Cart 0 items Login | Register | Help Buy Sell Alchemy Community Blog Your Etsy Handmade Items: tags, titles Handmade Items: tags, titles, descriptions Supplies: tags, titles Vintage: tags, titles All items: tags, titles Sellers: usernames Materials Home > Workshop > Minutes Workshop Minutes: Street Team Meeting 2007.08.22 sarawearsskirts: okay, great! sarawearsskirts: thanks, everyone, for coming to this round table discussion sarawearsskirts: our topic this week is encouraging and improving member participation gillie joined the room sarawearsskirts: we've touched on this in previous round tables, but i think it's important enough to focus on for a whole session sarawearsskirts: so, i'll open up the floor for most of the questions you submit sarawearsskirts: since you all have great input and ideas. sarawearsskirts: please stay on topic, and let's be positive Messaging enabled. sarawearsskirts: so if you have a question sarawearsskirts: please submit it now - /ask then the question zero left the room Please vote: are most of the members on your team active? papernclay joined the room Smokeylady54: Hi Paper papernclay: Hello! Vote results: 4 yay, sarawearsskirts: there are some great questions submitted, thanks, everyone! sarawearsskirts asks, what can we do to change this - so that most of the members of etsy teams are active? loribeads: team challenges are fun and get people involved SweetyPrize: hand out redbull samples SoCaliGirl: I think trying to reach out to everyone is a good thing ahna: I have 2 methods sarawearsskirts: so many teams are coming up with amazing and fun challenges lately, i love it happywhosits joined the room creationsinglass: I think it would take a great deal of time for the leaders/coleaders to "police" activity level and either remove or "encourage" members ahna: 1. I have a monthly featured member liskidder: Give people a way to communicate with their team members through Etsy SweetyPrize: i agree creationsinglass ahna: This gives people a goal. SoCaliGirl: I agree lis darnyarn joined the room sarawearsskirts: i think policing would take a lot of time, but i think incentives are easier to do SoCaliGirl: The current messaging technology makes it very hard to make sure large amounts of people are contacted in a timely manner beadbug: I agree with lis too. ahna: I also encourage a lot of social time, to get to know each other - build friendships Smokeylady54: Paper Join us in a square sarawearsskirts: because incentives engage already active members, too creationsinglass: ahna, we too use a "featured member" as an incentive for participation/activity, only active members will be featured ahna: Yes sarawearsskirts: communication through etsy is on its way! sarawearsskirts: when the team pages arrive, communication will be easy-peasy liskidder: Got an ETA on the team pages yet? SoCaliGirl: Rock on Sara SweetyPrize: whoot vickileigh: I like the idea of street team-specific reserved treasureis sarawearsskirts: when i know, you'll know :_ sarawearsskirts: :) creationsinglass: we have an email member's list and we use it weekly to send out meeting agendas and minutes/updates SweetyPrize asks, does your team use incentives to get members to participate - freebies, etc? ahna: My other method may not be the greatest but it really works... ahna: I don't have freebies, no money happywhosits: When you say 'featured', featured how? ahna: Featured on the web iste ahna: Then blogged about SweetyPrize: i surprise members with goodies sometimes ahna: promoted SoCaliGirl: Thats really neat ahna sarawearsskirts: many teams feature a seller on their site or blog, which is a nice incentive darnyarn: a street team specific website? creationsinglass: We have a "Member Spotlight" on our website and that member is interviewed and links to their Etsy shop are included ahna: I would love to give stuff away SweetyPrize: and talk up those members who are active ahna: Same with us willowglass: EGA features members sarawearsskirts: that's great! ahna: exactly Smokeylady54: The member spotlight is wonderful SoCaliGirl: I dont think our membership is large enough for that just yet sweety, but I can see doing that vickileigh: etsyglass.com says it all! creationsinglass asks, Do you use incentives or negative reinforcement or a combination of both to encourage activity/participation? liskidder: If Etsy featured the team link a little more prominently on the site I think that would help with participation too. beadbug: The Beadweavers are about to start features soon to. Very nice for all teams to do. PaperScissorsArt joined the room sarawearsskirts: i honestly hate to think of any sort of negative repercussions for being 'on' a team ahna: Then the members that arent active for like a month, I contact to find out what is going on, if they just aren't around to participate, I remove their banner from the website. :( PaperScissorsArt: Hello! sarawearsskirts: simply asking someone if they'd like to be removed from the list is usually enough SoCaliGirl: I would like to think we use the incentives, as we dont want to scare anyone away from participating, right Eileen? liskidder: I think creations means negative repercussions like getting booted off of the team for not participating. sarawearsskirts: they either get the picture and participate, or they decide to be removed SweetyPrize: i