Tweeting for Dollars

winenutnyc

Story by winenutnyc

Published on Mar 05, 2008 in Seller Handbook

Photo by AMagill

Tweet tweet.  A bunch of us here at Etsy (including me) have become obsessed with Twitter, a micro-blogging site that allows us to tweet about what we’re doing all day.   We saw a few posts in the forums and realized that it could be a very powerful tool for our sellers.   It is very simple to use: sign up at Twitter.com, invite some friends to follow you and start tweeting!

We talked to two Etsy sellers who are using Twitter:  Carprichos and strangelittlebird and here’s what they had to say about it:

1. Why did you start using Twitter?
Caprichos:  I started using Twitter because my podcaster friend at geekischic.org told me it was great advertising for her, more fun than regular blogging, and a great way to spread the word about your work. I decided to try it, and I love it.

Strangelittlebird: About a year and a half ago my husband sent me a link to Twitter and convinced me to join so I could keep track of him and meet his awesomely geeky friends.  At first I didn’t get it, but then it became addictive.

2. How many of your followers are buyers of your jewelry on Etsy?
Caprichos:  As with many advertising options, it’s hard to tell exactly how many sales come directly from Twitter. I do notice, however, that views and hearts increase when I tweet about an item.

Strangelittlebird: So far about 10%.

3. Are most of your posts related to Etsy items?
Caprichos:  Sometimes I tweet about work or the weather, but I try to relate back to treasuries, new items and blog posts, Storque articles and purchases I have made, all to increase traffic to my shop.

Strangelittlebird: Not even close! I use Twitterfeed (which is great, btw) to automatically post my new items to Twitter, and sometimes my Etsy friends and I discuss projects and ideas, but mostly I use Twitter just to hang out and meet people.  The more people you know from all over, the more of a potential customer base you have, plus, meeting people is fun!

4. Are you selling items as a result of twittering?
Caprichos:  In the last two months I have changed my shop significantly and started to do a lot more outside promotion, including Twitter, and have definitely noticed results.

Strangelittlebird:  I think so!  My sales have increased since I started twittering.  I think as sellers we’re all looking for ways to get our great items just a few more seconds of publicity, an Twitter certainly offers that opportunity.

5. Do you blog more or twitter more?
Caprichos:  I twitter a lot more than I blog. Twitter is a lot less time consuming than keeping up a regular blog. Plus, I get to quickly read through what my friends and contacts are doing, and get reminders of new items, blog posts, and other news from people I follow.

Strangelittlebird: I twitter more than I blog.  While I enjoy blogging, I simply don’t have time to post regularly.  With Twitter I can keep up without investing a lot of time that I don’t have.

6. What do you like/not like about Twitter?
Caprichos: I love how user-friendly it is! I think its so easy to communicate through Twitter, and it is so much fun. I do wish that more Etsy friends would be on it, or maybe even that Etsy had a profile to spread the word about storque articles or news [editorial note: Pssssst! We do! twitter.com/storque].

Strangelittlebird:  I like the spontaneous nature of Twitter.  I do wish we could add images, however.  That would be my first suggestion to the Twitter folks.


A huge thanks to Carprichos and strangelittlebird for sharing their thoughts with us.  Please sign up to follow the Storque — we tweet about what we’re working on and everything we post onto the site.  

Discuss: 83 comments

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  • gemmafactrix

    gemmafactrix says:

    I'm a caprichos twitter follower! :) My twitter is here: http://twitter.com/brookepedia

    4 years ago

  • jperegrine

    jperegrine says:

    I'm new to twitter! http://twitter.com/boodzoo

    4 years ago

  • iandrea

    iandrea says:

    Twitter is really great, and thanks to caprichos for the plug on my podcast! I you guys give it a listen, episodes 2 and 4 were about twitter You can follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/iandrea Love, iandrea

    4 years ago

  • abitabite

    abitabite says:

    I'm loving twitter! I joined last week when Bre suggested at the RSS workshop. stalk me! http://twitter.com/abitabite

    4 years ago

  • Caprichos

    Caprichos says:

    Finally twitter is getting etsy exposure! Thanks winenutnyc for writing this! Follow me at http://twitter.com/caprichos &hearts Caprichos

    4 years ago

  • redpanda

    redpanda says:

    I just signed up and am now following all y'all! http://twitter.com/redpandajewelry

