Use the viral trend to boost visibility, sales, and holiday appeal for your handmade shop.
The phrase “things I bought and liked” is exploding after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Every year, searches for this term skyrocket, as consumers scour the internet for authentic product recommendations. People want to know what’s worth their money so they can make smarter decisions for their holiday shopping lists.
For handmade sellers, this is a golden opportunity to jump into the conversation. By aligning your shop with this trend, you can boost visibility, connect with gift buyers, and drive end-of-year sales. Let’s break down how to make this trend work for you.
Why "Things I Bought and Liked" Matters for Handmade Sellers
This trend thrives because it feels authentic. Shoppers trust influencers, affiliates, and creators who genuinely review products. It’s less about advertising and more about “Here’s what worked for me.”
For handmade sellers, this is especially powerful. Your products often come with a story—a unique quality that stands out in a world of mass production. When someone shares why your handmade product is worth buying, it resonates.
How to Tap into the Trend
Here’s how you, as a handmade seller, can use the “things I bought and liked” trend to get your products in front of holiday shoppers.
1. Collaborate with Influencers and Affiliates
Reach out to influencers and affiliates in your niche, especially those with engaged audiences that value handmade goods.
Focus on Authenticity: Ask them to feature your product as part of their “things I bought and liked” roundup. Emphasize how it solves a problem, brings joy, or offers unique value.
Use It in Thumbnails and Audio: Encourage them to include the exact phrase “things I bought and liked” in video titles, captions, and audio to boost visibility.
Pro Tip: Provide influencers with a few key talking points about your product, like why it’s a good investment or why it’s different from competitors.
2. Create Your Own Content
Don’t wait for others to promote your shop—create your own “things I bought and liked” series!
Share Customer Stories: Use testimonials or reviews as inspiration. Post about how buyers have used and loved your product.
Make a Holiday Gift Guide: Curate a list of your products in a blog post or social media series titled “Things You’ll Buy and Like.”
Leverage Short-Form Video: Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels are perfect for quick, authentic showcases.
3. Use the Phrase in Your Marketing
The key to this trend is relevance. Incorporate the phrase “things I bought and liked” in your:
Email Campaigns: Feature reviews or bestsellers under this phrase to capture attention.
Social Media Posts: Share captions like, “Here’s why our handmade candles made it into someone’s ‘things I bought and liked.’”
Etsy Listings: Add a section in product descriptions with customer quotes, starting with, “One of our favorite reviews says…”
4. Encourage User-Generated Content
Ask your customers to share their own “things I bought and liked” posts featuring your products.
Offer Incentives: Provide a discount or enter customers into a giveaway if they post about your product with the hashtag #ThingsIBoughtAndLiked.
Make It Easy: Include a thank-you card with your product that explains how they can share their experience on social media.
Pro Tip: Repost this content on your own channels to build trust and credibility with new shoppers.
5. Lean Into Storytelling
Handmade products thrive on storytelling. Go beyond features and talk about the value behind your items:
What makes your product worth buying? Is it handcrafted with sustainable materials? One-of-a-kind?
Why is it a great gift? Does it evoke a sense of warmth, nostalgia, or luxury?
How does it fit into people’s lives? Show your product in action—on someone’s desk, in a cozy home, or as part of a festive holiday table.
Quick Tips to Maximize This Trend
Hashtags Are Your Friend: Use hashtags like #ThingsIBoughtAndLiked, #GiftIdeas2024, and #HolidayShopping on Instagram and TikTok.
Run a Poll: Ask followers on social media which of your products they’d feature in their own “things I bought and liked.”
Highlight Value: Emphasize that your products are handmade, high-quality, and built to last—perfect for thoughtful gifting.
Actionable Summary: Using “Things I Bought and Liked” to Grow Your Handmade Shop
Here’s a quick checklist to help you leverage this trending phrase:
Collaborate with Influencers who can include your product in their roundup videos or posts.
Create Your Own Content showcasing why your handmade items are worth buying and gifting.
Incorporate the Phrase in your marketing, from emails to Etsy listings to social media captions.
Encourage User-Generated Content by inviting customers to share their own “things I bought and liked” posts.
Tell a Story about what makes your handmade product valuable, unique, and unforgettable.
The key is authenticity. Shoppers trust recommendations that feel genuine, so focus on building connections, not just sales.
Comments