Etsy's Handmade Blog
Team Tip: How To Twitter!
Story by daniellexo, EtsyTeams, sarawearsskirts
Published on November 3, 2008 in How-To 		Photo by

Anda Lewis Corrie

 

There's a lot of buzz lately about Twitter.com as an interactive marketing tool. (In fact, you can find Etsy at http://www.twitter.com/etsy!) I've been giving a good deal of thought to how Etsy Teams can use Twitter.com to their advantage to effectively engage their audience and bring new buyers to members' Etsy shops. Below are some simple steps on how you might develop Twitter as a useful tool for your Team.

What is Twitter.com? Twitter describes itself as "a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: "What are you doing?" After creating an account, people can choose to follow other people's Twitter posts, viewing posts online or via a mobile phone. Twitter is about quick glimpses into you or your brand, as you have 140 characters to type or include interesting links for your Twitter followers to read and respond to.

  1. To get started, discuss with your Team what your goals might be for a Team Twitter account. Goals can range from, but are not limited to, sharing knowledge (posting links to useful tutorials or tips online), to giving the Team a personality (having a friendly, anecdotal voice in posts), or driving traffic to content around the web from your Team. Most likely, successful Team Twitter accounts will aim at all three of these goals.
  2. Decide as a group who will be responsible for posting content - Many brands and businesses find it's most interesting when several people post, but some feel there's value to a consistent voice. Consider your goals as well as the natural talents and time availability of members when deciding who should have access to posting. 
  3. Register a username for your Team.
  4. Tweet away! Don't forget to interact with other members by responding to posts - engaging the people who are following you is a great way to really make the most of this medium. By starting a post with @(username), it's easy for a user to find replies intended for them, even if they're not currently following you.
  5. Find more people through Twitter - You can try the search tool to search for terms related to your Team, and then you can network with people talking about similar topics to what you're posting about. If you have a little time to do some tweaking, you can try one of many third party tools for finding other members and organizing Twitter feeds, such as Tweetdeck.
  6. Stand out from the crowd - If you're looking to spruce up your Team's Twitter account page, you might consider adding photos of some recently listed products as a background, under Design in your Account Settings. 
  7. Enjoy! Don't think of Twitter as a chore, a task or a major thing to do on a giant to-do list. Rather, when you find something interesting, or perhaps whenever you find something worthy of bookmarking, simply post it to your Twitter account. When you have spare moment after checking email or starting a new task online, simply take a minute to check your Twitterstream to reply back to your network! Incorporating Twitter into your daily habits is the best way to have success with this tool.
  8. Do remember how useful Twitter can be for communicating in real time - Twitter is a great way to promote events, like Team Virtual Labs trunk shows or local events!

For more information, you can check RedPanda's informative post in the Etsy forums, this interview that WineNutNYC did with some Etsy sellers on successfully using Twitter to market, or this great article on 50 Ideas on Using Twitter for Business.

Find us at http://www.twitter.com/etsy and post in the comments with the link to your Twitter feed!

 

For more Team Tips, please check the Teams Resource page.  Also, we discuss the Team Tips, news and ideas in the Etsy Teams email list! Keep up the great work, Etsy Teams!

Tags business, Etsy Teams, HOW-TO, ideas, marketing, promoting, promotion, Seller Handbook, social shopping, tweets, Twitter.com, websites
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66 comments     Login to add your own!

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. Krystyna81

very timely topic - I'm following Etsy on my Twitter! Thanks for posting an article that really speaks to a current and vital part of a lot of Etsian's business.

http://twitter.com/krystyna81

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. sandcookies

I love the birds with the twitter story:) I love it when you guys do that:)

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. HomemadeZen

Great article! I'm on twitter too www.twitter.com/homemadezen

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. TotusMel

Ah, Twitter, the newest addiction. Thanks for the tips!
http://twitter.com/totusmel

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. auryndesign

Thanks for the great info!
http://twitter.com/auryndesign

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. tinaseamonster

you can follow me on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/tinaseamonster

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. tamdoll

I followed the link here from twitter.... good idea to use it for teams
You can follow me on twitter at:
http://www.twitter.com/tamdoll

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. fenrislorsrai

See how fast the comments pile up via Twitter! I got here through a tweet on the Etsy feed as well.

