Hello, My sister and I opened our shop a couple of months ago but I’ve only just found the forum and still unsure how to use it so I hope I’m posting in the right place. I’m really not that good technically and my sister is even worse, bless her! We’ve made a few sales which is good but we’re not good with social media even though we’ve got a Facebook and Instagram page. We were thinking of enlisting the help of a social media virtual assistant to either do it for us or show us how. Has anyone on here had experience with these? if so, did it work and can you recommend one please. Thank you xx
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Welcome to Folksy!
I have no experience with any social media virtual assistants I’m afraid. Helen x
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Hi there! Not used one either but I’m a dinosaur when it comes to social media and it’s amazing how quickly you become comfortable and get to grips with it via trail and error. I still don’t fully get all of it but enough to get by. I found YouTube videos really helpful (as I do for most things) and you’ll probably get info on virtual assistants there.
I think social media is useful however I also think there’s a risk of assuming it’s the holy grail, spending too much time (even worse money) on it and not getting the returns expected.
Impression I get is that you should only invest in paid social media promotion if you really know what you’re doing with it - so if that’s the direction you’re looking to go in might be good tap into someone else’s expertise (virtual or otherwise) but would be wary of handing over cash without being sure it’ll result in traffic.
If virtual assistants are free, let me know and I’ll get one too! Best of luck - btw I’ve found that posting on this forum gets you traffic and I’m off to look at your shop now 
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Hi, I am new to the forum too, and in a similar boat. I am trying to get to grips with social media too. Posting is ok but getting traffic is something I am completely clueless about. I had no idea there were virtual assistants! 
Congratulations on making some sales. I hope you and your sister do well. Tanya x
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I would think if you fiddle around enough, you will get used to social media without hiring anyone to do it for you. Just have a go and you’ll find you learn pretty quickly. Don’t be afraid if it - it’s really quite easy once you get used to it.
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Hi I thought I would reply as i am new here and I am in a very similar position regarding social media, I’m really not very good although I am trying hard! I have set up a Facebook page but so far only have a few followers, Instagram is a complete mystery to me!
I’ve only made one sale here so I guess I need to do something but to be honest its not my favourite pass time😆
So I’m no help to you other than to sympathise and wish you luck.
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@HorseintheCornerCrafts I guess instagram is a pretty simple social media in the sense of the basics.
post a photo and in the posting add hashtags that are pertinent to your post. so for example my little profile pic here is one card/coaster/print i sell. so I might hashtag #autumn #autumnwoods #leaf #fall #lancashire #lancashireartist #shoplocal #uklandscape #greetingscard.
etc.
You could be using far more hashtags.
Go and then find a load of people to follow. I always try to follow more people than I have followers. Post regularly, maybe 3 times a week.There is an instagram thread on this forum where you can make a start. I’ll always follow back if I can see someone’s a Folksy seller. Follow HQ as well, and anything else you’re interested in. you can also follow a hashtag, so for example as an acrylic artist i follow #acryliclandscape.
Make sure in the bio of your shop you have your Folksy shop name or use something like Linktree to make a links page from your bio (see mine if you need an idea)
If you post something to IG you can post it automatically to your FB page (you need to make a page for your business). Like other FB pages as your page as well.
x Julia
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That is very useful information thank you so much I will give it a go 