Face Book.....good For Marketing Your Leather Business?

[Rayban]

I would like to hear from someone(s) who have had good luck using FB as their advertising/marketing tool.

I see so many companies now, large or small, use FB, but I guess I just don't grasp the concept.

I even have an account but it's mostly to have my friends and family rip on me about this and that....

I would hate to miss out on something I can use......just have to learn how, I guess....any help or advise is appreciated.

RG

[steelhawk]

I have one for my business but don't really know how to use it in the most effective way, and have trouble keeping it up.

[Big O]

I post pictures of my work in progress on my personal Facebook page, and have ended up with several orders from friends, or friends of friends.

Mind you, I'm mainly doing it as a hobby. This just makes it pay for itself.

[Spence]

I do the same as Big O. Enough so that I'm thinking of going dark on my useless website.

[Hell Bent 4 Leather]

I've sold several items by posting my work on FB. I also go on certain motorcycle forums and post my work just to show it, I never post it as something for sale, and never right off the bat, this makes them think you're a spammer. I wait until I've been there for a week or so and have made several posts, then I post some of my pieces just to show them what I do, and usually, I'll start getting pms asking for pricing and such.Also, variety is good, if one item doesn't get any response, put up something else, keep trying different types of products and designs for your tooling, and eventually, something you make will appeal to someone and you'll start getting orders.

Edited January 2, 2012 by Hell Bent 4 Leather

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

I have a friend who sell a lot of the jewelery she makes on Facebook .

A huge percentage of the population is on Facebook, so it is an easy way for her to get the word out for new items that she has made, or what shows she will be at, and where.

[Sixer]

I would like to hear from someone(s) who have had good luck using FB as their advertising/marketing tool.

I see so many companies now, large or small, use FB, but I guess I just don't grasp the concept.

I even have an account but it's mostly to have my friends and family rip on me about this and that....

I would hate to miss out on something I can use......just have to learn how, I guess....any help or advise is appreciated.

RG

FB is a great way to market your product! I started of like Big O... posting pics of my work to my personal profile from time to time. When I started getting inquiries and orders from my friends and their friends I decided to make a seperate page just for leatherwork. It's probably not as effective as your own website, but it's free! I even list my FB page / address on my business cards. It's perfect for anyone (even those w/o a FB account) to go online and check out your work. Did I mention that it's FREE!?

Sixer

[Scary Leatherworks]

I too have a FB page. I started with just posting pic's of my recent work on my own personal page but when I started getting friends of friends of friends interested I didn't really want all of those unknown people as friends on my personal page so I made a page for my leather work. Go to FB help to find out about making a page. it's sort of attached to your personal page but they are public viewed. you can't make friends but you can send your friends the link to "like" from your personal page. I'm sure I don't use it for it's potential but it is useful and has got me some orders.

[Sylvia]

I would like to hear from someone(s) who have had good luck using FB as their advertising/marketing tool.

I see so many companies now, large or small, use FB, but I guess I just don't grasp the concept.

I even have an account but it's mostly to have my friends and family rip on me about this and that....

I would hate to miss out on something I can use......just have to learn how, I guess....any help or advise is appreciated.

RG

I don't have much experience with it... but yes, it can be a great tool for Marketing.

I would advise you to keep your personal FB separate from your Business one however.

I've been experimenting with http://www.yardsellr.com which allows you to showcase and sell your items without the listing fees of either Ebay or Paypal. (unless you want to get your payments via paypal)

It also ties to your facebook account so you can have the yardsellr link right on your FB page. They have these things called "photon$" which you earn various ways, sellers can upgrade their listings (pay $2 to $10) to have their items boosted to the top of the listings, promoted, and even showcased. In return you get photon$ to give to potential buyers. The photons act as $$ off the purchase.

The buyer collects photons, finds an item they want, and uses the photons toward a purchase. The seller gets the full amount he's asking for. So if you list a knife sheath for $50, plus $8 shipping you get that in payment. But the buyer can use up to $50 worth of photons toward that and get the Knife sheath for $8 shipping and a "Yardseller slice" (a fee the buyer pays) Anyway, it seems to be good for a person who doesn't want to mess with a website of their own, for one of a kind pieces... and hand crafted things. check it out.

[Robyn]

I just made a Face book Page for my leather work. I have posting pictures of my work on my personal page, and just decided that maybe I should have one devoted just for leather items. I have invited some key friends/individuals to "like" my page...maybe it will take off from there. Not sure how well it will be, but anything goes for me! Happy Trails!