I posted this blog post in the forums on Etsy. One point that got brought up is that what if your product is not really "photo" ready. I want to talk about this a bit more because I know there are a lot of shops that fit this criteria.
For instance, soaps....
My suggestion in cases like this is to come up wiht a line that is completely customer driven. Ask your customers on your blog what they want and choose one idea and do it. Create a product directly from your customers' requests and ideas...."Created by You" would be a fabulous name or something like it. This is a fantastic way to draw your customers in and make them the focus!
If any of you do this, I would LOVE if you would send me an email and let me know how it's working out for you!
And because you all were so patient and waited a WEEK for a new post, I'm going to go ahead and post my Blog Organizing Form..for you...for free! This link won't be active for long, so be sure and grab it. This is exclusive for my awesome blog readers! :-) Use it well and let me know if it helped you or not! AND keep an eye out, as I'm putting the finishing touches on my "How To Blog" guide and will be listing it in my Etsy shop soon!
Here's your link!
The link is gone, as the freebie offer has expired, BUT if you'd like this form, I sell it in my Etsy shop here and it's also available in this guide....http://www.etsy.com/listing/50848723/how-to-blog-guideebook-on-simple-tips-to
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Flattery will get you everwhere--Tips for a better blog
(This is from my upcoming “How to Blog” guide…)
One of the best things you can do for your blog is to get your readers emotionally invested in it. You want to make them LOVE reading your blog and one way to get them to really love it is by featuring THEM!
Pick a time schedule that works for you (weekly, monthly, etc.) and start posting pictures of your customers wearing your items or using them and talk about what you think of how they used your item. For instance, if someone wore a necklace with an outfit you never would’ve paired it with. Or maybe someone used one of your home décor items in a really unique way. Even if you just relay a feel good story that one of your customers told you, for example, how someone reacted when they received your product as a gift or how your product was the absolute perfect gift for the hard to shop for person. Whatever the case may be….blog about it and make your customers the star of your blog.
You can even build up some excitement and “hype” for your blog by talking about this new feature you are going to be starting. Dedicate a blog post to this new feature, talk about how they are why you get to sell on Etsy and thank them! Tell them to show your appreciation you are starting a new feature that is all about THEM. Pick a date you are going to start this on (at the most a month out from the day you announce it) and ask them to send in their photos and stories. They will love it!
And from this moment on, start telling your customers that you would love to see a picture of them wearing your item or a picture of how they used your item. If what you sell doesn’t lend itself to a photograph, ask them to write you a little something. Tell them why you are requesting the photos and stories as this will encourage them to send theirs in. Cause really, who doesn’t like to be picked out and told they are AMAZING?
I hope this tips helps you and I have many more great tips on blogging better in my upcoming guide. If there is anything about blogging you'd like to see a tip for, let me know in the comments or email me and I'll see if I can include it in my guide!
Also, I'll be posting a blog organizing freebie soon, so keep checking back!
One of the best things you can do for your blog is to get your readers emotionally invested in it. You want to make them LOVE reading your blog and one way to get them to really love it is by featuring THEM!
Pick a time schedule that works for you (weekly, monthly, etc.) and start posting pictures of your customers wearing your items or using them and talk about what you think of how they used your item. For instance, if someone wore a necklace with an outfit you never would’ve paired it with. Or maybe someone used one of your home décor items in a really unique way. Even if you just relay a feel good story that one of your customers told you, for example, how someone reacted when they received your product as a gift or how your product was the absolute perfect gift for the hard to shop for person. Whatever the case may be….blog about it and make your customers the star of your blog.
You can even build up some excitement and “hype” for your blog by talking about this new feature you are going to be starting. Dedicate a blog post to this new feature, talk about how they are why you get to sell on Etsy and thank them! Tell them to show your appreciation you are starting a new feature that is all about THEM. Pick a date you are going to start this on (at the most a month out from the day you announce it) and ask them to send in their photos and stories. They will love it!
And from this moment on, start telling your customers that you would love to see a picture of them wearing your item or a picture of how they used your item. If what you sell doesn’t lend itself to a photograph, ask them to write you a little something. Tell them why you are requesting the photos and stories as this will encourage them to send theirs in. Cause really, who doesn’t like to be picked out and told they are AMAZING?
I hope this tips helps you and I have many more great tips on blogging better in my upcoming guide. If there is anything about blogging you'd like to see a tip for, let me know in the comments or email me and I'll see if I can include it in my guide!
