160. Simplifying Social Media with Guest Expert Leanne Pressly

Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/

Many of our creative businesses start as passion projects because we truly love what we are doing. However, we all know by now that running a business takes more than passion. Today I’m talking with Leanne Pressly, founder and CEO of Stitchcraft Marketing, about all things social media: an aspect of our businesses that creatives often overlook. Stitchcraft Marketing is a digital marketing agency that specializes in helping fiber and fabric companies with social media strategy and execution.

Throughout the episode, you’ll hear so many nuggets of wisdom from Leanne about social media strategy.

Here are some of the social media pointers we dig into:

1.Keep it simple. Instead of managing 4 social media poorly, cut it back and focus on the one you are most familiar and comfortable with.

2.Be sure that you keep alert to changes happening on the platform you use because the social media landscape changes fast and often.

3.Post consistently and stay engaged with your audience.

4.Lean into your competitive advantage: YOU are your brand and you have that advantage over the big box stores.

5.Use ChatGPT for ideation, not as a replacement for blog posts/content.

Some tips for being efficient when managing your social media strategy:

1.Enlist the help of apps like Trello and Canva.

2.Use a content calendar to reference what you want to focus on.

3.Batch your content.

4.Schedule your content in advance.

We also touched on what’s hot right now in the social media universe (May 2023): (1) Short Form video and (2) Facebook moving away from Business Pages and Groups and into profiles that were converted from Individual pages into Professional Mode and (3) the rise of TikTok (4) live selling (CommentSold).

About Leanne:

Leanne Pressly is an accomplished entrepreneur and businesswoman with extensive experience in the craft and hobby industry. She is the CEO and Founder of Stitchcraft Marketing, a digital marketing agency that specializes in helping fiber and fabric companies with social media strategy and execution.

Under Leanne's leadership, Stitchcraft Marketing has grown into a leading digital marketing agency in the craft industry, working with clients ranging from independent craft shops to major craft brands such as Olfa, Bernina, Knitter's Pride and h+h Americas. Leanne is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events where she shares her expertise in digital marketing and entrepreneurship. She also hosts the podcast, Business of Craft showcasing topics to help craft retailers thrive.

In her free time, Leanne enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time with her family in the Colorado outdoors. She is also an avid maker particularly in the areas of knitting, quilting and collage art.

Find Leanne at www.stitchcraftmarketing.com

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Episode 134: Easier Content & Copywriting with Guest Expert Lacy Boggs

About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.

Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.

I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.

When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/

For more support from Wendy

Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community

Wendy’s FREE Resources for shop owners

Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG

All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

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