Search results (title) for: "forum decorum"

Forum Decorum: More Sections for your Posting Pleasure!

2008-04-10T10:39:00Z

Stellaloella may love the library, but I get stoked whenever a grocery store starts to renovate. You know how it goes: when the changes are all done, the produce is still just inside the door, the eggs, milk and beer are still near one of the far walls, and the grumpy guy who can pick out the best cuts of meat for you is still going to be at the back. The basics need to stay the same, because you don't want anyone wandering into the grocery store and then throwing a fit when they can't find the carrots at the usual spot.

So what actually changes? From what I've seen, what gets added are always pretty specific additions that these grocery stores think you're going to make use of. Fairly specific stuff like prepared food sections, more space for "gourmet" items or the weird little olive bar. In any case, their focus is narrower than your typical "baking aisle."

That's how the new additions to the Etsy Forums work. We've provided a little tighter focus on some specific topics so that you'll be able to find the information you're looking for (both by reading and posting) quicker than before. So what goes in what Forum now? I'm glad you asked! It's important to get the right topics in the right places so that no one has a "where's my carrots?!" moment; important enough that we wrote "Do keep your posts on-topic and in the appropriate section of the forums" in our rules.

Admin are here to help, too. We regularly look through the Forums (often based on tips from the community) and move threads to their proper locations as we happen upon them. However, it saves us time and is easiest for our wonderful and information-hungry community when you start by posting threads in the correct places. To help you do that, check out this updated outline of where to post some of the most common topics on the Forums:

Site Help
not sure of how to use something on Etsy? Ask the community and Etsy staff

questions about how to use the site
questions about site features
questions about site policy

Business & Marketing
the ins and outs, ups and downs of being an independent business owner

advice/questions about marketing a shop or successful selling
advice/questions about running a shop
advice/questions about running a business
requests for promo items for goodie bags, giveaways, etc
threads about PayPal issues

Critiques
give and receive specific advice about your shop

critiques on:
- Etsy shops
- items
- banners
- avatars
- listings (descriptions, titles, photographs, etc.)
- shop policies

Techniques & Materials
share and seek advice about creating items

photography questions
crafting how-to help
questions about any material or tool

Teams & Events
connecting people locally and globally

"anyone from (location)?" threads
street team discussions
blog threads specific to street teams only
threads discussing street team sales/promotions/ contests
collaborative art projects
craft fair or local crafty event announcements

Ideas
have a way to make Etsy better? let us know!

suggestions for new features
discussions of changes to the site
sometimes Admin announcements go here (unless they fit in better elsewhere)

Bugs
if you've found a glitch in the site, please report it here

reporting technical glitches
downtime notices from Admin (also posted in The Storque 's TechUpdates)

Promotions
looking to shop, promote yourself or a favorite seller? post here

"show me your..."
"I'm looking to buy..."
anything that is advertising or promotion
sales threads for street team promotions
sharing your Treasuries, favorite shops or recent purchases
blogs/blog entries highlighting specific items or shops
milestones in number of sales, hearts or views

Etc.
if it doesn't fit in another forum, it belongs here

anything goes in Etc (unless it fits in one of the above sections)
socializing
other threads about blogs
off-Etsy networking (via MySpace, Flickr, personal websites, etc.)
off-Etsy critiques (blogs, personal websites, etc.)
NOT your diary entries

These are the guidelines that we're now using in moving threads, but we know that some threads don't quite fit any of the above. We'll use our best judgment in those cases to determine whether or not anything needs to be moved. We hope this update will help to keep things organized across the sections of the Forums, and can prevent you from having any carrot freakout moments of your own!

Discuss this article on the Forums, in this companion thread: Forum Decorum: Where to Post What.

Forum Decorum: Be No One's Puppet

2008-01-24T17:09:00Z

You know who gets a tough break on the Internet? Sock puppet makers. While innocently pursuing their age-old craft, the Internet at large steals their identifying term and applies it to a particular kind of mischief. Sock puppets are commonly used around the 'net to generate fictional support for some belief or cause. Alternate accounts have been similarly used to post on the Etsy Forums in the past, and the term sock puppet has been adopted in our community to cover a range of anonymous posting agendas. This week's Forum Decorum is about the sock puppet phenomenon: why you might be tempted to make one and what you can do instead.

Using an alternate account to post in the Forums is against Etsy rules, so why would you do it anyway? Why not just post on your original account? Typically, someone who has made a alternate account either can't use their original name or simply won't. Let's look at these two circumstances in a little more detail.

