#TwitterSisters Are Doing It For Themselves!

I thought, what better way to start the new year than with a bit of positivity, and a very big thank you! 

I have been overwhelmed by the support I've received from fellow women in business since setting off on my handmade journey just a few months ago. I have been even more surprised at just where this support has come from...get ready for...

My Twitter Tale

When I first went about setting up my business I was reasonably reluctant to join Twitter; it seemed complicated and confusing, not to mention hostile; there had been so many stories in the press focusing on Twitter as a predatory place, where witch hunts play out, and - even more worryingly - women are subjected to appalling taunts merely for voicing an opinion at all.

Luckily, one of my friends, who uses Twitter all the time for work and personal projects, persuaded me to give it a go, and, well...I love it! Not only has it been easy to pick up and incredibly useful for promoting my products, it has also been a wonderful source of support and advice from fellow women in business.

At a time when it seems society is increasingly attempting to stereotype relationships between women - bitchiness, competition, envy, dominance and submission, are all variations on a theme - Twitter actually offers (in my own experience) an antidote to such crass characterisations.

Give a shout-out to your #twittersisters!

Since joining Twitter a few months ago, easily 90 per cent of the followers I have gained have been women; more significantly, more than 99 percent of those who have actively supported me in my endeavors have also been women; and, interestingly enough, most of them are women who run their own small businesses too. Yet, far from feeling in competition, or wanting to see me fail, they have actively supported me and celebrated and shared in my successes; as I celebrate and share in theirs'.

So, in summary a very big thank you to all my #TwitterSisters! 

Twitter Tips for #Womeninbiz

If you own a small business and want to get in on the action, but feel a bit clueless about Twitter, here are my personal favourite networking hours for a small, handmade business:

#wineoclock #womaninbiz - use these hashtags every weekday evening between 18.00 and 19.00 to network with fellow businesswomen, promote your products and services, and generally have a natter.

#handmadehour - if you have a handmade business this one is a must! Use this hashtag every Wednesday evening between 19.30 and 20.30 to showcase your handmade products.

#twittersisters - use this hashtag every Thursday evening, 20.30 to 21.30, to network, and promote your products.