A pic of me working earlier. I've been so busy that the studio has been my second home for the past few months.
I have to apologize for the lack of updates on the blog! I haven't had time to cook up some interesting content because I've been so busy! I thought I should update everyone as I predict that things wont slow down for me until January.
Many of you know that I have Ankylosing Spondylitis and Fibromyalgia. I mention this because as I get busier, my flare ups become more frequent and intense. Right now I'm on a loop of recovering, restocking, doing a show (read: provoking a flare up), and starting all over again - recovering, restocking, show.
As you can imagine that the recovery step takes more time every time the loop cycles. Right now I have an average of 3-4 shows/home parties per week plus restocking in between and managing my online shop. As the recovery process takes longer, the less stock I have at each show, and the more stressed out I become - After all, I want to make sure everyone has all the pampering goodies they are looking for!
Things are certainly a whirlwind right now and I'm so thankful that my little business is doing so well! I'm also thankful that things should slow down and get back to normal in the new year. Being super busy with orders is amazing, but not when my health suffers because of it. I've already figured out a few things to do differently in the new year to make things more balanced. I have to look after my health first and foremost otherwise not only will I burn out, but nobody will get to enjoy my batty creations!
In the new year, I'll reduce the amount of shows I do by half - yup, you read that right, I said half! I feel that since local supporters can order from my online shop (with free delivery), book a home party, or shop at Weezi's 6 days a week, this shouldn't impact regular local customers too much (at least this is my hope). I still plan to be at the Covent Garden Market once a month, so no worries there for all the wonderful people that come out every time I'm there! I've decided to reduce the number of shows I book because this decrease will give me more time to fill orders, connect with customers, and take care of my health without taking away from the needs of my business.
Please accept my apology for the lack of updates and interactions. I'm really trying to make sure everyone who wants Batty's Bath goodies for the holidays has them - thankfully, due to all your support - that's a tall order to fill :) I'm sure since your bathrooms are smelling great, your skin is smooth, and your hair is looking great you don't mind the lack of interesting blog content ;) hehe.
Thanks again for all your support everyone! The blog will get back to "normal" as I have time, and if there's anything you'd like to see here (content and subject matter wise), don't hesitate to late me know. The blog survey is still a a great way to have your voice heard!
Happy Holidays everyone!
Be well :)
Showing posts with label Etsy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Etsy. Show all posts
(This was first posted at my Batty's Bath Blog.
It includes some references to my soap biz, and
links within my soap blog.)
Personalized Hand Stamped Key Chain | by: riskybeads
riskybeads says:
Check out the rest of the tips here in the Etsy forum.
1. Send a freebie along with each order. Make sure it’s something that people would want. Perhaps a scaled down version of another product or a sustainable marketing item like a magnet, etc. A thank you card goes a long way as well!
2. Invite customers to join your mailing list. (I’ve been using the PayPal Customer Service option, and I’ve added about 20 people since I started it. To do this, log into PayPal and go to: My Account/Profile/Selling Preferences/Custom Payment Pages/Option tab –> scroll down to see mailing list option.)
3. Send a coupon for their next purchase. You can do this by getting cheap biz cards printed as coupons or just put a label or paper coupon in the package. I often use labels because it allows me to customize my marketing materials. Most of the coupons I get from other sellers offer 5-10% off. I offer 15% off an order of $50 or more. Remember, not everyone will use their coupon, so there’s no need to stress about what you offer. Send more than 1 coupon to encourage sharing and/or offer a referral discount. I offer my customers 15% off any item of their choice if they refer a new custom to me!
4. Send a brochure with FANTASTIC pictures of other products you sell. Perhaps offer a discount or coupon as part of the brochure. Using a brochure or postcard works nicely because people can easily show your products to folks who aren’t online… co-workers in the lunch room, etc. You can keep it relative. If a person buys Lavender Body Butter from you, maybe send a brochure with pics/info on your other lavender products.
5. Invite your customer to a future secret sale–not too far in the future, say 2-3 weeks max AND/OR unveil a secret product and offer it early to your existing custom base.
It's the CANDY CORN PACK!
3 handmade 100% cotton wash cloths
1 handmade glycerin candy corn soap
Now available in the online shop!
battysbath.etsy.com
| PoleStar says: | |
| This post stems from a few posts I have seen where sellers are astounded at others being featured in thousands of treasuries. I was going to post IN a recent thread but I thought the advice deserved it's own post.