If you were to start a second account to post on the Forums because you can't do so with your original account, this is a good sign that you need to privately contact support@etsy.com to determine what can be done. Posting with a second account is likely to cause more problems than it will solve, so it's best to email Etsy and find out what is up.

What circumstances might lead you to say that you won't post something on the Forums with your original account?

Maybe you want to avoid the "no calling out" rule. If that's the case, it's probably still best that you take your concerns to Etsy's staff privately. If you really want the input of your peers on the Forums, sometimes it's possible to rework your question into a more general one or give a hypothetical case. See our article about calling out for more tips on dealing with this scenario.
Maybe it's too embarassing or too personal to post under your own name. If it isn't Etsy-related, you might want to consider a different venue (maybe one that's more anonymous overall) to share what's on your mind. If it is Etsy-related, go ahead and email us about it. We won't tell, we promise!
Maybe you're just having a bit of fun with a practical joke. No harm there, right? Well, not exactly. Since sock puppet accounts are against Etsy's rules, you would be held responsible for the consequences of breaking a rule. That joke might not be so funny once you realize that you're putting your primary account at risk.

There are probably reasons beyond the ones we've listed here, but in general when a sock puppet is used it's because there is a need for discretion. A private email to the right Admin team at Etsy offers the maximum level of discretion. If you really want to reach out to the Etsy community for input, we can help advise you on how to word your question/statement/story for the Forums so you can feel comfortable having your username attached to it. However you do it, don't post on the Forums with a sock puppet. Doing so can put all of your accounts at risk, and we want you right here with us!

(No sellers of sock puppet-related items were harmed in the writing of this article.)

Share your thoughts in this Forum thread: Keep your socks on your feet!

In the Forum Decorum series, Lauren (stellaloella) and RobWhite of the Community team explain some of the finer points of cultural etiquette in Etsy's community spaces. When something is an official site rule, we'll be sure to link you up to the DOs and DON'Ts or Terms of Use. Simply consider these as tips for avoiding a forum faux pas.

Forum Decorum: Critical Thinking

2008-01-17T16:02:00Z

So, you've just opened your shop and listed a few items. It's an exciting moment! But wait — maybe you could be doing something better. After all, this is a new endeavor. Is this banner eye-catching? Are the photos attractive? Does this description make sense? Should you have a policy about returning items? Oh no! Self-doubt creeps in. Where to turn for help?

There are a lot of great resources on Etsy that offer tips for improving one's shop. The How-To section of the Storque is a wealth of information. With the beginning of the new year, we kicked off a series on Shop Makeovers. There are also lots of other great articles by Etsy staff and community members that provide valuable info on promoting your handmade business, photography techniques and general business strategies like pricing. Another great source of info is the EtsyWiki — a community-edited encyclopedia of Etsy. There are fantastic submissions here from experienced Etsians on just about every subject from how to make a banner to a variety of small business concerns.

But perhaps you've read all the resources available, and you still just want the personal opinions of your peers to reassure you. What you need is a critique! Just pop over to the Crafting & Business section of the Forums. Before you post a new thread looking for feedback, we have a few points of advice about critiques, for both the critiquers and critiquee. (And yes, I did just totally make up those words.)

For the critiquee (seller seeking advice):

Post your thread in the Crafting & Business section and be clear about your intent. State which parts of your shop you want help with: photography, banner, descriptions, etc.
A critique is not a promo in disguise. If you ask for a critique, expect a critique. Do not use the platform as a sneaky way to get more people to look at your shop. This will probably irritate more people than it will bring you new customers.
Stay involved in the thread. Be a part of the discussion with those offering advice. Don't expect them to just give you all the answers.
Have a thick skin. Remember, you asked for advice, and people are trying to help you. It can be a vulnerable feeling to be the subject of a critique. Don't take it personally if they have a lot of suggestions.
Take it all in stride. It's up to you which ideas you use or ignore. Just because someone offers an idea does not mean you need to make a change. You're still in control of your shop.
Don't be too stubborn. You asked for input, so obviously you actually do think something could be improved. Evaluate the ideas and make changes if needed.
Be gracious and polite. Thank those who have offered you ideas. This is a voluntary process.