dont just emphasize team projects that seem like team projects, insteadi phrase it as a tool they can use SweetyPrize: so it doesnt sound like a chore SweetyPrize: it sounds like a resource creationsinglass: we also have a "donation list" set up in our private forums, where members sign up to give away one of their glass pieces in one of our upcoming promotions,we have a lot more members signed up to give stuff away, than we have members actually attending the chats etc. Hoolyghans: excellent idea SP sarawearsskirts: good call, sweetyprize SoCaliGirl: I know EtsyMom's wont allow you on the team unless you participate regularly and heavily, which for me, is overwhelming ahna: Yeah, I don't kick anyone out... but if they aren't participating in a months time, banner comes down. sarawearsskirts: that's a good idea, creationsinglass virtuallori: We remove people if they don't have anything in their shop. sarawearsskirts: can they rejoin when they list things, virtuallori? PaperScissorsArt: we just recently asked everyone to fill out a membership form virtuallori: Sure, why not? sarawearsskirts: philly just did a membership form, and i think it's so helpful sarawearsskirts: we asked about people ahna: Yeah, if people then participate, I put their banner back up. PaperScissorsArt: after they fill it out it takes them to another form that is an agreement for participation sarawearsskirts: 's time and talent availablity valarie79 joined the room loribeads asks, I have a blog, how can I use it effectively to promote my team and their etsy stores? SoCaliGirl: Thats an interesting concept ahna: Maybe Etsy can offer incentives like free listings or something? liskidder: That's a good idea PaperScissorsArt - let people know what's expected of them upfront creationsinglass: membership form is a good idea, we just use a membership welcome convo letter asking for their email and giving instructions to our website and private forums PaperScissorsArt: iI've only had one disagree sarawearsskirts: ahna, that gets very complicated, it's not likely we'd offer free listings. SoCaliGirl: lori, I would do a weekly blog about a member and their talents.. Maybe interview them PaperScissorsArt: here is my form website, http://www.jotform.com/form/72022117377 ahna: Is there anything Etsy can offer? sarawearsskirts: thanks for sharing that, paperscissorsart PaperScissorsArt: you can create your own forms on the main website SweetyPrize: i think on the whole etsyians like to feature other etsyians, its sort of an exciting thing to be featured on another member's blog stellaloella: we offer teams all kinds of support sarawearsskirts: ask not what etsy can do for you but what you can do for etsy? stringtheory joined the room jorgensenstudio left the room ahna: Oh, like what? stellaloella: heh. nice sara creationsinglass: ty paperscissors vickileigh: etsy could offer a litte bit more visibility for street teams on the front page PaperScissorsArt: np happywhosits left the room liskidder: Or ... ask what Etsy can do to help us help Etsy. GlassCat joined the room stellaloella: like information, promo items, workshops PaperScissorsArt: but it isn''t up to etsy to market us GlassCat: Hello! PaperScissorsArt: it's up to us to market us loribeads: i'm pretty sure our selling fees help vickileigh: etsy glass does market etsy sarawearsskirts: we can provide information. we know that a resource page on a press release and info on putting together shows would be useful. PaperScissorsArt: a lot of our team chats have been about this lately Hoolyghans: I do think amongst the general etsy population there is still alot of confusion about what a street team is and what they do sarawearsskirts: what other resource guides would you like to see? stellaloella: there are a few things in the works right now that will hopefully bring the teams more into the spotlight, also. sarawearsskirts: how can we help people learn about team, hoolyghans? sarawearsskirts: that's a good point SoCaliGirl: Thats good to hear stella ahna: I have all the resources I need. ahna: Just need more exposure SweetyPrize: members have joined my team saying 'im not sure what a street team is, but i know i want to join one' PaperScissorsArt: what is the purpose of street teams? wildwood: lol sarawearsskirts: each team has its own goals, paperscissors, SoCaliGirl: How about a resource guide on encouraging enrollment? PaperScissorsArt: but for etsy? liskidder: What's Etsy's purpose, though. That's a good question sarawearsskirts: but generally the purpose of teams began as simply as just promoting etsy creationsinglass left the room creationsinglass joined the room ahna: What other idea's for encourangement could there possibly be? stellaloella: teams are for grassroots marketing and community building sarawearsskirts: the point of a general street team is to promote the site or band or whatever it is a street team for sarawearsskirts: teams here are more complex - they're little communities creationsinglass: PaperScissorsArt does your form automatically compile all the answers into a tracking spreadsheet like Excel? Hoolyghans: I'm not sure exactly, when you do go poke around the team section, there *is* a lot of great info there vickileigh: I like the monthly challenges and/or contests sarawearsskirts: you could almost liken them to neighborhood