Melanie Lampro

This is a simple guide to help your posts land well during UK Gift Hour. It covers what to post, how to frame it, and the small details that lift engagement without shouting. If you are new to the community, start with: UK Gift Hour: A Weekend Hashtag Community for Indie Gifts, then read the companion piece: Hashtag Tips for UK Gift Hour on X.

Before you post

• Pick one clear point. A single product, a review, a work in progress, or a question. Keep the focus tight.
• Write the caption first. One or two sentences is enough. Plain words beat slogans.
• Prepare one image. Square works best inside the feed. Clean, steady light. No text on the image.
• Choose your hashtags. #UKGiftHour always; #UKGiftAM between 10:00 and 12:00; add one or two that fit. See the hashtag guide for ideas.

What to post

• Show the product. One clear photo, one clear line. Add a price if you like, or say “DM for details”.
• Add a clear link. If you have an online shop such as Etsy or your own website, link directly to the product. Make it easy for people to click through.
• Show the making. A process shot, tools on the bench, a sketch, or a short video clip.
• Show the story. A customer review, a gift note, or why you made the thing.
• Show the season. Tie your post to markets, holidays, or a local event.
• Show the person. A friendly selfie at the stall or studio. Keep it natural.

Mix these across the morning so your feed does not feel repetitive.

How to frame the caption

• Lead with the detail. “Sterling silver leaf pendant, hand cut and polished.”
• Add a human touch. “Made this after a walk in the woods on Tuesday.”
• Finish with a simple next step. “Available in my shop today, or DM to order.”

Keep sentences short. Avoid filler words. Read it aloud once before posting.

Images that help

• Light first. Daylight near a window keeps colours true.
• Keep the background calm. Wood, linen, or a plain board works well.
• Stay consistent. Use the same backdrop across a series so your grid feels joined up.
• No text on images. Let the caption do the talking.

Engage during the hour

• Balance posting with responding. For every post you share, comment on two or three others.
• Be specific. “The glaze on that mug is beautiful” feels better than “Nice”.
• Reshare thoughtfully. A retweet with one short line of context helps more than a bare retweet.
• Celebrate sales. Use #UKGiftHourPower when a purchase happens, buyers and sellers both.

Accessibility and clarity

• Alt text matters. Add a short description to images. Say what is in the photo, not what you hope it will do.
• Readable emojis. One or two is fine. Do not use long strings of them.
• Line breaks. Keep paragraphs short so your post is easy to scan.
• Make hashtags easy to read. Capitalise the first letter of each word, like #UKGiftHour, instead of #ukgifthour. It helps screen readers and looks clearer.

Timing and pacing

• Arrive early. Skim the tag five minutes before the hour. Say hello to a neighbour post.
• Spread your posts. One every twenty to thirty minutes keeps you present without flooding the tag.
• Leave a trail. After the hour ends, reply to any comments you missed.

Etiquette that keeps it friendly

• Be generous. Share others as well as yourself. It lifts the whole tag.
• Credit where due. If you share a collaborator or supplier, name them, unless they prefer not to be tagged.
• Stay within three hashtags. More can look cluttered.

X-ready examples

Each one is under 280 characters and uses no more than three hashtags.

• Fresh from the wheel, a stoneware pourer with a soft green glaze. Food safe and dishwasher friendly. DM to order or see the shop for more. #UKGiftHour #Handmade #GiftIdeas
• New print drop, wild garlic in ink, inspired by last month’s walks. A4 and A3, signed. Posted in rigid mailers. #UKGiftHour #Illustration #SmallBiz
• Customer words that made my week, “Bought one for Mum, came back for one for me.” Thank you. #UKGiftHour #Review
• Behind the scenes today, batching candle pours and testing wicks. Market at the weekend. #UKGiftHour #MakersLife #SmallBiz

Simple checklist

• One clear idea
• One clean image
• Caption in two short lines
• #UKGiftHour, plus #UKGiftAM if 10:00–12:00
• Comment on two or three other posts
• Share sales or purchases with #UKGiftHourPower

Conclusion

Good posts are simple. One clear point, one clean image, and a short caption. Be present, be specific, and join the conversation. Over time that steady practice builds recognition, which often leads to sales. And if you make or find a purchase during the hour, do not forget to celebrate it with #UKGiftHourPower.

Want to review your hashtag strategy? See: Hashtag Tips for UK Gift Hour on X.