Keeping a balance between plug and content is also important. A lot of my twitter feed is links to comics I'm reading, so if you're a closest comic nerd, you'll like that.
http://twitter.com/fenrislorsrai

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. Emmakat

I'm on twitter too! http://twitter.com/Emmakat79

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. sugarcookie

I love Twitter. Please have a look at my tweets here!

http://twitter.com/missycookie

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. zwzzy

tweet tweet!

http://twitter.com/zwzzy

oxox!

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. amysfunkyfibers

how fitting to have birds on the related items

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. noteworthycrafts

good info! http://www.twitter.com/bettyrefour

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. TickledPinkKnits

Very handy post!
See you on Twitter :)
http://twitter.com/TickledPinkKnit

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. shoofly

I've got a big fat crush on twitter... follow me here:

http://twitter.com/goshdarnknit

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. absolutelysmall

Yes! How did I find this post? Through Twitter. It's kind of replaced blogging for me. (And almost all other social networking!)
http://twitter.com/absolutelysmall

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. EirewolfCreations

I heart Twitter! :-D

http://twitter.com/eirewolf

Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. daveschappell

TeachStreet loves Twitter (and Etsy) too! Can follow me/us here:
http://www.twitter.com/daveschappell
http://www.twitter.com/teachstreet

Nov. 3, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. evesimone

LOVE twitter, so easy to keep up w everyone!
http://twitter.com/evesimone

Nov. 3, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. dogties

Great bird items!
Twitter rocks too!

Nov. 3, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. lizplummer

I love Twitter too - I'm on http://www.twitter.com/lizplummer

Also it makes it a lot easier on Twitter if you have an addon like Twitterfox for Firefox because it is incorporated into your browser and any tweets pop up automatically as they come in.... and you can tweet without going to the Twitter homepage each time.

Nov. 3, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. mizkatie

I just admitted last week that I'm addicted to Twitter. Most of my friends there are on Etsy. It's a great way to find out out sales or new listings.

http://twitter.com/mizkatie

Nov. 3, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. missfruitfly

Warning: Twittering is highly addictive.
http://twitter.com/missfruitfly

Nov. 3, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. stonerainartistry

Very cool, just got on twitter!! I will be using this for discounts too.
http://www.twitter.com/stonerainart

Nov. 3, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. redpanda

Hi everyone! You all can find me at http://twitter.com/redpandajewelry

<3!

Nov. 3, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. happyfamily

We love Twitter! https://twitter.com/metrothree

Nov. 3, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. mrsjennahatfield

Twittering is highly addictive. But I've found so many wonderful etsy stores through random clicks in twitter. And so, as a BUYER, not a seller, I strongly suggest stores to go ahead and tweet away!

My advice: Don't just tweet your business happenings, sales or links. Get to KNOW and interact with your potential customers. :)

And, quite possibly, wait until after this election. Yikes. It's warfare today.

Nov. 3, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. mekongmedicinals

i love twitter! perfect bite-size goodness for my busy life :D

Nov. 3, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. EJPcreations

So informative thanks for the article. I was just wondering about Twitter, cuz some people have said they Twittered me. With a little trepadation I said thank you, but now I know it's a good thing YAY!!!

Nov. 3, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. stilettoheights

I'm totally twitter addicted as well

http://twitter.com/stilettoheights

Nov. 3, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. aprilink

found this post through my twitter! fun and informative.
come say hi!:
http://twitter.com/aprilink

Nov. 3, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. ElegantSnobbery

Twitter addict, here.

http://twitter.com/elegantsnobbery

Nov. 3, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. ashleyeaston

Thanks for a neat little article. I'd heard of twitter before, but hadn't bothered to figure out exactly what it is!

Nov. 3, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. SunshineandRavioli

So little time,so many tweets!

http://twitter.com/sunshineravioli

Nov. 3, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. kimmchi

Great twitter tips, i didn't know that about images!
You can find and friend The {NewNew} York Street Team at
http://twitter.com/thenewnewny
for all your nyc metro area craft updates

Nov. 3, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. BeadsInTheBelfry

I am having a ball tweeting away! My blog is jealous.

http://twitter.com/shopbatty

Nov. 3, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. MoranArtandQuilts

I was so thrilled to see my bird quilt on here! Thanks so much.