    4 years ago

  • lapomme

    lapomme says:

    I just signed up! Seems addicting. Will follow you all :) This is me: http://twitter.com/theapple

    4 years ago

  • PearsonMaron

    PearsonMaron says:

    Ok, we'll try it. We don't understand it but we'll try it. http://twitter.com/PearsonMaron

    4 years ago

  • berdandbee

    berdandbee says:

    I have been twittering for year and it is TOTALLY addicting. I work for a distributive company and it really helps us all feel more connected. I'm contemplating making a berdandbee twitter... but think it may be more efficient to tap into my already existing account: http://twitter.com/dovely bryan pretends to twitter but he doesn't like nearly as much as i do!! :D yay twitter! -meg

    4 years ago

  • FrucciDesign

    FrucciDesign says:

    Ok, I'm there too now: http://twitter.com/fruccidesign

    4 years ago

  • tinaseamonster

    tinaseamonster says:

    you can follow me http://twitter.com/tinaseamonster tina

    4 years ago

  • iacua

    iacua says:

    yup, been there a little while, just getting the hang of it :) https://twitter.com/iacua

    4 years ago

  • backwoodsophisticate

    backwoodsophisticate says:

    hmm, I am not sure I understand how it works yet, but I am there: http://twitter.com/backwoods

    4 years ago

  • alphaomega

    alphaomega says:

    i heart twitter. that's auto-linked up to my LJ http://twitter.com/mai_ling

    4 years ago

  • vozclothingandart

    vozclothingandart says:

    Just signed up too- http://twitter.com/vozchica

    4 years ago

  • lpdesigns

    lpdesigns says:

    I'm on twitter. http://twitter.com/elpy I don't exactly know how to explain the site to my family. heh I tweet about everything. Love it. Have a badge on my blog and my Myspace. Gotta check out the tweeterfeed thing though.

    4 years ago

  • magickalrealism

    magickalrealism says:

    I love twitter, I've been on since last summer when my boyfriend and I started playing Least Dangerous Game. http://twitter.com/magickalrealism

    4 years ago

  • xiane

    xiane says:

    I'm really digging Twitter, now that I've been strong-armed into it! http://twitter.com/xiane_org is mine, and it microblogs to my website, too!

    4 years ago

  • XOHandworks

    XOHandworks says:

    me too :) http://twitter.com/xohandworks

    4 years ago

  • pawandclawdesigns

    pawandclawdesigns says:

    i just joined as well http://twitter.com/kittenspawn and firefox has a great add-on called twitterfox that lets you add tweets right form your browser.

    4 years ago

  • PortButtonsViNtAgE

    PortButtonsViNtAgE says:

    trying to figure this thingee out! http://twitter.com/designsbybari

    4 years ago

  • clementinepress

    clementinepress says:

    just succumbed to twitter after obsessively reading on a friend's lj. http://twitter.com/clementinepress also linked to my lj

    4 years ago

  • tarynhipp

    tarynhipp says:

    me too! http://twitter.com/tarynhipp

    4 years ago

  • shoofly

    shoofly says:

    You guys were so right about twitter, it's so much fun! Here is a link to me: http://twitter.com/goshdarnknit

    4 years ago

  • hobbledehoy

    hobbledehoy says:

    addictive! http://twitter.com/hobbledehoy

    4 years ago

  • cloud9designstudio

    cloud9designstudio says:

    htttp://www.twitter.com/cloud9design

    3 years ago

  • InkAndVine

    InkAndVine says:

    htttp://www.twitter.com/mrsdragon Easier to keep up with than a blog and fun!

    3 years ago

  • forqueenvictoria

    forqueenvictoria says:

    I'm there too! http://www.twitter.com/forqueenv

    3 years ago

  • LexyArt

    LexyArt says:

    Me too!! http://twitter.com/LexyArt I just don't know what I'm doing yet....

    3 years ago

  • VedasBeads

    VedasBeads says:

    I'm Tweeting too ~ Come follow me :) http://twitter.com/vedasbeads

    3 years ago

  • LollyBopBaby

    LollyBopBaby says:

    Just signed up too! http://twitter.com/CrochetCafe

    3 years ago

  • AmongTheRuins

    AmongTheRuins says:

    I'm on twitter and just beginning to see the usefulness of it. Please do follow me!! http://twitter.com/Among_The_Ruins

    3 years ago

  • greatplainsbazaar

    greatplainsbazaar says:

    I'm new to twitter and hope to meet other Etsy folks http://twitter.com/gr8plainsbazaar

    3 years ago

  • StudioYTE

    StudioYTE says:

    Trying to figure it all out... http://twitter.com/StudioYte

    3 years ago

  • SWANclothing

    SWANclothing says:

    i tweet too! http://twitter.com/SwanDiamondRose thank you for the advice!

