I have spent countless hours uploading and editing pictures, writing descriptions, and promoting auctions on other fan pages, and the end result is 2 - 3 small sales IF I'm lucky. Every "liking party" or networking event takes time that I could be spending producing new items for my page and Etsy Shop.
I believe that my time is worth something, but I'm not naive enough to think I will be turning enough profit from my home-based business to pay myself an hourly wage in the first year. It starts to feel like I'm spending a lot more time on Facebook than actually doing what I intended to do when I started this, which is to create beautiful quality handmade items people will cherish.
The second blow to my creative mojo is that when I stop participating in networking events for a few days to focus on my craft, my fan numbers not only stop going up, but I LOSE fans. It is very disheartening when you spend hours visiting, liking pages, and leaving thoughtful comments only to discover someone else is spending there time going through and disliking pages! I wonder why they take the time to do such an unnecessary, and hurtful thing? I know, it's not like my best bud de-friended me, but it does take it's toll when you watch your fan numbers go down. I'm left wondering if I've done something to maybe, annoy my fans. Too many posts? Not enough new products? Am I missing the mark all together?
To this end, I am not sure if I need to care about my Facebook fans, but instead turn my attentions to the people I am talking to and engaging with on a regular basis. My ego doesn't need another beating from people I don't even know! I am always open to new connections whether it be through Facebook or not, but instead of celebrating my fan numbers, I think I'll be celebrating my success gauged by the satisfaction of my customers :)
Great post. I completely agree with you. I found myself "wasting" so much time on Facebook and twitter trying to promote. And like you received very very few sales from daYys and hours "networking." It began to be stressful, like you I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. Now I sparingly look at Facebook and post occasionally. Sometimes I think I should be doing more, but reading your post confirms my feelings. Concentrate on what I love to do and create more products for my etsy shop. Thanks for the great post! etsy.com/shop/labarrielittles
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