So I’m not currently selling handmade on any platform, but I wanted to let all you handmade biz owners in on a great way to promote your shops via Instagram. While other social networks can be absolutely beneficial in spreading the word about your shop, Instagram is such a good platform. Not only is it in my opinion where you should be focusing most of your social media efforts–like creating a good visual brand, utilizing the best hashtags, and following likeminded individuals and potential customers–it’s one of the best ways to join the community around the handmade + maker movement. Even if you don’t sell handmade or find these to be the right accounts to visually for your brand to hook up with, they’re are all still worth a follow in order to discover amazing new items (I love shopping via Insta!), make friends, and support creative minds and makers.
These accounts all happen to be communities based either primarily or largely on Instagram. There are a few key things to do when promoting your shop via these communities. First, follow generously! Follow the account and the accounts they feature whenever they inspire you. Then, hashtag your images with the appropriate hashtag below. The benefit of this isn’t just that they *may* regram you, but other handmade lovers will see your post in that hashtag’s feed, just like I went over in my last Instagram post. Lastly, go through the feed regularly and like, comment, and follow those you connect with most. This gets your brand out there and may even make you a friend or two. It’s really just a mega bonus if you happen to get a feature yourself, and all of them have ways to contact if you’re interested in collaborating. Okay, here goes…
@craftsposure
This creative + handmade community is probably one of the first ones I followed when I started actively searching awesome Etsy shops and indie designers to chat with, and I cannot believe how fast it has grown in the past year! Craftsposure is up to 88k followers on Instagram, and now has a website with business tips, a free e-course, and (just announced) a 2016 planner specifically designed for creative entrepreneurs. So yeah, you could say this is one influential community! You can tag your DIYs and handmade products #craftsposure for a chance to be featured.
@foundmademodern
Another curated craft community, Found Made Modern is dedicated to “the modern side of handmade.” Founded by a team of Etsy pros, FMM scouts out the best modern handmade pieces to share with those looking for modern shops. They have giveaways + a magazine on their website too. Tag your handmade items #foundmademodern for a chance to be featured.
@makersmovement
Makers Movement isn’t just dedicated to modern handmade products, but the artists behind them. Most of their Instagram posts have bios or narratives that not only help inform your shopping choices but are crazy inspiring. Tag your relevant photos #makersmovement or #wearethemakers.
@cylcollective
Founded by Grace of Lark and Arrow, Craft Your Life Collective is a community for female creators to inspire one another. CYL features the work and bios of modern lady makers from all over. Artists are also highlighted on the blog and you can always nominate someone you know for a feature. Tag relevant posts #cylcollective.
@wemakecollective
We Make Collective is such a fun account that always seems to find the most bright, cheerful handmade goodies to share with their followers. This awesome feed isn’t too surprising when you find out that Francesca of Fall for DIY is behind it! We Make Collective is actually a brand new monthly DIY materials box, but WMC encourages everyone to share their own creations using #wemakecollective join the fun.
@handmadeisbetter
Handmade biz owner and blogger Kendra started Handmade Is Better and I’ve been loving it lately. She features products from the #handmadeisbetter feed and they’re always so bright and cheerful, I can’t help but think what great gifts most of these pieces from all different artists would make!
Are you already following any of these accounts? Let us know if you do!
Anna says
This is awesome! I’m not really a huge handmade seller, but I know lots of people who are and will definitely be sharing this info :)
Anna
http://www.byRosanna.co.uk
Ria says
Thank you so much for including me Angela, loving the creative community on Instagram and I’ve met so many amazing sellers and artisans doing amazing things! Ria x
Jo says
Wow thank you for the chance to follow such incredible creative handmade artists. I have gone down the Instagram rabbit hole!
Angela says
Ha! I swear I go down it once a day, and end up with all these screenshots of people I need to remember to bookmark for later!
Lian Admiraal says
Thanks sooo much for this post! I will get started with it right away!
Sarah Noel says
Great post! A lot of people don’t realize that there are accounts out there that have the purpose of promoting small businesses! I love to promote small businesses. If you use #MMBSmallBiz, I’m all over it.
Sarah Noel | http://www.sarahsmirks.com
Zoe says
This is a great post! I’ve found these accounts so inspiring that I’ve set up one just for UK makers since it can be hard to find local handmade here! ( @OurCreativeisle 😉 )
Angela says
That’s amazing! Great work!
Kendra says
Awesome! I also started one that is taking off @handmadeisbetter and I love to feature handmade shops (I am a handmade biz owner myself!)
Great list!
Angela says
Oh, I love using your hashtag on my personal account whenever I can. i’ve added yours in!
Tati says
This was great!! Thank you so much! This will take my insta game to the next level
Robyn says
Thanks for sharing this!
Gabriel says
Great article!
Just learned some helpful stuff.
Liam says
These are great accounts. Some amazing and creative work #handmadeisbetter starting my own candle business @shieldandwolf hoping to make it on these blogs soon and be part of the community.
Angela says
That’s great to hear! Have you read our call for makers post? Let me know if you’d be interested in having your business listed on my new website. Details here:
https://www.theblogmarket.co/calling-all-makers/
Ayana Jewellery says
Great post, full of great starting points on insta for artisan businesses, thanks!
Anya says
This is great! I was just looking for ways to boost my instagram! Awesome tips, thanks for putting it together!
Cara Imperato says
This is a fantastic list. I am working on a curated handmade blog that focuses on cat-inspired works. These give me some great models to follow!
John says
Great post.
Riya Sen says
Thank you for putting this information together and sharing your experiences.