Many entrepreneurs want to grow their businesses but at the same time, they want to remain in control of what they produce. At Etsy, we would like to help more independent artists make a living from what they make. We've discussed trying to find an alternative model to "business-as-usual." This Monday July 2nd, we'll be opening our doors at the Labs and to the online Workshop to further discuss how to remain independent while creating a sustainable business. Part of this entails a new approach to marketing and communications.

On Monday July 2nd at 7pm, we'll be hosting an informal talk led by Englishman Antonio Gould: The Global Microbrand: Using the Web to Stay Small whilst Selling all over the World. Antonio will address many of the issues Etsy sellers face as they try to make a name for themselves. He has worked as a new media consultant in Europe and approached Etsy, seeing it as an interesting manifestation of many of his key points.

If you are NYC-area based, please join us in person for this free talk. As many of our members can't be there face-to-face, we'll be using the Workshop to open up the discussion to everyone. Please wait for the virtual doors to be unlocked in the Workshop Lobby at 7pm (Eastern time, see timezone info here) on July 2nd. You just have to be a logged in member of Etsy to get into the workshop (registering for Etsy is free and easy).

Anyone who has an interest in blogging, social-networking, online video, etc is much welcome. We want this to be a lively discussion with folks sharing their experiences and newbies raising important questions from their point of view.

Please RSVP@etsy.com and say whether you'll be coming in person or online via the Workshop. Here's my post in the forums about the talk. See you soon!

--Vanessa

We made a How-to from his talk.
Note: This was originally posted in the Etsy Garden.