My First Facebook Live!

Hey Everyone!

It’s common knowledge that I’m useless at blogging.  Well, let’s backtrack a little…I’m a little slow when it comes to all social media. 

I’m too old.

I’m too lazy.

I’m just ‘too’ much of everything.

I started my Facebook page a few years ago, essentially to use as a portfolio. I didn’t realize that it would become the ‘face’ of my business. It’s been a great platform for me.  I’m told that the ‘young ‘uns’ today are using Instagram.  For some reason, posting on Instagram doesn’t come naturally to me.  I have absolutely no idea why.

My safety net has always been Facebook – behind my laptop.  Recently, Facebook changed it’s algorithm, and I’ve read that it seems to favor videos rather than written posts. Well, ain’t that great.  So basically, in order to better reach your followers, you really need to be sharing videos.

(Mark Zuckerberg obviously hates older people).

I swore up and down that I would sooner poke my eye out with a rusty corkscrew, than do a live recording. I am not a fan of public speaking.  Good God,  I come out in hives just thinking about it.  And so the thought of taping myself, on Facebook as a way to garner recognition for my business was just a big old NO. 

NO. NEVER. NOT HAPPENING

But, seriously, what do you do to get your business noticed? It’s an ongoing challenge for most of us (especially those of ‘a certain age’).  I’ve come to the conclusion (rather sadly, I admit) that having a talent/skill (whatever you want to call it) doesn’t necessarily translate into being successful in the field.  I’m finding that to become successful – and I mean getting all the shebang: publicity, clients, sales etc. largely depends on how good you are at marketing. 

Marketing is EVERYTHING.

And it’s a little depressing because I suck at marketing. While I can paint and write decent-enough posts, the thought of taping myself filled me with absolute dread.  Would people be able to understand the Yorkshire accent?  Would I have anything to say? Would I turn people off, rather than on, to my pieces? The list of questions turned out to be ridiculously long.

So I decided to challenge myself.  Let’s call it a ‘moment of madness’ and I stepped out of my safe zone, and tried….

FACEBOOK LIVE!!!

I was so sure this was the last thing I would want to do.  Never going to happen.  Ever.

But I found myself pulling up my big girl pants, and pressing ‘LIVE’.

GULP

And then I realized that I couldn’t stop talking. And talking. For 45 minutes.  It pains me to tell you that it was fun – because I was SO sure that it would be anything but!

So, if you want to know who ‘Diane from The Paint Factory’ is, check out this:

After I did it (it took me several days before I could bare to view it myself), I realized that it would be a great way to explain my pieces: the story behind them.  Photo’s just don’t seem to capture what I’m trying to present.

Yesterday, I did another LIVE.  My God, I’m out of control now!

This one was a little different, because I decided to showcase a finished piece, and tell my followers the story behind ‘The Danaides’ cabinet. Here’s the link, if you’re interested.

Clearly, I have a long way to go before I ‘perfect’ this Facebook Live thing.  But it’s not as scary as I thought it would be. If the youngsters can do it, well so can an old chick.  My next challenge is to actually find a good time when my audience is available.  Sometimes living on the West Coast has it’s challenges; I always think that I’m playing ‘catch up’ with the rest of the country.

I’d love to know your thoughts about marketing, whether it be on social media, live taping, classes etc.  It’s all new to me.  I am here to be schooled!

{insert catchy ending phrase here}

Diane aka The Paint Factory

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