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How to Use Instagram for Your Etsy Business–10 Tips for Success!

By Kim Layton 12 Comments

How to Use Instagram for Your Etsy Business - 10 Tips for Success on EverythingEtsy.com

Let’s talk about how you can use Instagram to boost your Etsy business!  It’s not as hard as you might think, and using Instagram is like getting free advertising!

A picture is worth a thousands words, right?  But, what if a picture could be worth a thousand dollars???  That works for me!  It’s not crazy at all to think that you can share an awesome photo on Instagram and have it go viral.  It happens all the time…every single day!  That’s part of the magic of social media.  I’ve actually had it happen myself, and I can’t even explain the thrill of watching the sales come in that holiday season!

Selling online takes more than just having a great product.  You have to get out there and get your products noticed.  It can make a world of difference in your success, and Instagram can help make it happen!

1O Tips for Success on Instagram

These tips and ideas will help you whether you’re new to social media or a seasoned social guru!  So, even if you haven’t started you Instagram account yet…this is for you!  Whenever my social media growth starts to stall I go back to these basic social media tips and put them into practice to kick things up a notch.  They work.

  • Consistent style will attract the right customers to your shop.  You don’t have to do the exact same colors or styles with every single post, but keep it in mind as an overall theme to your Instagram feed.  If someone is deciding to follow you they are likely to scroll through your Instagram feed {your photos}.  You’ll want it to be consistent.  So, don’t post all food photos if you’re trying to sell crochet hats!  You might sell one, but you won’t be building up followers that love crochet and can’t get enough of it in their Instagram feeds.  Look for a few examples of businesses that do this well and learn from what they do.
  • Hashtag every post!  When you add a post to Instagram immediately think what hashtags will work best to bring new people your way.  If I add a photo of pottery I’m making it might look something like this…#pottery #Etsy #shopEtsy #shop #handmade #clay #shophandmade #gifts.  You get the idea, right?  I try not to go super crazy and add 20, but I do want to reach new people.  I usually add less than 10 hashtags.  Many people search Instagram by hashtag {myself included} and you can find so many new followers this way!
  • Map It.  Are you at a craft fair or farmer’s market while sharing your Instagram photo?  Share your location.  This way people can see your post when they are viewing posts of that location.  Imagine someone at the same craft fair noticing your awesome products and looking for you to purchase them.  It could happen, for sure!  It’s a tiny extra step that could pay off.  You can add a specific location from your Instagram profile.
  • Tag Someone!  When you tag someone it will show up in their Photos of You section as part of their profile.  So, if you purchase something awesome from an Etsy shop and take a photo of it, you’ll want to tag them!  It’s a great way to make new friends!  Social media friends can really help you out by sharing your posts on Instagram or other social media channels.
  • Profile Style – Make sure your profile clearly tells about your business and you.  If you don’t mention your business at all they won’t know right away that you’re sharing something they can purchase.  They might just think you are taking a photo of one of your favorite things.  It’s best to send everyone back to a blog or shop with your profile link.  I highly suggest having a blog for a million different reasons. You can read more about Starting a Blog for Your Etsy Business right here.  So, make sure your profile helps you out by sending them to a great spot that really represents you and your beautiful handmade business.
  • Connect it.  When you post a photo on Instagram you have the option of connecting that photo to Facebook or Twitter and having it post there at the same time.  Do it.  It’s a great way to let people on other social channels know that you have an active Instagram account that they need to go over to and follow!  Everyone doesn’t see every single post, so go ahead and do this each time you post to Instagram to help grow your followers.

Hold up!!!  Did you download your free 7 page Marketing Bliss Blueprint yet? It was just released and sent to some of you by email.  Click here to download it!

