Most of you know I don't do Facebook. I know, I'm old-school, behind the times and generally just not with the program. I still don't do Facebook.
If I had a dollar for everytime someone said to us, "Sweetwater should have a Facebook page", well you know, I would have about 9 dollars. And I think to myself, why? We barely have time to keep up with our blog, orders, e-mails, designing, our Label Crew (which goes out today) and all the other miscellaneous things we come up with. Why do we need Facebook? I figured our blog keeps us in good contact with most people.
Facebook. Even though I don't use it, I do realize it is a viral thing- where if someone "likes" you, all of his or her "friends" are alerted to that fact. Which could be fantastic. Lots of exposure without a lot of money. Good idea. But still, I have no time for Facebook.
Until last weekend. Summer hasn't come to our neck of the woods. Or spring for that matter. I swear I saw snowflakes on Saturday night. Anyway, while I was stuck in the house for the 42nd weekend in a row because of lousy weather, I had the grand idea to actually start Sweetwater's Facebook page.
I found out setting up a "Fan" page is not exactly the same as setting up a personal page. There are way too many rules. I don't get why you have to have a personal page to set up a business "fan" page. But you do. And you can't do all the cool things on a fan page as you can do on a personal page. I couldn't tell you what those "cool" things are right now, but I was mighty frustrated for about 24 hours.
But, alas, Sweetwater officially has a Facebook page. So in case you don't get enough of us on our blog and twitter, you can now get basically the same information on our Facebook page. What's more, all 3 are interconnected, so you will never miss a thing! I think that once we blog, it is updated on our twitter account, which in turn updates our Facebook- where Facebook automatically retrieves our blog posts and re-posts them. Aren't you glad you know all this? I am being pretty sarcastic about the whole thing, but it really just makes me laugh. Why we need all this stuff is beyond me. But I had this glorious idea on Saturday, and I am willing to give it a try.
Oh, and here's a thing I didn't realize. Before I was finished setting everything up, we already had comments on our Facebook page (how did you even know we had one? So confused). And questions. Oh goodness, I didn't know that would happen. I did respond, but it was kind of late. Sorry!
Sooooo....if you want to help me out on this, and if you "like" us, I am inviting you to actually "like" us on Facebook. So all your friends know that you "like" us. I'm still laughing as I write this.
But of course, I don't expect you to "like" us without getting a chance to win something.
So here's the deal. If you want to win 3 of our new charms (your choice), simply go to our Facebook page, "like" us, come back here and leave a comment that you did. Also,I would appreciate any Facebook "tips" you may have. Especially if you have a fan page. What types of things should I post? Should it be different than things on the blog? Do I need to post all of the photos I have on the blog on Facebook? So many things I just don't know.
If you don't do Facebook, you can enter, too. Just leave a comment on why you don't. Goodness knows I don't- well I didn't. Until now.
We will pick a winner later this week. Good Luck!
I liked you on facebook and have loved your blog for a long time and I think I pretty much "favorite" everything in your etsy shop.
Posted by: edith | Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 10:16 PM
ok I just liked yo on fb...and your blog is my new FAV!!!!!! and those charms I fear are going to become an obsession!!!!
Posted by: deb | Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 11:33 AM
I'm on Facebook but I always sign out and I only check it about once a week. I think Facebook is kinda creepy, on a personal level. I don't like how it pops up on random websites IF you do not sign out.
I much prefer to use it to check out quilt-related stuff. I enjoy getting quilt news on Facebook.
My dad is on Facebook and has more "friends" than I do, ha ha!
Posted by: Sharrieboberry | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 04:29 PM
I liked you on Facebook! Yeah!!! Love your fabrics!!!
Posted by: Kristin | Friday, June 10, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Yahooo! I am so happy that you are there, it will help me keep up on all things Sweetwater in one spot. And of course I liked it, I love Sweetwater!
Posted by: Tammy Tutterow | Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 08:53 AM
Love Hometown! Love houses in general.......But,really love these houses.Welcome to Facebook!!!!!
Posted by: Shanna | Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 12:18 AM
Love this! Adorable :) Like your blog :)
Posted by: KVO | Tuesday, June 07, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Welcome to facebook! I 'liked' you on there!{Although I already liked you in the first place!}
Posted by: cheap jerseys | Monday, June 06, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Well I'm happy anyway ;o) I can check the blog update list so I still knows when you has a new post. Gosh, I'm just babbling on... Sorry ;o)
Posted by: cheap jerseys | Friday, June 03, 2011 at 08:57 PM
I would say I LOVE Sweetwater but that might sound weird. So for now I'll just "SUPER like" you okay?
