Promote Your Business Online and Offline

In order to make your craft business successful, no matter what kind of business you are running, you need customers or an audience. To attract people, you need to get the word out. This part of networking is easy and should cost you little to nothing. I am sure that most crafters who own a business partake in most of these strategies already, but it is a good start for newer business owners and a checklist for everyone else.

Here’s a few simple ideas to get you started:

1. Add Your Website or Blog to Your Signature – If you participate in online communities or groups, your signature should contain your website, Etsy store, and blog if the website permits it. Also, add your website to your email signature. Make sure it’s a hyperlink so that all they have to do to visit your site is click.
   
   
2. Get a Twitter Account – If you are already posting in Facebook, you can reach an even wider audience by using a free Twitter account. You can also set up your Twitter account to automatically post to Facebook or vice versa, so it can streamline your work. Win-win.
   
3. Create a Facebook Fan Page or Group –  Setting up a Fan Page not only helps you but also separates your work from personal life. Your group or page will allow you to link your Etsy shop and also help you target people who are genuinely interested in your work. You can use your page to send out discount codes, news, and product information. It keeps everything in one handy spot for you and your fans.
   
4. Be a Guest Blogger – Spread your crafty knowledge to a fellow blogger or crafter and target a new group of people. There are plenty of blogs out there that happily welcome guest bloggers who can write about crafts. If you read a blog that features crafts similar to what you create, why not send an email to the owner with an article idea? Depending on the blog or website’s guidelines, they may be more than happy to publish your article. Make sure it features a link to your website or online store.
   
5. Join or Organize an Event – Want to meet other crafters who could potentially be future customers? Then go to where the crafters are! There are plenty of Meetup groups, clubs, and classes that might already exist in your area, so why not join the fun and meet new people. If you can’t find something in your area, why not organize an event? Maybe just a simple crafty chat at the local coffee house, or perhaps a craft outing to the local yarn shop. Either way, you are sure to meet a new group of people who could also be potential customers or readers.
   
6. Participate in a Link Exchange or Party – Lots of websites and blogs feature linky parties or blog carnivals that allow you to post a project that links directly to your website or blog. Again, this is just putting your name out there on another platform, increasing your exposure. You can also get listed on blogs or websites that offer that feature. This is a simple and quick way to promote yourself.
   
7. Teach a Class – You have a great crafty product, why not teach a class on how to make it! This will not only allow you the opportunity to meet more people but could also be an additional source of income. Dabble is a great spot to find and offer classes. You can also teach classes online if local classes is not an option.

By: Simone Collins, originally featured on Craft Critique. Republished with permission.