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How-to Succeed Using Promotions Section of the Forums
Story by cassowaryjewelry
Published on November 14, 2007 in How-To 		Photo by liquidluma

There is a lot of discussion about the Promotions section of the forums lately. Some people complain that it isn't very useful. I beg to differ. You have to approach promotions not just as an advertisement — in which you put up your billboard and you get exposure — but also as a form of social networking. For a newcomer to the promotions forum, I recommend posting in someone else's thread rather than starting a new one. There are several different types of threads, and knowing what is what is a good way to determine how to post.

1) The themed thread — The subject lines are usually 'show me your x' or 'newest items here.' A thread asking to buy a certain type of item is also a themed thread. My tip for these threads is get in when the thread is young. Unless the original poster is coming back and chatting with all participants, after fifty pages of blue earrings, most people are exhausted. Another tip is to only post relevant items. If you don't have any, only comment on the items of others. If you post irrelevant items, that may leave a bad impression on the other people in the thread, and that's not what you want when you are networking.

2) Team Threads — These include anything from ‘comment on what you love from my shop’ to promotions thrown by street teams. The point of these threads is to commune with your fellow sellers. Have fun in these threads — chat, compliment, and party. You'll get a lot of hearts if you just go with the flow.

3) Play Threads — buy and replaces, secret shoppers, and other trading threads. Some swear by these as low cost advertising, but some don't like these at all. Experiment a little to see if they’re your thing: chat and compliment, and always play by the rules.

4) Billboard threads — These are the types of threads that newbies to the promotions forums often post first. "Sale on BeebleDoobles" "Check Out My Shop."  These can work if deployed carefully, but they are tough for newbies to use effectively.

Ready to start your first post? Well, there are several considerations for a good post. First, the title has to be solid. If you've spent some time posting in many other people's threads, you’ve done a little “research” and you know what titles made you want to click. I usually want to click a title with a hint of mystery or humor in it.  A straight forward title can also be effective if it describes what will be going on in the thread, such as "new items- post and run” (meaning post your new items and don't feel obligated to stay) or "happy promoters! Stay and chat!" (meaning that upbeat people should chat about their items).

The second consideration is the content of the thread. Don't just post a link to your shop with “check out my shop.” People may click, but they are more likely to click on a link with a description, such as “pink earrings!" than just a plain link.
 
Third, what to do when others post in your thread? Look at their items, compliment, and chat.

Make sure to check out the Community Team's post in their Forum Decorum series: The Commotion in Promotions.


Tags Competitions & Opportunities, Forums, How-To, HOW-TO, selling
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23 comments     Login to add your own!

Nov. 15, 2007 at 4:02 a.m. moopf

I've been trying them since I came here but I won't be using them any further. I've tried my own threads, posting on other people's threads, commenting on other people's items and, to be frank, the effort simply isn't worth the result. The Promotions forums give off the feel of a lot of people desperate for any little glimpse of attention they can get and, for me at least, it feels like posting there is an acceptance that you've lowered your expectations. They move so quickly that any post you do make will be buried within a few minutes. I think there are much more sensible uses of time for promotion and marketing.

I know some people like them but, I guess, it's just not for me. It makes me feel dirty! :)

Nov. 23, 2007 at 9:06 a.m. Glory2727

Every one has to find their own comfortable way to promote. I like to join in others forums to see what people have to offer and join in the chat. I have had sales from that. If you aren't getting any traffic at all then a reasonable amount of time spread over several programs consistantly is worth the time.

Nov. 23, 2007 at 9:26 a.m. bolinhasepolkadots

Thanks so much for the great tips you gave here! It's a good guide for starters. I'm not a great admirer to Promotions threads though... I prefer other topics.

But I like forums and to chat on threads and your tips may be very helpful.

Nov. 30, 2007 at 11:08 p.m. SimplySusan

Good article. I personally think Promos is a great place to promote and network, but it must be used appropriately. It's easy to overuse and get burned out on or become disillusioned with. I like to post every now and then and have fun while I'm there!

Feb. 28, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. raghousenternational

Great one. I finally figured out how to socialize in the forums.

July 13, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. jonwen45

I am still so new to etsy that I am willing to research and try out ideas.I figure they have worked for some in the past...they just might work for me in the future.

July 30, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. pinkflapjacks

thanks for the tips, really useful

July 31, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. RobPettit

i agree

Aug. 17, 2008 at 6:02 p.m. Stellazh

thank you!I will try

Sept. 23, 2008 at 1:19 a.m. nicolenjoli

just come over and see what I make !!!

Nov. 11, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. roxy54

Wonderful article!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 7:34 p.m. poshadornment

Great article. I'm gonna try out some of your ideas! :-)

Dec. 15, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. moonflowerjewelry

I am sitting on the fence on this one. If everyone is posting and responding to get exposure, then who is buying? I am thinking of having a survey in my shop to find out how people are finding me. i find other vendors when i am poking around the listings, something catches my eye, i heart it, then buy it when i am ready. is it different for others?

Dec. 22, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. JudyJem

This is very useful information.

Jan. 2, 2009 at 11:29 p.m. prettygirlsboutique

Welcome to my pretty corner

Jan. 12, 2009 at 7:47 p.m. 1ForYou

Interesting article, Thanks!

Feb. 27, 2009 at 11:08 a.m. westwindcreations

This was a very good Article. I now have an idea where to start and what I would love to thread. I am now more clear on how to do this. Thanks a million!!!

April 7, 2009 at 3:13 a.m. AurorasTreasure

This is an interesting thread especially for Newbies,
I have put Promo on here for Easter but not much effect, as it gets wiped off so quickly.
So now Twitch the Easter Bunny is very sad, as she cant give away her Free Swarovski Gifts in her lovely Easter Eggs,See my shop announcement.

May 29, 2009 at 8:22 p.m. NadineNewYork

Maybe I'm a little confused but wouldn't it be better to do things that pull in customers from outside Etsy instead of relying on selling to each other?? I feel it is not a good strategy to hope for most of your sales coming from other sellers. Just like I don't expect most of my sales to come from my friends and family.

June 2, 2009 at 12:39 a.m. FemmeFataleINC

I have some really cute jeans that i am trying to market, what is the best way to do it on etsy?

June 19, 2009 at 9:29 p.m. midwestmountainart

Wow, it is all so confusing! I hope to bring in shoppers who can't imagine making anything on their own, rather than fellow artists. Any suggestions there?

June 29, 2009 at 8:56 a.m. ArtonSilkbyLouise

It is probably a good idea to use other networking sites blogging facebookk etc. to pomote your etsy shop maybe get new peop;e to check it out that way

Nov. 2, 2009 at 7:44 p.m. tashascreations

This is good article and it is got pros and cons. It did bring me more traffic after I started using facebook and twitter social networks. I think we are exhausting our resources after some time, and we need to replenish them somehow.

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