Posted by: liveacolorfullife | Friday, June 03, 2011 at 06:36 PM
Welcome to facebook! I 'liked' you on there!{Although I already liked you in the first place!}
Posted by: Mary Hammond | Friday, June 03, 2011 at 12:54 PM
I liked you on FB before I read this post =D Just beacouse a good friend liked you and that's how I knew you where on FB now.
I don't think you need to do much on your fanpage. If it let's me know when the blog has a new post, I'm happy. Well I'm happy anyway ;o) I can check the blog update list so I still knows when you has a new post. Gosh, I'm just babbling on... Sorry ;o)
Posted by: Annika P | Friday, June 03, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Congrats to you on the new addition !!!!
I don't do facebook yet.....have barely figured out my phone just no time to figure all of this out, maybe someday..... I do like you though :)!!!!!
Posted by: Terrie | Friday, June 03, 2011 at 11:16 AM
I'm not on Facebook either--I spend too much time on my laptop already! I do like your blog and all the great fabric lines you have designed.
Posted by: Linda | Friday, June 03, 2011 at 10:10 AM
I like you! I liked you before and I like you now. I like your fabric, I like your crafts, I like your family posts and I now like you on facebook. I just like you.
Posted by: Tina Osborne | Friday, June 03, 2011 at 09:25 AM
I don't have a Facebook page. I would need more hours in the day if I did - between blog-hopping, shopping for fabric and checking out the news, I spend WAAAY too much time on the internet right now!!
I enjoy following your blog!!! And I'm TOTALLY in love with your fabrics and patterns.
Sandra :)
Posted by: Sandra Toews | Friday, June 03, 2011 at 09:20 AM
Will you be offering any more subway art with the quilting words?
Posted by: KarinM | Friday, June 03, 2011 at 08:41 AM
I will always 'like' you, admire you, emulate you, follow you, learn from you, hope well for you.
Posted by: Karee | Friday, June 03, 2011 at 08:00 AM
so i don't do facebook either. just not interested. and i'm not a computer person. all i can do to check out blogs, and play a bit. it's enough. if you're in my life it's because i choose you. might be missing out, but oh well. i can live with that. love your new charms.
Posted by: laura huffman | Friday, June 03, 2011 at 05:16 AM
I liked you! Although....I think it should be a "love" :)
Posted by: Liza | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 10:47 PM
I liked you before... but now I like you on facebook too! Glad you are having so much fun with it all!
Posted by: Angela | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 09:42 PM
When I read that you had a FB page to like I flew right over to do it! Never scrolled down to see the giveaway! Okay so, I checked back tonight and actually read your post. LOL! Love that you put your page up on FB and I can keep up with you that way!
Patti
Posted by: Patricia Price | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 09:10 PM
Not the best Facebooker (is that a word?) myself I guess we can learn together. Went to Facebook to check thing out, looks great! I did click the like button.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by: Kim Hamilton | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 07:27 PM
:> I "like" u!
Posted by: elizabeth | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 07:13 PM
I check both every day - fb and your blog :-). So of course I "liked" you on fb!
Posted by: Heather Lee | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 05:46 PM
Of course I "like" you!
Posted by: Angie Cruse | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 05:09 PM
Well I liked you - mostly so other quilters and crafters I'm friends with will see how incredibly awesome you all are. Personally I forget to check my FB for long periods of time but usually check the blogs I follow every day that I'm home. Good luck.
Posted by: MelodyJ | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 04:49 PM
Welcome to Facebook! I 'liked' you! Love your things!
Posted by: Linda | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 04:40 PM
I love your blog. But updates on Facebook will be fun too! I absolutely covet 3 sweetwater charms ;)
Posted by: Della Gardner | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 04:39 PM
facebook just seems like one more thing to do and I just can't seem to find the time for it.
Would love the charms
Posted by: beth | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 01:24 PM
I liked you on Facebook! I don't get on Facebook much any more - it takes too much of my time just to keep up with all the blogs I follow - but it is a great advertising tool. One tip - I have seen a gadget for Blogger where you can post a button that people can click right on your blog to "Like" you on Facebook - it makes it a lot easier for people to like you if they don't have to leave your blog page!
Posted by: Sarah C. | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 01:23 PM
I liked you on facebook! whoot whoot!
Posted by: Lissa | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 12:52 PM
I do 'like' Sweetwater - I actually LOVE all your pretties - fabric, charms, patterns, labels, ideas... well, you get the idea!!
Posted by: Kathleen | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Love your labels, fabric, patterns... everything. Welcome to FB :)
Posted by: Julie E. | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 12:10 PM
nope. i'm not on facebook. it's just a fleeting trend. LOL!!