associations, if etsy were a town like lauren's forum post PaperScissorsArt: I can download a report into XL PaperScissorsArt: it is awesome Hoolyghans: so I guess it's a question of how to get people over there to read it SweetyPrize: i think an important part of encouraging your community is to regularly ask what its members want to do -learn, promote, network, etc PaperScissorsArt: we have a google spreadsheet that my admins use to update their particular jobs in relation to the group Shutterkate joined the room sarawearsskirts: right, i do try to put a lot of info at team.etsy.com sarawearsskirts: philly etsy team uses google documents and google groups, as well ahna: All my members want is more exposure and to sell - I asked them all. creationsinglass: we also use a group google spreadsheet sarawearsskirts: it's a great way of sharing info ahna: More sales andymathis joined the room SweetyPrize asks, what, in your opinion, are things that can hurt member participation? ahna: Fighting in the group stellaloella: that's a good question loribeads: ooh, i will have to check out google documents. that sounds promising creationsinglass: a negative leader, infighting etc sarawearsskirts: miscommunication virtuallori: cliqueishness Hoolyghans: not having a leader loribeads: negativity PaperScissorsArt: I hate to leave, but my hub is home - I'll be back if I can!! if anyone has anymore questions about our form, convo me :) creationsinglass: implied favortism wildwood: when the project is not interesting to them, they tune out SweetyPrize: i think too many hoops to jump through hurts participation PaperScissorsArt left the room sarawearsskirts: setting too lofty goals? expecting the team to magically create sales? SoCaliGirl: Requiring a heavy amount of participation wildwood: a simple plan works best stellaloella: i'd also say lack of ownership... not feeling valued in the group and in turn not valuing the group SoCaliGirl: I agree sweety virtuallori: too many requirements to be on the team ahna: Friendships are really important SweetyPrize: i also think overdiscussion of minute details without follow up is a giant culprit ahna: Must feel like part of the team sarawearsskirts: these are all great answers (and i think useful in learning what makes teams successful) SoCaliGirl: Too many chiefs, not enough helpers loribeads: Keeping things upbeat and friendly is key, I think vickileigh: good leaders like Lis and Dee make being in a street team very enjoyable wildwood: not enough communication can work against leadership liskidder: Haha thanks Vicki! ahna: OH - giving people duties can encourage participation. wildwood: what loribeads said creationsinglass: it's been exhausting, but we recently went through our list of over 120 members and contacted them with an update, by email or convo requesting they register for our private forums, we had a great response and now have about 100 registered and of those 80 are regularly posting darnyarn: I like teams that can run by committee willowglass: thanks, Vicki! Members like you make it enjoyable for us! sarawearsskirts: that's right - delegating and assigning managable tasks is a great way to encourage ownership and involvement SoCaliGirl: There has to be a hierarchy in a team, and it has to be a friendly hierarchy ahna: Yeah and makes people feel imortant as well willowglass: our major issues we put to a team vote so everyone has input sarawearsskirts: good point, socali SweetyPrize: it also gets more done, of course Smokeylady54: I know the group I belong to is just wonderful. and athe leaders are always there with a helping hand if you have a problem darnyarn: for small teams, a flattened hierarchy is okay wildwood: and it brings good people together! creationsinglass: yes we also vote on all major issues etc MommaE joined the room sarawearsskirts: wondercabinet and i use little committees on the philly team sarawearsskirts: this helps get more done, and if people have different goals for the team, they can pick what they work on ahna: But frustration can also be bad in the group - we have a support thread going for when people are discouranged by lack of sales. creationsinglass: committees are great wildwood: I found that asking a member directly for help works great wildwood: rather than a public announcment SoCaliGirl: Yes, this is excellent and it encourages personal liability and ownership of their craft and spot in the team stellaloella: supporting one another is a good function of teams sarawearsskirts: ahna, does your team do critiques within the group? that might be helpful for discouraged people ahna: Oh yes, we do that with everything creationsinglass: we do critiques internally and we have an sarawearsskirts: inhope has organized critiques on the philly team SoCaliGirl: Thats an excellent idea ahna: from photography to descriptions to blog content sarawearsskirts: just things that we might overlook in our own shops, constructive criticism willowglass: we offer critiques to our members as well creationsinglass: oops, I was saying we have an "Etsy Help" topic where our members can ask Etsy related selling questions etc sarawearsskirts: it's a good team bonding / self help mechanism ahna: We do it all the time in our group sarawearsskirts: and you become more familiar with what you all do wildwood: it's important to know your members