To tweet or not to tweet? According to Fins.com/The Wall Street Journal Digital Network, this is the top question on the minds of people in the business of selling goods and services as they ponder the worth of communicating with over 140 million Twitter users.
Yesterday, I received a phone call from a reporter from Fins.com, the Wall Street Journal Digital Network who asked to interview me for today’s post, How Many Tweets Does it Take to Sell Something?
It’s an insightful post that includes some advice from users who believe that Twitter is filled with infinite potential sales leads. Here is an excerpt that highlights my contribution to the post…but, I bet you’d enjoy reading the full article.
Lori McNee, an artist from Ketchum, Idaho, joined Twitter in 2009 and began tweeting about art, animals, healthy foods and social media’s favorite topic — social media. She later found that she could also use Twitter to sell her work by directing followers to her blog and the galleries that carry her work.
“In the past year I’ve sold a few thousand dollars worth of art through the site,” said McNee, who has more than 49,000 Twitter followers. “Still, there’s a necessary balancing act between promoting your product and building relationships with people,” she said. “You have to be cautious about not turning off your followers or they’ll stop following you.”
Have you sold anything with your social media marketing efforts? Let us know in the comments.
***To learn more about how I tweet and use social media to promote my art business and how you can too, you might enjoy listening to my recent recorded seminar with Hollywood producer Adam Leipzig,“Like Me! Tweet Me! Pin Me! Link Me! Demystifying Social Media and Making It Work for YOU!”
For the recording, please click the link below.
PS. Let’s also meet on Twitter, and on Google Plus, Pinterest, and join in the fun at Fine Art Tips Facebook Fan Page! Please checkout my art too LoriMcNee.com, or find me on Instagram lorimcneeartist. ~Lori
Hey Lori,
Seo is the number one source of traffic to my site and Twitter is No. 2. I actually brought in a couple of people to a marketing system that pays me residual.
Twitter is a pretty cool place to sell but gotta know the ropes.
thanks for the share!
sweet blog
Akos
Hello Akos, it’s great to have you visit here. Thanks for your thoughts and the feedback. If you have any SEO tips you’d like to share here, let me know! Artists need to learn about SEO.
Cheers,
Lori
Thanks for this food for thought. I do think that tweeting has an artful side to it!
I have about half as many followers as you, Lori. I’ve sold approximately 100 songs via Twitter — which is no where near the 1,000’s of dollars you mention since each song is sold for less than $1.00. However, I’ve also been a music video judge, gotten a few gigs, increased my blog readership, stayed in touch with friends and made lots of new friends through Twitter, so my opinion is that I’ve gained at least as much as I’ve put into my presence there.
As a side job, I’ve consulted with other artists about their blogs and social media. I know that their feedback is unanimously positive regarding gaining connections for their art with Twitter.
Playful blessings,
Stan (aka @muz4now)
Stan! Many apologies for the belate reply to your comment. I missed your wonderful comment along the way somehow. Thank you for sharing your story here. Yes, compensation comes in many forms – not just dollar signs. Congrats to your continued success and I look forward to tweeting with you! Remember, you are always welcome here.
Cheers,
Lori
Not sure if twitter is helping me sell, but I enjoyed reading your post Hugs!
Hi Katherine, selling isn’t the main point to Twitter. Most of us don’t sell a lot directly from Twitter and the other social sites. Use your tweets to connect, and brand yourself. It will drive traffic to your website or blog and create more awareness about you. Thanks for your thoughts.
Best,
Lori
Hello Lori!
I agree with you. You won’t sell on social media platforms. However, they help you branding efforts by redirecting traffic to your blog / website. It’s always about engaging with your audience and building trust.
Hello Cendrine, yes branding doesn’t happen overnight and neither does selling. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Lori