Are you catching your readers’ attention 
only to blow it off? You are, if you send folks wanting to see your photos to a third-party site. Twitpic does ZILCH to polish your business image.
I’ve noticed that many consignment and resale shopkeepers do just this. They post pictures, which they have taken the effort to take, file, and offer up, on Twitpic and the like, rather than on their own site or blog.
Here, take a look at a Tweat which directs the viewer to Twitpic.
redressnycCheck out our foxy new signage! As stylish as we are! http://twitpic.com/eaf43
Were you distracted by the ad on the right? Did you easily, without effort, find out more about the Twitterer’s shop? Tempted to go there right now?
Next, here’s another Tweat:
peoniescoutureWe are carried away by the handbags at Peonies this week! http://bit.ly/16ObqN
The Peony link leads to the shop’s blog, where the viewer may linger and get more of whatever message the shopkeeper would like to get across (me, I am DYING for that chocolate Cole Hahn handbag!) and to learn more about the shop.
Wouldn’t YOU prefer to have a few more moments with the person who caught your tweat… and avoid sidetracking her with the ads and other distractions on Twitpic?
What, you say, you don’t HAVE a blog? Why NOT? You don’t even have to be comfortable with writing entries. You can use a WordPress blog stictly for photos (yes, you DO need to write motivating captions) and you’ll still gain the opportunity to use the attention viewers give you to promote your shop! And it’s FREE.
So what shall we talk about next? How to set up, in less than an hour or two, a photo blog to promote your shop…or shall we discuss those very clever price tags on Peonies Couture’s merchandise?
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
[…] over on Facebook. Heck, even on Twitpic or some-such, though I don’t suggest you use that. (See why, if you enjoy diversions. And more why Twitpic is a waste of your efforts to grab customers’ […]
[…] September 12, 2009 by Auntie Kate (This post is a follow-up to The Trap of Twitpic.) […]
More to think about re using your blog to show your shop and its merchandise to those who tweet…or is it twit? tweat? tweak?… shoot, you know who I mean. A discussion over at Sharing on TGtbT.com.
Much as I’d love reading about the tags, I vote for a photoblog lesson. I’m one who uses twitpic. I actually have had great response from my twitpic ditties, but I’d rather direct customers to my photoblog. Thanks Kate.
Hi again,
Thank you so much for your kind words. We LOVE what we are doing with Peonies! Thank you for the great info you bring to consignment stores—there is so much to learn. You’re right about the chocolate suede bag ≠ Florida. How about a chic Louis Vuitton bucket bag?
Warmly,
Pam (and Laurel!)
Hi Ladies…I’ve been following your progress, and you really seem to have it together. But alas, can’t sell a dweller of the tropics a chocolate suede bag. (Looks kinda silly with palm trees and sweaty brows ;( )
You’re personally invited to join us all over at our discussion board, Sharing, on TGtbT.com and to list your new shop on HowToConsign.com’s Clickable Map & Directory of Professional Consignment and Resale Shops.
Hey Kate,
Just saw you tweeted us! Merci! Peonies opened its doors on May 29 in Centerbrook, CT. We are having a blast! Three women have already called the shop this morning about the Louis Vuitton bag featured on our blog! Can’t wait to hear what you have to say about our price tags. Uh oh, hope it’s good. Have a great day!
Warmly,
Pam (and Laurel!)
Peonies
PS The Cole Haan chocolate suede handbag is in absolutely pristine condition, never used, and we looooooooove it too. Not that we’re trying to sell you….(smiling).