Social Media…Why You Need To Get On The Bandwagon!
The goal of this article is to give you a basic introduction to Social Media Marketing. We’re going to discuss 3 things: What it is, how it will help you sell more, and where to start.
Over the coming weeks, we’re going to have a closer look at individual social media sites. We’ll break it down and show you step-by-step how to effectively promote your shop on each site.
So what is Social Media Marketing?
Social Media Marketing is simply marketing using social media. Profound, I know!
But what is social media? Social media websites are sites that contain ‘user generated’ content. For example, Facebook’s staff don’t sit there each day and create people’s profiles…the users do!
There are many forms of social media including: forums, podcasts, picture and video sharing (Flickr and YouTube), blogs, and social network sites like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter.
A social media site is a place to connect and build relationships with people that you otherwise would not have the opportunity to meet. Even if you left out the ‘marketing’ side of things…it’s just plain FUN to interact online with like-minded people!
How will it help you sell more?
As already mentioned, a social media site is a place to connect and build relationships with people. As you connect and build relationships with literally hundreds and even thousands of your new ’social media’ friends, you will be generating more exposure for your shop, which will inevitably lead to opportunities and sales. We will be discussing specific marketing strategies for each individual site over the coming weeks.
Where should you start?
There are so many social media sites out there and it can get a bit overwhelming. We recommend choosing only 1-2 sites to be a part of. Any more than that and you won’t be able to put the time in necessary to build relationships with people…which is what it’s all about!
Here are some popular social networking sites you may want to check out:
- Facebook (general social network)
- MySpace (general social network)
- Twitter (micro-blogging and general social network. Check out the conversation right now about ‘Handmade’, ‘Fine Art’, ‘Vintage’, and ‘Crafting Supplies’.
- CafeMom (social network for Moms. Check out this link: http://www.cafemom.com/search/index.php?keyword=handmade&x=0&y=0)
- DeviantArt (artist community)
- IndiePublic (handmade, art and design community)
- YouTube (video upload and sharing)
- Flickr (photo sharing)
If you’re looking to start your own blog (we will be covering blogs in more details in the coming weeks), we recommend:
You’ll find Zibbet represented at the following social networks:
Make sure you add us as a friend on MySpace and Facebook and ‘follow’ us on Twitter!
Stay tuned…there’s lots more to come! In the mean time…have fun checking out those social networks! 
Image Credit: Matt Hamm
Tags: Add new tag, Marketing, popular posts, social media, social media marketing, social network marketing, social networking
Thank you for this blog, it is really helping me to understand social networks a lot of better. I can’t wait to read and learn more.
I am really excited about this article. Do you also write something about applets and widgets? Help me, is there already a Zibbet shopping widget available?
rG
Chris, CDRart
Hi CDRart,
Zibbet is in the process of building what we are calling…’Zibbet Echo’. Zibbet Echo will allow you to display items from your shop on your websites, blogs, MySpace, Facebook etc and you will have the option of pointing them back to Zibbet OR letting the buyer purchase the item straight from your blog, MySpace etc.
It’s a neat feature which we’re hoping to roll out within a month’s time.
It will also work hand in hand with our Referral Program which is launching in just a few days time!
wow, glad to hear about these developments.
I’m excited about them.
by the way, what about the forum?
I know it’s not straight to the topic, but it’s social and it’s a new development.
I was just wondering, thanks
have a great time and keep on this great job
yours
Chris, CDRart
We’re really keen to launch the Forum ASAP! The forum will give Zibbet a sense of ‘Community’ which we’re lacking at the moment. We can’t wait to interact with you guys and see you connecting with each other.
Know that it’s high on our priority list and we’re working hard to roll out a few key features over the next couple of months. You’re going to love them!
wow, sounds really great!
I’m excited, I hope we’ll make it up to Etsy one day.
I know we’ll have to work hard for it but maybe…
I have a dream
Thanks again for all this helpful blogs and developments.
Come On. It is so real and i feel It,It will Conqure,,
Yours
Felix Owuonda
AfricArts
I’ll Be On Air Always
We share that same dream!
With the support of our sellers, there’s no limit to where we can go!
Yeah absolutely.
Tell about twitter please.
I’m so excited
by the way what do facebook and myspace offer?
I think that we need to attract buyers.
Social networks really should be the best place to attract them.
but only with the right strategy.
so tell us about it please
rG
Chris, CDRart
We’ll be teaching everyone about Twitter in a couple of days time…stay tuned.
MySpace and Facebook are also great social network avenues. We’ll be delving into them over the coming weeks also.
jonathan,
Is your last name Friedman?
Completely agree. Can’t wait to see more development on this.