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Story by
daniellexo
Published on November 21, 2008 in How-To |
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This installment of the Etsy Shop Makeover Series brings you to an important step: now that your shop is fit for public consumption, you gotta spread the word! Daniellexo gives you some tips on social networking and grassroots marketing. (Note: This post was originally published on January 28, 2008, but we've updated and revamped it for the coming year!)
I started on Etsy with blurry pictures and no idea how to run a successful shop. It took a year to make it to the now extinct Top Sellers list, but I did it. I spent roughly 10 hours a day learning about photography, d.i.y. marketing, the right time to list and renew and the other ins and outs of a successful Etsy shop. My first boost of sales came when I was mentioned in a rather popular blog. How did this happen? Not by accident. It took a lot of work. Read on to hear my formula for pimping your shop and getting sales.
Social Networking
Above: NeaWear tastefully "pimps" her shop on Facebook
Sure, you can spend a $1,000 on a tiny, tiny magazine ad. But, unfortunately, you can't click a magazine ad. I'm not saying they aren't good for building a brand, but it takes a lot of work to get a shopper from a magazine to their computer and then to your Etsy shop. I would work on your online presence instead if you are just starting out.
Where to start? First make sure your shop is focused. You need a target market; if you have a shop that's all over the map it will much harder to find your customers. Stick to a demographic, ie. teenage girls, new mothers or hipsters. Of course you can welcome all buyers, but it's easier to market with someone specific in mind.
Now what? Surf around and get familiar with the sites I link to in the rest of this article. Which ones look like the most fun to you? Sign up for those and test them out! When signing up, I suggest using your Etsy username and keeping all your accounts cohesive. You'll be easier to find that way. Now have a look at how much time you have per week. If you have a few extra hours a week, then focus on one or two social networking websites like Facebook, Twitter and Myspace.
Now don't get overwhelmed. Check out these sites and see which ones look the best for your market. It's better to have a few accounts on these sites and stake your own little area of the site instead of spreading yourself too thin. You want to build up your online presence with these tools. Make your accounts attractive to people browsing. The trick is to keep it fun, for you and your followers! Don't just post photos of your products that people can already find in your Etsy shop. Make sure you show them a bit about the maker behind the curtain; describe your process, your studio, your favorites, etc. Talk up your Etsy buddies too — share the love!
Social Networking Sites:
Facebook
Myspace
Virb
Twitter
Social Shopping & Bookmarking
Above: TomokoTahara socially shops on ThisNext, mixing her items with other great finds!
Sharing your picks with others through accounts on social shopping and bookmarking sites can be a great way to promote buying handmade. Make sure you mix promoting your own work with other great finds! Link to your accounts on your blog and in your shop profile.
Social Shopping Sites:
ThisNext
Stylehive
Stylefeeder
Kaboodle
Wishpot
Zebo
Social Bookmarking Sites:
Digg
Squidoo
StumbleUpon
Wists
Magnolia
del.icio.us
Photo Sharing
Above: mLee uses Flickr like a photo journal. I love how her Flickr account is organized into sets.
Flickr is a great site for telling your story through photos. Buyers can start to connect with the maker this way. Showing your family life, process, studios, pets, and more can remind your buyers and friends that there is a real artist behind the work in your Etsy shop! This gives your work an intrinsic value and authenticity you just can't get with a mass produced item!
Blogging
Above: the {NewNew} Team all works together to maintain their well read blog. If you don't have time to regularly update your own blog, sharing the workload by creating a Team blog is a great idea!
A blog is an online journal that your readers can subscribe to in order to learn more about your work, process and life. I would recommend Blogger.com to get started. It's pretty easy to set up. Just like the social networking sites, you want to make your blog interesting and fun. Show your readers a bit about your life, your process, things you've purchased, places you've been, etc. Join the Etsy blog ring once you get going! I started a shopping blog, Gold School. I still have about 50 readers a day. I show them items I like that are reasonably priced (90% Etsy items by the way). I also have a link in my blog to my Etsy shop. That way, my faithful readers might think, "Wow. I like this gal's taste! I wonder what she makes?"
