In My Studio: Instagram 2.0

Recently our very own Hudson Valley Etsy started an Instagram account. I wrote a blog post introducing our new account and how to get started with your own Instagram account (click this link to view the original blog post)

When writing it I realized I had only touched on the tip of the iceberg and there was so much more to discuss. In this follow-up blog I hope to give some more tips and suggestions on how to get the most out of this uber popular social media platform.

To curate the best possible Instagram feed, create a cohesive look. By making sure your photos are of great quality and similar themes it will encourage people to follow you when they look at your profile. 

Think carefully about your posts content, don't be too "salesy." Bring your followers closer to you by showing them behind the scenes photos, your techniques and tips, your studio and inspiration and most importantly your personality.



Mira's Naturals have great continuity in their Instagram feed

Apps and Programs to enhance your feed:

1) If you generally do most of your craft business on a PC or laptop it is still possible to post to your Instagram feed without using your device. Download Gramblr a free program enabling you to select photos from your desktop and download them straight to your feed.

2) Also a useful program for your PC or laptop is Fotor. In this free program it is possible to manipulate, edit or collage your photos. Alternatively from your device you can use the Overgram app to add text to your pictures or Pic Stitch to make a collages and add frames.

Collage I put together using Fotor

3) To help understand your audience look at Iconosquare. This is a free service to keep track of your statistics, who follows/ unfollows you, which of your posts is the most liked, comments on your posts and successful hashtags

Iconosquare summary of the Hudson Valley Etsys Most Liked Instagram Posts

A bit about Hashtaging:

Using hashtags in Instagram as a way to help you grow your business is really important. The right hashtags will help you get more likes, followers and comments. Hashtags dramatically increase the reach of your post which means more Instagram followers. Hashtags can also help you find people on Instagram with similar businesses, interests as you.

When deciding which hashtags to use after a post the simpler the better and try to be specific. Hashtag what your product is, its color, who its for, where it is for sale, where it was make- anything that will foster interest.  Here are afew good generic ones:

#etsy

#handmade

#shopsmall

#crafts

and of course if you are a member of the Hudson Valley Etsy don't forget:

#makersonhudson

#hudsonvalleyetsy

Linking with your other social media platforms:

Don't forget to share your instagram posts across your other social media accounts. It is very easy to link Instagram with your business facebook page, twitter, tumblr, flickr and foursquare.

1) From instagram go to your profile page (the person icon at the bottom)
2) Click the gears icon at the top of the page.
3) Scroll down to settings and click on 'Linked Accounts'
4) There should be a list of different social media platforms. Tap on the one you want to link.

For example linking to your facebook page: After tapping on the facebook link it will say Share to. Tap on this and the pages you manage will pop up. Mark the correct page.

5) Next time you post on instagram the last page will have all the social media platforms listed. Tap on the ones you want to share your post with before you tap the 'share' icon.



For a reminder here are all the team instagrams:

Elena Rosenburg is  @elena_knitsandbits

Pulp Sushi is @pulpsushi

The Pudgy Rabbit is @thepudgyrabbit

Quarter Life Luck is @quarterlifeluck

So Handmade is @sohandmade1

Hudson Naturals is @4crispycorncakes

Melissa Anna Designs is @madcat03

Cynla is @cynlastudio

Twisted Thread and Hook is @twistedtah

Beyond the Picket Fence is @beyondthepicketfence

Lollypups is @lollypupspetwear

Hesters Studio is @hesterkeith79

Charms of Faith is @Jackie_charmsoffaith
Karmabee is @karmabeekaren
Miras Naturals is @mirasnaturals
Pve Shop is @pvedesign
Pergamena NY is @pergamenany
Harp & Thistle is @harpandthistlestitchery

Good Luck and Good making!

Sarah

SO Handmade

In My Studio: Hudson Valley Etsy's NEW Instagram Account

The Hudson Valley Etsy now on Instagram

Hudson Valley Etsy has recently started our own Instagram account. If you are a newbie to the whole Instagram revolution as I am, I hope this blog post will introduce the basics, inspire you to start your own account and encourage you to follow all the team currently on Instagram.

To start with Instagram is an online photo and video sharing network. It is a wonderful and fun way for small craft businesses to post pictures of their products, life, studios and inspiration in a quick and easy way. Photos can be manipulated within the app to give them some extra ummph so don't worry if your photo taking skills are questionable- in Instagram you can turn them into works of art within seconds.

Getting Started

1. To get started you will need an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or an Android handset. Go to the app store and download the free app to your device.
2. Choose a recognizable username, if you are starting the account for your small craft business in the interest of continuity choose a name consistent with your business name and Etsy shop name so that people can find you easily.
   
3. Update your profile with a short and snappy introduction to your business and include your website address or your Etsy shop address, this is so when potential customers see a photo of a product you post they can click this link to then purchase it from you.

4. 

   Profile Page for the Hudson Valley Etsy 

5. Add a profile photo; a personal photo of you or a logo for your shop.
6. Link to your Facebook page or Twitter feed to enable you to post to both mediums with just one click
7. Start posting!

Following

'Following' means the posts that you will see in your home page (the house icon at the bottom of the screen). In order to follow someone you can use the search feature (the magnifying glass icon) and type in businesses you admire, shops you like, fellow makers and friends to click and follow them.

A great start is to follow Hudson Valley Etsy @hudsonvalleyetsy

and members of the team who are on Instagram currently:

Elena Rosenburg is  @elena_knitsandbits

Pulp Sushi is @pulpsushi

The Pudgy Rabbit is @thepudgyrabbit

Quarter Life Luck is @quarterlifeluck

So Handmade is @sohandmade1

Hudson Naturals is @4crispycorncakes

Melissa Anna Designs is @madcat03

Cynla is @cynlastudio

Twisted Thread and Hook is @twistedtah

Beyond the Picket Fence is @beyondthepicketfence

Lollypups is @lollypupspetwear

Hesters Studio is @hesterkeith79

Charms of Faith is @Jackie_charmsoffaith
Karmabee is @karmabeekaren

Followers

'Followers' are fellow Instagram users who wish to follow you. Sometimes it can be slow to start getting followers but the more posts you put up the more exposure you will get and people will start to follow you. Make sure to tell people on Facebook, Twitter etc that you are now on Instagram and your username. Like and comment on lots of posts as this will get you more followers.

 Hashtags

When you post a photo one way for people to find you and your products is to add hashtags to the bottom of your comments. When people are searching for a particular thing they can search for a product that way or search for a team. For example members of Hudson Valley Etsy have been asked to add these hashtags to their posts:



Hashtags to add to your photos

If you post a photo of a product you made for example a card you can add many different hashtags such as these below to get your product found:



I hope to see everyone on Instagram soon!

Good luck and Good making

Sarah Omura

SO Handmade