identified at least two shops in each city as potential new venues for my handcrafted art. This Twitter technique has proved to be a very valuable marketing tool. I have products in two shops right now and I am discussing consignment placements with a few others.
I am really at the tip of the iceberg. The potential for business connections is unlimited. I have one twitter account for creative arts and another for blogging and internet income. I am working on some freelance writing, so I will probably start another twitter account for that soon. Twitter has the ability to reach out in a unique way and so do you when using twitter as a business marketing tool. Twitter is not my only form of marketing, but it is a very important part of my business plan. Try it and see the results for yourself.
@Tweetplate
Having sold on Etsy before, I keep an eye out for Etsy sellers on Twitter. I think it’s a terrific way to bring traffic to your Etsy page, via direct links or referrals. I am wondering how you plan to keep up w/all the Twitter accounts, however – I have two, and I find I’m at my max! One has greater breadth, less depth, while the other is opposite, and more personal. How do you manage? Tips please!
@pfeifferphotos
Good idea about following the locals when you were in another city (Denver). I’m going to check out your post about finding local tweeters, too. I am connected to plenty of Etsy folks on twitter but would like to branch out and expose my work to non-artists and other communities. Something about promoting art to artists just doesn’t bring the sales that I’d like to see. It would be great if you wrote a post on how to maximize twitter use for business–please consider it!
Thanks,
Tina
@AdamSinger
I have found lukewarm results sharing my art in Twitter. A few people have linked it, but blogs have proven far more valuable (I write music and share it digitally, free). With that said it has potential. If I tried to come up with an idea to get interest I’m sure I could, but it hasn’t happened organically (while organically people share my blog posts in Twitter).
@TheSecretDiary
@TweetPlate
“How To (Easily) Manage / Keep Up With Two / Multiple (Personal / Business) Twitter Accounts.”
Two ways…. (1.) from your mobile phone (iPhone), and (2.) from your computer
(1.) Tweetie … Tweetie (by Atebits) is client for iPhone.
(1.) HootSuite
@Silversmyth
I’m also looking for shops in different cities to resell my jewelry. I’m wondering what search words you used to find boutiques and shops? Feel free to reply through Twitter, email or contact me through my website by clicking on my name. Thanks!
@knitfemme
I am someone who is trying to reach out to the creative market to help them improve their image on the web. As a fiber artist myself I have my own personal aesthetic and when I see someone who has great stuff but just doesn’t present it well, I often give them a “tap on the shoulder” to see if they’d like some advice. I do this during my time on twitter, when I’m answering small biz questions in general.
I see many Etsy folks posting their new stuff to twitter with links, I don’t see enough of those people actually “engaging” with potential customers online. There’s advertising with links and there are their buddies. I think that there’s this middle place where you can share more about your process that will draw folks into following you on Twitter. Those are the folks who benefit from that Social Media tool.
@lousagar
Hi There..I think this is a terrific post…The social web is inspiring a renaissance for artists across the world to connect directly with their patrons..and those who love the handmade.
Etsy as a marketplace has helped foster this first generation of sellers. One tip I recommend for all artisans when using Twitter to reach new customers….is to really emphasize storytelling about you, your lifestyle, and the passion you bring to your work….This is what the next-economy is all about…Handmade is at the center…Celebrate it…
@hectorhenry17
Have a nice pots, than you for it.
@renkai
Great advice… I’ve been using twitter for fun, self promotion and marketing. The best thing is just learning so many great artists out there, connecting, sharing ideas, and showing off our artwork!