Above: PearsonMaron's Twitter always makes me smile!
Don't have time for blogging? How about micro-blogging? Twitter.com asks one question: 'What are you doing?' Answers must be under 140 characters in length and can be sent via mobile texting, instant message, or the web. You can follow your contacts and gather followers. It's fun and addicting! Make sure you aren't just blogging about your work though — like usual, keep it interesting and fun! (Like PearsonMaron's tweets above!)
More sites to check out:
Niche Networking:
Ravelry (knit & crochet)
Designs To Love
DeviantArt (fine art)
Craftster.org (crafting)
DIYscene (D.I.Y. & alternative crafting)
BurdaStyle (sewing)
Skill Sharing:
Instructibles
Thingiverse
Now get down a little routine.
Perhaps when you wake up you take a few pictures and upload them to Flickr. Then you blog about your strange dreams. Then you add a new item to Etsy and send it to all your social shopping sites. (Tip: Send your favorites to these social shopping and bookmarking sites too! If it's obvious you are just trying to pimp yourself people won't come back to see what else you've added.) Before bed work on your Myspace, perhaps.
From here you'll start collecting like minded social shoppers and perhaps you've bumped into a few blogs you like. Good! Bookmark those. You're going to need them. Find a day to yourself. Lock yourself up with some coffee and get motivated. Today you're going to get into a blog! It's cold-calling time.
I'm not going to list any blogs here for fear of 1,000 Etsy sellers contacting the same ones over and over. The trick is to find the blogs your potential shoppers read. Keep your target market in mind. Start with the smaller ones to build up your confidence. Find the bloggers email and really inspect it. What do they value most in the items they feature? How can you pitch your items in a way that would interest them and their readers? Make each email personal and specific to the blog you are writing to. Bloggers can smell a mass email a mile away. And it's not a nice smell. Oh, one more thing: don't just send them a link to your shop. Find the BEST item in your shop (and make sure its a nice clear photograph). Include a little something interesting about this item, how you made it, or about yourself. Make it easy for the blogger if they did choose to blog about your work. Send out as many of these are you can. If you don't get a response or only get one or two do not take it personally. Shopping bloggers get tons of unsolicited items sent to them. Start collecting another set of blogs to write to and have another stab at it.
Here's a sample letter:
Dear Gold School Creator,
I've been reading your blog for a few weeks now and I really love your finds (especially the weiner dog special last week!). They are all really fresh (and cheap)!
I'm writing because I think my work would interest your readers. Here's a link to my most popular item. I started making these when I broke my leg last summer and was immobile. I was so bored watching soaps all day so I decided to start embroidering these Soap Star Hankies.
Thanks for your blog and for supporting independant artist like me!
Happy Holidays,
Sally the Soap Star Hanky Maker
Keep these emails short, sweet, personalized and fun.
Getting Seen on Etsy
Above: ThePeachTree makes some gorgeous Front Page worthy Treasuries. And when these happen to land on the Front Page of Etsy, a link to her shop (just above the items) also gets a little bit of Front Page action!
Here are a few ways to pimp your shop on Etsy:
- Make a treasury. I know it's not always easy getting a treasury, but try anyway. Set a timer for the next time a batch of them are about to expire and POUNCE! Keep your favorite items bookmarked and try to create a visually pleasing mix of goods. If you make a great treasury people will be interested in what you are doing in your own shop!
- Renew. If you have the budget to renew once or twice a day (or more if you have lots of items in your shop) then I would really suggest it. It keeps you fresh in your category and puts you back in the Time Machine. Try different time of the day as well — I used to wake up in the middle of the night to renew!
