I love to promote people on my blog, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media networks, but I have a definite criterion for this kind of 'volunteer work'. I developed the criterion after I had a few negative experiences with promoting people *for the wrong reasons*. This was entirely my fault, and I accept full and total accountability for the resulting negative experiences, but it's resulted in an ethic around promoting others that stands me in excellent stead.
I once undertook to promote someone I didn't actually feel very good about because I thought it would be a good marketing move. I thought if I promoted them, they'd promote me, and we'd all live happily ever after. Instead, what happened was my name became associated (in a teensy way, but still!) with someone whose ethics and values don't jive with mine. I became painfully aware of this when the person I'd promoted (and then quietly *stopped* promoting) became the subject of scrutiny over copyright and poor ethics. I cringed when this happened, even though I'd long since stopped promoting her. Another time, I promoted the hell out of someone who had a reputation for being really negative on line. Now, I adored this person, but it wasn't long before her negativity turned on me. Negative people tend to switch targets as often as they change their underwear. Loving someone who constantly complains (in public) about other people is a very tricky proposition. Promoting one is a recipe for disaster!
I learned a couple of hard lesson. I learned never EVER to promote someone I didn't particularly like, but I also learned NEVER to promote someone because I hope they'll promote me. EVER. Not even if I adore them, personally. If that hope of mutual promotion is there, I'm operating out of my ego and my promotion isn't sincere. I also learned never EVER to promote someone who doesn't have good working relationships with other artists (huge mistake) or people who complain a lot.
If you do anything for a complainer, it isn't going to be long before they complain about *you*.
I've noticed a bit of this on line lately. "Why should I promote them if they aren't going to promote me?"
Look, you're not an advertising firm. You're a person. If you're promoting someone and you resent it, stop. Because keeping score is petty. Because if you are known for showcasing people and products that actually MEAN something to you, you will develop a reputation as a person of good character whose opinion is valuable. That might not sell spaces in your workshop or paintings from your Etsy, but it is awfully satisfying all the same.
Yes? Yes!
I like flinging glitter over other people's awesome stuff. It is something that comes naturally to me. There have been times when people have felt snubbed or ignored because I don't fling glitter all over their stuff, and I always feel a little guilty about that, but my other criterion for flinging glitter? I have to want it for myself. If you're selling something, and I'm not interested? I'm not promoting it. You know why? Who's going to listen to a recommendation from someone who ain't buying?
Not me!
So. Every affiliate link, every post about someone else's workshop or product, every single speck of glitter I fling is over something I have paid for and used myself.
How does this help me?
I don't come off as a marketing machine. People know I'm selective, so if I do recommend something, they know it's gotta be good. This gives me 'klout' of the kind that may not result in sales for my own stuff (I seem to be better at promoting other people's stuff than I am at promoting my own), but it does garner the kind of readership/tribe I really want: people who give a shit that I have good taste. People whose tastes are similar to my own.
Voila.
A word of advice? If you find yourself complaining about promoting people and not getting anything in return, you're probably promoting the wrong people for the *wrong reasons*.
xo
Effy
