Tomorrow is Folksy Friday.
Im no expert on the algorithms of Instagram, but if we all followed #folksyfriday on Instagram and then liked all the boards that have been created for tomorrow and even better make a comment this would increase the visibility. The more likes and comments a post gets the more Instagram shares it to a wider audience. and hopefully more people will know about Folksy.
Please correct me if im wrong but I think this is roughly how it works.
I do agree with @charlescottage that alot of the promotion we do only seems to reach eachother.
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Iām in that camp too, Iāve been just about breaking even, then since the price increase, (which is totally understandable) Iāve only been making a loss, Iām not here to make a loss so have dropped my plus account, since then Iāve really just lost my mojo, havenāt done any SM this week at all because for the first time in years Iāve not painted or drawn anything for over a week eitherā¦ in answer to the original question from @Caroleecrafts no sales here since March.
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@ChristineJonesPrintmaker I feel like most of my promotion is only reaching all of us too. I can count on one hand how many times a non seller has favourited my items, and Iāve been here over 2 months now, not a single sale on here yet.
People have mentioned me directing my Facebook orders to buy from here, but I want Folksy to be extra sales, my Facebook orders are doing well without Folksy
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Slow but not just on here. I looked back over a few years and there is always certain months with no sales so decided to end my Plus account which I have had for years now . I will still list the occasional item but makes more sense for me to come back again in August when things start to pick up again. I will be busy making new items ready for when I open again but will be paying monthly instead.
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Had a couple of sales this week after a dry start to the month, so maybe things are picking upā¦ or maybe itās just random chanceā¦ either way Iām feeling a lot more optimistic now! And yes, if more people (self included) got in the habit of interacting with Folksy Friday boards even if we donāt have time to make them every week, Folksyās IG reach would indeed be broadened. I definitely feel that my Folksy sales suffer if I donāt post regularly on social media!
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I think my Plus will be going soon as well. I think once Iāve got most of my listings up I feel like itāll actually be cheaper to just pay as I go
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The top selling sites for 2022, Folksy? No where to be seen. Not enough exposure in the UK.
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I think thatās how it works Christine and it would be great if there was more interaction. Iāve often expressed my frustration over the years about how few sellers react to Folksyās posts each day and to Folksy Friday. We have this enormous social network at our fingertips, and itās free, it just requires a little effort. But thereās thousands of us here, so it would make such a difference!
I struggle on IG a bit because I donāt have a mobile phone, I work on a desk top. I have tried in the past without success to tag my collage with the makers, but you inspired me this morning to have another go and I think Iāve done it! Thanks for that 
!
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Do you use a Mac, Amanda? If you do you can change to a phone setting and use Instagram as if on your mobile. Just remember to change back when you have finished. Much easier sometimes to use a large screen.
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Hi Caroline, yes a Mac and up until recently I would change the settings so that it thought I was an iPhone but lately (no idea why) I can operate without doing that. But I have never been able to edit my own comments (have to read and check each one several times in case of gaffs) and sometimes canāt see messages or stories (donāt really know what they are 
). Perhaps I ought to try pretending to be a phone again.
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I think it may be easier, I find do not have to squint as I would on the phone, lol.
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Iāve finally taken the dive and downgraded my Plus Account too. This will probably lead to my leaving Folksy altogether eventually. Such a shame because I love the community here. Some sellers do really well here so I donāt entirely blame Folksy, my stuff just doesnāt appeal to buyers apparently. Iām just enjoying making and experimenting for myself at the moment and forgetting about making sales (just as well!). You seem to be doing OK as Art is apparently one of the hardest categories to sell so good luck to you and I hope things pick up again soon for you.
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I too have switched off my Plus Account as I had no sales since New Year. This week I have sold 3 items, plus seven items in a local craft shop. Not sure whatās changed this week, but long may it continue.
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The webinar last night has made me feel for the first time in my life that I can do this. One of my big takeaways was I donāt market myself properly or enough. I struggle with self confidence and belief Iām worth something and Iāve priced things too low.
I know who my target buyer is, and I make sales, often before things get in the shop because Iām in touch with people who like the countryside and nature. Being a smallholder myself helps. I donāt have a huge twitter account but I have people who like me as a person and will engage with me.Theyāre buying from me because they want things made by me. Iām my USP.
Folksy does bring some organic traffic but itās up to me to bring my own, to reach out further to an audience who will enjoy my work. The way I look at plus membership is itās cheaper and more efficient than having my own standalone shop online. Itās the best of both worlds in that respect. I do realise i need to put more work into marketing rather than making.
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Thanks Amanda i think were both of the same mind.
If I see anything FOLKSY on social media I like it, it doesnt matter if Im included or not, the point is to increase thd visibility of FOLKSY as a marketplace.
Folksy Friday takes a lot of effort and to know fellow folksy crafters have seen it but not made the effort to press the like button is doubly demoralising.
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Same here, I always like anything with a folksy tag, although I have noticed quite a few folk lately who use the āfolksyā tags but are actually only selling on E**y which is a bit naughty really.
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I know participating in āFolksy Fridayā takes a bit of effort but shops could do it once a month or even just occasionally - every little effort helps to raise Folksyās profile. Itās in everyoneās interest to pull together and support other sellers and Folksy as a whole whenever the opportunity arises - even more so when times are tough and sales are few.
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I too have found since joining Folksy the time I spend trying to promote my self and Folksy and the complete lack of reward for my efforts as had quite a negative effect on my producing any new artwork. So Im going to have to take a step back from social media and forums.
Ive only had two sales since joining in October (Thank you!) the other also a folksy seller like youself.
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Its sounds like its had a really positive effect on you
Thankyou for recommending. If I ever revert back to Folksy plus I hope its something I can take part in. It sounds like its something I need to hear x
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Im going to take my own advice and take a step back from promoting for a while and get back to the making. Really hope things pick up for you and everyone else soon xx
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