Haidan DongNavigating the social media world can be daunting in the vast printing industry, but it can also be highly rewarding. A good place to start is to follow the social media profiles of experts in the print industry. It helps you 1) stay in the know about what’s happening in the industry and 2) network with other print professionals. You’ll be making the most of your social media presence.
Here are some of the top print industry social media profiles that we recommend you follow.
The Print Industry on Twitter
PrintChat is not just a Twitter profile; it’s a conversation that happens every Wednesday at 4 PM ET. The print related topics are new every week. You can see some past conversations by searching #printchat.
As the host of PrintChat, Print Media Centr regularly provides news and resources for print enthusiasts. They also share insights on print business and print marketing in their Podcasts from the PrinterVerse.
Most printers know Printing Impressions, one of the most popular print industry magazines in the United States. Following them on Twitter helps you sift through what you want to read, and you can simply click on the link in the Tweet to read more.
Canada’s PrintAction Magazine has its own Twitter account, which presents their highly technical news in less intimidating Tweets and pictures. It’s a good call considering how information-packed their website is.
You should also follow the companies that produce any software or CRMs that you use. That way you’ll get updates if there are any service disruptions, updates, or solutions to issues.
Don’t forget to do a quick search on hashtags related to the type of printing your business does. The search results could yield Twitter conversations and influencers that inspire you or help you out.
The Print Industry on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is meant to help professionals connect, so if you’re looking for other print professionals in the US, following Print Industries of America is a good place to start.
LinkedIn is also a great place to learn from experts in the industry. SinaLite is an example of a successful print business. Besides regularly posting updates of our blog, they also work as a wholesale trade printer who can help you print over 1,000 types of products.
LinkedIn also has a feature called Groups. Joining a group is a great way to network with and learn from other print professions. Some popular print industry groups on LinkedIn include:
- Print Production Professionals
- Market Your Printing Company
- Print Industry Networking Group
- In-Plant Print Professionals
- Print Strategist
Please note that you may need to request permission to join some of these groups.
Your Customers on Facebook
When it comes to Facebook, you’ll find it more beneficial to follow the social media profiles of your customers’ businesses. There are two reasons for this. The first is because you can do some snooping to find out what they might need printing for. The second is because it helps foster a good partnership when you tag each other in photos or comments (e.g “Thank you Bob the Printer for these beautiful sales banners!”).
If you’re looking for Facebook groups to join, we recommend a group like Long Live the Print Industry. There are also many local groups for small businesses, which is a good place to connect with potential customers.
Printing Hashtags on Instagram
Instagram is a highly visual social media platform. This means that printing companies and customers alike can get visual inspiration. Following hashtags of printed products that you offer (e.g. #businesscards or #yardsigns) can give you ideas for marketing your printing services.
A Part of Your Social Media Strategy
Ultimately, your social media strategy should be about both giving and taking. Following social media profiles, joining groups, and doing social networking helps you build trust and increase your professional knowledge. They are cost effective learning opportunities to help you get ahead of your competitors and run the best printing business that you can.
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