particular talents, too MommaE: How often do you guys have team meetings? ahna: I even check people shops from time to time to help people out. stellaloella: creationsinglass, i'm not sure i understand what you mean? Ask Etsy staff for selling advice? loribeads: what wildwood said willowglass: our Ask the Artist addition has been wonderful, both for educating the public as well as learning ourselves ahna: We hold meetings every 2 weeks sarawearsskirts: we meet once a month in person, and have a google group for my location based team. loribeads: absolutely, you really need to know everyone's skill set sarawearsskirts: every two-four weeks seems like a nice timeframe ahna: But the girls post daily to our message board, we are family. creationsinglass: no, it's in our private forum, and any of our members can ask a question related to Etsy and any other member can offer help and advice and links to the appropriate Etsy pages and/or admin contacts :) SoCaliGirl: I think meeting every 2 weeks is ideal sarawearsskirts: lots of teams have daily chats / threads, and that seems somewhat productive sarawearsskirts: in terms of team bonding and things stellaloella: creationsinglass -- ah, ok :) MommaE: And do you have agendas and stated purposes at each meeting liskidder: Yep, if you guys have glass related questions feel free to ask them! http://etsyglass.com/blog/index.php/ask-ega/ ahna: Yes Sara, it does creationsinglass: yes, we have agendas prior to each weekly meeting sarawearsskirts: agendasare a good way to assure things get done. ahna: We talk about a lot of personal issues. sarawearsskirts: making a calendar for the upcoming year in your group is also good loribeads: I like 'ask the artist' - I even got to answer one! creationsinglass: I post the agenda in our private forum and email it to the member list before the meetings ahna: One girl had to drop out but is still part of the board because we are so close. sarawearsskirts: that's great, creationsinglass MommaE: And where you hold meetings? ahna: Etsy chat sarawearsskirts: i'm a member of the philly team, we hold meetings at a local gallery creationsinglass: you can reserve the workshop or create an Etsy chat room :) Hoolyghans joined the room Hoolyghans left the room sarawearsskirts: but teams can make their own chat rooms creationsinglass: We use an Etsy chat room, called "Glass Guild" sarawearsskirts: or if there are more than 20 people, you can reserve a workshop froggyfibers joined the room sarawearsskirts: just email me 2-3 days in advance loribeads: that's pretty cool liskidder: Sweet ahna: oh fun SweetyPrize: we use the chat rooms willowglass: thanks, Sara ahna: I have chat tonight - and look forward to it SweetyPrize: i would like more of my members to come to chat sarawearsskirts: chats can be really fun! MommaE: for those who use the chat rooms, do you also meet in person periodically if you are in generally the same physical location? SoCaliGirl: Yes SweetyPrize: this week i'm trying to figure out how to get more folks out sarawearsskirts: for chats, do you use an agenda? i used to find it easy to get off topic in chats sometimes ahna: Wish we could creationsinglass: MommaE, most of my team is worldwide, so sadly we have not met in person Hoolyghans: We just had a little meet at a Panera Break this weekend willowglass: unfortunately, EGA is spread out all over :) dragonflyfae joined the room wildwood: brb SoCaliGirl: I feel funny answering that to you Eileen, LOL heidehibbard joined the room SweetyPrize: i dont have an agenda that i post willowglass: We're planning on a meet up though next year andymathis left the room ahna: We use the first half hour for business and then we PARTY SoCaliGirl: It took me a minute to register who ya were! dragonflyfae: Hello! creationsinglass: Yes, an agenda is necessary for us in our chats or we don't get anything done! I've found that asking specific questions is better than just asking open ended questions too wildwood: back willowglass: agreed, creations Smokeylady54: But we do have fun at the meetings, Creations creationsinglass: yes, we burn each other at the stake, LOL wildwood: lol wildwood: oh my sarawearsskirts: any more questions on the topic of encouraging member participating? just type /ask before your question dragonflyfae: nice! dragonflyfae: I came in late, sorry. creationsinglass asks, are there any other incentives besides being featured that you all use? SweetyPrize: i give away team buttons i had made wildwood: I use my witty charm and sparkling personality:) darnyarn: cross teaching skills wildwood: sometimes it works! stellaloella: what about creative challenges or contests within your team, with prizes? does anyone do that? SweetyPrize: i send a personal thank you email loribeads: yes, I'd like money. Can you guys swing that, Liz & Dee? creationsinglass: can I borrow some charm and wit? LOL ahna: no money for prizes wildwood: gratned! darnyarn: working on a project for charity would be good wildwood: granted, that is willowglass: We currently have a business card design contest going on froggyfibers: FAST gets a lot of participation with our current theme challenges liskidder: We might be able to swing candy, Lori MommaE: We did an exchange at a meeting. Each person brought something and we all traded. ahna: We have tons of projects like this but no