For the critiquers (those offering advice)

Be tactful. Asking for a critique is a humbling experience for some people. Be gentle as you offer constructive suggestions for improvement. "Your shop stinks" is never an appropriate comment in a crit.
Offer constructive criticism, not just compliments. It's great if you genuinely like something. But remember that this person is asking for ways to improve, so carefully consider that and offer some advice instead of just saying something is cool.
Unsolicited advice isn't always nice. Remember to keep your suggestions for the threads where people specifically ask others' opinions.
Don't be too pushy. You may be speaking from experience, but remember, it's not your shop. It's okay if someone doesn't take your advice.

One last helpful resource worth mentioning: each week, the Etsy Labs offers a live shop critique session in the Virtual Labs. One or two brave sellers are selected ahead of time. During the workshop, both Etsy staff and other members have the opportunity to offer advice to the spolighted shop. Sitting in on one of these sessions is a great way to get ideas for your own shop. You can also sign up for the list to volunteer for your shop to be critiqued: see this forum thread. These workshops are announced in the How-To section of the Storque, so you can mark your calendars.

Share your thoughts & tips on critiques in this Forum thread: Seeking a critique? See here first!

Forum Decorum: Keepin' It Relevant and Useful

2008-01-10T12:42:00Z

We're lucky in the Etsy community to have so many knowledgeable, helpful people with so much information and so many ideas to offer, with thousands of members coming to the Forums every day to contribute! Even so, it can be pretty staggering to see the post count on any given forum topic shoot upwards within a short span of time. What makes that happen? Sometimes the topics are hot-button ones that can attract a tremendous number of opinions and a lot of discussion very quickly. What else? The other most likely possibility is that the thread has been derailed – our topic of this week's Forum Decorum!

It's totally natural for discussion on any topic to have tangents that split from the main topic. They're usually either pretty informative and important in their own right or, shoot, they're just a lot of fun – kind of like a cupcake break in the middle of an intense, important meeting. Tangential discussions and cupcake breaks alike both deserve their own share of attention (and if you're having a cupcake break sometime soon, please let us know; we'll be right over!), but usually that attention is best given in its own space and time. Similarly, it's usually easier for newcomers to any given thread to get information about the topic if there isn't much off-topic posting in the thread.

One of the best ways to handle tangential discussions is to acknowledge, "Hey! This topic needs some attention too! Let me start a new thread on that topic and then link to it in a post here, so that the off-topic discussion can continue in its own thread." This keeps most good discussions both organized and easier for readers to digest. You can do the same kind of thing with a running gag that gets its start inside a serious thread. We're not trying to tell you not to have fun in serious threads, just don't let the cupcake break take over the meeting that you know is important to someone!

As a footnote, another way to avoid off-topic posting is to resist the urge to post just a little something to "bookmark" the thread. All of the major browsers have easy-to-access features to mark webpages that you want to come back to, or you can use a web-based bookmark system (like del.icio.us) if you swtich computers often. This way, you can keep your topics you've posted in page limited to threads in which you've joined the discussion, instead of having to wade through threads you just wanted to read.

Discuss this article on the Forums, in this companion thread: Keepin' it relevant and useful.

Forum Decorum: Taking Time for a Time Out

2008-01-03T13:11:00Z

Vigilant readers may have noticed last Thursday that there was no new Forum Decorum article in the Storque. It was a busy week with the holidays, travel, end-of-the-year projects, reflecting back on 2007 and planning for 2008. And boy – did we need a break! Every once in a while, it's good to step out of normal routines and get a fresh perspective. This can be said about Etsy's Forums, too.

The Forums can sometimes be a little bit like a reality TV show. Take one big house, add a bunch of very different people, put them through a series of challenges and, oh yeah – put cameras in every room and lock the doors so they have nowhere to retreat. In no time flat with all that togetherness, things are bound to get intense and people get a little kooky. Thankfully, the Forums give everyone the option to step away.

There are many wonderful frequent readers and posters in the Forums. Some might even consider themselves addicts. There's a Get off Etsy and Get to Work support group on Flickr. And just this week, there was a thread asking if a member could voluntarily be banned from the Forums because she just couldn't help herself. Whew! It's easy to get intimately involved in threads and lose sight of that growing pile of dirty laundry in the hamper or the dog that needs a walk.

We love that our community is actively involved in the site, helping others and building friendships. This is great stuff! But it's also important to remember that there can sometimes be too much of a good thing. Take it from someone who regularly spends eight or more hours a day on the Etsy Forums – setting a schedule for your Forum time (or at least making an effort to take time off) can be beneficial for your sanity and personal relationships.