    3 years ago

  • LillyEllenDesigns

    LillyEllenDesigns says:

    Thanks, Still trying to figure it out... http://twitter.com/LillyEllen

    3 years ago

  • beckybrocato

    beckybrocato says:

    i love twitter! Follow me please: http://twitter.com/bbrocato

    3 years ago

  • DancingMooney

    DancingMooney says:

    Thanks for the thoughts ladies! ♥ http://twitter.com/DancingMooney

    3 years ago

  • FarAwayDesigns

    FarAwayDesigns says:

    Excellent advice here; it's been bookmarked and I've just signed up - hopefully, I'll connect with some of other Etsy-ans :) http://twitter.com/FarAwayDesigns

    3 years ago

  • HansenSoapCo

    HansenSoapCo says:

    <---------- I twitter about all kinds of fun stuff. I also run a "secret twitter weekend giveaway" each weekend. And every day I feature a new Etsy shop at random :) Come follow me if you like at http://twitter.com/hansensoapco

    3 years ago

  • LizzyBdesigns

    LizzyBdesigns says:

    I really enjoy twitter..it is a great way to get real time information about what your friends & contacts are up to:) http://twitter.com/lizzyb_designs

    3 years ago

  • samsstuff

    samsstuff says:

    There are things to like & dislike, I guess, about Twitter. It's definitely addictive. I didn't get it at first, either, but I'm slowly growing more used to it. It can be a lot of fun & you see things you wouldn't otherwise know about. Follow me & I will Follow you, I like hearing all the interesting things Etsians have to say: http://twitter.com/samsstuff

    3 years ago

  • ambientgirldesigns

    ambientgirldesigns says:

    I'm still new to twitter but I love it!!! http://twitter.com/Ambient_Girl

    3 years ago

  • j2fabfunk

    j2fabfunk says:

    I am a newbie on Etsy and Twitter and since I have no friends on Twitter I am going to follow you guys-artist unite!

    3 years ago

  • j2fabfunk

    j2fabfunk says:

    oh yeah http://twitter.com/j2fabfunk

    3 years ago

  • lilacpopphotography

    lilacpopphotography says:

    Love twitter! http://twitter.com/lilacpop Here's something I wrote in the forums about it too: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6156775

    3 years ago

  • allinthefamilyart

    allinthefamilyart says:

    TY SO MUCH!!! Off to Twitterfeed!

    3 years ago

  • mujoyas

    mujoyas says:

    Great article! I love twitter too! Here is mine: https://twitter.com/mujoyas

    3 years ago

  • nixydesigns

    nixydesigns says:

    I'm giving it a try as well! http://twitter.com/nixydesigns

    3 years ago

  • empresswu

    empresswu says:

    Twitter is the best referring site to my Etsy shop https:/twitter.com/empresswu

    3 years ago

  • jlremy

    jlremy says:

    I want to twitter too.....

    3 years ago

  • jlremy

    jlremy says:

    http://twitter.com/jlremy

    3 years ago

  • BewilderknitsGwynne

    BewilderknitsGwynne says:

    I'm newly on Twitter. I joined when I noticed that so many neat shop owners on Etsy said "Follow me on Twitter" and I thought I could save myself from all the bookmarking by just following them. There are so many Twitterknitters!!! http://twitter.com/gwynnesullivan

    3 years ago

  • TheNightjar

    TheNightjar says:

    i am awkwardly doing it.... : ) http://twitter.com/TheNightJar

    3 years ago

  • mojospastyle

    mojospastyle says:

    I started Twittering and I have noticed that it is a great way to meet other crafters and be supportive of one another. I definitely do not like when I get 8 tweets from somebody in one day. I think there has to be some level of respect because it can be too much and then you disinterested. I tweet 2-3 week when I have something important for my customers to know and it's not overwhelming. Hope my experience helps newbies :)

    3 years ago

  • toyousjoyous

    toyousjoyous says:

    ok, I'm officially inspired to movement :). I'm looking for the fun shops to follow. http://twitter.com/toyousjoyous

    3 years ago

  • rosycloudfairyland

    rosycloudfairyland says:

    I sign up for Twitter a couple of weeks ago and find it's an efficient way to build contacts. But I only played with it a few minutes. Your article reminds me of Twitter again.

