You’ve started your stationery business, and like any small business owner, you’re overwhelmed with the day-to-day concerns of running a company. Under these circumstances, you may think social media is a waste of time or something you can do now and then when you remember to use it.
Think again. Even the stationery industry and creative world is affected by technology, and keeping silent online is no longer working. Yes, it can be confusing to muddle through the world of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, blogging, vlogging, Google-+ and more, but the pay off is that you can get world-wide exposure for practically free, and grow not only your consumer base, but your advocate base too.
Here are four easy ways to use social media for your personalized stationery business:
- Engage and Charm. The first rule of social media is engagement. You’re not on Twitter and Facebook to sell, sell, sell! Your role is to engage, engage, engage and become part of the community you live in. Start by making friendly comments on other people’s posts. Answer questions, especially if it fits with your business. Every now and then, post information or teasers featuring new products or cute personalized stationery from the collections that you offer for sale. However, it’s the conversation that matters most. Once your “followers” and “friends” realize there is a real person behind the business name, they are more apt to choose you when they need your product and, even better, recommend you to their followers and friends.
- Educate and Inspire. If you give people something they need or are interested in, they will keep coming back. That rings true for social media as well. If you notice someone online is having a birthday, offer them tips on how to host a party and send invitations. Create a short online video about how to choose the best stationery for different special occasions. Blog about “What your stationery says about you” (People love quizzes and profiles). If one of your products was inspired by a unique story, tell that story. Again, this isn’t so much about selling as it is positioning yourself online as an expert in a friendly and helpful way.
- Reward and Relate. You can also “reward” your followers by offering “Twitter-only” sales or “Facebook Fan discounts.” By offering these rewards, you help build your business’ reputation and give your followers the sense that they are “special.” Any kind of tutorial video or blog will engage your readers. Help them choose the right paper, the right look, the right designs. Ask people what they need help with and then create a special blog “just for them.” Use social media to connect to bridal and wedding blogs and offer to write guest posts about choosing the right invitations and programs. Go to mommy bloggers and write a guest post on “Fun ways to make stationery with your child.”
- Hook and Keep. Just as every business needs a website, some experts like Forbes.com and Inc.com say that every small business needs a blog as well. Blogs can be fun, as long as you are offering tips, content and stories that give something back to the reader. See the tips above! But, no matter how good and engaging your blog is, if no one can find you, no one can read it. Social media sites like Twitter and Facebook can be amazing tools to drive traffic to your sites. Many blog sites allow you to connect with these social media platforms to automatically post when you have a new blog written. If you notice someone talking about planning a party, send them a message inviting them to your website to “talk” about how you can help. Encourage your followers to comment on posts!
Again, using social media for your stationery business is more about connecting personally with your customers and consumers. It’s not a waste of time or fad… it’s a working solution!