New Year's Resolution 2008: Remember to take time for time off from the Etsy Forums once in a while!

Also new for the new year: we're going to move discussion of Forum Decorum articles to the Forums! (Makes sense, huh?) Please share your thoughts on this article with the community in this companion thread: Absence makes the heart grow fonder?

In the Forum Decorum series, Lauren (stellaloella) and RobWhite of the Community team explain some of the finer points of cultural etiquette in Etsy's community spaces. When something is an official site rule, we'll be sure to link you up to the DOs and DON'Ts or Terms of Use. Simply consider these as tips for avoiding a forum faux pas.

Forum Decorum: Hey, Help Me Out!

2007-12-20T23:00:00Z

One of the strongest aspects of the Etsy community is its willingness to lend a helping hand to an Etsian in need. Questions on our Site Help forum are almost always followed by a rush to deliver the right answer, and it warms our hearts as Admin to see so many people wanting to be so helpful!

For new members of the Etsy community, we know that the Site Help forum is one of the most appealing places to go for answers to your questions. Fellow Etsy community members are present at every hour of the day (often from all over the world!), and so it's a good place to get a quick answer. There are two things to keep in mind when trying to make a successful query. First, check out the rules to make sure it's okay to ask! Site/site policy questions that involve specific situations or specific members can, for instance, lead to calling out, which isn't allowed on Etsy. Check out the rules and remember that the more general your question is, the safer it is to pose on the Forums. Second, give your thread a descriptive title! If you can fit your question (or most of it) into the title of the thread, you'll have more people apt to give you good answers. They'll know most of what you're asking before ever even looking into the thread, and that's always helpful!

What if you're looking to help out those who are posing questions in Site Help? We have plenty of resources on-site that you can consult and link to in order to get the right answers out there! We have several FAQs for buyers and sellers, Dos and Don'ts for site policy matters and Help Guides for in-depth tutorials on some basic site functions. All of these are at your fingertips if you're digging for an answer to a particular question, or if you just want to give the person posing the question somewhere to go for conclusive answers.

Don't worry if you're not seeing a question that you feel like you can answer! Dozens of questions are asked in Site Help every day. If you're looking to help out, it's really only a matter of time until a question you'll feel confident in answering comes your way. That's one of the things we love about Etsy; there's always room for more helpful people!

Last but definitely not least, if you've got a question and you think that telling the story behind it might violate Etsy policy, send an email to support@etsy.com and let the good people there help you out privately.

Forum Decorum: Etsy's Suggestion Box

2007-12-13T10:03:00Z

The community has always had an active role in shaping Etsy. We love hearing from the people who use the site. Etsians are creative, which generally makes us great problem solvers, too. The Ideas Forum is an amazing think tank for brainstorming, discussing and refining new and better features. More than any other section of the Forums, Ideas demonstrates the intense passion and sense of ownership many Etsians feel when it comes to this website.

As Etsy staff, we love that passion. We appreciate every word of it – even if we sometimes feel compelled to shyly read the posts while peeking out from our hands covering our eyes. (There's lots we know we can improve around here!)

The Ideas Forum is not a voting booth; the number of posts or "poll" type threads don't necessarily result in quicker action. It's more like a suggestion box – one where you have the opportunity to brainstorm and discuss your suggestion with other members. While we take user input into consideration when planning new features or changes, it's not possible for us to implement everything.

In the past two years, Etsy has grown at an astounding rate, both as a community and a company. This has had an impact on the physical structure of the site, the company and the process by which decisions are made. While we still read every suggestion put before us in the Ideas Forum, it's not always possible for us to take an active part in all those discussions. Often before making any comment on an Idea, we need to have an internal chat about how that would work on the site and if it's even possible. Most Forum regulars would agree, there is rarely a sense of instant gratification these days. This can lead to a perception that ideas fall on deaf ears. Let us reassure you, this is certainly not the case!

We read your ideas with great interest. We catalog suggestions and constructive criticism, to help us make decisions about future changes to the site. The discussions between members are really helpful; these threads provide valuable insight about how people use Etsy. Constructive criticism and brand new ideas are the best kind of Idea threads. See room for improvement? Please give us your thoughts on how to make it better, instead of just venting about the problem. (Ideas is not the Etsy Complaint Department; please air all grievances to community@etsy.com instead.) Often ideas are fleshed out and refined just by conversation back and forth between members. It's great to see all the different possibilities for improving Etsy. Thanks for sharing your ideas with us!

