It can feel intimidating to begin to market your crochet business with no following. You want to get your products in front of your audience … but what if you have little to no audience? If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Mary from Kickin’ Crochet asked:
“What’s the best way to grow an online following? Or, conversely, what’s the best way to promote a pattern without a large following? (I’m a pattern designer and sell on Etsy, ravelry, and my own website)“
Mary, Kickin’ Crochet
For someone like Mary, who is concerned about the size of her following, it’s important to focus on marketing practices rather than the size of your audience. When your marketing strategy is solid, your following will grow naturally over time.
Not sure where to start? I’m here to help. In this episode, I’ll share my best marketing tips to help you drive business to your social media, email list, blog, and shop. I’ll start with tips for pattern sellers, like Mary. Product sellers, stay tuned until then end, where I’ll give some additional advice tailored specifically for marketing crochet products.
Follow these tips and you can build a loyal fan base that can’t get enough of your products!
And, after you’ve listened to the podcast, check out my quick tips, below for growing a following on social media.
Finding Your Ideal Customer
The first step in establishing a successful online presence is to identify your ideal customer. Understand who they are, what they’re interested in, and where they spend their time online. This will guide your marketing efforts and help you connect with them more effectively.
Leveraging Social Media to Market Your Crochet Business
Social media is an invaluable tool for expanding your reach and building a community around your brand. Consistency is key. Avoid solely posting salesy content about your products. Instead, engage with your audience by sharing insights, behind-the-scenes content, and stories that resonate with them. That way, when you do post a marketing post, people be more likely to purchase from you.
Utilize a variety Facebook groups to share your new patterns and blog posts, but make sure to abide by group rules. Avoid excessive self-promotion and focus on building genuine connections. Specifically, if your pattern is free on Ravelry, look for Facebook groups that advertise free Ravelry listings. This is another way to drive people to your pattern and increase its sales and ranking.
When sharing on social media, don’t forget to tag relevant brands, yarn manufacturers, or stores that are part of your creations. This can increase visibility and potentially lead to partnerships or collaborations.
Engaging Your Pattern Testers
Your pattern testers can serve as influencers for your brand. Get permission to use their project photos. Or encourage them to share their progress and completed projects, tagging your account and linking their projects to your design on Ravelry. Their engagement can help generate excitement and anticipation for your pattern launches.
Utilizing Pinterest
Pinterest is a powerful platform for driving traffic and increasing visibility, regardless of your follower count. Create multiple eye-catching pins for each design and link them to your blog, Etsy shop, Ravelry listings, and website. And don’t forget to continue marketing all of your designs, both old and new, on a rotating basis. By consistently sharing content, you’ll gradually build traction and attract a broader audience.
Experimenting with Paid Advertising
Consider experimenting with paid advertising on platforms like Facebook, Etsy, and Ravelry. Monitor your analytics to ensure you’re getting a worthwhile return on investment. See what platforms give you the best return. If it’s not working out, then you can always stop.
social media planning: in check
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Building an Email List
Don’t underestimate the power of an email list. Even with a small subscriber count, these are individuals who want to hear from you. Regularly engage with your email list by sharing exclusive content, discounts, and updates. Your loyal subscribers can become your most devoted customers.
Hosting a Giveaway
Hosting giveaways can create buzz around your brand and attract new followers. You can offer just a single free PDF. Pay attention and follow any rules that each social media platform may have about giveaways.
How Product Sellers Can Market a Crochet Business
Connecting with Influcencers
Collaborating with influencers can also amplify your reach, especially if they align with your target audience. Find someone who has a larger following, who is your target audience, and give them one of your products (or offer a discount code) and have them promote your product.
Highlighting Customer Feedback
Showcasing customer feedback and reviews on your products can establish trust and credibility. Ask past customers to use their photos in your Etsy shop listings. Or share their reviews in your online listings as testimonials to create social proof.
Starting a Facebook Group
Create a Facebook group centered around your brand’s niche. Engage with members by sharing valuable content, hosting special events, and offering giveaways exclusively to group members. This fosters a sense of community and loyalty among your followers.
Wrapping Up
Growing your crochet business online is a journey that requires consistent effort and engagement. Regardless of your current follower count, these strategies can help you attract a dedicated audience, increase sales, and establish a lasting brand presence.
Remember, it’s not just about numbers—it’s about building meaningful connections and providing value to your community. So, grab your hook, whip up some creativity, and embark on a successful Crochetpreneur journey!
Connect with Mary
Be sure to check out Mary’s website, where she shares her lovely designs, crochet tips, and tutorials.
Further Listening and Reading
All Dear Crochetpreneur Episodes
10 Free and Easy Ways for Makers to Build a Targeted Email List
“How to market your crochet business when you have little to no following” was super helpful! So much valuable information in such a short time. Thanks Pam!
Thank you, Jackie! I’m so glad you found it helpful.