  • Make Friends!  Make friends by being a friend. Easy, right?  Social media follows many of the same rules that you learned as a child…be nice, share and be there to help.  So, if you know someone is trying to share a special giveaway of one of their Etsy products…share it and help them spread the word.  Comment on posts that you like with more than “awesome” or “love it” on a regular basis.  Thoughtful comments are appreciated by everyone!  Show interest in their work and they’ll be your social media friends forever!
  • Be There.  You have to be present to grow your Instagram followers.  Posting every week won’t really help at all.  So, you’ll need to make an effort to grow your followers and post at least once a day.  If you can post a few times a day that’s even better.  You can post in-progress photos of a project, a sneak peek at a new product, a glimpse of your creative space or what you’re doing that day.  Staying active is an excellent way to grow your followers…try it for a few weeks and you’ll see!  It may seem a bit hard at first, but it gets easier.
  • Follow Like-minded People and Businesses.  Fill up your Instagram feed with companies that compliment your products or people with similar interests.  They are most likely a great sample of your customers.  It also makes it easier for you to interact with them by commenting.  You’ll find some great followers this way…and hopefully a few customers along the way. {Tip – Do you know a business that has the perfect customers for what you’re selling?  Go to their Instagram account and follow their followers!  Many will take a look at your Instagram feel and follow you back!}
  • Giveaways and Contests – You can do a special giveaway or contest at anytime!  What a great way to find new followers.  Many people make it a requirement that they tag a friend and follow them to be entered…that works!  You can also have a contest for your customers that share the best photo of your products.  Fun stuff!

Instagram and Etsy

Bracelets by Sweet Auburn Studio

There’s so much more that I could say about using Instagram, and I’m sure you will find just the right mix of posts to grow your followers.  Be you and share.  You can’t go wrong!

If you put in the work and focus your efforts you will be thrilled with the outcome.  Social media is an amazing blessing for any online business.  Where else can you advertise your work without spending a dime?  Time to get out there and get discovered!

Visit our Etsy Business Section for more information and tips on growing your business!  I’d love to have you join me on social media…I’m @EverythingEtsy everywhere.  Instagram/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest

~Kim

P.S.  Everything Etsy features Etsy items in our feed!  Follow us on Instagram and use #EverythingEtsy for a chance to be featured on all our social media channels!!!

How-to-Start-a-Blog-for-Your-Etsy-Business-on-EverythingEtsy.com

How to Start a Blog for Your Etsy Business

You need a blog for your Etsy business!!!  Read this to find out how to get started in simple steps!

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Filed Under: Blogging, etsy, Etsy Love, etsy shop, More Etsy Selling Tips!, Running Your Etsy Business, Social Media, Tips & Tools Tagged With: Etsy, etsy business, Etsy tips, handmade business, instagram, online business, social media tips

Comments

  1. Sue says

    October 3, 2016 at 4:27 pm

    Instagram allows you to use up to 30 hashtags. I’m not sure why you would use less? It’s to your benefit to use them all. 🙂

    Reply
  2. lisa lehmann says

    October 4, 2016 at 7:22 am

    great post. as always.

    Reply
  3. SuesAkornShop says

    October 6, 2016 at 4:11 pm

    Very helpful. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  4. Viktoria says

    October 17, 2016 at 3:44 am

    Great feed, but I think photos are main atraction in Instagram, it’s all about photos, and everything you said helps a lot!

    Reply
  5. Sue says

    October 20, 2016 at 7:39 pm

    I just started my business Instagram account (can you say late to the party?) and I’m using these tips every day. The hashtags are so important, as well as the pictures, and just being there. I post every day and scroll the #handmade hashtag just for my enjoyment, there are so many amazing artisans there. Thanks EE!

    Reply
  6. Michelle Hutchison says

    October 27, 2016 at 11:16 am

    I’m not sure what you think about this- I think it always helps to think of “cross-marketing” when choosing who to connect with on Instagram. For example, if you make baby products to follow mommy groups, mommy blogs, local MOPS organizations, local women’s services (lactation consultants, OB/GYN’s, etc.). Basically, diversify!
    Michelle

    Reply
  7. Ikan says

    November 13, 2016 at 10:04 pm

    i think this tips can usefull for me 🙂

    Reply
  8. Sabrina Wyatt says

    December 5, 2016 at 9:40 am

    Very informative, yet personal; an enjoyable read. Thank you for sharing your insights. I do not have Instagram yet but will do so in near future. So where else are using hashtags? Can they be used within other platforms?

    thank you for your time
    Sabrina

    Reply
  9. Heather says

    February 28, 2017 at 12:10 am

    These are great tips! I always forget about Instagram I never use my phone!

    Reply
  10. Dovile says

    March 29, 2017 at 10:38 am

    Thanks for sharing! Very helpful 🙂

    Reply
  11. Nicole says

    January 15, 2018 at 7:13 am

    Very useful information! I have a new etsy shop and I’m always trying to find new ways to advertise.

    Nicole
    Earflair.com

    Reply
  12. Damayanti says

    August 14, 2019 at 12:40 pm

    I just started my business Instagram account (can you say late to the party?) and I’m using these tips every day

    Reply
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