Tuesday, September 6, 2011

The Power Of Twitter For Your Online Shop

Twitter is a powerful tool. Those who learn to use it can really bring more traffic into their shop. The problem with Twitter is that most people who use it for business are not using it right. If you constantly post links to your shop or your items people will start to ignore you. They may even report you for spam and Twitter could delete your account.

Twitter is a micro blogging platform that allows you to write 140 characters about what you are doing right now. 140 characters isn't a lot but it is enough to engage your customer base, tell them about a new product and carry on a conversation. Used correctly it can drive a lot of traffic to your shop and help you to convert people into customers.

There is no "fine line" when it comes to Twitter spam. Either you are spamming or you aren't. Twitter should be used as another way to show your customers and potential customers that you are in fact a human artist or someone who seeks out vintage items and puts items out there for people to buy. The key here is the word "human." People would rather hear about your thrift store finds or the process you go through to create an item.

If you don't already have a Twitter account, let me know and I will create a tutorial on how to set up your account, otherwise I am going to assume you already have an account. I am also going to assume that you have your shop URL listed under your website section and/or in your profile. If not, make sure you do that. That way people can get to your shop without you spamming your links.

So, what do you talk about? Talk about the new items you just got at the thrift store or yard sale. Talk about how you choose the color of fall line of crocheted baby hats. Talk about the fluctuating prices of sterling silver. And every 15th or so Tweet you can put a link to your newest item.

Tomorrow I will be discussing some great Twitter strategies, some fun Twitter tools, the Dos and Don'ts of the Twitter world and a few other things. In the meantime you may want to check out my article on Time Management because you can get lost in Twitter and end up tweeting all day instead of working! Be sure to check out the other archived articles as well. I hop you all had a safe and fun Holiday weekend.

9 comments:

  1. It sometimes feels like such a fine line...sigh...I try to also build relationships with certain people on Twitter. I've had several really nice conversations via Twitter, and developing those relationships has really helped my shop and blog too. I see a lot of people making the mistake of not engaging others in conversation. I've made several sales thanks to those conversations, and from those people referring others to my shop.

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  2. I spend a lot of time trying to engage others in conversations, retweet their posts, compliment certain items others tweet, etc. I can't seem to engage anyone. In the mean time I see tweets about what people ate for lunch or what the weather is doing. Sigh. I just don't get it.

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  3. I still haven't started on twitter, but have been contemplating it for a while now, and would love any pointers on how to use it correctly. Hashtags, all the lingo involved. Thanx!

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  4. Oh twitter. I have one but really don't see how it can be used to make sales. I look forward to reading what you have to say!

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  5. You have some wonderful tips. Thanks for the advice!

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  6. I haven't got a Twitter account yet but have been thinking about it and definitely need to check out your time management post..lol
    Thanks

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  7. I really should do this. I started a personal account, but haven't looked at it in a while.

    www.AllThingsTangled.blogspot.com

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  8. Most of my sales come from twitter! I just need to figure how to get more. Thanks for the tips : )

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  9. Hi, I have recently opened a shop and have linked it to twitter and FB. I am yet to discover how twitter will help. Am happy to know some people are garnering sale from twitter. Will keep the tips in mind. Thaks.

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