prizes beadbug: The polymer clay team does well with challenges and prizes. froggyfibers: but not a lot of people step up to the plate for actual responsibility Smokeylady54: Creations you have all the charm and wit you need valarie79: the fae group is trying to do monthly contest with prizes awarded, this is month two for the team to have a group contest vickileigh: etsyglass has monthly give-aways loribeads: Ooooh, just as good. stellaloella: prizes could be donated. willowglass: hey, don't give away my candy, Lis! liskidder: Sorry! sarawearsskirts: the team trade is a great idea, mommae! creationsinglass: stellaloella that's a great idea, have a contest internally and give prizes away to each other! willowglass: Just kiddin', Lori MommaE: At the last meeting, we had a lesson and we all learned how to spin yarn ahna: That's why I thought Etsy could offer up some kind of prize. sarawearsskirts: internal prizes is a fun idea liskidder: I have a question... What do you think about Etsy promoting a few Team created treasury lists to the front page - I think that would certainly encourage participation. stellaloella: what about supply swaps or trading materials to destash? SweetyPrize: i've created contests but dont have much participation SoCaliGirl: froggy, I need to be more involved. Definitely after the market sarawearsskirts: etsy has some rewards up its sleeves for great teams stellaloella: lis, teams make Treasuries all the time that get put on the front page willowglass: We had a group buy on supplies which saved everyone some money stellaloella: it's just not an official program :) creationsinglass: Thanks Smokey! liskidder: I know - I meant an official program sarawearsskirts: (and you all got me working full time on teams... isn't that a big prize?) loribeads: i have had NO luck getting treasuries lately. ahna: That would be good, when do we get to hear more about that Sara? stellaloella: it's based ont he merit of the list, not the fact that it's a team liskidder: Obviously. wildwood: I've been reading Guerilla MArketing dragonflyfae left the room sarawearsskirts: ahna, it's also not an official program. you'll know it when it happens. wildwood: anyone familiar with that? creationsinglass: nope sarawearsskirts: is guerilla marketing a book, wildwood? loribeads: sounds scary wildwood SweetyPrize: i made a treasury of our team newbies that was well received sarawearsskirts: (link?) ahna: Any time frame on the new team features? wildwood: low cost marketing program liskidder: But since they change three times a day, perhaps we could submit team created lists to you for consideration or something willowglass: I've heard of it, wildwood, but not in detail SweetyPrize: that may be a good idea to get them to participate wildwood: small biz has advantage over corporations wildwood: in that we can target our buyers wildwood: and build marketing around them in particular sarawearsskirts: teams are perfect for targetting groups of buyers stellaloella: there's very rarely a public time frame on new features, until they're moments away from being launched :) SweetyPrize: i think you can also make it clear, participate in this, you become eligible for this froggyfibers asks, how do you keep your teams from becoming a spamming trap for members who are only interested in themselves? liskidder: Seriously, though, can you tell us at least whether or not it's going to be in the next *year* MommaE: That might work for a stret team based upon a type of product, but not one based upon location SweetyPrize: like, sign up for this contest, you are eligible to be in x treasury or etc wildwood: no prob with spamming stellaloella: seriously though, i really can't say Lis. I'm sorry loribeads: what do you mean by spamming? liskidder: Okay. Is anyone working on it currently? loribeads: spamming by members or spamming by outsiders? creationsinglass: froggy, wouldn't you just warn and then remove the offenders? SweetyPrize: get new members? ahna left the room liskidder: I'm not trying to be a pain - I just think that for planning purposes it would be helpful for us to know whether this team section is something that is actually going to happen ahna joined the room SweetyPrize: 'spam' the spammers with msgs re-enforcing the team goals instead of their personal goals? ahna: oops Smokeylady54: I am sure if they could tell you, you would be told. vickileigh: Knowing about street team ideas in advance would help with the marketing of etsyglass.com froggyfibers: I don't have a big probelm in our group, but we are nearing 200 members and while we want people to participate as much as possible... I'm oftem afraid it will lead to self promo Shutterkate: yeah you should make it clear when they join that they're not there to self-promote sarawearsskirts: one of the do's and don'ts for teams will be NOT to spam your team, by the way sarawearsskirts: no i in team? ahna: lol stringtheory: do any teams here go in on advertising together? ahna: yes darnyarn asks, do any of you do print advertising as a team? ahna: yes stringtheory: lol froggyfibers: we actually set fair and relatively strict advertising rules but I feel like the bad guy for having to enforce them loribeads: what constitutes spamming your team? willowglass: EGA does, yes sarawearsskirts: (good lead in to that question, stringtheory) wildwood: I'd