Social Media Grumblings

Social Media Grumbles

I have spent the last six weeks studying and self educating myself on the ways of doing business on the internet and truth be told I do not like it one single bit. I know there will be those rolling their eyes and thinking, “get over it lady”.  I am actually going to grumble a little over it.  For many years now I have been asked over and over why I have not taken my gifts to the web.  Having had, for the most part, a very successful and fulfilling career.  God’s blessings and favor in using my passions to help others along.   “Why don’t you have a website?” Why don’t you…..?  I have learned why the past two months, why I have rebelled.  I think instinctively, I have known this all along.  I am a people person. I am a meet you face to face, look into your face and learn who you are kind of person.  You can then decide if you like me enough and trust me enough to do business with me.

Working a new business online is really hard. I mean really really hard.  In face to face time,  I don’t have to spell check every single word spoken from my mouth. I don’t have to try to get you to like me, or look my way in real time.  I don’t even care if anyone reads my blog, this one right here. I am not working here to generate an income. I am just here to share my heart and the things God lays out for me.  So even here I can just grumble. If you found me through my business and are reading this, you must know one thing. This is me.  I am not some twitter junky trying to make connections.  Thus I am saying a lot these days on Twitter to do just that.   Nor am I all about  the other Social Media stuff one must do to be noticed.  Getting notices for me, is a simply bell on a door stating you heard on the street it was worth coming into my shop.

I long for those long days in a little shop.( okay two stores averaging about 12,000 sqr. feet is not little, but we had bells on each of the doors. Those kind you hang out on a tree, and they have that soft jingle when the wind blows.)  The bell on the door rings and in walks a sweet mama, her child, or her belly ready to deliver a baby. I could see the face of a real mom.  I could relieve those tired arms and hold a baby, or take a toddler for a walk while mother shopped. I could meet, face to face, that little person who was going to get a room make over.  Long conversations with each new person that walked into my front door. Not the case online. Not at all.

First I type lousy. My brain moves faster than my fingers.  Second I am a visual person, thus the designer in me, so seeing you and learning about you face to face is important to me.  Thirdly how can I compliment you on your cute shoes and handbags if I can’t see you?  How can I get new fashion tips when you walk into my store all dressed up for a mama day out?

I have made so many new friends through Social Media and I am slowly finding my way.  Reading all the articles and blogs on how this is to be done. If I am going to succeed in the online business forum I have to work at it.  How? I am a mover. Online connecting is a sitting job. I have never been good at any job that sits for to long.  Now I am putting myself in a chair and “working”.  Working at connecting and meeting perhaps one person who might be interested to visit my online business/store  (www.hungouttobuy.com).  In real time that connection is authentic and more real. Someone got into their car and drives to your store.  When they walk in your front door, you know they know enough to have come and visit. Online, I now have to communicate all the reasons why one should visit and that has never been how I do business.  It feels showy and braggy and talking about how great and wonderful I am.  Grumble, grumble, grumble. I know.

This has been an exciting time launching this new business, but it has been a kind of work-out that I am not use to. I am not afraid of working. I love working.  I don’t love trying to put meaning to the constant work to get others into your camp/website/store.  I think if I figure how out how to hook up a life-cycle or treadmill while doing this computer stuff I might grumble less and enjoy this kind of working it all out.

God is blessing this process, and I see His hand in this new season of my life.   Thanks for reading my process and know that I am so thankful for dear friends whom I engage much face to face time with.  I am also so very thankful for those new friends I have met via Social Media.

What has helped you navigate your way into this way of doing business without Social Media Grumbles?

About Elizabeth Harris Art Gallery

Interior Designer, Consultant, Artist. Which is it they ask? All of the above. God has blessed me in ways that words cannot describe. Doing what I love and making a career out of it all. Starting with a beautiful designer showroom. Decorating homes and specializing in kid's spaces. Magazine covers and spreads, then show homes. Adding in business consulting. Working alongside my clients to develop a strategic plan to design and market their product or service in the correct markets. Then one day, after years of painting for my clients, a few gallies, my hobby business I decided in the second half of my life to bring Elizabeth Harris Art Gallery to life. I took my paintings to the streets and flipped my website into my "Art You Love" business. Do what you love and love what you do. Adding Elizabeth Harris Art Gallery and creating artful pieces for your home, office, business. An empty wall invites art you love by Elizabeth Harris Art Gallery. Your Dreams & Passions, My Experience & Help. Let's work together and build something beautiful in your home business, or on your walls.