- Use your shop name as a tag in your item listings. That way if someone comes to the site and searches for you but mistakenly doesn't change the search drop-down menu to "seller" — your work will still pop up. Also use your shop name in your listings. The more the name of your shop is used on the internet, the more likely it is to come up in a web search.
- Forums. Be helpful on the forums. Sure you can also post in the promotions section but you are more likely to be seen in Site Help giving some advice to a newbie. And make sure your avatar is interesting and clear so people will want to check out your shop!
- Pitch an article to the Storque here. What are you the most passionate about? Can you write about your process? About your local craft scene? A review on a great sewing machine you just purchased? Let the Storque editors know why this would be a great article, who would be interested in it and why you should be the one to write it.
- Comment on Storque articles that you really like. I'm not suggesting to comment on every article. Just those that really call to you. Leave a thoughtful comment and others will see your avatar and might just have a peek at your shop!
- Attend Virtual Labs events. They are fun and informative (ok maybe I am a little biased). But they are a great place to connect with the Etsy community and get seen as an active member.
- Join an Etsy Team. Of course, don't just join a Team to promote yourself. Join one to bond with other Etsy members and to help each other promote your work and Etsy together!
Troubleshooting
So you've done all this and aren't getting the kind of response you would like? Here are a few things you can do now:
- Hire a photographer. This could even be someone who is technically savvy in your family that has a nice camera. Get them to take some pictures for you and give you some tips on working with your own digital camera.
- Attend the Etsy Labs critiques and workshops. (Usually every Wednesday and Friday — see the Storque's Online Workshops featured column for times.) You can really pick up some great tips at the critiques and workshops.
- Ask a seasoned shopper for advice. Don't be too shy or sensitive! Ask them for their most honest opinion.
- Try something new! Keep your shop fresh and dip into another category. Perhaps you'll find a technique or craft you may like even more. Think about a niche or need that may not be met yet on Etsy.
Whew. I hope that helps you and your shop in 2009. If you have any further suggestions for marketing your shop, let everyone know by commenting below! For further questions about selling, check out The Etsy Seller Handbook and the Shop Makeover Series.
| Tags | blogging, DIY PR, HOW-TO, marketing, promoting, Seller Handbook, selling, Shop Makeover Series, social networking, social shopping, Your Shop 101 |
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303 comments Login to add your own!
heidiburton
Fantastic and very useful article, thanks! I haven't heard of some of those sites but will check them out. This is how my day goes: Etsy, Flickr, Blogger, Myspace, Facebook, Etsy, Flickr, Blogger.. etc. hehe. I wonder what outdoors looks like this time of year...
boygirlparty
so many great suggestions!! i'd beware of seeing getcrafty or craftster as social networking though -- i think your shop could easily get blacklisted by fellow crafters for 'spamming' what are supposed to be community message boards.
perhaps indiepublic.com and myspace.com are better suited for that category?
smashgirl
Snitterdog
This is a really helpful article-- thank you so much! I'm kind of new here, and am trying to figure out how to get my work "out there." Great ideas-- I'll be looking into your suggestions :)
beeskneesindustries
Really wonderful article! I liked the suggestion of putting our shop names as one of the tags for our items, but I just tried it, and my name is too long. Any advice for that? (Other than an attempt to be less verbose...)
minkeeprints
This is just what I needed to read, I'm totally new here so this is incredibly helpful, thanks!
pixieblossoms
Great article. There are sites that I did not even know...hope to find some time to participate in some of them!!!!
Thanks!
sycamorestreetpress
KreatedbyKarina
daniellexo
thanks everyone! beeskneesindustries - perhaps you can just put in "beesknees" as a tag?
joannetracydesigns
CrowbirdieBeads
Thanks! I just started on here and was wondering if MySpace was a good marketing tool. Already have it, just have to - um - make it a little less personal? Can't wait to try MOO either...
kimbuktu
Really enjoyed this article. Very practical things I can do right now. Thanks!
prisma
Wonderful article! Was a bit suprised that there wasn't much on networking within Etsy.. but still great, nonetheless!