Extra tip! If you have an idea and you're not comfortable posting it in the Forums, shoot us an email about it to community@etsy.com. Thanks!

Forum Decorum: For the Love of Mr. Ed!

2007-12-06T06:44:00Z

With enough repetition, you can wind up driving someone a little crazy. If you say the same thing over and over again, you might really frustrate a person. If you repeat yourself often enough, there's a chance that you might be seen as a little aggravating. This week's Forum Decorum is all about repetition (repetition) and redundancy (redundancy) on the Forums, and some of the challenges that can arise as you repeat (repeat) yourself!

We're all familiar with that little "lightbulb" moment: you're thinking something through and an answer, the right answer just pops into your head to light up everything. It can often happen on the Forums as you nail down the way that you want to express a question, suggestion or observation. You type it all out; there it is, your magnum opus! You hit Post – there it is in the thread! You're a hero, a champion, you can see the ticker tape parades now! ...wait! How are you getting misunderstood! You had it just right! Restating it seems like a good idea; everyone likes a little clarity, right? Sure!

When you get to the fourth time or so that you're restating a point, or maybe even the fourth thread in which you're cutting loose with variations on the post-to-end-all-posts, it's time to stop and ask yourself: what is this repetition of my point doing? Maybe you establish this particular issue, viewpoint or cause as part of your own personal reputation. That's not immediately so bad, but who wants to be seen as a one-trick pony, or far worse, as someone who beats a dead horse? You might aggravate others as your well-established remarks crop up again and again. The same people who might've been inclined to help others understand or otherwise spread the word could instead just start looking past your persistent message.

Everyone deserves a chance to get their message across, and to step back and give it another shot if that message is initially misundersood. With all that said, there comes a time at which your point is better served by letting it stand in the boundless Forums for others to see and take up on your behalf. Put the focus of your writing on clarity the first time around and be rewarded with other community members immediately understanding you. Don't let the topic you're so passionate about turn you into someone beating a dead horse; let your first post be your best and earn that ticker-tape parade!

(No actual horses were harmed in the writing of this Storque article.)

Forum Decorum: Say What?

2007-11-29T10:50:00Z

Slang is a funny thing. Within a culture, common words can take on new meaning. Sometimes we even forget why we started using them. Slang can make it confusing for new people to join a conversation if they aren't hip to the lingo. This week's Forum Decorum is going to clear up some classic Internet community slang you might find on Etsy.

Troll. According to Wikipedia, an Internet troll "is someone who intentionally posts controversial or contrary messages in an on-line community [...] with the intention of baiting users into an argumentative response." Trolling behavior is not allowed on the Etsy Forums, as it leads to fights and negativity. (Be careful not to confuse an Internet troll with the adorable little guys crafted by Etsy seller Trollflings, who genuinely mean no harm to anyone!)

Sock Puppet. It's tempting to have a secret identity that can say or do things you wouldn't normally want associated with your own name, right? Yeah, except this is called a sock puppet and isn't allowed on Etsy. Using an undisclosed alternate account is dishonest and can cause confusion in the community. Be brave and stand behind your words; don't speak through a gym sock with button eyes!

Flamewar. Fighting on the Forums is sometimes referred to as a flamewar or flaming. Sometimes trolls are involved, but flamewars can occur whenever a conversation becomes a hostile, personal dispute between people. Once again, this kind of behavior isn't allowed in our community.

Bump. A bump is a short post, usually without meaningful content, that is used to bring a thread back to the top of the Forums. We talked in depth about the etiquette of bumping in an earlier Forum Decorum.

Acronyms are like short-hand for busy typers. For clearest communication, it's best to not use acronyms, but some habits are hard to break. You'll often see a wide range of acronyms on the Forums. There are dozens of these in existence; here are just a few to help you understand your fellow Etsians:

LOL = laugh out loud
ROFL = rolling on the floor, laughing
FWIW = for what it's worth
IMHO = in my humble opinion
YMMV = your mileage may vary
OMG = oh my god/goodness
IRL = in real life

What are your favorite Internet or Etsy slang terms? Add yours to the comments below!