Also, I'll be posting a blog organizing freebie soon, so keep checking back!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Creating a Marketing Strategy
This is a fantastic article on creating a marketing strategy that I received today. I am posting the article in its entirety, but here's the source link, also.
http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=7&a=457253
Check it out...
SCORE: Creating a Successful Marketing Strategy
6/16/2010 8:46:53 AM
Sales and advertising are often associated with marketing. While these are an important part of marketing, there is a horde of other tools and tactics.
These tools help to enhance your business's attractiveness and customer visibility. Using these resources along with careful research and planning help to yield a successful marketing strategy.
The key is to think of marketing not as a single action but rather a combination of steps designed to identify, attract and retain profitable customers, and to differentiate your business from the competition. It encompasses everything from your company name, logo, and service lines to advertisements, public relations, presence at trade shows, and community involvement. I encourage small businesses to develop a detailed marketing plan that is tailor-made for their business.
While it's helpful to use comparable businesses as a guide, what works for them may not be appropriate for you. Marketing strategies need to be tailored to your business and target customer base. To prepare yourself for marketing, create a detailed profile of your ideal prospect. As you create your marketing message, aim it at them and list the benefits they will receive. Be certain your marketing message highlights the special knowledge and expertise you offer.
Look for ways to make the buying process easier for your customers. What road blocks can you remove? Simplify everything; eliminate potential interruptions in the sales process and make decision-making as painless as possible for your customers.
Put your marketing budget in proper perspective. You might, for example, think of marketing as your ace-in-the-hole rather than merely a "cost." Try to set a budget and a pace that lets you market continuously. Customer memories are short, and they are bombarded with thousands of marketing messages and images daily. Your effort must be ongoing or people will quickly forget.
Match your marketing to your primary market. If it's a local market, then that's where your marketing focus should be. Broadly focused advertising, for example, might be the wrong choice. Instead, consider marketing neighborhood-by-neighborhood.
A good place to find marketing help is the American Marketing Association's Web site, MarketingPower.com. The site's Best Practices section contains valuable guidance for small businesses in the areas of research, Internet marketing, advertising, public relations, customer service tips, and many others.
To learn more about marketing your small business, contact America's free and confidential source of small business mentoring and coaching. SCORE is a nonprofit association of more than 12,000 experienced business folks throughout the U.S. who volunteer as mentors. We are "Counselors to America's Small Businesses."
Dean Swanson is a volunteer SCORE counselor and past chairman of the Southeast Minnesota SCORE chapter.
The part that I have bolded I hope you take with you and remember. Rewrite it for yourself, if it will help you remember it. This is the best one sentence explanation for marketing that I have read in a long time! It encompasses in an easy to understand way what marketing is truly about and why you need to be doing it for your shop!
http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=7&a=457253
Check it out...
SCORE: Creating a Successful Marketing Strategy
6/16/2010 8:46:53 AM
Sales and advertising are often associated with marketing. While these are an important part of marketing, there is a horde of other tools and tactics.
These tools help to enhance your business's attractiveness and customer visibility. Using these resources along with careful research and planning help to yield a successful marketing strategy.
The key is to think of marketing not as a single action but rather a combination of steps designed to identify, attract and retain profitable customers, and to differentiate your business from the competition. It encompasses everything from your company name, logo, and service lines to advertisements, public relations, presence at trade shows, and community involvement. I encourage small businesses to develop a detailed marketing plan that is tailor-made for their business.
While it's helpful to use comparable businesses as a guide, what works for them may not be appropriate for you. Marketing strategies need to be tailored to your business and target customer base. To prepare yourself for marketing, create a detailed profile of your ideal prospect. As you create your marketing message, aim it at them and list the benefits they will receive. Be certain your marketing message highlights the special knowledge and expertise you offer.
Look for ways to make the buying process easier for your customers. What road blocks can you remove? Simplify everything; eliminate potential interruptions in the sales process and make decision-making as painless as possible for your customers.
Put your marketing budget in proper perspective. You might, for example, think of marketing as your ace-in-the-hole rather than merely a "cost." Try to set a budget and a pace that lets you market continuously. Customer memories are short, and they are bombarded with thousands of marketing messages and images daily. Your effort must be ongoing or people will quickly forget.
Match your marketing to your primary market. If it's a local market, then that's where your marketing focus should be. Broadly focused advertising, for example, might be the wrong choice. Instead, consider marketing neighborhood-by-neighborhood.
A good place to find marketing help is the American Marketing Association's Web site, MarketingPower.com. The site's Best Practices section contains valuable guidance for small businesses in the areas of research, Internet marketing, advertising, public relations, customer service tips, and many others.