There is an error, by the way, the ThisNext link sends you to the Stylefeeder site!
mostlylemon
oh wow, this article helped so much. i will definitely be referencing it in the future. now if only i can quit being so nervous about opening shop! haha
ColorOfDawnCreations
Absolutely wonderful article. Lots of great and useful information in one cozy little spot. THANKS!
selflesh
pinkmilkvintage
Really helpful in and useful links list. Hard to market that much when you work full time sadly :(
customadornments
You are the Bomb, daniellexo!
I changed my avatar when I got home the day I found your article and I just spent today creating a blog and signing up for inclusion in the ring. It took a lot of time and I understand how some would be reluctant to make the effort - maybe even losing sleep - to set it up.
I also have a physical boutique/art gallery I run alone and, even though my free time is valuable and kinda short, I'm going to try to do at least 3 more things for marketing my Etsy shop on your list - which is great and had stuff I didn't know about on it - (hopefully) figuring out at least one a week until such time as I have to go back to my most of the year 6-7 day work week, in March.
Thanks for taking the time to write the article and, hopefully, I'll be able to put something just as useful (especially to newbies such as myself) up there as well some day!
Karmacrochet
eliwill
i am working my way through the shop makeover series and very thankful for all the help!!!
SewMuchDetail
Danielle
Your information is always sew helpful. I bookmarked and printed this. I need to get going on Flikr and this pushed me closer. Thank you again for taking the time to do this for us!
SusyJack
Thank you! I'll be looking into making some of these improvements. Also, I wanted to mention sk*rt as a really great networking site...they are more oriented towards women and moms, so that might be a good connection for some sellers here. : )
CurlyQOnline
This article was just what I needed to read at this very moment. Thanks for filling it with so much information, you've saved me hours of research time. I work full time and find I am often too busy to artfully maintain a blogging site. I have a friend who has a site on Flickr and she's told me that the moment I'm not so busy I should create a site there as well. When she opened her Etsy shop not too long ago having contacts on Flickr helped her immensely and she sold out immediately. At this time I'm more interested in marketing through Etsy directly and I do wish there were more options available that weren't so hard to break into. I guess I'll just have to try pouncing for a treasury and I'm definitely going to add my name to my items, that's a great idea that never occurred to me before. Thanks for taking the time to research and write this article, what a help!
alkemystic88
Thanks. The article left me inspired to know that I am doing a couple of things right and that a year is a realistic goal.
I don't like it either when sellers leave a big add on my comments.
DHCustomJewelry
Hello! Thanks so much for all the helpful info! It is great to find some guidance, especially when you first start out and it's all a little overwhelming. Thank you for taking the time to try and help us all!
"Dragon Heart"
dcdesigns
This is a topic that has always been a bit of a mystery to me. People often say sign up on myspace, get a flickr, blog, etc. I've got that and more but I've yet to give it such a systematic approach as you laid out. Thanks for shedding some light on this important and rarely discussed in such detail topic.
waisze
This article was really helpful, thanks so much for posting and spreading your wealth of knowledge!
panyizsuzsi
Thanks Daniellexo! This was a reattry clear and great help what to do, for gettig a good start here!
heronkate
Thanks for all the great tips ! I'm learning a lot about what I can do with my computer as I get started on Etsy. I am amazed at myself for actually figuring out how to make a banner. Next I'm going to check out Myspace, and bookmark your article for the next steps.
melberry4
Talk about losing sleep, I don't think I've lost this much since the birth of my 4th child! But I know it will pay off in the long run, especially when you are as passionate about what you do as we all are. It is a priveledge to network w/ such like-minded, creative and motivated people and I'm looking forward to making many new friends and customers this year! Thanks so much for your insightful input! I have so much work to do :)
JoelleDolceBebe
THANK YOU!!!Daniellexo ~ Thank you so much for your time & dedication & all the wonderful advice & info.
Im saving to another one of my ETSY files.