I know I need to get on the bandwagon and join facebook, but I already spend way too much time on the computer, and it never feels like enough time. Add in something like facebook and I won't come up for air for weeks.
(I love the new line, by the way)
Posted by: Lori | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 11:25 AM
I like on FB :) I have no tips. I went to a funeral one time and wondered how so many people knew about it and they said FB. So I have pretty much joined so I can see when something like a wedding or baby is born. Oh and to complain about the weather :)
Posted by: Toni maxwell | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 11:11 AM
I laugh at your post. I held out on facebook for forever. Still really don't want to be there, but with a son going away to college, everyone says that is a great way to keep in touch.
liked you on FB
Posted by: pam | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 10:42 AM
I like and "liked" you and your stuff and especially the story about our Utah cop.
Posted by: Sandi McKell | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 10:14 AM
I liked you on FB!! Glad you decided to join!
Posted by: Heidi F | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 09:23 AM
I think I liked you on facebook, but I am new to this as well, and a get kind of confused as I move from profile to news feed, etc. My teenage boys shamed me into it when they stressed that even their grandma (age 85) had a page...Can't wait for hometown!
Posted by: Bethany | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 08:28 AM
I'm not a facebook fan, but I am a big fan of Sweetwater. I just found your blog and love your fabric lines, patterns, charms and labels. I can not wait for Hometown fabic to come out or the Intersections pattern to be released. Thank you for producing such lovely things.
Posted by: candy lamers | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 07:40 AM
I'm with you! My husband and my three kids all facebook, and I'm the lone holdout in the family. I feel blessed to sit down for a few quiet moments to check out my favorite blogs (especially yours), and am so glad I don't have feel the "obligation" to respond back to facebook posts! Way too many other things I would rather be doing! Love the charms, and can't wait for Hometown release in the fall!
Posted by: Trish J. | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 07:33 AM
I "liked" you on Facebook (I even asked a question and you responded! -- thanks for the response). I use Facebook as a means to keep in contact with people that I know that I don't live near or see often. I'm able to keep in contact with my former classmates (of 50 years ago) on Facebook. I believe Facebook is a great communication tool and certainly can be beneficial to businesses! Welcome to Facebook!!
Posted by: Joan B | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 06:43 AM
I Liked you on Facebook but agree, a LOVE button would work better. I know there is a lot wrong with Facebook but it is a great networking tool. I've found long lost friends, former students and even helped someone get a job through a facebook connection.
Posted by: Nancy | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 05:53 AM
I "like" you (actually I LOVE you :) I got on to FB at the urging of some co-workers and my (then) teenagers....and now I'm hooked (but not to the point of needing a 12 step program)...and have learned ALL kinds of things about my kids they wish I didn't know! It IS a great place to network and stay in touch with friends/family who live far away. I do love Sweetwater and thanks for a chance to win - laurie
llsbaskets@comcast.net
Posted by: laurie | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 04:45 AM
I have a facebook page that I never use. It was started so that I could share photos and view photos of two of my dearest friends who live far away. It doesn't work well for me...can't tell you why. I usually end up emailing or calling them. Plus, I'd rather see them face to face!
Can't tell you how much I LOVE the charms. The first time I saw them on the blog I literally sat here with my mouth hanging open. I don't know whose idea they were but you've got another awesome product. Go Sweetwater!!!
Posted by: Marie | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 04:16 AM
OK, I "like" Sweetwater on Facebook. In fact, I like Sweetwater anywhere. I also really like those charms. So, just for you, I will try to figure out Facebook! (Maybe as you guys figure it out I will figure it out too)
Posted by: Sandy in Noosa Heads | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 02:02 AM
I don't "do" Facebook either, or Twitter come to that. I do have a FB page, but just forget it. I think it's cos I have no self-disciplin e and worry that I could find myself spending even more time on the computer than I do at the moment with blogging!
Posted by: QuiltSue | Thursday, June 02, 2011 at 12:55 AM
I too have resisted Facebook. The rest of the family enjoys it and my husband and I are the holdouts. Love the new charms and the new Hometown line...great colors in this group...the red is my favorite.
Posted by: Jan Richards | Wednesday, June 01, 2011 at 11:30 PM
Don't do facebook as I don't want to be bothered with the same info from blogs. I think I can pretty much keep up-to-date reading blogs. There's great tutorials, fabric updates, and creative patterns that are shared or you can purchase. I like your style and would absolutely love a few of your charms.
Posted by: Janet Holland | Wednesday, June 01, 2011 at 10:27 PM