Why Instagram Feature Accounts Don’t Work + What To Do Instead

Unlock a Profitable Handmade Business
in Just 12 Weeks Without Using Etsy
or Social Media

FREE WORKSHOP

This workshop is for anyone who makes and sells a handmade or physical product, including jewelry designers, artists, paper designers, bath & body product makers  and more!

What You'll Discover

The #1 mistake people make with Etsy & social media that causes shops to FLOP

 The secret to making it with your handmade shop so it's no longer just a hobby

How to make sales in your handmade shop with ease so you can finally get to 6-figures

TAKE ME THERE

  1. Kate Conaghan says:

    Oh Mei, I had to comment to tell you that even as the most disorganised chaotic person in the world, I have made a ‘creative hive’ email folder and bookmarked your page. You are sooooo worth it :-)
    Thanks for all the info!!!

    • Mei says:

      You have no idea but this just totally made my day! :) Thank you Kate! Let me know if there’s ever anything you want me to cover on the blog!

  2. Meredith says:

    I fell into this paid feature trap a couple times last year. It seemed like such a great idea, but they never did bring in much traffic. This year is all about being smarter and more strategic! Thanks for the advice!

  3. kleckerlabor says:

    Hi Mei thank you so much for this article, tried it a few times with in Instagram feature accounts, it cost me a lot of money, brought me nothing, next time i`ll spend my money at fiverr for product descriptions

    • Mei says:

      Glad to hear you found this helpful! My biggest expenses are outsourcing and I love educational material as well. So if you ever have to decide where to spend your money, it would be on both those buckets :)

  4. LindaSue says:

    There seems to be a big thing in some of my Facebook groups about using various robot accounts instead of doing the actual work. I personally think it is stupid. Any thoughts on this?

  5. milliardo says:

    Great post! Randomly stumbled on it. I’m a portrait artist and I’ve been featured on small features accounts that were free. However with the big feature accounts (ones with 1m followers) are only out to get your money. Using hashtags is pointless unless you pay them to feature you. Sure you’d get a boost in traffic to your page, but as you pointed out, they won’t be long time loyal fans. I found that if your content is popular/similar to others it’ll get you more followers/engagement. Seems like a popularity contest.

    • Mei says:

      Thank you! There are definitely large social media profiles that would work with you without charging a fee, but finding them is a lot harder. I agree with the hashtags, it doesn’t normally work and I would use that hashtag spot for another that is more meaningful at attracting your ideal customers. I don’t think social media is a popularity contest though, but if you think about it as a way for you to build a community around your niche/market, you’ll feel a lot more fulfilled from the work you do on social media!

  6. Norah Downey says:

    Thank you, Mei! This is great advice/information. Again, you have been so helpful. This is the third time I have learned a very valuable lesson from you. I am hooked and will be signing up to learn more!
    Thank you for your generosity.

  7. Norah Downey says:

    Thank you, Mei! This is great advice/information. Again, you have been so helpful. This is the third time I have learned a very valuable lesson from you. I am hooked and will be signing up to learn more!

  8. Quinten says:

    Thanks for the information! Every article I read from you is always very helpful.
    I am stoked to read more. Also, some advice and feedback on my photography account would be so appreciated! You can check my outdoor photography at http://www.instagram.com/quintenthijss , Thanks!!

  9. Jorge says:

    Thank you for taking your time and writing this, I just started a Real Estate Business with my Sister in Atlanta, and i guess i forgot that every strong foundation takes time to build. Thank you for your advise, will keep working on our business to make it grow healthy.

  10. lamiese says:

    I love this post. Im just trying to think of how i would connect with someone who could help me grow my hair extensions business. I do all the hash tags and ive done paid promotions, which after a week all drop off and are completely an unrelated target audience.
    There are loads of “beauty blog” people but i dont know if theyre just wanting a freeby and I cant really afford to give them the hair for free in the hope they will promote me…..any tips please?

    x

  11. sangavi_a says:

    Team,

    I started a business account on Instagram 3 weeks ago. But I have already pay 1 to 2 dollars for promotes. But Still, in Payment sections, i am seeing money accumulating amount. I am not sure what is the money for whether its credit or debt. Apart from paying 2 dollars for promote

    Kindly help me to clear the doubts.

  12. Great article! I am traveling in South America withmy puppy and looking to get more exposure, mostly so that we can share our trip and help others who would like to travel with dogs but don’t know where to start. Sowe have found our niche, now we just need to find the right ways to exploit it. If you’re interested in traveling with dog in South America our account on insta is: mylastvacation

  13. Nicole says:

    Very useful information! So glad that I stumbled on it. I have a new etsy shop and was looking for ways to promote it. I was considering some of those paid featured accounts but you definitely have me thinking otherwise. I do agree that the free featured accounts are a better route.

    Nicole
    http://www.shopearflair.etsy.com

    • Mei says:

      Glad I could save you on a bit of money! :-) I’m not opposed to spending on features, but just make sure the influencer’s audience are people you really want to reach and who will actually buy your work.

  14. Paulette says:

    Hi Mei: thank you so much for this valuable information. I’m starting to market a line of wearable one of a kind pendants and I’m still challenged by using social media. (And wondering if I’ll ever figure it out!) I look forward to reading more of your astute advice. Warm regards, Paulette

  15. lisa says:

    Hi Mei,
    Thanks for a great post. My new insta account was approached by a paid feature account, and after following your advice and doing a little research, found that it probably wasn’t viable. I think I’ll look for those ‘free’ feature accounts instead.
    Thanks again for the great advice!
    lisa
    http://www.stylebythecoast.com

  16. Oh wow, many thanks to you! I have spent many dollars on FB advertisement and was close to making the same mistake again on Instagram. I have received several messages from high profile pages asking if they could “feature” my work. ( fine art photography ) Only to have my sudden delight turn to disappointment after they request payment.

  17. Loretta Costello says:

    Just stumbled on your page while googling about “Features” as id been offered a feature. Me being cautious didn’t know what it fully meant. Thank you for info, its really interesting. I think my motto is always: “tread with caution” Thank you.

  18. Holly Allen says:

    Thank you so much for this information ! Your articles and videos are extremely helpful. I will always be a loyal YouTube subscriber because you are so genuine and insightful. Thanks again!

  19. Swap Socials says:

    Special Thanks for this Insightful Information

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *