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Holiday How-Tos: Online Marketing Tips


Story by daniellexo Published on September 3, 2008 in How-To	Photo by corid

Dear Sellers,

Now is the time to organize your Holiday marketing plan! Get out your calendars and start plotting your plan of attack. There's lots you prep work you can do right now so that you'll be organized and ready to go for the holidays. The following ideas should help you start thinking about your plan, but really these tips are just the tip of the wintery iceberg. Do you have some tips for your fellow sellers? Please post them in the comments below or join us this Thursday (September 4th, 2008) at 4:00 pm EDT in the Treehouse of the Virtual Labs for a discussion on this topic!

Newsletters

Newsletters are a great way to keep in touch with your customers this holiday season. The first thing you need to do is build your mailing list and choose how you are going to send your newsletters. You can create a Google Group or Yahoo Group for free and by inviting your customers to join these groups (a great place to do this is in your Message To Seller field in Your Etsy), you can build an easy mailing list that is simple to use. (Here's an article I found that can show you how to do this.) If you don't mind paying for a more versatile service try ConstantContact or VerticalResponse (or one of the many other newsletter programs). These will allow you to create HTML newsletters, get stats and creatively manage your contacts.

This does take a bit of work to set up, but once you have your mailing list established, you can easily contact your best customers and let them know of your new items for the holidays or a sale! Another great way to use this is to send out a newsletter a week before the last day they can order from your shop in order to get their package before Christmas to let them know the deadline is fast approaching!

Tip: Remember to ask your customers to opt-in to your mailing list! Emailing about a promo without permission is considered spamming.

Blogging

If you don't have a blog yet, now is the time to set one up! Like newsletters, blogging can keep you in touch with your customer base and let them know about your holiday specials, new designs, deadlines for holiday ordering and more. In addition, you can get your customers thinking about the holidays early by pointing out what you are doing to plan for winter. Blog about gifts you might be giving to friends and family, decorating how-tos, your favorite holiday recipes, etc.

Tip: Create a weekday series (for example: "Tuesday's Tips for Holiday Decorating"). This will keep you — and your readers — coming back to your blog!

Social Networking

In a previous article, Pimp My Shop, I wrote about the importance of social networking. Here are a couple of ideas for utilizing social networking sites over the holidays:

Offer an exclusive special or free gift with purchase to all your contacts on one social networking site. This will reward your contacts for following you and make them feel special!
Spend some time wishing your contacts a happy holiday season. Here's my suggestion: No flashy graphics! Just leave a personalized comment to those of your contacts who you are familiar with (ie. past customers, Etsy friends, bloggers). For example, "Dear DeeDee, Thank you for supporting me this year! I wish you all the best and hope it doesn't get too cold in Colorado this winter! Happy Holidays!"

Tip: Now is the time to add one or two more social networking or social shopping sites to your daily routine. Try Indiepublic or StyleFeeder (if you haven't already).

Advertising

Freshen up your advertising and start early! Put together a frosty photo-shoot and get some great crisp shots to use in your online advertising. Think snow, icicles and glitter! Get those holiday ads out right after Halloween, which means you should be lining up your favorite place to run online ads now. Don't know where to get started? Check out your Blog Roll. Many of your favorite blogs offer adspace, and if they don't they might start with you, just ask! Another great resources is a site called ProjectWonderful, where you can bid on adspace for as little as $0.25!

The holidays can be an exciting and fruitful time of year for sellers. Make sure you've done what you can to bring in new customers and connect with your previous customers. These tips should help you start to form your plan.

Need more inspiration for your holiday marketing plan? Remember to join us this Thursday (September 4th) at 4:00 pm EDT in the Treehouse of the Virtual Labs! This will be the first in a weekly discussion on organizing your shop for the holidays. Hope to see you there! And make sure to check back for more Holiday How-Tos!

Tags	advertising, Holiday How-Tos, holidays, HOW-TO, marketing, newsletters, Seller Handbook, sellers, selling, social networking

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daniellexo

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41 comments Login to add your own!

Sept. 3, 2008 at 12:13 p.m.

GreenManG0

Thanks for the brilliant advice!
Hadnt even started thinking about the holidays yet (Its only September!) but after reading this articles theres lots to do!
Better get started!

Sept. 3, 2008 at 12:27 p.m.

Diffraction

Fabulous! I was hoping an article like this would be coming out, and here it is! Woot!

Sept. 3, 2008 at 1:18 p.m.

shoofly

I just started a newsletter last month for scenicartisans.etsy.com and I and it's a whole lot of work!

We're using http://www.icontact.com

What's great is people can opt in/out really easily and we don't have to work very hard at keeping our email addresses in check anymore. And we no longer feel like spammers sending out emails to hundreds and hundreds of people!

Sept. 3, 2008 at 1:22 p.m.

Enthral

All that online stuff is great, but don't forget the face to face stuff as well. I am making up tiny, cute boxes from recycled greeting cards and record jackets. They are just big enough to fit a candy and a coupon inside. I plan on leaving them everywhere - at the hair dresser, on the table at restaurants with the tip, at the grocery counter etc.

Sept. 3, 2008 at 4:46 p.m.

thefunkyfelter

Over the past few months, I've covered these topics in-depth on my blog because I've discovered a lot of things through my own hours upon hours of research. I have a "Hot Topics" list on the side bar of my blog now so that readers can find info more easily. My indie business tip articles are the most visited on my blog by far - http://thefunkyfelter.blogspot.com

I use http://www.bravenet.com for my mailing list and newsletter because it is totally free! I say, why pay for what you can get for free? Especially when it is just as good. I actually just sent out a newsletter today :)

I belong to several social networking sites as well as use project wonderful for ad spots on my blog and to advertise on others. I've also found that there are some great indie blogs and sites out there who offer ad spots separate from project wonderful so you have to shop around. I did a blog post with a long, long resource list of sites for online advertising.

