Social media. Ugh. Am I right? Or am I right?
I blog, therefore I am. If you have a design business and a website with a blog and a Facebook page you understand the ongoing pressure to not only create beautiful work, but write beautifully about it. Quite frankly, it’s exhausting. And it’s a lot of pressure. And on top of that it feels like no one is even reading it anyway!
You can put out some of your best work, your most unique creations and highest quality images and still hear a pin drop.
There are endless hours you can spend on social media and you can be left wondering “why”. Well, that’s a good question and depending on who you ask you will get different answers.
The big guys who blog as an occupation will say that you should blog several times a week. Several times. Each week. To that I say hogwash.
Here’s the truth: You are not Style Me Pretty and you will never be Style Me Pretty. (Sorry if that bursts your bubble, but I bet you kinda know that already.) If you are operating a full-service floral shop or a boutique wedding design business you would need to hire a full-time employee to keep your social media up to snuff (i.e. posting multiple times a day on Facebook, re-tweeting crucial links and “news”, responding to comments on Instagram and updating the blog).
Unless your blog generates money it’s not worth putting excessive energy towards or making yourself crazy to create content. If you want to have a successful web presence without dedicating staff to the task (which by the way is complicated in itself because he/she has to fully understand your “voice” and the point of view of your business) then here are some tips you can start following right now:
First of all, be real. Instead of contrived status updates and blog posts share photos of what you’re doing in your biz right now. Simple photos of a flower that you’re excited about today can generate more “likes” than grandiose statements about your “huge event this weekend”.
Second, be generous with your knowledge. Help people. For free. Sounds crazy, I know, but that’s what a blog is at its heart. It’s also an opportunity to brag and promote your work, but it’s more interesting to create useful content as well.
Thirdly and most importantly, talk to you customer and no one else. If you’re not looking to sell prom flowers don’t blog about prom trends just because its prom season. If you’re selling upscale wedding designs talk only about the topics that interest upscale wedding clients. It’s simple, yet genius. And frankly, kind of freeing. You cannot be all things to all people. Focus on the people you want to be YOUR people. Not everyone will agree with you or like your style. (But I bet you kinda know that already, too.)
How do you handle your social media presence? What are some of the tips you’ve picked up along the way that have helped you either feel freer or reach more people? Tell us about it in the comments!
Thank you, Alison, for this article! I agree wholeheartedly with what you have said here.
Alison is the owner/designer at Floral Artistry in Vermont.
Related posts:
Book Review :: Falling Into Flowers by Alison Ellis
“Busy-ness”…something too many florists wear as a badge of honor by Alison Ellis
Tips on Tipping with Alison Ellis
Discussing Mock-Up Policies with Alison Ellis
Pricing Tips For Florists: Customers Don’t Set Prices with Alison Ellis
How I Set A Minimum by Alison Ellis
I totally agree with you.
Well said. I totally agree!
Wonderful post. I try to blog at least once a week and sometimes it feels like talking to myself in cyberspace, but I reason that, at the least, the fresh content on my site boosts my SEO. My goal is to be a voice of reason and expertise. I don’t take a hard sell “HIRE ME!!!” approach. The hope is integrity, experience and knowledge will shine through and attract clients who value those qualities.
Agree wholeheartedly – how Alicia does this blog seems miraculous to me. One of my favorite’s is Saipua; for her wry and honest observations on life – and she only posts maybe twice a month. Quality of insight is the key I believe.
Such true words Allison. I find that my posts about flowers I grow or am excited about right now are the most popular on my facebook business page. You’ve got to know who you want to market to also.
Don’t post and talk about stuff you don’t want to do! If something makes you crazy, don’t put it out there, because the next thing you know, someone will want to hire you to make that very thing!
Alicia is amazing to produce such quality content day after day, its like a public service, accurate and timely information. Whether it is a story, advice or pictures, it is always interesting and on point.
SEO is a great reason to blog, but quality is paramount. I could not agree more about how impressive Alicia’s commitment to this blog (which is a fantastic resource for floral designers!) continues to be!
I read your blog, Alison 🙂
And I read Alicia’s every day.
And Amy’s Botanical Brouhaha, too.
People who blog should be talking about their passion. Be that business or their love of flowers or helping people figure out what they really want. Or all of those things. It does help if it’s about something you really love doing. I do think that it’s a way of getting one’s personality out there, which can be just as important as how well you design things. Especially in situations where you and the client are working together quite a bit, the repeat customer, etc. You may be approached simply because the reader thinks your nice as well as talented; that you are the person who would “get them.” As much as a blog is a pain in the butt, it’s also the cheapest advertising you can get. I do think it’s not something that people have to do every day, but having it be regular by date or day or month is important so people will know when to stop by. And there seems to be a surge in less commenting back lately, that doesn’t mean no one is there (stats can help heal that LOL).
Not everyone has time to read every blog there is out there. But when they find one they like they do get addicted and attached to it 🙂