Forum Decorum: Don't Be Hatin'

2007-11-22T06:26:00Z

When I heard I had to write a Forum Decorum article for Thanksgiving, I got pretty upset. I mean, I was mad! It's the holidays! I wanted to go to the Forums and call some people out. I wanted to throw such a profanity-laced verbal dagger that Etsy-related blogs would've been buzzing about it for weeks afterwards! Thanksgiving is supposed to be about giving thanks and good food, not some @#$#^! Forum Decorum article!

Okay, so the above never really happened. Nevertheless, do you ever find yourself getting that mad on the Forums? You're seeing red and your teeth are clenched; you've got some angry thoughts in your head that you are all too ready to hammer out with your keyboard. That little red guy or girl on your shoulder is prodding you with a pitchfork, encouraging you not to hold anything back. Does that sound familiar to you? If so, let us be the people dressed in white to offer up some fuzzy-like-a-bunny words of reason: Don't post mad.

I know, you could be done with that post in 2 minutes, and say what you need to say. It wouldn't even be calling out, right? You've just got to hammer it out there, to get it out of your system? Problem is, when you do that, you're much more likely to break one of the forum rules meant to protect other members of the community. It's an unfortunate fact that trampling on feelings and anger go together like turkey and stuffing, even if that trampling is unintentional.

Etsy loves to have you share your passion for handmade items (whether you love to make them, love to own them, or both) with us and our community. We know that passion often spurs amazing things out of all of you creative people; we only ask that when you're upset and thinking of posting on the Forums...take five. Go outside and peek at the sky, go badger someone into making you something to eat, or give someone you love a hug. If you absolutely have to yell it out in text, let us know about it at community@etsy.com. Just don't post mad. You'll be glad you didn't, and we'll love you even more for it!

Forum Decorum: Order in the Forums!

2007-11-15T07:15:00Z

I love the library. I love how organized everything is within a strict system of numbers, codes, subjects and alphabetical order. Whether it's the Dewey Decimal or Library of Congress system - either way, everything has a very specific spot in the library where I know I'll find exactly what I'm looking for every time. Hooray for order! If only all of life were so organized, huh?

I'm always disoriented when I first walk into a bookstore, because it's so very much not like the library. Books are arranged by generalized topics and hardly ever in alphabetical order. Sure, there's a loose system, but not a carefully mapped coordinate for each and every thing. It takes some browsing and flexibility to find what I'm seeking, but along the way I often find many other interesting things in the mix.

The Etsy Forums are definitely more like a bookstore than a rigidly organized library. That said, we do have different general sections for different types of threads. And like our rules say, "Do keep your posts on-topic and in the appropriate section of the forums." It's important to keep some semblance of order.

As Admin, we will move threads to the sections where they fit best. However, it saves us a lot of time and your fellow community members a lot of confusion if you post your topic in the right place from the get-go. So to help everyone understand where to post what, below is a rough outline of the most common types of threads for each section of the Forums.

Site Help
have a question about the site? ask the community and Etsy staff

questions about how to use the site
questions about site features
questions about site policy

Ideas
have a way to make Etsy better? let us know!

suggestions for new features
discussions of changes to the site
sometimes Admin announcements go here (unless they fit in better elsewhere)

Bugs
if you've found a glitch in the site, please report it here

reporting technical glitches
downtime notices from Admin (also posted in The Storque 's TechUpdates)

Crafting & Business
share and seek advice about creating items and running a shop

advice/questions about marketing a shop or successful selling
advice/questions about running a shop
advice/questions about running a business
requests for promo items for goodie bags, giveaways, etc
threads about PayPal issues
shipping and postage discussions
photography questions
crafting how-to help
shop critiques

Etsy Teams
connecting people locally and globally, while getting the word out

"anyone from (location)?" threads
street team discussions
blog threads specific to street teams only
threads discussing street team sales/promotions/ contests
collaborative art projects
craft fair or local crafty event announcements

Promotions
having a sale? looking to shop? post here!

"show me your..."
"I'm looking to buy..."
Alchemy-type requests for custom items
anything that is advertising or promotion
sales threads for street team promotions
sharing your favorite shops or recent purchases

Etc.
if it doesn't fit in another forum, it belongs here

anything goes in Etc (unless it fits in one of the above sections)
socializing
threads about blogs
NOT your diary entries

Please note that these are not hard and fast rules, and often there will be threads that still don't quite fit. We use our best judgment if/when moving those. We hope this will help the whole community by keeping the Forums more organized and user-friendly.

