Craft Focus - October/November (Issue 75)

93 SOCIAL MEDIA @ David Little, director of Dannells, explains how social media is helping to increase the company’s global reach Which platforms does Dannells use? We’re on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Vimeo. We have our own YouTube and Vimeo channels where we post professional tutorial videos that show our followers how to use their fabrics with our kits so they can make stylish items for the home. We also publish our own blog and have a Facebook forum with 1,100 members where we can provide lampshade-makers with knowledge, support and inspiration. Has the business benefitted as a result? Social media has raised our profile and brand awareness and has also established us as the leading manufacturer of lampshade materials and associated kits. This has generated new business both within the UK and international markets. Do you think social media will be instrumental in driving the brand forward? We think it’s essential to keep up-to-date with developments and new technologies because you can interact with customers immediately, wherever they are in the world, and share knowledge and information about your products for free. Do you have any advice for first-time social media users? I would recommend Fiona Pullen’s book Making & Marketing a Successful Art & Craft Business (Search Press, £12.99). It has a fantastic section that explains everything you need to know about the different channels and platforms. It’s easy to read, knowledgeable and has some handy tips to help customers grow their company. We purchase it direct from the publisher and supply it to our clients at cost price. Which channels would you recommend for craft businesses? Facebook, with over 2 billion users, is paramount for communicating with your customers. However, Instagram and Pinterest are great for sharing visually-led images of your products. SOCIAL MEDIA MATTERS Social status @craftfocus @craftfocusmag @craftfocus DID YOU KNOW? By creating an upload calendar, you can ensure that you’re posting the right content at the right time. The experts behind social media management tool Hootsuite advise following the 80/20 rule: aim to use 80 per cent of your content to inform, educate and entertain and the remaining 20 per cent to promote your brand and sell products. This month on social media, we’ve mainly been: • Showcasing the latest craft must-haves • Keeping you up-to-date with breaking industry news • Posting useful tips from our knowledgeable contributors FOLLOWUS... LIKED AND RETWEETED ON TWITTER BY: @AFCI_Global @JustHandsOnTV @GMC_D Craft Focus is at the heart of the online craft community. Here’s a quick update on what’s been happening…