I'm even starting a free resource business site for artists and crafters called www.craftybiztips.org - but it is still a work in progress.

When it comes to marketing, it seems like there is so much to do and that can be done! Thank so much Danielle for the reminder, and I'm glad to see that I'm on the right track according to your info :)

Sept. 3, 2008 at 5:02 p.m.

Sneddonia

Some great ideas here, I'll have to try them. Where can I find snow in September though? :P

Sept. 3, 2008 at 6:09 p.m.

daniellexo

Oh thanks for the tips, Shoofly and Enthral!

Thefunkfelter - I'm going to have to start reading your blogs regularly - rock on!

Sneddonia - start shaving some ice! Haha!

Sept. 3, 2008 at 8:05 p.m.

thesleepingdog

Just realized it's September! UGH!
Where did summer go?!?!!?!!!
Thank you for this little push to get things rolling. Happy shopping/selling!

Sept. 3, 2008 at 8:33 p.m.

sidheforest

Wonderful tips! Thanks...running of to get started!

Sept. 3, 2008 at 9:53 p.m.

CreativeEyeStudio

Thanks for the tips. I plan to check out Project Wonderful and the site for the free newsletters.

Sept. 3, 2008 at 10:05 p.m.

washwhendirty

thanks for the tips! this is my first holiday season on etsy so this comes in very handy =)

Sept. 3, 2008 at 10:42 p.m.

thefunkyfelter

just wanted to say "thanks" to Danielle! You are so kind and encouraging - much appreciated!

Sept. 3, 2008 at 11:43 p.m.

oddvenus

Just pushed the kids out the door for the first day of school! Time to get to work, December will be here before ya know it & I've got a lot of work to do! Yikes.
Nice article, great tips (also from the commentors)

Sept. 4, 2008 at 2:34 a.m.

matouenpeluche

Many thanks for that advice! It's excellent!

Sept. 4, 2008 at 7:56 a.m.

JustFeltHungry

Thanks, this was very helpful! I can feel the first snowflakes coming already...!

Sept. 4, 2008 at 8:17 a.m.

anflorence

Hi
thank you for the precious suggestions, I've always had a problem promoting my shop.

Sept. 4, 2008 at 9:33 a.m.

modadimagno

Thanks for the holiday prompt! I'm reaching out to my crafty peeps and reminding them that "Etsy says get a move on!" xoxox

Sept. 4, 2008 at 10:16 a.m.

mymagicalmoonbeam

thanks for the encouragement and info, im in my first month on etsy so its still a little overwhelming. any advice is much appreciated :)

Sept. 4, 2008 at 6:26 p.m.

Buttonhead

Hi everyone! I took notes during today's virtual labs workshop about how to market your shop online. Here is the link to my summary.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcsdgms...

Hope you find this helpful! :)

Sept. 5, 2008 at 6:31 a.m.

Arctida

Thank you for all those wonderful advices!

Sept. 5, 2008 at 8:41 a.m.

willo

Great tips. I've ordered my snow this morning!

Sept. 6, 2008 at 1:08 a.m.

ejsart

I always start thinking of the Holidays when September arrives! These upcoming Holidays are my most favorite time of the year! I have just started my blog site so thanks for the Holiday info. Please give more tips on Holiday selling as this is my first Holiday season on Etsy : ) and looking forward to a magical next few months...

Sept. 6, 2008 at 7:13 p.m.

kmwatkins

Ha! I have already been thinking about the holidays too. I am planning on having a big sale right after Thanksgiving (hint,hint,nudge,nudge) and doing advertising.

Sept. 7, 2008 at 12:22 a.m.

SCRAPPYFOOFADOODLES

Although I'm already thinking of holiday items and working my tail off, I find it difficult to try and balance the blogging, networking, new items, shipping. If only I could stay up all night and just work work work! :)

You can sleep when your dead, eh? :)

Sept. 8, 2008 at 6:21 p.m.

AMDcustomdesign

thank you this is great!

Sept. 9, 2008 at 11:17 a.m.

CrazyBusy

What great ideas! I wish I had a volunteer around to do all of this promoting for me so I could just work work work, where are those gnomes....

Sept. 9, 2008 at 3:35 p.m.

hopestreetdesigns

Thanks for the info. I love to learn new things and can't wait to see where all of this takes me!

Sept. 10, 2008 at 1:14 p.m.

olivebrown

thanks for the info!

Sept. 11, 2008 at 12:41 a.m.

kittycrossbones

Great tips and advice thanks for sharing!

Sept. 11, 2008 at 1:04 a.m.

fetishghost

Great notes Buttonhead... Thanks! Missed this Lab and you came to the rescue :D

Sept. 11, 2008 at 4:20 p.m.

cloud9designstudio

Great tips. I send out a regular newsletter to inform customers about upcoming events, trunk shows, and new apparel styles or accessories I introduce.

I also have about 100 readers on my blog per day, and have already gotten more than 20,000 hits on my blog in 8 months! It amazes me how fun it is to connect with other crafters through blogging and it's REALLY fun!

I am doing some local shows and trunk shows in November that will help with holiday sales too.

http://cloud9design.wordpress.com

http://cloud9designstusio.etsy.com

Sept. 11, 2008 at 5:33 p.m.

AutumnLeavesJewelry

Video blogging as much as I can (Bre's articles in Storque on how to get started in video are so super helpful!!!), when I can't I try to get a visual up on my blog site and always a link back to my shop!

http://Carolynartist.blogspot.com

Sept. 13, 2008 at 5:38 p.m.