Hey, fellow crafter! I’m absolutely thrilled to share with you the transformative journey of how harnessing the power of social media took our handmade wreath business to new heights. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your business, social media truly can be a game-changer. Here’s a detailed look at how we did it, and how you can, too!
1. Share Your Passion with the World
In the beginning, our wreath business was just a small venture fueled by our growing passion for creating beautiful, handmade items. I remember those early days vividly, staying up late perfecting each wreath, driven purely by the joy of crafting. But let’s be honest, passion alone doesn’t put you on the map. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest became our gateways to the world. By posting high-quality photos of our creations, we were able to attract wreath and home decor lovers who appreciated the love and effort we put into our work. Each “like” and “follow” was a small but meaningful affirmation of our hard work and creativity.
2. Engage with Your Audience
Engagement is key, and we quickly realized how important it was to build relationships with our audience. Every comment, like, and share was an opportunity to connect and grow. We made it a point to do our very best to respond to each message and comment, fostering a community of loyal followers who felt connected to us and our brand. Over time, our followers became like friends, and this genuine connection translated into business success. We also started sharing behind-the-scenes moments and personal stories, giving our audience a glimpse into our creative process and everyday life, making them feel even more connected to us.
3. Utilize Hashtags for Visibility
If you want to be discovered on social media, specifically platforms like Instagram, hashtags are your best friends. We diligently researched popular and relevant hashtags in the crafting community, like #DIYCrafts, #HandmadeWithLove, and #CraftingJoy. Incorporating these into our Instagram posts significantly increased our visibility, helping us reach a broader audience and attract more followers. We even created our own branded hashtags, #gmh and #designtribe, which encouraged our customers, students, and followers, to share their experiences with us under a unified tag. This not only boosted our reach but also created a sense of community among our followers.
4. Run Contests and Giveaways
Who doesn’t love a good contest or giveaway? To reward our followers and create excitement, we regularly ran contests and giveaways. These initiatives didn’t just boost our engagement; they also introduced our brand to new audiences. For instance, we would ask followers to share our posts and tag their friends for a chance to win one of our exclusive handmade items. The response was overwhelming, driving significant traffic to our page and growing our follower base. This strategy also built our email list, allowing us to communicate directly with our audience beyond social media.
5. Collaborate with Influencers and Other Crafters
Collaboration has been instrumental in our growth. By teaming up with brands, influencers and fellow crafters who have similar audiences, we were able to reach more people and build credibility within the crafting community. Whether it was a joint project or a simple shout-out, these collaborations helped us tap into new markets and enhance our brand visibility. We formed genuine partnerships, often exchanging ideas and learning from each other’s experiences. The support and camaraderie from these collaborations have been truly inspiring and beneficial for our business.
6. Post Regularly and Consistently
Consistency is vital when it comes to maintaining and growing your social media presence. We created a posting schedule and stuck to it, ensuring our followers always had fresh content to look forward to. Regular posts kept our audience engaged and eager for more. It’s a lot of work, but planning ahead and maintaining a content calendar really pays off in the long run. We also used scheduling tools to avoid last-minute stress and to ensure our posts went live at the optimal times for maximum engagement.
7. Utilize Stories and Live Videos
Instagram Stories and Facebook live videos brought a new dimension to our social media strategy, and really made a huge impact on growing our handmade business. We used Stories to share behind-the-scenes looks at our wreath making, design, and crafting process, adding a personal touch that our followers loved. Live videos allowed us to interact with our audience in real-time, answering questions and sharing experiences. We started our weekly, Flower Friday Show, airing at 4 pm CST every Friday on Facebook, several years ago, and it has been hugely beneficial in growing and interacting with our followers. These features helped us create a more interactive and engaging experience for our followers. It was incredible to see the immediate reactions and feedback, making our online presence feel more like a vibrant community than just a business.
8. Share Customer Photos and Reviews
One game-changing strategy was encouraging our customers to share their experiences with our products and services. We asked for their permission to share, and we would then repost their photos and reviews on our profile. This not only provided social proof but also made our customers feel valued and appreciated. Seeing others enjoy and use our creations worked wonders for our brand’s credibility and trustworthiness. Every time we reposted a customer’s photo or review, it felt like a celebration of our community’s shared love for beautiful, handmade wreaths.
9. Leverage Analytics to Understand What Works
Keeping an eye on social media analytics has always been crucial for understanding what type of content resonated most with our audience. By analyzing likes, comments, shares, and views, we were able to tailor our content strategy to better meet our followers’ preferences and interests. This data-driven approach enabled us to refine our tactics and continuously improve our engagement rates. It was fascinating to learn what our audience loved most, and it guided us in creating even more compelling content.
10. Share Tutorials and Tips
Providing value is key to attracting and retaining followers. We regularly shared tutorials and crafting tips, which were highly appreciated and widely shared. These posts not only drove a lot of engagement but also positioned us as experts in our field. They brought more visitors to our blog and website, and helped build a loyal following of craft enthusiasts eager to learn from us. The joy of teaching others and seeing them succeed with our tips added another layer of fulfillment to our business.
11. Network in Crafting Groups and Communities
Joining online crafting groups and communities allowed us to network, share our work, and learn from others. These groups provided support, inspiration, and opportunities to showcase our creations to like-minded individuals. The sense of community and shared passion in these groups was incredibly motivating and invaluable for our growth. We made lasting friendships and found mentors who guided us through the complexities of running a craft business.
12. Promote Your Products without Being Pushy
Balancing product promotion with engaging and entertaining content is essential. We were mindful not to overwhelm our audience with constant sales pitches. Instead, we mixed promotional posts with other types of content, such as behind-the-scenes looks, personal stories, and engaging questions. This approach kept our followers interested and engaged without feeling like they were constantly being sold to. It was all about creating a holistic, enjoyable experience for our followers, making our brand resonate more deeply with them.
Social media has been a game-changer for our wreath business. It’s not just about making sales—it’s about building a community, sharing our passion, and inspiring others through our creations. If you’re looking to grow your own business, I encourage you to embrace social media with open arms and an open heart. Your dream audience is out there, just waiting to connect with your unique story and beautiful products.
We invite you to join Design With The Pros Club for more insights, exclusive tutorials, and a supportive community dedicated to elevating your craft business. Together, we can turn passions into successes!