    3 years ago

  • littlegreenthings

    littlegreenthings says:

    The enthusiasm is contagious. I'm diving in. Here we go. http://twitter.com/lilgreenthings Is there such a thing as "twitter jitters"? All this social networking seems daunting at times!

    3 years ago

  • joannajewelry

    joannajewelry says:

    Oh, I'm on twitter since... yesterday :) http://twitter.com/joannajewelry

    3 years ago

  • SWANclothing

    SWANclothing says:

    ok, i've now added you all :) here is me again- http://twitter.com/SwanDiamondRose happy weekend all!

    3 years ago

  • beaneandco

    beaneandco says:

    Great article...I've been debating on whether or not to get involved with another social networking site. It sounds like this one may be worth it. I've heard nothing but good things. Maybe I'll see you on twitter!

    3 years ago

  • ZombieHead

    ZombieHead says:

    We have been having a great time with twitter! http://twitter.com/ZombieHead_Etsy

    3 years ago

  • AardvarkSilver

    AardvarkSilver says:

    I have been using Twitter but no success yet.I guess I need to be more consistant.Soon it is all coming

    3 years ago

  • CrochetRUs

    CrochetRUs says:

    I love Twitter! http://twitter.com/halfaheart

    3 years ago

  • jessicaschuler

    jessicaschuler says:

    This article enticed me to join as well! http://www.twitter.com/SIDsARTSHOP

    2 years ago

  • Arianwen

    Arianwen says:

    Yep, me too :) http://twitter.com/Arianwen09

    2 years ago

  • newusesforoldclothes

    newusesforoldclothes says:

    i've found when i twitter about my blog (with links) that i receive more hits and more followers. http://twitter.com/refinnej

    2 years ago

  • meganleone

    meganleone says:

    Still a little shy but warming up to it. http://twitter.com/meganleone

    2 years ago

  • bellta

    bellta says:

    55 I love twitter http;//twitter.com/bellta

    2 years ago

  • bellta

    bellta says:

    http://twitter.com/bellta

    2 years ago

  • MagMoment

    MagMoment says:

    just started http://www.twitter.com/magmoment!

    2 years ago

  • cutiebabe

    cutiebabe says:

    I'm new to twitter~ http://twitter.com/cutiebabexoxo

    2 years ago

  • talulahblue

    talulahblue says:

    I'm on twitter follow and I'll follow back xx http://twitter.com/susiiscute

    2 years ago

  • FernHollowFinds

    FernHollowFinds says:

    I've been twittering and following Etsy members. Follow me, I'm not lost :) http://twitter.com/pattybearski

    2 years ago

  • dsenyo

    dsenyo says:

    Thanks for the twitterfeed tip. Just started streaming my blog and etsy shop into my twitter http://twitter.com/dsenyo

    2 years ago

  • Barefootpony

    Barefootpony says:

    I'm twittering at http://twitter.com/barefootpony

    2 years ago

  • honeywind

    honeywind says:

    Hi...never realized i could link the 2 sites...learn something new every day!! http://twitter.com/hilltopdj

    2 years ago

  • papavercreations

    papavercreations says:

    Iam on twitter too!! http://twitter.com/papaverjewelry

    2 years ago

  • jonscreations

    jonscreations says:

    I really want to twitter but I'm at work all day and my company has twitter blocked :(

    2 years ago

  • ELEVEN13

    ELEVEN13 says:

    Twitter really is addicting. It's my new favorite passtime! Follow me at http://twitter.com/Eleven13Jewelry

    2 years ago

  • ELEVEN13

    ELEVEN13 says:

    Twitter is definetely addicting and fun! Follow me on Twitter at Eleven13Jewelry

    2 years ago

  • charmiesonline

    charmiesonline says:

    I'm still figuring out Twitter. http://twitter.com/charmiesonline

    1 year ago

  • ZoiShop

    ZoiShop says:

    I was a little hesitant to start a twitter account to promote my work, until I started one and really did see a big difference in the interaction within my shop. Great way to start off. http://twitter.com/#!/zoishop

    1 year ago