So much to read & learn.
I have 5 girls. only one at home all day but they are still all little & BUSY! so its great to find other moms here trying to balance & find HOPE in all this.
Thank you ALL for the inspiration &your own stories/tips & trials etc...
theres hope & success to follow with people like you Daniellexo!
Your helping so many reach their dreams!
PEACE! XO
missbubbles
This is a very useful article. I have to say, the marketing idea perspective is really impressive. Thank you for the tips and keep on writing as you have a gift (even if a foreighn journalist can notice it, it's true!).
mayauhome
abitabite
I don't know how i missed this article... and after i requested it to
*hangs head*
Thanks Danielle!! ♥ XO
blossomnbird
Fantastic article...just what i needed right now ...this is my project for the week!
blackbird72
great article! i'm listed in myspace and i have a blog as well as other sites, but i'll go to the others that you suggested :)
TwistedDesigns
Thanks so much for the article, it's really helpful. Now I'm off to work on my photos.
MakeCraftNotWar
This is a great article! Wonderful advice - Thank you!! You have inspired me.
noblethreads
OMG!!! I have been needing this article so bad. My shop is getting a total facelift this month...thanks so much for the inspiration!
amyolsonjewelry
i just stumbled across this article and wow, it was so helpful and motivating! i tend to find promoting time-consuming and exhausting, but i am so inspired to go and do it again. i thought your advice on creating a schedule for doing all this was really great. thank you so much!
babypeasandcarrots
Thanks a ton for this article. I definitely learned a few things that I know will be helpful!
DistressingDelilah
Nice article! I have myspace, flickr, and two blogs, facebook..but plan to check those other sites out too!
honeybeescraps
Thank you so much. Your advice helped me, a newbie, out quite a bit :) Awesome!!!
FabricoLifeMarketing
Thank you so much! I felt so clueless entering into this new realm and you have cleared some of the clouds away! Thank you sooo much!
YurimiPress
Awesome! You're great! Thanks for sharing. My shop sure needs lots of help. I will start working on it now. I really appreciate any suggestions and advise.
catoricrafts
Very usefull article, I'm ready to go and fix all the mistakes I have made so far:)
lncgreetings
thanks soo much for the helpful advice-- ive already started applying it!! :) hope to see you in the etsylabs soon, daniellexo!
<3,
-L.
Bonnie1025
Thanks for all the tips ... I will start doing some of them as soon as possible. Have a great day!
boobadolls
earthapology
I'm a newbie feeling confused and overwhelmed--I've been listed for 2 weeks and notta. Now I know what I need to do to go pimping--my shop that is :)
Thanks!
EssemDesign
Thx!! I am always looking for ways to better my shop! Etsy has GREAT articles!
tabotha
Thanks for you time and energy in writing this article, you suggestions I have found very interesting and helpful.
I shall look forward to working on improving my shop.
threadedsmiles
Thanks for your hard work and looking to help out fellow etsians succeed.
h1dntr3zurz67
thanks for a gr8 article and helpful hints. I will be busy for a few days now. thanks again
tonyaomps
great info! I am going to try some of these tips and hopefully I will get my first sell!
ROKJEWELRY
NaturalAmber
What I love most about this site is how helpful everyone really is, and how important it seems to be to others to make other fellow crafters succesful. I really am excited about the social networking sites, and feel its afabulous idea to really get yourself out there. I started looking for reputable blog sites and I am going to check out blogger.com. I have already been looking into livespace and wordpress. Thank you so much for your tips. I am excited about learning, growing, and one day returning the favor when I am seasoned.