Nov. 3, 2008 at 6:06 p.m. abstractsofnature

Just joined Etsy, finding my way around and just setting up my store but I am also on Twitter

http://twitter.com/abstracts

Nov. 3, 2008 at 8:54 p.m. flyingzoo

thanks for this info!!!
http:/twitter.com/flyingzoo

Nov. 3, 2008 at 8:55 p.m. flyingzoo

i'm sorry.... http://twitter.com/flyingzoo

Nov. 3, 2008 at 10:34 p.m. smallbookcompany

I'm a huge fan of Twitter. I've been using Twitter since this May, and I've found it to be a great tool for connecting with other artists and for getting more people to come to my blog. If anyone wants to find out more about Twitter and some Twitter tools, I've made a Squidoo lens about it at http://www.squidoo.com/ArtistTwitterG...

Oh and..
http://www.twitter.com/nikolena

Nov. 4, 2008 at 12:59 a.m. CositasSeriasVintage

YAY for twitter. I'm new to it and here goes...

twitter.com/cositasserias

Nov. 4, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. undertheroot

Yes! I do love birds and when I found all these different groups of people twittering...
I was hooked.
or strangled,
to keep building a nest.

Nov. 4, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. Studio618

I think Twitter is great, like a mini blog. Short and sweet!

http://twitter.com/studio618

Nov. 4, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. treasurefield

I'm new to Twitter. I needed this article!
http://twitter.com/treasurefield :)

Nov. 5, 2008 at 1:25 a.m. RaeGun

I got sucked in too it's so addictive http://twitter.com/marissaandaniel

Nov. 5, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. optimatordave

I think etsy and Twitter are two of the best tools to come along in quite a while for crafty sellers! Thanks for this article! Here's an awesome blog post about Twittering for crafters: http://humblebeads.blogspot.com/2008/....

--rings_things
(Dave
at Rings & Things)

Nov. 5, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. deirdresdesigns

i'm sucked in too!
http://twitter.com/deirdreryan LOL

Nov. 5, 2008 at 6:08 p.m. beckarahn

I tweet for me and I just set up one for my workplace - I work at an art center and we are using it like a mini newsletter of events-of-the-day.

http://www.twitter.com/beckarahn
http://www.twitter.com/TextileCenter

Nov. 5, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. 3RexesJewelry

Still don't get it.... But I'm learning!1!!

Nov. 5, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. CandyStickLane

Thanks for the great article! Ive a Twitter newbie as of last month :)
http://www.twitter.com/candysticklane

Nov. 5, 2008 at 10:33 p.m. randomscraps

I just joined! Thanks for a great article!

http://twitter.com/RandomScraps

Nov. 6, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. missevilkitty2

:D am http://twitter.com/thekitty

Nov. 11, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. tjboyd

I used Twitter during the election, I thought it was a news thing. I just happened to read a post about Twitter and Etsy. I guess now I will Twitter and stumble.

Nov. 12, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. cthings

It is a fun tool! Thanks for the article! I just started last week.
http://twitter.com/Cthings1

Nov. 24, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. TheHauntedHollowTree

Following Etsy now on Twitter! Just started a few days ago.. thanks for the article!
http://twitter.com/HauntedHollow

Dec. 8, 2008 at 6:06 p.m. LegendaryTigerHero

Joined Twitter today! I need some pals!
http://twitter.com/TigerHero

Dec. 14, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. rasideas

Twitter is incredible, love all the applications!

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/raspberrycreate

Dec. 31, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. dropofsunshine

I'm still learning!!! http://twitter.com/dropofsunshine

Jan. 5, 2009 at 6:46 p.m. ElizaHoneyShed

This is a great set of tips, perfect for the new year and new media. http://twitter.com/honeyshed

March 26, 2009 at 12:09 p.m. strawberrycouture

Thanks for the tip
http://twitter.com/strawcouture

March 28, 2009 at 4:40 p.m. retro80s

Thanks for the tips! I just joined Twitter a few weeks ago and I find this information very useful. http://twitter.com/loveretrocolour

Retro Handmade Team
https://twitter.com/retrohandmade

April 17, 2009 at 8:54 p.m. TheBearAffair

Great article. I can barely keep up with Etsy and don't know how people keep track of all of these sites - gads C:

June 17, 2009 at 3:09 p.m. sechakecha

Twitter is awesome!

http://twitter.com/sechakecha

Aug. 5, 2009 at 4:24 a.m. bellta

I love etsy
http://twitter.com/bellta

Sept. 8, 2009 at 9:47 a.m. ItsAllAboutThePrint

Giving it my best shot!
http://twitter.com/iaatprint

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