To learn more about marketing your small business, contact America's free and confidential source of small business mentoring and coaching. SCORE is a nonprofit association of more than 12,000 experienced business folks throughout the U.S. who volunteer as mentors. We are "Counselors to America's Small Businesses."
Dean Swanson is a volunteer SCORE counselor and past chairman of the Southeast Minnesota SCORE chapter.
The part that I have bolded I hope you take with you and remember. Rewrite it for yourself, if it will help you remember it. This is the best one sentence explanation for marketing that I have read in a long time! It encompasses in an easy to understand way what marketing is truly about and why you need to be doing it for your shop!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Product Expansion Ideas
I am super a creative thinker. I come up with more ideas for cool Etsy shops or cool things to sell than I could possibly make in a lifetime. Ever since I started selling and writing marketing guides and reports, it's one that I've wanted to add to my shop...a custom product expansion guide type thing. I would basically analyze a seller's shop and then give the seller ideas on how to diversify their product lines to encourage more customers and sales.
I decided that today was it. I’m going to create a listing and start offering this for sellers. But before I did that, I wanted a little more information. I wanted to do a search in the forums on Etsy to get an idea on how this type of guide would be received. And boy did I hit the jackpot! I found this thread first thing.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6546678&page=1
How awesome is this? There is honestly nothing better than seeing other sellers help each other. It’s truly refreshing and a huge part of what makes Etsy such a great place to do business. Definitely read through this thread, as there are some good ideas in there and it’ll probably inspire you and give you ideas for your shop!
Finding this thread was excellent for me, for two reasons. First of all, it let me know that this is something that people are open to, that sellers understand that by expanding what they sell to include more types of items, they can draw more buyers in. Second of all, it let me know that this is something that is on people’s minds…Yay! Time to get that listing up!!
Now one thing that I noticed in this thread…there were so many ideas that were overlooked! Here are two things that didn’t get suggested (at the time I read the thread, it was up to page 10…if either of these ideas got suggested after, I digress.) that really have huge buyer generating potential.
No one suggested doing a line directed at teens to any of the jewelry shops. (What better way to get your shop exposure than to have teens talking about it? Think of the potential in social media marketing, alone)
No one suggested designing career themed items and I saw quite a few shops that would lend itself to this type of design idea. We all know that if you have a great item and you offer personalization, it makes it sell even better. But often times, that means you have to put more work into what you are selling, which is not a bad thing but by offering career themed items, you are making your item a little personalized and upping the appeal of the item, but not having to put quite as much work as personalizing it would require. It’s a fantastic way to generate some more sales without necessarily getting overwhelmed and feeling like you can’t keep up. Not to mention it's super easy to market an item like that.
So these are just two ideas….I came up with a lot more reading that thread. :-)
But I'm off to add a listing to my shop! I would so love to do this for sellers!! Plus the fact that this thread was started RIGHT when I was planning on starting to offer this service, tells me, it’s meant to be! LOL Yes, I look for “signs” and when they tell me yes…I listen!!
And I’d love to hear what you guys think… do you guys have any cool product ideas?
I decided that today was it. I’m going to create a listing and start offering this for sellers. But before I did that, I wanted a little more information. I wanted to do a search in the forums on Etsy to get an idea on how this type of guide would be received. And boy did I hit the jackpot! I found this thread first thing.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6546678&page=1
How awesome is this? There is honestly nothing better than seeing other sellers help each other. It’s truly refreshing and a huge part of what makes Etsy such a great place to do business. Definitely read through this thread, as there are some good ideas in there and it’ll probably inspire you and give you ideas for your shop!
Finding this thread was excellent for me, for two reasons. First of all, it let me know that this is something that people are open to, that sellers understand that by expanding what they sell to include more types of items, they can draw more buyers in. Second of all, it let me know that this is something that is on people’s minds…Yay! Time to get that listing up!!
Now one thing that I noticed in this thread…there were so many ideas that were overlooked! Here are two things that didn’t get suggested (at the time I read the thread, it was up to page 10…if either of these ideas got suggested after, I digress.) that really have huge buyer generating potential.
No one suggested doing a line directed at teens to any of the jewelry shops. (What better way to get your shop exposure than to have teens talking about it? Think of the potential in social media marketing, alone)
No one suggested designing career themed items and I saw quite a few shops that would lend itself to this type of design idea. We all know that if you have a great item and you offer personalization, it makes it sell even better. But often times, that means you have to put more work into what you are selling, which is not a bad thing but by offering career themed items, you are making your item a little personalized and upping the appeal of the item, but not having to put quite as much work as personalizing it would require. It’s a fantastic way to generate some more sales without necessarily getting overwhelmed and feeling like you can’t keep up. Not to mention it's super easy to market an item like that.