like to move our team into group printing creationsinglass: no, not yet, just free stuff on indie shopping blogs and blog rings etc Shutterkate: where do you advertise exactly? online, in papers? SweetyPrize: we have some flyers made, thats it SoCaliGirl: Eileen, do we? SoCaliGirl: I havent seen anything ahna: We've done online banners and magazines froggyfibers: FAST is in the process of planning advertising from some group sales... once we get the participation vickileigh: So - if etsy wants the street teams to promote etsy - we need to have information to promote. ahna: Few newspapers SweetyPrize: i think online can be worth it more than in print virtuallori: No, although if we do a team show, we may consider a fee that will be used for advertising heidehibbard: Hello! I am new to this,,,ebsq forming team,,what should I tell potential team members benefit is? stellaloella: what info do you need, vickileigh ? Shutterkate: when you advertise is there a way to target your team members, or are you just blatantly advertising for etsy? liskidder joined the room SweetyPrize: its so expensive for print too MommaE: We haven't addressed street team advertising yet sarawearsskirts: like we talked about with the guerilla marketing, the nice thing about teams is you can focus your marketing. ahna: We advertise our web site - which is linked to Etsy, all the shops liskidder: Hmmmm... cloning. SweetyPrize: our flyer lists all active shop addresses creationsinglass: street team advertising could be a whole separate topic/discussion stringtheory: I'm wondering about self-publishing as a team too. It would be a great way to get members involved i think. sarawearsskirts: although advertising for etsy in general is fun, although we love to see more creative means than just ads. wildwood: I'll list the guerill marketing link after the chatting vickileigh: Stella - I'll send a convo after the chat to explain myself - thanks! SweetyPrize: if we were to take out an ad, we'd direct them to our team shop Shutterkate: ooh, that's a cool idea ahna ahna: Print ad's are NOT the way to go... sarawearsskirts: clickable ads are a great way for people to find etsy wildwood: I was thinking of print postcards or flyers vickileigh: OK ! wildwood: not really ads creationsinglass: we advertise our team website :) ahna: Click ads are much cheaper too Shutterkate: yeah, i'm thinking online ads, definitely ahna: Flyers are good ahna: And so are flyers with pull tags stellaloella: in general, online advertising is more effective for web sites stellaloella: or so the studies say creationsinglass: we've had some team graphic artists design team flyers and business cards for us, that we can individually download and print and use ahna: I read that for a print ad to be successful, it needs to be repeated several times stellaloella: but with Etsy, what we've found to be even more effective than online ads is getting press coverage willowglass: I've read that as well, Ahna. wildwood: print ads and billboards are not the guerilla way ahna: Did you all read that about flyers with pull tags? sarawearsskirts: press coverage is great! word of mouth is also key! wildwood: person to person is the guerilla way! Hoolyghans: I'm on a geographic team and we were trying to think of ways to get written about in the local paper loribeads: what are pull tags? ahna: The pull tags work great Hoolyghans: we had trouble with follow through though ahna: Yeah, make a 8 x 11 flyer with pull tags at the bottom with the web address ahna: Cut them and people can tear them off creationsinglass: Hoolyghans, set up a public meet and greet, or skill share and then get that written about SweetyPrize asks, do you reach out to quiet members? ahna: absolutly loribeads: thanks you ahna wildwood: I really should reach out to the silent ones willowglass: like the lawn services flyers in the supermarket, Ahna? Similar to that? SweetyPrize: what do you do ahna: sure loribeads ahna: Yes, willowglass stellaloella: how do you engage quiet members in the group? wildwood: Give them a reason to be there! Smokeylady54: That is a great idea Ahna willowglass: Thanks. Good idea! creationsinglass: Yes, I personally convo or email members we haven't heard from and ask if they want to participate and give instructions on how to participate Hoolyghans: very good idea Creation MommaE: Send them convos, tell them we miss them ahna: Just convo and just let them know they are welcome wildwood: instructions are great idea, creation sarawearsskirts: maybe person to person interaction, or give them a responsibility, like being in charge of updating a blog or something periodically? ahna: I have a "welcome kit" sarawearsskirts: something they can do without having to be uber-involved? wildwood: welcome kit great idea ahna: lol gillie: what's in your welcome kit? stringtheory: that's neat ahna, do tell sarawearsskirts: also, minutes will be posted on the schedule ahna: ok... sarawearsskirts: :) froggyfibers: is there an "average" size team on Etsy... sorry, thats a question for the admin ahna: It gives a business plan... all the links.... and updates.... sarawearsskirts: no, no real average, although most really big groups (like 100+) have a core group of maybe 20 or so super active members ahna: And I let them know I'm avalable for any questions, etc. creationsinglass: I