Social media is an easy and low-cost way to market your handmade business. One of the most popular networks is Facebook, and creating a fan page on there can help you connect to your customers while gaining new admirers of your work.

Here are a few suggestions for increasing the effectiveness and reach of your page:

1. Invite Your Friends

When you start your fan page I recommend inviting your existing friends and family to “like” it using the share button. Not everyone will accept your invite, but it’s a good starting point. When they become a fan it will show up in the new feeds of their friends, which might lead them to also like your page!

2. Post a Variety of Content

Your fans will “tune out” if you just post one kind of item. For example: if you exclusively post links to products that are available in your online shop (without any other content) it may seem too pushy or salesy. Instead, mix it up by including other things like info about upcoming events, work in progress pictures, photos of your studio, etc. This will keep things interesting and encourage more engagement from your fans.

3. Add a “Call to Action” Button

This is a free new feature for Facebook fan pages. You can easily set up a clickable “button” that allows fans to “buy now” (linking to your online shop), book an appointment, sign up for a mailing list, etc. The link will be near the top of your page (above the post feed) so it’s very visible to fans. To set this up just click on the button that says “Create Call to Action” and then connect your URL (web address). You can also test the button to make sure it’s connecting correctly, as well as pay to promote it to your fans.

4. Promote Your Most Popular Posts

I’ll occasionally also promote a Facebook post that has been really popular. If you set a reasonable budget and target the right audience, they can really get your business noticed! I usually pick the “People who like your page and their friends” option, which has worked quite well for many of my boosted posts. With a little trial and error, paid Facebook ads will lead to an increase in likes, sales, and page traffic.

What other ways do you utilize your Facebook fan page?

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Rebecca George

Designer at Purple and Lime, Inc.

A Cincinnati native, Rebecca studied Art History & Geology at the University of Michigan. From there, she earned a degree in Fashion Design and Marketing from the American Intercontinental University in London, England. Highlights of her career include having several pieces from her graduation collection featured in the international fashion magazine i-D (UK, Feb. 2007) and working on men’s leather pouches for the movie Elizabeth: The Golden Age (which won an Oscar for Best Costume). Her brand "Purple and Lime" is a line of super-fun womenswear, jewelry, and accessories based in Chicago. She has been successfully selling her line on Etsy and in shops for four years, and enjoys teaching others about online handmade selling!

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