So these are just two ideas….I came up with a lot more reading that thread. :-)
But I'm off to add a listing to my shop! I would so love to do this for sellers!! Plus the fact that this thread was started RIGHT when I was planning on starting to offer this service, tells me, it’s meant to be! LOL Yes, I look for “signs” and when they tell me yes…I listen!!
And I’d love to hear what you guys think… do you guys have any cool product ideas?
Friday, June 11, 2010
Freebie for you! Marketing Task Sheet
You may have in your head a list of marketing ideas that you want to do. But chances are, you have no idea where to start! And you are not alone in this. Many of the sellers that I have helped, have the same issue. Because of that, I designed a form to help organize your marketing ideas.
One of the best ways to manage your marketing and to motivate you to put your ideas into action is to break your ideas down into manageable steps. Breaking down your marketing idea into a manageable step by step list will help you get it done and will help you analyze your cost vs reward. It will also help you see just how easy some marketing ideas can be to implement! Here is a pic of the sheet and an example of one idea broken down into steps.
Example:
With this form, I know you will find it so much less overwhelming to take any of your ideas and make them happen! So this weekend, make a commitment to yourself to take just one of your marketing ideas and organize it with this form. Once you do, I guarantee it will make you want to go out and get it done!
Happy Sales!
http://www.4shared.com/document/zHeNKssK/Marketing_Action_Sheet_for_rep.html
One of the best ways to manage your marketing and to motivate you to put your ideas into action is to break your ideas down into manageable steps. Breaking down your marketing idea into a manageable step by step list will help you get it done and will help you analyze your cost vs reward. It will also help you see just how easy some marketing ideas can be to implement! Here is a pic of the sheet and an example of one idea broken down into steps.
Example:
With this form, I know you will find it so much less overwhelming to take any of your ideas and make them happen! So this weekend, make a commitment to yourself to take just one of your marketing ideas and organize it with this form. Once you do, I guarantee it will make you want to go out and get it done!
Happy Sales!
http://www.4shared.com/document/zHeNKssK/Marketing_Action_Sheet_for_rep.html
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Gimme, Gimme....
How to respond when someone asks for discounts or freebies....
I've seen this issue raised a thousand times in the Etsy forums and this blog post has some good suggestions on how to respond. Do you have any others that you use? Leave them in the comments, I'd love to hear them!
Originally posted at a great blog that I read almost daily...
Here is the link if you want to check them out.
http://smallerbox.net/blog/uncategorized/3-cheapskates-and-how-to-respond/
3 Cheapskates and How to Respond
If you sell online, especially if you’re an artisan, there are a few questions you’ll probably hear over and over. They don’t get less annoying, but having a stock response to these queries helps a little.
1. Can I have it cheaper?
You’ll get people asking if they can have a discount or asking why you’re charging so much money for X. Don’t feel compelled to lower your price or justify your price. A few acceptable replies:
•We sometimes offer discounts through our mailing list, please feel free to sign up to find out about our next sale or discount.
•We offer 10% off for orders over $100, here is the coupon code.
•I’m sorry but we simply can’t offer our products at a lower price at this time.
2. Can I have it for free?
Some people will claim they’re dying of scarlet fever and your free product is their dying wish. Other people will say they just started a blog and want to review your products. It all amounts to virtual panhandling and there’s no reason to give into it. A few acceptable replies:
To members of the public who just want freebies:
I’m sorry, but we’re unable to provide you with a free product at this time. Please feel free to join our mailing list and follow our blog. We announce fan sweepstakes events in both places.
To “bloggers” with little to no readership:
I’m sorry but we’re unable to provide free samples for review at this time.
(Note: Legitimate press are another story, if you get a sample request from a large publication it may be well worth it to provide a sample. Just make sure you find out what the requester’s readership is like before you part with your product.)
3. Can I just make it myself?
Some people will ask how you made something, where you got supplies to make something, etc. This information should be proprietary. You worked long and hard to learn your craft and find the best suppliers, that information is private.
A few acceptable replies:
•I’m sorry, we unfortunately can’t give away our trade secrets
•Learning to make X took me several years and it would just be too complicated to explain my process.