recently went through my list of members, and contacted the top 5 sellers in my group and "interviewed" them for a tips article that I will post on our website etc. A few of the top sellers weren't so active b/c obviously they are busy, but since contacting them they have been a lot more active : sarawearsskirts: smaller can be sweeter ahna: So, they don't feel over wlmed and lost sarawearsskirts: a dozen is maybe about average for a location team sarawearsskirts: creationsinglass, what a great idea! SweetyPrize asks, what do you do if you join a team but then dont see anything worthwhile/are frustrated? MommaE left the room sarawearsskirts: are you saying what if you join a deadbeat team, but you want to do more? froggyfibers: quit? ahna: Some times contact people is the simplest most effective way to get them involved... show them you care. sarawearsskirts: no! don't quit! creationsinglass: be assertive and take initiative to get some things done! froggyfibers: sorry... sillyness taking over sarawearsskirts: revitalize it! valarie79 joined the room sarawearsskirts: there are a bunch of teams on the comeback right now! sarawearsskirts: it's great! sarawearsskirts: :) loribeads: i am a member of a couple teams but only active in one ahna: Like my Dark team!! loribeads: i guess i should quit the others creationsinglass: I've noticed a lot of new teams, and the street team forum is soooo busy lately! virtuallori: Like Sara said, revitalize! liskidder left the room sarawearsskirts: the street teams forum (you may notice we call it Etsy Teams now) is jumping! ahna: Yeah, we need a bigger st. team forum creationsinglass: I only have time for my one team! LOL ahna: Yeah, running 2 teams is tough wildwood asks, how many teams are your members on? loribeads: the street team forum needs some dividing up, I think SweetyPrize: a gazillion wildwood: I never know the answer to this! ahna: too many sarawearsskirts: good question. i see a lot of the same names on many team lists. Smokeylady54: I think being with one team and giving it you all is best. wildwood: joiners? froggyfibers: yes.... sarawearsskirts: this is a great question to ask on a team member uestionairee loribeads: i think i belong to three ahna: I can only be active in 2 teams sarawearsskirts: my Q is wonky, sorry Shutterkate: frankly i have no clue who the "leader" of my street team even is virtuallori: I'm very active on a location team and less active on a materials team loribeads: i only participate in one but I think I'm pretty active in EGA SweetyPrize: lol shutterkate froggyfibers: what determines who leads a group anyway... wouldnt that help determine how active the members are darnyarn left the room Hoolyghans: Kate, we're going to chat about that tomorrow GlassCat: I can only handle one. But it's a great one. heidehibbard: how do you introduce the concept of street teams to people who might be receptive to joining but do not understand what it is about? froggyfibers: (sorry FAST!) Shutterkate asks, does the person who created the street team necessarily have to be its leader? sarawearsskirts: nope. or they can be a co-leader virtuallori: No. wildwood: I guess not, butthat' s how it usually goes SweetyPrize asks, what do you do if your team has no leader? sarawearsskirts: find someone to help lead it with you? stellaloella: take the initiative! :) SweetyPrize: take me to your leader ahna: oh wow wildwood: ? liskidder: Mob rule creationsinglass: become the leader, take the initiative, ask for a few co-leaders to help you froggyfibers: maybe people can co-op lead,... switch off so to speak ahna: no leader = chaos Shutterkate: ok hooly sarawearsskirts: there are a few teams where people contaxcted me about taking the reigns lately, it's great wildwood: good answer, creationsinglass stellaloella: some teams lead by group, or co-leaders virtuallori: A few of us got together to become new coleaders valarie79 left the room sarawearsskirts: a small group of people (2-3 or 4) usually works well sarawearsskirts: isn't too overwhelming SoCaliGirl: too many leaders = chaos wildwood asks, does having multi leaders help with activities? heidehibbard left the room SweetyPrize: i think it does wildwood virtuallori: Absolutely. One person doesn't have to be involved in everything wildwood: seems like more communication would help ahna: 1 leader then lots of helpers works for me froggyfibers: what about not having enough... that is bad to sarawearsskirts: multiple leaders is great if you have mutliple projects and each is almost like a committee head. ahna: I organize stellaloella: a few teams specialize or delegate respolsibilities to those who are most talented in different areas creationsinglass: I think so, we have 2-3 co-leads and then about 10-20 active members who give us a great deal of input and inspiration sarawearsskirts: delegating is an important skill for any leader to have ahna: That should be my title stellaloella: *responsibilities (wow. typo!) wildwood: good input, thanks! ahna: Ahna the Organizer, LOL sarawearsskirts: being a leader and not delegating is dangerous creationsinglass: yes, I have to get even better at delegating so I can go on maternity leave, LOL sarawearsskirts: you could get burned out. wildwood: I have the support of my members, I just need their action liskidder: and insane stellaloella: a team is