An extra tip for this week: Make sure the title of your thread clearly describes the subject. This way people will know at a glance if it's a topic they're interested in reading.

Forum Decorum: The Commotion in Promotions

2007-11-08T09:53:00Z

You've asked questions, received advice, contributed helpful ideas and chatted it up in Etc. Now you want to take your 10-gallon hat and horse into the Wild West of the Forums – Promotions. Better saddle up, pardner! This week's Forum Decorum is all about making sure your Promotions thread helps you make out like a bandit, instead of drifting off like some ol' tumbleweed.

First things first: look for a posse to ride with! Some of the most successful promotions like the Saturday Night Specials (often abbreviated as SNS on the Forums) are so successful because sellers banded together to make that single promo prominent, every single week. If there's already a thread with a group of people running the same promotion you're planning, think about joining up with them! Don't take the chance of buyers having to pick between another "Everything's Coming Up Cactus" promo thread and your own. Keep it to one thread, so you all benefit from the same viewers!

If you've got to strike out on your own, make sure everyone knows what you're all about. You might be tempted to showcase just one of your items in your own Promotions thread, but giving it a broader theme will not only catch the eyes of more buyers, but might earn you a posse of your own! Providing a theme that other sellers can fit with their own items ("Any o'you varmints want amigurumi sea creatures?" for example) can spur them to participate with you. This is likely to keep your Promotions thread more visible. Doing it this way will get you in a lot less trouble with the sheriff than doin' the bump, after all. Speakin' of the sheriff, make sure you don't let those threads trespass into Crafting & Business or Etc.

Don't forget that, with your buyer hat on, you can start a thread for those special items you're seeking. The craftspeople of Etsy are always willing to turn in your Most Wanted crafts if the reward is right! It's a great resource for buyers, and a lucrative opportunity for sellers.

That's just what the entire Promotions forum is intended to be: a gold mine for buyers and sellers alike. Following these guidelines will hopefully help you as a buyer to find just what you're looking for, and you as a seller to strike it rich! What're you waitin' for, pardner?

Forum Decorum: I'm calling you out!

2007-11-01T08:59:00Z

No calling out – it's the cardinal rule of the Forums. Seems like a simple rule; it's just three words. But, uh... what exactly is calling out and why is it so bad, really?

In essence, calling out is the act of pointing to a specific person and saying something bad about that individual. It's like standing in the schoolyard, taunting them to put up their dukes and defend themselves. It's spreading information that can tarnish the reputation of another community member. It's not nice, and it's very much not in the spirit of Etsy.

The key components of a call-out are: 1) negativity or an insult, and 2) an identifiable person as the target. Let's examine a few scenarios:

The classic example of calling out is to mention another user by name (or link) in a negative statement. "WhateverfaceCoInc sells mass-produced junk. Whatshisname took my money and never shipped my item!" This is the most obvious method of calling out, but not the only one.

Posting to complain about negative or neutral feedback you gave or received is – yep, calling out. With just a few quick clicks, crafty amateur detectives can figure out exactly who you're complaining about.

Ranting about what someone posted elsewhere on the Forums may be deemed calling out, if it's easily determined who is the target of the complaint.

So why is calling out such a bad thing? One reason is because reputation is really important on Etsy for both buyers and sellers. Everyone wants to maintain a good rep to show they are trustworthy in the marketplace. (Feedback is a more appropriate space to comment on another member's transaction rep than the Forums.) Another reason calling out is not-so-hot is that it can quickly escalate into fighting. We want to keep the Forums a positive and helpful place.

Sometimes it's tricky not to call out another member when you're trying to get advice about a situation. In these cases, if you really want the input of your fellow Etsians on the Forums, figure out how to phrase your question in a very general way that gives no identifiable clues. Or you might try to contact one of the sellers who has has volunteered to be an unofficial mentor and get advice via private Convo. And remember, you can always contact Support by email. Etsy's staff is here to help!

One last scenario – what about writing in the Forums to share how much you love someone's shop or think another person is really helpful? Is it okay to say nice things about other people, even by name? Yes, totally – and in fact, please do! We fully encourage bragging about the awesomeness of your fellow Etsians. If Etsy-love is wrong, we don't wanna be right!

Forum Decorum: Etc. Ain't Your Diary

2007-10-25T10:41:00Z

The Etsy community is a comfortable place for many, like a cushy Barcalounger in the warm and cosy living room of a dear friend's home. We feel bonded to our fellow Etsians — and this is, by no means, anything less than fantastic. Many of the purely-social connections form in the Etc. section of the Forums.

