Being a jewelry maker and a small business owner probably means that you are constantly looking for ways to sell more online. As a jewelry lover and a marketing professional, I am very interested in the successful techniques that a brand can adopt to reach potential customers on social media.
My recent research on the topic has shown that Instagram is a growing platform that a lot of companies are using to promote and sell their products.
In his article “How to build a massive following on Instagram” , Shopify Content Strategist Richard Lazazzera argues that by using the most relevant hashtags, carefully choosing the most appropriate times to post and applying the most preferred filters, one can significantly increase their shop’s follower base on Instagram. Lazazzera also notes that it is key to engage with potential customers by following their accounts and liking and commenting on their photos. He also suggests using sponsored posts and influencer reviews of the product.
Infographic sourse - http://bit.ly/1ZHleAL
Katy Svehaug, a published writer and crafter, shares some tips on the Etsy blog in “How to market your shop on Instagram”. She points out the importance of selecting the right content to share and editing the photos to make them more appealing to the followers. Katy also advices shop owners to try and create opportunities for customers to provide feedback and engage in a two-way conversation. She concludes that Instagram is a great way to drive traffic to your shop by posting photos “on the go” and on a regular basis.
Based on these influencers experiences, here are 3 tips to successfully use Instagram to boost your online sales:
- Do not push, engage - follow back, like and comment on potential customer photos, ask for feedback and repost customer photos featuring your product.
- Experiment - try different hashtags, filters and posting times until you figure out what the audience likes best.
- Dare to be imperfect - edit your photos, but allow followers to see the “human face” of your brand. Getting a glimpse of the messy creation process will probably gain you more fans.
86% of the world’s top brands use Instagram actively to engage customers. Do not hesitate to join them as investing a little time can bring great benefits for your business.
Svetla Stoyanova is a student in the Northwestern University’s Social Media Marketing Specialization on Coursera. Svetla has 10 years of experience in the field of blogging, content creation and community relations and is passionate about the handmade business.