Everyone here should NOT feel like small potatoes for only being in a few treasuries. We all start somewhere! There are unlimited treasuries now so the potential for how many treasuries you can end up in is infinity! If you want to be in more treasuries some things that help are, 1. of course, great pictures. Set a mood with your photo, if you had a store front, how would you stage the front window? That is what you want to reflect in your shop pictures, of course with out being cluttered. Someone who posted in the other thread is AmyArtz, her avatar is gorgeous, it makes me want to click, to find out, what is this cool looking cube textured pendant. 2. Of course a well made product and some cohesion in your shop. After a while people will know your shop for a great photographed version of a product. I sell wire wrapped jewelry. As do A WHOLE LOT of other jewelry sellers on Etsy. I love what I make of course, am obsessed with making it and I do like to run it as a business for profit as well. That is why I am here on etsy selling it instead of piling it on my bed and rolling around in it a la The Proposal or whatever that movie was. My category is swamped. But guess what? I don't let that get me down, I just try to do the best that I can do in my shop. I take unique photos and people know my shop look and come to my shop for items to put in their treasuries. I know this, b/c they tell me so :D. I also have a large variety of colors in my shop. From neutrals to bright yellows, etc. I make what I love. I love owls, Etsy loves owls. I made an owl necklace b/c I LOVE owls. I love foxes, but I am not feeling a fox necklace, just not wanting to go there. And for SURE I will never EVER make a mustache necklace. If I do, slap me like the passengers do the freak out lady in Airplane b/c I will have done lost my marbles. If you feel like you want to express a trend, do it! If not, don't! It is important that you do what you love and follow your instincts. 3. Network. Especially network with other people who love to make treasuries. At the heart of the treasury is people loving to curate lists. Be it through your favorites, a challenge through a team, etc. It is a challenging yet fun experience. It can fulfill your need for window shopping and artistic expression as well! Network by joining a team, START a team! Twitter, Facebook. I have made so many FRIENDS through teams, such good friends, I could go stay with them overnight and sleep at their houses w/o worrying they would be a psycho killer even though I know them only through the internet. 4. Make treasuries and let everyone know you are in them! Pimp them out. That involves convoing people who you featured, tweeting your treasury lists and facebooking them. Even if you only do one a week it will help. 5. Pay it back and forward. If you are featured in a newbie treasury, make one with newbies; if you are featured by another bow maker who loves your bows, make a treasury with that bow maker. 6. Use the Etsy Merchandising terms. http://www.etsy.com/storque/search/title/merchandising/ Personally, I go through the articles and pick out "key words" and email them to myself and when I make a treasury, I skim the list and include the relevant tags in my treasury. I am by NO means curating a ton of front pages even though I would like to. But those help me nonetheless. I love being on the front page, but you know what feels even better? CURATING a front page. That is such a rush, awesome feeling. 7. When you feel inspired, make a treasury about it! If you think, "oh this was such a great sunny day" make a sunny day inspired treasury. If you see a show on discovery about alligators, make a gator treasury! If you feel strongly that unibrows should usurp the mustache in status not just b/c they are higher on the face, then make a unibrow treasury. I have made a few. }:) You get the point. 8. Renew your items. Even if you only renew one item a day that is photographed and tagged well, you will end up in more treasuries. 9. Look how people tag the treasuries that end up on the front page. If it applies, use those tags in your treasuries and products. If it applies to your product, then tag it! One of the terms for September was "earth tones" if you have earth tone items, then TAG that. DON'T tag your hot pink item "earth tones!" lol. But you know what else is hot on Etsy during spring and summer though? NEON< style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "> 10. When someone notifies you they featured you in a treasury, ALWAYS go comment on it. They took the time to make it, and it is an honor to have your item included, whether you are in one treasury or in thousands. I hope these tips help, I may copy past this list and add to it as I think of other tips. I am one of those people who are in THOUSANDS of treasuries. I do not know any admin personally, but I have been selling on Etsy for 2 years and networking and making friends for the same time while listing hundreds of items and keeping in mind merchandising themes in my tags. I do all of the above and I know that if you do all of the above too you WILL be in thousands of treasuries faster than you think. Jen |
| knotworkshop says: | |
| 1) Inject your personality into your shop if you can. I am sure that it is my humor that is bringing customers in, not my mad crochet skillz (although they are pretty awesome).