Oh, Etc.! How we adore you, oft-hilarious closet of Etsy skeletons! We laugh, we cry, we fight over your many incredible posts.

But do we really love all of those skeletons? Those ever-lingering, Google-able threads about spats with lovers, rants about in-laws or roommates, tales of financial woe and topics of TMI? (Oh, you know – Too Much Information. ::wink, wink::)

It's important to remember that Etsy's Forums are open to the public and indexed by major search engines. Everything you post in the Forums is connected to your identity on Etsy — and if you're a seller, that means your business may be affected by what you say there. (We even note this in the D&D because it's so important!) Buyers, sellers and causal passers-by all can, and do, read the Forums. It's as if someone compiled a record of all the back-room antics at a brick and mortar store and posted them in the town newspaper.

Not only do your words reflect upon you and your shop, but also on the entire Etsy community and marketplace. We're a passionate bunch here, and we often wear our hearts on our sleeves. It seems constructive for creative minds and building sincere community, but sometimes it just might not be good business sense.

Next time you have the urge to start a thread complaining about your best-friend's dog, think about how your friend might feel if they found it while doing a Google search for your Etsy shop. Before you tell all the juicy details of your latest romantic escapade, consider that your significant other's net-savvy granny might find that hot bit of prose. And most of all, remember that everyone in our community has a different threshold of what is proper for discussion in mixed company and try to be respectful of those differences. Some topics might be better suited for a personal blog, Convo to a trusted friend or written in your private diary, instead of broadcast on the Internet along side your Etsy shop.

Forum Decorum: Yo! Where's the Lock?

2007-10-18T09:48:00Z

The Forums show the amount of passion, insight and know-how that exist within the Etsy community. These qualities allow for a lot of great discussion and almost always do so in ways that follow the guidelines set out for the Forums. We can't thank you enough for that and for being such a positive, helpful community of caring people!

However, with the sheer volume of threads that are posted every day, it's inevitable that someone will break the rules – accidentally or intentionally. What do you do when that happens? Your first instinct might be to settle into the reply box and type something like "Whoa! Hold on there, buddy! That's against Etsy policy!" Or instead, maybe you'll try to psychically flag down the staff in that thread. "Hey Admin! Can you do something about this?" The answer to that question is a resounding yes. But in order to do that, we've got to get the message from you!

An email to community@etsy.com is far more effective than calling for Admin within a problem thread. This is your direct line to the Community team. Your email will reach 4 people – that's 300% more than the average Convo! Our first priority is to take action in the Forums as quickly as possible. We do our best to reply in a timely manner to all email, but our first response will generally be in the Forums.

With your help, we can keep the Forums a positive and productive place for everyone. Sending an email will only take about as long as writing out a short post (like one to say that the thread should be locked). Also, it will definitely yield a faster response from the Community team!

You can also email community@etsy.com with your ideas for the site, concerns about things happening in the community or love letters to Etsy. (We especially love the love letters, and we usually share those with the whole staff.) So, please feel free to drop us a note, and we'll see you in the Forums!

Forum Decorum: Doing the Bump

2007-10-11T13:34:00Z

The Forums can be a fast-paced environment at times. We have thousands of members who use the Forums every day to ask for advice, discuss business, promote their shops or just connect with other crafty people on a social level. Sometimes it may seem like your voice is getting lost in the noise, especially after your thread sinks back several pages in its section of the Forums.

It's times like these that it's tempting to do the bump. What's the bump? It's the act of posting only a word or two – or maybe even just a single character – in order to "bring up my post" and give it another moment at the top of the Forums.

Sporadic use of bumping on the Forums is generally accepted. It's always best if your post can add a meaningful comment or more information to the discussion. Bumping for bump's sake with a single word or character is treading on sticky ground. You might even get an error message when you try to bump that reminds you to "please keep your posts relevant and useful."

Most community members will be understanding of the occasional thread bump. The repeating bump, however, is a different matter and may tax the patience of your fellow Etsians. Repeatedly bumping a thread, especially within a short time span, is the Internet equivalent of sitting in the backseat of the car chanting, "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? ARE WE THERE YET!?" A thread may be locked by Admin for repeated bumping that provides no new relevant or useful content.

Bumps should be used sparingly. When in doubt, remember the sage advice of the bumpbot and keep your posts relevant and useful.