In a recent interview with Artist and wildlife Conservationist, Charron Pugsley-Hill, she gave me an insight into how she is using social media to build relationships and grow her business.
Charron, thanks for giving me an insight into your business. Firstly, can you tell me how you became
an artist and when you set up your business?
Becoming an artist doesn’t happen
overnight! I have spent my life as a professional wildlife conservationist and
environmentalist having given up art as a small child because I absolutely didn't get it. Why would you paint an apple to look like an apple was my view
and so I went down the science route. In 2010 having known that something in me
needed a change I took voluntary redundancy, went out and bought a canvas (large)
and some paints and started painting and haven’t looked back since. It was
in 2012 that I called myself an artist for the first time and set up my
business in November of that year.
How long have you been using social
media to communicate your business message?
I used Facebook immediately, Twitter
since January 2014, Pinterest and Instagram a few months ago.
Do you use any traditional paid
advertising or marketing methods?
I have Facebook ads and boost posts
sometimes.
How did you learn to use social media?
Having been absolutely rubbish at using
pc s my husband gave me the amazing gift of a MAC which transformed my life and
I then read about social media, talked to friends and went on several workshops
with experts. I am no expert and still have a long way to go but I enjoy
it-perhaps too much!
What do you like about social media for
business?
I love Twitter for its spontaneity,
quickness and connections that I have made. Facebook shows my images so much
better and is more long-lasting so I guess I like them for different reasons.
Instagram is about showing my inspiration particularly when I am out walking.
So I post and use each platform for different things!
How many likes/ followers/ connections
do you have on each platform?
Not enough yet! But for me it’s never
been about numbers but about the people I want to reach! I have said
many times I will never buy into the numbers game-it’s about quality not
quantity and making the right connections and I will continue to reach out to
those lovely people.
How often do you post updates on your
platforms?
It does vary depending on what I am
working on! I try to tweet several times a day and FB daily. Instagram is more
when I am out and about. I post different things on the different platforms.
Pinterest is more random.
Can you think of a post/update that has
received the most interaction from your audience?
Probably those that have asked for
people to take part in something whether it is to take part in a voluntary
workshop or by asking questions and opinions about a piece of artwork.
Why do you think that post received so
much interaction?
It’s
about clear requests and information-the reader understanding what I am asking
them to do.
What do you dislike about social media
for business?
The time it takes-I try to reply to
everyone and it is me that does it all as I want to connect directly- you get
the real me!
Do you carry out advertising on your
social media platforms?
Only on Facebook.
Tell me how you used social media in a
successful way for your business?
Twitter has been amazing for me-I have
‘met’ so many great business people here and have often ended meeting up for
coffee or in my case tea and you feel you already know someone so it is
exciting to meet them in the flesh. I once started a conversation with a lady
who then invited me to do an interview on palette pages and ultimately it led
to being exhibited in an international contemporary art exhibition and doing my
first installation piece. I have met a number of people who have bought my work
and others who have given great advice and entertainment.
Would you recommend one platform over
another for a creative business like yours?
Facebook and Pinterest are always
seen as the platforms for artists and designers to show off their work but
personally I love Twitter……
Would you say you have made good
contacts for your business using social media?
Definitely and some close friends too!
Which platform do you find is the least
effective for your business?
Currently Instagram but I am working on
it!
If money was no object, what would you
like to do with/ on social media?
I want to continue doing most of my own
social media as for an artist it’s about connecting with the art and the artist, however I will be using it with a strategy compiled with an expert to gain more
sales and connects.
How much time do you spend on social
media on a weekly basis?
5 hours + but it’s also important for
artists to connect with each other and also lots of opportunities come up too
so I need to keep on the case!
Do you have social media targets on a
monthly basis?
No and I should!
Do you use a social media dashboard?
Yes I use Hootsuite and it really helps
with scheduling twitter and Facebook but I always check for responses
regularly. This is something a specialist could do more of for me in the future
especially on Twitter!
What advice would you give to business
owners who are skeptical
I was skeptical too but I believe now
strongly that all businesses need to be on there as potential clients are
definitely there and also I enjoy using social media. It makes me feel more
connected to the wider world and more people within that world and that’s got
to be a good thing in my book!
If you would like to share any other
observations about social media for business, I would be delighted to hear
them.
Choose which you like and feel
comfortable with and then be consistent and regular with your posts. Do not
expect overnight immediate success although it can happen-it’s about creating
relationships!
To learn more about Charron and her beautiful paintings, click here