2) Cruise the forums at night. You'll meet some of the funniest (and drunkest) folks. And even venture to Etc. occasionally as cool stuff is hidden down there sometimes. 3) Play the game or don't play the game. It's up to you. But acknowledge there is one. There will always be cronyism and underhanded dealings in every business. Your own shop on here is not immune. Do what you need to do, but just admit it. As my homey fivelittlegems once said 'take care of you and yours cause nobody else will.' 4) Have good enough photos. Seriously, my shop looks more like a copy of Mad Magazine than an Anthropologie catalog. And that's okay. I'm doing fine and I'm holding true to my style. You can too. 5) Sometimes the wolves are in sheep's clothing. Don't understand that? Sometimes the owls are dressed up like felted acorns. And one can claw your eyes out and the other is a squirrel's worst nightmare. So be. on. alert. 6) Our long lost comrade goat once said, 'Etsy is not your boyfriend.' I agree. Etsy is not any one person to love or be loyal too. It is a venue for your business. And remember, even your boyfriend can cheat on you and leave urine all over the toilet- or worse in the corner of the family room if he's really drunk. So keep all your options open. 7) Have fun. Life is too serious. As the great philosopher Ferris Bueller once said, "A) You can never go too far. B) If I'm gonna get busted, it is not gonna be by a guy like that." Rock on my fellow Etsians. |
| daniellexo says: | ||
| I recently read a blog post about Levi's Worshop, a space dedicated to supporting culture and community.http://designmind.frogdesign.com/blog/nothing-is-what-it-seems.html
"Many companies are beginning to acknowledge the shift from just making good products to providing meaningful experiences," says the author, Kristina Loring. Creative independent business owners usually don't have to make a shift. We have direct access to each and every customer, so making conversations and transactions meaningful and personal should be natural. My advice is to be careful not to copy the archaic language and practices of business past. Be yourself and make big brands jealous! And here are my top five helpful blog posts I found this week: 1. How to Rebuild Your Attention Span and Focus http://lifehacker.com/5596964/how-to-rebuild-your-attention-span-and-focus 2. 15 Ways to Get Inspired http://freelancefolder.com/15-ways-to-get-inspired/ 3. One Small Step to Move Ahead http://goodwolve.blogs.com/moxieworks/2010/08/one-small-step-to-move-ahead.html 4. If The Price Is Right… http://bloggertone.com/marketing/2010/08/16/if-the-price-is-right/ 5. Unofficial Etsy Featured Seller - Cottonmonster http://analliteration.blogspot.com/2010/08/194-unofficial-etsy-featured-seller.html |
says..............
The most common questions that I'm asked in our Newbie Chat sessions in the Virtual Labs are about how to get more views, and make more (or any) sales. Here are my best tips:
MORE EXPOSURE
1. List more items in your shop! Your items are the most likely way that a potential buyer will find your shop. Think of each listing as an ad that may bring buyers to your shop. They may not buy the specific item but something else from your shop instead. The more listings that you have, the more opportunities to be found! Relist sold items that you can make again.
2. Your Search Terms (tags and titles):
a. Use all 14 tags with good search terms that buyers might use. Use especially important words in the title.
b. This article will help you brainstorm words that might be helpful:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/guidelines-tips-tagging-on-etsy-281/
You can also use this article and add any accurate terms:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/seller-how-to-tag-o-rama-with-descriptive-keywords-5474/
c. Use the Search Suggestions feature to come up with search terms. Start typing what you sell in the search box (with Handmade, Vintage, or Commercial Supplies selected) to see the suggestions. These are based on recent buyer search terms. You can use any that are accurate.
d. Your tags determine what sub and sub-subcategories your item is in. Your item can be in multiple subs and sub-subs. Click any words that are accurate for your item while listing, or go look in the category where you've listed to see what's available, and add any that are accurate, exactly as written, as a tag.
e. If your items fit in multiple categories, try listing some in one, and some in the other, for exposure across categories.
f. To help your items be found in Google, use good keywords in the title (while still keeping the titles attractive and in line with the image in your shop)
g. Use your shop stats to see what's working- what search terms are getting views for you? To set up the shop stats, go to Your Etsy > Web Analytics. Here's a link if you need to troubleshoot:
http://help.etsy.com/app/answers/list/kw/google%20analytics/search/1
Set it up so it will tell you what search terms are working for you on Etsy. Follow #2 here to set this up:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/etsy-news/tech-update-etsy-web-analytics-enhancements-3350
h. You'll hear a lot in the forums about SEO (search engine optimization). This is a fancy term for helping google and other search engines find you. This can be a very complex topic, made all the more challenging because Google is continually changing their algorithm. Here is the short version of SEO:
i. Have a title that describes what the item is (try to put more relevant words near the beginning).
ii. In the description, describe the item as if you are speaking to someone who can't see it.
iii. Use a variety of keywords throughout the shop. Don't title every item nearly exactly the same! This will help you diversify where you item appears. Think of every keyword, and the potential combination of words as ads for your item. Using the same words over and over is like placing lots of ads all in the same magazine! Instead, you'd place ads in lots of magazines- do the equivalent of this by varying your titles. Use the Etsy and Google search suggestions to come up with alternate words that buyers might search. Try adding different types of words to the titles, such as the size, etc and watch the effects in Google Analytics.