APhoenixRises
Thanks that was really helpful. I will try these suggetions ASAP!
tuttobellisimo
Great advise, I love Etsy but have found myself frustrated trying to get a showcase or treasury just to get my stuff seen. I am going to take new photos today!!!!
amoebasandzebras
Oh my, this is all so overwhelming! Great article though and it will help get me focused on a plan of action. Thanks so much!!!
sweetpunks
Wow, now if i can only dedicate myself to all these helpful measures. Great ideas! I needed a strong foundation to work from.
spoiledrockin
wow!...great info, it's late now, but I'm gonna start working on all this in the morning, thanks so much!
designsbypriscilla
Thank you for all the great advice. Going to start right now applying what I have learned here.
Thanks so much.
Designsbypriscilla
WrenWillow
this is such a wonderfully written and laid out article.
You make selling successfully on Etsy seem easy! (aside from middle of the night renewals)
thanks!
jewelrybyreshell
SpiritMama
cms36451
AgJewelryDesign
fishstique
This is a fantastic article, I am actually sitting here taking notes from it! With a pen and paper and EVERYTHING!
jeanpatchbymk
I'm going to put all this into practice. Thanks so much, just what I needed.
artsizzles
The article was great and chocked full of wonderful advise!
I am guilty of not adding product to my shop on daily due to the hassle of having to photograph my glass products.
Reading all these articles from everyone gives me hope that I too will become another success story.
I am working to change my descriptions and make my product my desirable.
Thanks once again!
Alane Gray
Art Glass Artist
San Diego
chocolatebandb
wow...thanks so much for the advice.. im a newbie and i need all the help i can get!
picklepea
I've been looking for an article like this for ages!! thanks so much! :D
albertaalberta
wow, thank you so much for such a thorough article! i'm excited to start using the recommended links for networking and promo. thanks for making etsy so user friendly and community minded!
pulci
manGoavocaDo
mpaperarts
crochetedmagic
CoolSunshine
matouenpeluche
Arctida
DebsDetails
HeyChica
Thanks for the great article, I knew about some of these sites but there were some I hadn't heard of yet. Now I just have to find some extra time in my day!
sephshug
BeadinBabe
isabellawhitney
flauntitmaternity
KrazyFashion
kerricakes
angelarbp
Great ideas! Now I just need the time to follow through on them!
batfineart
IllyriaPottery
Wow, I hardly know where to start! Thank you very much! So, do you recommend only having one or two types of things in your etsy shop? Maybe I need to simplify.
PDXfabricdeli
Thanks for the tips, brought on a whole new perspective.
I need to get crackin.
rheedunn
thanks for the advice, I am going to try some of the marketing ideas you suggested. I have noticed that the more interesting your photos are, the more traffic you seem to get to your site!! thanks again!!
UrbanAdornments
artfactorydesign
HeartfeltCreations08
bugbitesplayfood
MiniatureRhino
this is crazy helpful to someone like me who wants to do more but has limited time
DoOver
Thanks for all the advice. I will reread this article a
couple of times! Best of luck. Happy selling! Barbara
Dreastore
never thought to renew an item that wasn't expired ... huh, might give it a try.
I like the idea of listing your shop name as a tag for searches ... seems simple but never thought of it. I'm going back to do it now!
KellyBaldwinDesign
Some great ideas to chew on. Thanks...I'm gettin' my rear in gear NOW!
Susiesplace
Thanks I needed this, Great info. and I will using these tip for sure! Thanks again.....
OzMallo
Awesome advice, theres so much here to keep you busy and
creative, thanks.
LoraHart
Wonderful article Danielle! I've done most of the Etsy based suggestions, now I have to work on my social sites. I still can't figure out Twitter, but I'm committed to try!
SistersOfTheMoon
glamasaurus
Slowshirts
We get a lot of our sales from posting our steps and process on FLickr. It really works!
modernbird
Fabulous article, thank you!
Is there enough time in each day? Let's add an hour or two.
southernladysvintage
yaelfran
imfromanotherplanet
creationsbylauraj
fernfiddlehead
I guess I'm at the "hire a photographer" stage.