•We work with overseas suppliers who require a 10,000 unit minimum purchase, so they probably wouldn’t be suitable for small projects. If you want to work with overseas suppliers you can try a site like alibaba.com for sources.
I always thank people for taking the time to write, even if I am not going to fulfill their somewhat offensive request. Most people don’t realize they’re being annoying with these types of requests, so it’s best to still keep up the appearance of charm and stick to calling them a moron in private.
Don't forget...I'd love to hear YOUR response to these scenerios! Comment below!
I've seen this issue raised a thousand times in the Etsy forums and this blog post has some good suggestions on how to respond. Do you have any others that you use? Leave them in the comments, I'd love to hear them!
Originally posted at a great blog that I read almost daily...
Here is the link if you want to check them out.
http://smallerbox.net/blog/uncategorized/3-cheapskates-and-how-to-respond/
3 Cheapskates and How to Respond
If you sell online, especially if you’re an artisan, there are a few questions you’ll probably hear over and over. They don’t get less annoying, but having a stock response to these queries helps a little.
1. Can I have it cheaper?
You’ll get people asking if they can have a discount or asking why you’re charging so much money for X. Don’t feel compelled to lower your price or justify your price. A few acceptable replies:
•We sometimes offer discounts through our mailing list, please feel free to sign up to find out about our next sale or discount.
•We offer 10% off for orders over $100, here is the coupon code.
•I’m sorry but we simply can’t offer our products at a lower price at this time.
2. Can I have it for free?
Some people will claim they’re dying of scarlet fever and your free product is their dying wish. Other people will say they just started a blog and want to review your products. It all amounts to virtual panhandling and there’s no reason to give into it. A few acceptable replies:
To members of the public who just want freebies:
I’m sorry, but we’re unable to provide you with a free product at this time. Please feel free to join our mailing list and follow our blog. We announce fan sweepstakes events in both places.
To “bloggers” with little to no readership:
I’m sorry but we’re unable to provide free samples for review at this time.
(Note: Legitimate press are another story, if you get a sample request from a large publication it may be well worth it to provide a sample. Just make sure you find out what the requester’s readership is like before you part with your product.)
3. Can I just make it myself?
Some people will ask how you made something, where you got supplies to make something, etc. This information should be proprietary. You worked long and hard to learn your craft and find the best suppliers, that information is private.
A few acceptable replies:
•I’m sorry, we unfortunately can’t give away our trade secrets
•Learning to make X took me several years and it would just be too complicated to explain my process.
•We work with overseas suppliers who require a 10,000 unit minimum purchase, so they probably wouldn’t be suitable for small projects. If you want to work with overseas suppliers you can try a site like alibaba.com for sources.
I always thank people for taking the time to write, even if I am not going to fulfill their somewhat offensive request. Most people don’t realize they’re being annoying with these types of requests, so it’s best to still keep up the appearance of charm and stick to calling them a moron in private.
Don't forget...I'd love to hear YOUR response to these scenerios! Comment below!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Why Your Banner Matters!
Which stores are you going to go into?
Which ones catch your eye and make you wonder what it’s about?
Which one is so “the same as the others” that it doesn’t even register in your mind you saw it, let alone make you want to go in it?
‘nuff said.
Oh, come on…you had to know that wouldn’t be all I said! :-)
This is an example of why your banner is so important on Etsy.
Even if you say Etsy is “just a hobby” and you aren’t looking to run a true "business", the fact of the matter is, you DO want people to go to your shop and buy things, otherwise you wouldn’t be on Etsy!
Everyone from a true business looking to support their family to a hobbyist just looking to earn enough to keep buying supplies, needs to have a shop people want to shop at!
Your banner is basically your “storefront”. And you should design it as such! If design is not your thing, there are so many awesome banner designers on Etsy, just do a search and you will find them. A word of advice...you get what you pay for, as a general rule. Maybe you'll get lucky and find the exception to the rule, but chances are ...you won't. Invest wisely....this is your first impression to your potential customers...make it a good one!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Find and use what you can!
I subscribe to and read like, a thousand (okay...I'm exaggerating slightly) blogs and newsletters every day and I am always finding useful information about "tools" you could be using to better your business.
This list I found today is like the mother load of tools by Google.
Check it out!
http://activerain.com/blogsview/1669336/top-50-google-tools-for-business
With a list like this, there's something for everyone!!!
:-)
This list I found today is like the mother load of tools by Google.
Check it out!
http://activerain.com/blogsview/1669336/top-50-google-tools-for-business
With a list like this, there's something for everyone!!!
:-)
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