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We’re excited to sit down with the effervescent Becky Stone from “Diamonds in the Library.”
Becky talks about what it’s like to be a professional jewelry blogger and influencer. She shares how she grew to have over 93,000 followers on Instagram, and how to best use Instagram.
Question #1 – Most people take the path of least resistance through life because it seems safer, less stress, and normally pays enough to cover the mortgage. The problem is that it doesn’t feed the soul. How did you do it, I mean, how did you find the courage to break free from the relative safety of the corporate world to start “Diamonds in the Library?” What steps did you take to ensure your success, and do you feel like your on a better path now in your journey through life? Timestamp: [4:11]
Question #2 – Becky, you’re a full-time professional blogger. Can you share with us the difference between a blogger and a writer and what opportunities there are for jewelry stores and brands to use your writing services? Timestamp: [7:14]
Question #3 – Clearly you understand the power of Instagram in the jewelry space to change and influence the collective narrative. First off, why choose Instagram over Pinterest, Facebook, or the myriad of other social platforms? Secondly, are there any tips you could pass on to our listeners just starting out on this platform, and for those more adept in this space, are there a couple of your favorite “power user” suggestions you could share? Timestamp: [9:35]
Question #4 – One of the questions we kept getting asked as we were preparing for this episode was, “Ask her how she takes those beautiful Instagram photos!” We researched and saw you wrote an in-depth article titled, “How to take great jewelry photos with your phone”, dated October 2nd, 2016, published on your “Diamonds in the Library” website. Can you share some pointers with us? Timestamp: [13:23]
Question #5 – Looking over your blog and your impressive collection of Instagram photos, I can’t help but see a style reminiscent of Coco Chanel, especially where you freely mix precious with costume jewelry. First off, are you a Coco follower? Secondly, do you see the unmistakable fashion sense of Coco becoming more prevalent today or is there another style dawning on the horizon we should know about? Timestamp: [16:35]
Question #6 – Getting back to your “Diamonds in the Library” website for a moment. There was one area that certainly caught our eye, and that was the “Treat Yo’-Self” series of jewelry under $300. What was the inspiration for this very popular series, and wherein the world do you find the time to curate all of the pictures and information? Timestamp: [18:27]
Question #7 – Becky it seems as though you’re always busy. We’ve already talked about how you can help jewelers through your writing skills, but could you take a few minutes and share with us the other opportunities the jewelry trade has to utilize your talents? Timestamp: [20:21]
Question #8 – One of the points that I love about your “Diamonds in the Library” digital platform is your willingness to seek out jewelry designers that aren’t the “usual suspects” we hear bantered about ad nauseam in trade advertisements, are there a handful that we should step up and take notice of right now, and why? Timestamp: [22:10]
Question #9 – The way today’s clients are influenced to buy jewelry has fundamentally changed in the last 10 years. In many ways, you’re at the forefront of that tsunami of change that is washing over everyone in the jewelry industry. What advice could you share with jewelry stores and brands that still cling to the antiquated “business as usual” mindset of client interaction and promotion? Are there actionable steps they can take right now? Timestamp: [24:57]
Question #10 – We covered a lot of ground today but is there one question that I should have asked you, but didn’t? Timestamp: [27:17]
What You Need To Know About Becky Stone:
Becky is a lifetime jewelry lover and professional writer/editor and blogger with a passion for all things written or bejeweled.
In 2015, after 7 years of writing and editing for the Federal government, she made the leap to Diamonds in the Library which is her full-time job and she couldn’t be happier about it.
Here are some of Becky’s articles that I definitely recommend:
– How to take Great Jewelry Photos with your Phone
– How to Pack Jewelry for a Move
– Treat Yo’ Self-series of jewelry under $300
Fun & Helpful “Diamonds in the Library” Links
Index of Pretty, Shiny Things Store Profiles
You can also try browsing through categories, like engagement rings, Art Deco jewelry, or emeralds.
On the Library side of the material, Index of Book Reviews is where you want to be.
If you’re looking to build your own collection of jewelry, Becky recommends her list of jewelry stores.
Jewelry Designers Mentioned by Becky on the Show:
little h pearl jewelry Marla Aaron Jewelry Acanthus Jewelry
Erika Winters Fine Jewelry Neha Dani Fine Jewelry
Julia Lamb Fine Jewelry Doryn Wallach Jewelry
Connecting With Becky Stone
Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Goodreads.
She loves to connect with her readers: Email
Book Riot, is where you can find the majority of her bookish writings.
If you’d like to know more, please check out her press page.
Our “Inside the Jewelry Trade” Radio Show Episodes
The host of “Inside the Jewelry Trade” Radio Show – Jewelry Business Strategist – President of Four Grainer LLC. Author of the business books “A Reason To Chant,” and “A Reason to Chant – Jewelry Trade Edition.” Rod lives in Atlanta with his wife and two almost-human cats.