3. Your Photos:
A good, clickable photo will get more hits for your item.
a. Try searching for your item, and see the other items that are listed around it. Does your photo make you want to click? Which ones do? What can you learn and apply from this?
b. Check out some tips here for an appealing photo:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/etsy-holiday-how-to-4-photographing-your-items-413/
http://www.etsy.com/storque/search/title/seller-handbook-photography/
4. Ship Internationally:
I read a while back that 30% of transactions involved a buyer and seller from different countries. Since buyers can choose to show only sellers who ship to them, having international shipping will increase your exposure. Here's a good tutorial for US sellers:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5354738
If you're not in the US, you might search the forums or start a new thread asking for help from sellers from your country.
YOU'RE GETTING VIEWS, BUT NOT SALES
1. Perhaps the buyer has questions that are not answered in the listing. Between the photos and the descriptions, the buyer should know everything they need to to make the purchase decision. If you get a convo with a question, consider that there may have been more buyers with the question, but they didn't want to ask! There are so many things I could list here; here's a sample of some things I've seen:
- Of what is shown in the photo, what will I actually receive if I make the purchase?
- What size/how big is it? Measurements?
- If a bag or clothes - how will it look on?
- art: what will the actual piece of paper that the artwork is on look like?
- if listing requires knowing the buyer's size: give a size chart, ring sizing info, etc. If the buyer has to look for a measuring tape or figure out her ring size, that takes her away from the listing! Most people can figure out their size when presented with a size chart.
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/best-of-the-etsy-forums-20-questions-your-buyers-are-asking-7024/
If you find that you're getting views but no sales, post in the Critiques forum or come to one of the Critique sessions in the Virtual Labs so others can take a look and give you some feedback.
2. Shop policies that are blocking the sale: for example, saying that you're not responsible if the item doesn't arrive will turn the buyer away. If you're using PayPal for the transaction, it may be against their policies and they will side with the buyer if the item doesn't arrive.
3. "Convo me before purchasing": do everything you can to set the listing up so the buyer can just purchase it.
4. Add more items to the shop. Buyers like selection!
5. Prices are unusually low or high (I rarely see prices that are "too high"- almost not worth mentioning). Very low prices are more common, and may make the buyer question the quality of the item, and whether it's actually handmade.
6. Shipping is unusually high: you can use this article to help figure out your shipping prices:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/seller-how-to-shipping-6074/
Double check your shipping prices with similar items from sellers from your country to make sure you're in the ballpark.
A FEW EASY IDEAS MAKING MORE SALES WITH YOUR LISTINGS
This in itself could be a book, and there is a ton of fabulous info in the forums and in the Seller Handbook.
Here are a few easy ideas that you can do with your listings to get more sales:
1. Encourage custom orders. Put a line in your listing that says something like, "Would you like this in another color? Please let me know, as I can most likely get any color you'd like." Create a color/fabric/yarn chart with available options so buyers can choose.
2. Upsell! Would this necklace look great with another in your shop? Would this art print look great as a set with some others in your shop? Take a photo of them together to encourage the buyer to get both. Provide a link to the other listings and be clear about what's for sale with this listing.
3. Put a link to your shop or one of your shop sections in the listing and encourage the buyer to check them out.
4. If it doesn't cost you any extra to ship multiple items together, have free shipping with additional item to encourage the customer to see what else they might like to buy from your shop.
5. Show additional uses in the photos to show the buyer how useful and necessary the item is! Would the brooch look cute pinned on a bag? In the hair? Hem of a short dress? As a scarf pin? Draping a loose garment? With a bunch of other brooches from your shop? Would the scarf look good as a belt, tied as a bow around the neck? Etc etc.
Anyway, just a few pointers! I hope this is helpful!
