Hey there, friend! If you’re like me, you’ve probably felt the tug-of-war between creating beautiful things and the endless rabbit hole of social media. Don’t get me wrong—social media can be a great tool for business, but let’s face it: it’s exhausting to keep up with trends, algorithms, and constant posting. In this blog, I’m going to show you my marketing strategies and how I doubled my income without spending hours on social media.
I get it. I’ve been there. When I first started my decorative painting and faux finish business, I thought I had to be everywhere, all the time. But then I discovered there are smarter, more sustainable ways to market your business without living online. Let me walk you through some strategies that helped me grow my audience and double my sales—without losing my sanity.
- Leverage Pinterest Boards
Pinterest is the ultimate playground for creatives like us. Think of it as a visual search engine where people are actively looking for inspiration and ideas—just like your DIY projects! Create boards that showcase your work, but don’t stop there. Add value by pinning complementary content, like craft tutorials, home decor ideas, or seasonal projects.
Pro Tip: Use keyword-rich descriptions for your pins and boards. For example, instead of “Cute Craft Ideas,” try “DIY Home Decor Ideas for Beginners.” Be specific.
When I started focusing on Pinterest, I saw a spike in traffic to my blog and product pages. It’s one of the few platforms where your content has a long shelf life unlike social media—some of my pins are still driving traffic years later!
- Start an Email Newsletter
Email is a powerful way to stay connected with your audience. It’s personal, direct, and doesn’t rely on an algorithm to get your message across. Share updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and exclusive offers with your subscribers.
I use MailerLite, as my ESP provider, it’s user-friendly, for creating beautiful newsletters. Start by offering a freebie, like a printable checklist or a mini tutorial, to encourage people to sign up.
Here’s an example of one of mine: FREE: First Things First eBook
Example: “Sign up for my newsletter and get a free guide: 5 Quick and Easy DIY Projects You Can Make This Weekend!”
- Blog About Your Craft: One of the Best Marketing Strategies
Blogging might sound like a lot of work, but trust me—it’s worth it. A blog lets you dive deeper into your craft and showcase your expertise. Share tutorials, tips, or even stories about your creative process. Plus, blogs are amazing for SEO. Every post is a chance to rank for keywords that your potential customers are searching for.
When I started blogging about my projects, I not only attracted more visitors to my website but also built trust with my audience. They saw me as a resource, not just someone selling products.
Pro Tip: Write posts like, “
The Best Paint For Upcycling Furniture” or “The Best Paint For Upcycling Furniture” or “How to restore damaged Cabinets” These types of posts bring in traffic and are fun to write!
- Optimize Your Product Descriptions
SEO isn’t just for blogs—it works for product descriptions too! Use descriptive and keyword-rich language to help your items show up in search results.
Instead of “How to Upholster a Chair,” try something like “How To Reupholster a Chair with Fur.” Think about what your ideal customer would type into Google when looking for your product.
- Collaborate with Other Creatives
Team up with other DIYers or crafters to cross-promote each other’s work. You could do a joint giveaway, guest blog on each other’s sites, or even create a shared Pinterest board. Collaboration introduces you to a whole new audience without much extra effort. The key is to work with someone that doesn’t compete with you but complements your products. For example: if you make jewelry, team up with someone who makes jewelry boxes.
- Create a Marketing Strategies Checklist for Your DIY & Craft Business
Staying organized is half the battle. I like to keep a weekly checklist of marketing tasks so I don’t get overwhelmed. Here’s an example:
- Pin 5 new items to Pinterest.
- Write one blog post or update an old one.
- Send a quick email newsletter.
- Share a behind-the-scenes photo on Instagram.
- Respond to comments and questions.
A checklist keeps me on track and ensures I’m consistently marketing my business without feeling frazzled. Every night before I go to bed, I write down everything I’m going to do the next day. I put the hardest task first so I can not only get it done but also feel a sense of accomplishment. Here’s a great book to read [ Eat That Frog] that will help you stay on task. I have read this book at least three times. I highly suggest this book to all my students.
- Use Free Tools to Simplify Your Marketing
There are so many free tools out there to make marketing easier. Here are a few of my favorites
MailerLite : For email campaigns and landing pages.
Tailwind : For scheduling Pinterest pins and Instagram posts.
Google Analytics: To track where your website traffic is coming from.
- Share Your Personal Story
People love connecting with the person behind the business. Share your journey, challenges, and wins. One time, I wrote a blog post about how I went from Bankrupt to Entrepreneur—and it resonated with so many people! Stories build trust and help your audience see the real you.
- Host Free Workshops or Tutorials as Part of Your Marketing Strategies
Whether online or in-person, teaching others is a great way to market your business. You could offer a quick tutorial on Zoom or partner with a local craft store for an in-person workshop. At the end, don’t forget to promote your products or services.
- Ask for Reviews and Testimonials
Happy customers are your best marketers. Ask them to leave reviews on your website, Etsy shop, social media, or Google. Would you be so kind as to give me a Google review: Click Here to leave a review
I know running a DIY or craft business can feel overwhelming at times, but with the right strategies, you can market your business without spending hours glued to social media. Start small, pick one or two tactics from this list, and build from there.
Which of these strategies are you most excited to try? Let me know—I’d love to hear how it works for you! And if you’re looking for more tips, sign up for myblog, where I share even more ways to grow your business.
Every Day is a blank page, waiting for you to write your story,
Cheryl
P.S. Ready to build and monetize your online business? Join Empowering Women for tools, strategies, and support to turn your passion into profit. This is your one-stop shop where you can learn the shortcuts and start making money ASAP!