not a one-seller show loribeads: I really prefer the cheerleader role Smokeylady54: Ahna that sound like the Mob ahna: Yeah, happened to me, Sara willowglass: totally bonkers sarawearsskirts: good point, stella stellaloella: they whole point of the team is for people to work together. the leader should not be doing everything sarawearsskirts: cheerleaders are important to teams, too! sarawearsskirts: cheerleaders might also be prime people to write blogs! ahna: But when I don't have people willing, I have to do the work myself, no choice sarawearsskirts: or other team news or updates! froggyfibers asks, is there a suggested ratio of leaders to members? creationsinglass: My co-leader handles all our web/technical stuff and helps with communication as well, then we both interact with our various committees stellaloella: if people aren't willing, how can you motivate them to help? loribeads: Go TEAM! sarawearsskirts: not an official one, but i would hope you know all your members by name, sort of, or are familiar with their shops ahna: I think a good team number is right around 35-40 at most. wildwood: I think over 30 members calls for a co-leader virtuallori: sis-boom-bah! wildwood: I say that but yet I don't have a partner in my team creationsinglass: personal communication, specifically define a task you need help with, and then ask for help sarawearsskirts: this has been a great chat, everyone. sarawearsskirts: very informative! creationsinglass: you have to know what you need help, and how you want it done ahna: That's what I do, creations stellaloella: good point, creationsinglass sarawearsskirts: very good, creationsinglass. ahna: But I don't always get volunteers creationsinglass: ty stellaloella: thank you everyone for coming! ahna: That's my problem creationsinglass: be persistent and keep askign for help :) virtuallori: thanks! ahna: I will!! wildwood: and set goals! sarawearsskirts: the minutes will be posted as usual at the workshop schedule page - Smokeylady54: I do Creations grunt work when ever I can stellaloella: sarawearsskirts, what's on the schedule for next week's chat? creationsinglass: ty all! loribeads: good workshop! Thank you! creationsinglass: Ty Smokey! Love ya! ahna: Remember pull tags!! Hoolyghans: great info, lots to think about!!! ahna: lol wildwood: http://www.gmarketing.com/ vickileigh left the room sarawearsskirts: i'll post next week's topic in the team blog, as usual, on monday or tuesday wildwood: G marketing link Smokeylady54: Back at you and Happy to see Paper here today creationsinglass: thanks for the link wildwood loribeads: I will sharpen my scissors, ahna! wildwood: :) GlassCat: Great chat, thanks. creationsinglass: hi papernclay! sarawearsskirts: our next workshop is TUESDAY at 11am, EDT wildwood: great! sarawearsskirts: http://team.etsy.com/workshopschedule.html virtuallori: Wow, I bought the first edition of that book when I was in college! SoCaliGirl left the room ahna: Hey - Sara... can Etsy ever help out financially with press releases? stellaloella: have a nice evening everyone. see you back here on Tuesday :) papernclay: hey~!! you make us prous girlfriend! Shutterkate left the room sarawearsskirts: post ideas for topics here http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5186397&page=1 papernclay: proud Smokeylady54: Hope to be at the next workshop loribeads left the room wildwood: anyone needs that link again? sarawearsskirts: etsy teams should be doing things they can afford - there are lots of inexpensive ways to get the word out, ahna creationsinglass: Does Etsy have a list of indie sites/sources that they have used for free advertising/getting the word out? ahna: I know Sara ahna: I just really want to do this Alteredevents: How large is your group Ahna? sarawearsskirts: we're working on compiling such a resource, creationsinglass creationsinglass: Cool! :) liskidder: Matt said that Etsy will help with street team advertising on a case by case basis - you might try contacting him ahna: I have 2 groups... both about 25 people sarawearsskirts: wildwood - would you mind posting the link again? wildwood: ok creationsinglass: I have about 6-7 that I've found wildwood: http://www.gmarketing.com/ sarawearsskirts: also, wildwood - do you know of the 'stolen sharpie revolution'? lots of guerilla marketing tactics in there. creationsinglass: ty lis wildwood: my fav is Guerilla Marketing Excellence wildwood: sounds like All your base belongs to us wildwood: wit the sharpie sarawearsskirts: thanks for that link, wildwood! i'm bookmarking! creationsinglass: TY sara and Lauren stellaloella: ok everyone, time to get back to making awesome handmade stuff :) stellaloella: goodnight! Doors locked. liskidder: bye all liskidder left the room creationsinglass: Where is the link for the street team topics? virtuallori: bye! ahna left the room sarawearsskirts: goodnight, all! thanks for coming! stringtheory: lata! virtuallori left the room GlassCat: Bye bye Alteredevents left the room stellaloella: thanks everyone! stringtheory left the room Smokeylady54: Good night and good by Hoolyghans: bye! Thanks! Smokeylady54 left the room wildwood: bye peeps Hoolyghans left the room sarawearsskirts: you're all superawesome! About | Press | Contact | Teams | Jobs | Merch Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy © 2008 Etsy Inc.