Thanks, Danielle. That's some good advice!
earthmamahyde
MichelleStudio
Montagyoo
ThePeachTree
Holla back!!! This is such a fantastic article Danielle! I'm taking notes, book marking and jotting down!! Thanks for the nod too!! I'm smiling ear to ear :)
RubyBeets
Thank you for sharing the info! Always great to get tips from the best
KLSreflections
banyantreeclothing
MsNovemberTuesday
Good article. Good ideas. I do think there is a fine line though between letting potential buyers get a glimpse of the artist and it potentally turning into a circus. Though seeing all the info I have to say the most important is keep at it and be confident in what you are doing because if you aren't willing to chat up or wear(when possible) your own works well, chances are nobody else will be either.
eyecandydesign
iheartchelsyanne
HeadsTwogether
destroyedbydesign
Thanks for reposting this article. It is super informative!
minouette
roska
sweetshorn
Wow! I had no idea about renewing. I just did and had two sales immediately. Thank you so much!
danugs
Thanks for these informations which are so inspiring and supporting!
There's a lot to be done!
cintillajewelry
AWSOME TIPS!!! I am so inspired and can't wait to get started. Etsy has become my new passion...and NOW even more!
sucree
Wow, that was fantastic. Thanks for sharing your success tips...now I've got some work to do! Including changing this avatar to something clearer!
erinmapes
What great ideas! I was feeling like I've been trying everything and getting almost no results, but I guess there's still a lot more I can be doing! Good news, and hopefully it'll help. Thanks!
BlueTerracotta
Great article. I'm working on setting up a shop and this helps a lot!
blueberryjunkie
Thanks for the information. I am just starting out in Etsy and appreciate all the great ideas you are sharing here with all of us.
kmwatkins
Thanks for the article. I have thought about using my name in my tags. I should do that now.
sparklesbydesign
Wow! Thanks a bunch for taking so much of your time to help us Etsy folks...I'm going to use several of your ideas and I look forward to them helping me get more attention into my shop and meeting more new friends! Valerie of Sparkles By Design
undertheroot
SewCreativeBySara
Great article. I have tried some things but always looking for new ideas. Thanks.
Thinkoutsidethebox
There are so many avenues to self promotion and networking. I think the key to it all, success and proficiency is to stay true to a schedule. Something I have yet to master. It is so easy to get caught up in blogging, flickr, twitter, forums and the like that one can lose an entire morning or day even, in these sites. Helpful tools for me are the most basic. I find it extremely helpful to physically write down a list of things to do...whether it be taking photos, listing, mailing, promoting or crafting and creating new ideas. After doing that sketch out a daily or weekly calendar for yourself of when all this should be done. Working at home can become a vortex of lost time and getting sidetracked! We've all been there. I bet that teh most successful etsy sellers are on a well mapped out schedule..just some food for thought here and I should follow my own suggestions!!!
KristenSchwartz
Lumpkin
theemptyenvelope
Mimiandlola
Raubski
ForeverFruitful
Thanks so much for this. I am new to etsy and these tips are excellent and encouraging.
thelittlebrownwren
BululuStudio
pippilangstrumpf
Brilliant article. I'm already started to get on to some of those ideas before I finished reading the article. Thanks.
LullaLoo
fantastic article! It answered all the questions I've been having about promoting my shop!
pleasurearts
This is really helpful and such wonderful information to learn from. Thank you very much for sharing!
makepienotwar
really great insight... i think i'll pitch an article!
social networking is a free advertising tool! why not invest a little time?!!
i love these! keep them coming!
whyte
bijouxl
Love this article. Some great ideas I will definitely be trying out!
metzypants
Thepaperboat
StrongBeads
teachemyoung
Thanks so much for the helpful advice! I'm going to bookmark this so I can come back to it to learn more!
quarterpast6
Fantastic tips! I've never attended a Virtual Labs event but feel very enthused to see what it's like!
sheilad
Dear Danielle,
I always love reading your article. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I started Etsy a while ago (August 2005), 3 years later I haven't really moved much from where I started. Your article explains a lot of what I'm missing. Now I know what things I can do and areas I can improve. I need to really dig in!
