From Tumbleweeds To Twitter Fame

Never has a story better demonstrated the sheer power of social media than that of Petersfield bookshop. A story I’ve had the pleasure of following right from the beginning, and one that I’ve really enjoyed watching blossom into what it is today.

It started like this.

From Tumbleweeds…

“…Tumbleweed…

Not a single book sold today…

£0.00…

We think this maybe the first time ever…

We know its miserable out but if you’d like to help us out please find our Abebooks offering below, all at 25% off at the moment….”

This was the tweet put out by @The_PBS, better known as Petersfield bookshop on the 14th January this year. I highly doubt whoever sat down to type it would have known the effect it would have.

…To Twitter Fame

Thanks to the ever-gladdening honourability of Twitter and the general tenderness of the British public (god love ’em), the bookshop is not only surviving but thriving.

The tweet caught the attention of many and managed to rack up a little under 20,000 likes, supported by 9300 retweets. It attracted not only many verified accounts who further spread the notion that you should support small businesses, but also attained worldwide media coverage too.

It really has been a snowball effect; and is a true testament to just how powerful the internet and the right media exposure can be.

We may complain about it until we’re blue, but despite all its flaws, social media really does have its advantages too. This story is a glowing example. This bookshop went from having literally no customers on a single day, to having orders placed all around the world, along with an abundance of well-wishes.

Knowing exactly how to retain their audience too, whoever mans the Twitter account for Petersfield has done an excellent job of keeping interested parties up to date. From charming acknowledgements to those who’ve supported the small business, to endearing posts that update us on how the store is doing now.

I hope they never stop!

Adding to the engagement enjoyed on social media, the business has also seen quite a significant uplift in Google searches too. Thanks in no small part, I would presume, to the virality they relished just a few weeks ago.

But perhaps what I love most about this whole affair, is that thanks to the updates on social media, you can actually really see and feel the benefits of the social media engagement that the bookshop enjoyed.

Not only is this total proof that social media marketing works, but it’s also just so fantastic to see. I really love to see any small business burgeoning.

Here’s to one of my absolute favourite Twitter stories of all time, and long may Petersfield bookshop continue to prosper.

They truly deserve it.

What do you think? Let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.