Here are some great links that you may want to check out:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/etsy-success-for-beginner-sellers-5142/
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/the-etsy-seller-handbook-all-our-how-tos-about-selling-2383/
Oh! And we'd love to have you in the Virtual Labs! Please see our schedule here (in your local time):
http://www.etsy.com/storque/etsy-news/tech-update-etsy-web-analytics-enhancements-3350/
h. You'll hear a lot in the forums about SEO (search engine optimization). This is a fancy term for helping google and other search engines find you. This can be a very complex topic, made all the more challenging because Google is continually changing their algorithm. Here is the short version of SEO:
i. Have a title that describes what the item is (try to put more relevant words near the beginning).
ii. In the description, describe the item as if you are speaking to someone who can't see it.
iii. Use a variety of keywords throughout the shop. Don't title every item nearly exactly the same! This will help you diversify where you item appears. Think of every keyword, and the potential combination of words as ads for your item. Using the same words over and over is like placing lots of ads all in the same magazine! Instead, you'd place ads in lots of magazines- do the equivalent of this by varying your titles. Use the Etsy and Google search suggestions to come up with alternate words that buyers might search. Try adding different types of words to the titles, such as the size, etc and watch the effects in Google Analytics.
3. Your Photos:
A good, clickable photo will get more hits for your item.
a. Try searching for your item, and see the other items that are listed around it. Does your photo make you want to click? Which ones do? What can you learn and apply from this?
b. Check out some tips here for an appealing photo:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/etsy-holiday-how-to-4-photographing-your-items-413/
http://www.etsy.com/storque/search/title/seller-handbook-photography/
4. Ship Internationally:
I read a while back that 30% of transactions involved a buyer and seller from different countries. Since buyers can choose to show only sellers who ship to them, having international shipping will increase your exposure. Here's a good tutorial for US sellers:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5354738
If you're not in the US, you might search the forums or start a new thread asking for help from sellers from your country.
YOU'RE GETTING VIEWS, BUT NOT SALES
1. Perhaps the buyer has questions that are not answered in the listing. Between the photos and the descriptions, the buyer should know everything they need to to make the purchase decision. If you get a convo with a question, consider that there may have been more buyers with the question, but they didn't want to ask! There are so many things I could list here; here's a sample of some things I've seen:
- Of what is shown in the photo, what will I actually receive if I make the purchase?
- What size/how big is it? Measurements?
- If a bag or clothes - how will it look on?
- art: what will the actual piece of paper that the artwork is on look like?
- if listing requires knowing the buyer's size: give a size chart, ring sizing info, etc. If the buyer has to look for a measuring tape or figure out her ring size, that takes her away from the listing! Most people can figure out their size when presented with a size chart.
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/best-of-the-etsy-forums-20-questions-your-buyers-are-asking-7024/
If you find that you're getting views but no sales, post in the Critiques forum or come to one of the Critique sessions in the Virtual Labs so others can take a look and give you some feedback.
2. Shop policies that are blocking the sale: for example, saying that you're not responsible if the item doesn't arrive will turn the buyer away. If you're using PayPal for the transaction, it may be against their policies and they will side with the buyer if the item doesn't arrive.
4. Add more items to the shop. Buyers like selection!
5. Prices are unusually low or high (I rarely see prices that are "too high"- almost not worth mentioning). Very low prices are more common, and may make the buyer question the quality of the item, and whether it's actually handmade.
6. Shipping is unusually high: you can use this article to help figure out your shipping prices:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/seller-how-to-shipping-6074/
Double check your shipping prices with similar items from sellers from your country to make sure you're in the ballpark.
A FEW EASY IDEAS MAKING MORE SALES WITH YOUR LISTINGS
This in itself could be a book, and there is a ton of fabulous info in the forums and in the Seller Handbook.
Here are a few easy ideas that you can do with your listings to get more sales:
1. Encourage custom orders. Put a line in your listing that says something like, "Would you like this in another color? Please let me know, as I can most likely get any color you'd like." Create a color/fabric/yarn chart with available options so buyers can choose.
2. Upsell! Would this necklace look great with another in your shop? Would this art print look great as a set with some others in your shop? Take a photo of them together to encourage the buyer to get both. Provide a link to the other listings and be clear about what's for sale with this listing.
3. Put a link to your shop or one of your shop sections in the listing and encourage the buyer to check them out.
4. If it doesn't cost you any extra to ship multiple items together, have free shipping with additional item to encourage the customer to see what else they might like to buy from your shop.
5. Show additional uses in the photos to show the buyer how useful and necessary the item is! Would the brooch look cute pinned on a bag? In the hair? Hem of a short dress? As a scarf pin? Draping a loose garment? With a bunch of other brooches from your shop? Would the scarf look good as a belt, tied as a bow around the neck? Etc etc.
Anyway, just a few pointers! I hope this is helpful!
Here are some great links that you may want to check out:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/etsy-success-for-beginner-sellers-5142/
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/the-etsy-seller-handbook-all-our-how-tos-about-selling-2383/
Oh! And we'd love to have you in the Virtual Labs! Please see our schedule here (in your local time):
http://www.etsy.com/virtual_labs.php
.
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