Thank you again, for the very motivating article.
-Sheila D-
pixestreasurechest
Thanks for a really great and informative article! I have only been on Etsy for since the end of Sept. I already have a blog, however, I think I will explore more options, such as facebook. I have bookmarked this for quick reference!
moonrose
Thank You so much for this article !! Things have been terribly slow lately and thru a few post's in the forums I found I was not alone in this feeling . That in itself was comforting . I have thought and thought about what I should do and this article is a fantastic find !!! I will be doing some of the things suggested here . I think I will start with building my blog and beginning to blog on a regular basis. A perfect time to do all of this is while things are slow .Instead of whining about being slow I am going to make the best of it !! Thanks again for a most wonderful article !!! Peace,Moonrose
hipclothing
JackieSpicer
Thank You! I'm a newbie and feel like I'm drowning in the sea of 200,000 Etsy sellers. You sent me a lifeline with this article. Thanks for sharing. Jackie Spicer
kraftyladykreations
jensblends
Great ideas. I hope I can do more in 2009. Thank you. Jennifer Raymer
beadholder
I have already taken some of the advice from the first time I read it, and I keep coming back to try more and I will be reading it again. Thanks for the tips daniellexo!
And I am still trying to get a Treasury up!
Good luck to the sellers and Happy Christmas to everyone!
Julie
Azita630
very interesting. i am opening my own shop soon. so anyone who's reading this please come and visit my shop!
sycamore74
Thanks for posting this article again. It helps a newbie like myself so much Learning the process can be daunting. And thanks for making it easier.
NovemberRoseAtelier
Thank you for all of the good and useful info. I've sat in on a shop critique with Danielle. It was quite fun! (Including throwing paper airplanes and other virtual objects at other memebers!) Instead of boldly jumping in the hot seat myself, I took notes on the critiques of others' shops and have begun to make a few changes here and there. There is always room for improvement on anything that is ever done...
BeadsInTheBelfry
very informative article! Now to work on that schedule...
christinececelia
GREAT ADVICE! thank you- i am def. going to try some of these!
nfall2rt
I read this a few months back. At that point I felt overwhelmed by everything, but I still made lists of new ideas. Since, I've implemented a few new things and started a weekly schedule for myself to maintain everything. There's still more to try, but I feel that this advice helped me greatly in getting started. Thank you!
StacyJoCeramics
This is great. All kinds of info I've been digging around for all compiled in one spot. You are awesome.
PearsonMaron
Is my Mom going to see this? Dude, she's going to start following us on twitter now.
junyandmilo
Thanks a lot for the great article, it's just what I needed.
Last Sunday in Switzerland, there was a two-full-pages article on Etsy and similar websites, in one of the biggest Swiss Sunday papers, but none of us few Swiss Etsy people were even mentioned. It's especially hard in our own country for becoming "known".
Will definitely use many of your tipps.
Thanks & good Etsy-luck to you all
TooCuteForWords
This was an awesome article to help me get my marketing started. I didn't even know about some of the sites you suggested, so I am excited to explore and share. Keep them coming.
Sophiadare
Just got my store up and plate images posted and this is just the info I needed- concise and plenty to keep me busy for awhile!! Thank you!!
hodgepodgefarm
omg so much excellent info danielle! one question: does 'gold school' still exist? the link didn't work! thanks for sharing all of these tips ;n)
LaurieCoyleDesigns
Awesome article, Danielle, thanks!
Yeah, a few more hours in the day would be really nice, let's work on that one....
Mulchandmore
Thanks for a great check-list of more I can do to promote, after the holidays I definitely need to set up a blog.
Flyk
SeventhCloudStudio
Ohmygodthankyou! These are just the types of suggestions that I was looking for--perfect! I can't wait to get going o
Thanks for all the advise! I will try them out asap. ETSY ROCKS!!! ;)