Social Networking for Creative Inspiration
June 20, 2009 | By
Networking is an important part of building any business. It seems it’s especially important when building an online or handmade business. Since you have no brick and mortar store to announce your presence to the world it’s easy to get lost in the myriad of shops online. We all know that networking both in person and online are important tools for any small business owner when it comes to marketing, driving sales and bringing in new customers. What some of us fail to realize, though, is the potential networking has to influence our creative nature as well.
Social networking sites are great for letting people know about your products and the services you offer, and it’s a wonderful way to get your products before the eyes of potential customers. However, they are equally good for simply getting to know other people who are in your field or a similar field and who may be able to offer insight, knowledge, mentoring or just another perspective. It is important to remember that these sites are used for more than just marketing; take advantage of every aspect of your social networks.
Take Twitter, for example; it’s a wonderful way to quickly blast out to anywhere from 20-2000 people that you have a new item in your shop. What about before that item is available? have you considered what great feedback you could get from that same network about an idea before you implement it? Here are some important things to keep in mind when determining if you’re actually involving yourself in a network or simply marketing to it.
Are you simply telling people when you have items for sale or when you have a new blog up? Or are you involving yourself in the conversations that are going on? Are you adding information and asking for information about things that aren’t completely tied to you gaining more sales? Social networking is just that: social. In order to use your network to its full advantage you need to connect with the other people in your networks. Learn their likes and dislikes, their creative outlets and specialties. The more you know about the people you’re surrounding yourself with the better you’ll be able to ask for opinions, information or direction from specific people.
What do you have to offer? Can you mentor someone in your field that is just starting out or do you need a mentor yourself? Are you following or friending the sorts of people who could be of inspiration to you? More importantly, are you being inspirational to anyone else? Find the ‘big shots’ in your field and see if they have a Twitter account or a Facebook page. Chances are they do and even if they don’t respond to you, you may learn something from simply following what they’re up to. I personally follow several of my 
‘knitting gurus’ and even though they’re far too busy to respond to my tweets, I learn about new stuff from them or through them all the time. All in less than 140 characters!
Try to think of a question you can ask to the group of people on your Twitter, or in your Facebook friends that requires them to give you feedback. Use the opportunity to feel out new ideas or ask for information about a supplier. The internet is a big open place and lots of people are out there ready and willing to participate in your process with you. I’ve learned everything from new spinning techniques to where to find the cheapest essential oils online from asking a question on Twitter.
Social networking offers a multitude of opportunities for growth, both professionally and personally.
(The Weaving Hut print courtesey of ADR Photographic Art, Twitter pendant from Life Is But A Charm)
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