I am so thrilled to write this blog post dedicated to the new e-book called, The Handmade Loves’ Guide to Instagram Success: How to Build an Audience and Make Sales, written by our founder Emily Strom! As an artist and small business owner, I have similar concerns and questions as many of the makers in this community. And like many of you, I use Instagram as my main source of marketing. I LOVE Instagram! I Love taking pictures of my products, staging the perfect photo, and editing the color just right. I love creative writing and coming up with silly captions and picking the perfect emojis to go along with it. But after all that fun stuff is done, it’s time for the marketing and hashtagging. If I am honest, marketing, in general, seems extremely inauthentic to me. That is why this e-book is SO helpful. It gives marketing advice that does not seem pandering or cheesy. I am going to list a few of my favorite takeaways from the book that got me motivated to make some marketing changes in my business. Hopefully, they click with you, too!
When “southern rustic meets sleek modern” you get Southern Sunshine. Elegant, original & rustic perfection, these ladies know how to decorate your home with wooden pieces. Read More
With a commitment to quality and thoughtful design, David from SawAndMitre has always believed that there is a story and texture behind photographs that becomes lost when only viewed on a screen. Making “the finest frames for the finest photographs”, let David share with you a little two cents about his inspirations, challenges and success with his customers!
Ever let the stress of running a business get the best of you? As small business owners, we are constantly pulled in several directions. If things are not kept in perspective, it can become overwhelming very quickly.
As you may or may not know, Handmade Loves is going through a huge growth spurt and we are going to be offering a variety of new (and free) resources for makers. In preparing for the changes, I was becoming more and more stressed. Then it dawned on me. I have been setting false deadlines. Of course, I want to keep things moving, but I had to step back and realize: I’m just one person. No one is expecting me to get things done today. I was putting pressure on myself.
Always in search of ways to remain calm, happy, and healthy, I found these strategies helpful:
Young, talented, and full of life, Jess Payne‘s creativity shines through her cross stitching and hoop art. We are thrilled to have her here, telling us a little bit about herself and her shop’s journey! Enjoy!
Natalie Ranae (check out her IG here) is an artist and maker currently exploring the intricate art of macramé and how it fits into the contemporary home. Her work has raised the bar for other makers and we are so excited to welcome her into our handmade community! Thank you for taking the time out to let us in, Natalie!
Find out what inspires her work below.