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Etsy Insights: Virtual craft shows
Hello there! My name is Rebecca. My shop is OodleBadoodle and I’m the Team Captain for the SF Etsy Street Team. Since my team and I can’t host our annual in-person craft show, we’ve decided to go virtual this year. By doing this, we hope to inspire and entertain our fans and shoppers by showcasing our local SF Etsy sellers, their craft, and selections from their awesome shops. This year, we are focusing on DIY kits, self-care products, gifts for mom-figures, and so much more. Hosting a virtual craft show could be a great way to help build awareness around your Etsy shops. We all create with our hearts and souls, so let’s share our craft with the world!
For anyone interested in taking a craft show online, I want to help demystify the planning process. Here are the steps I recommend:
- Engage a group of sellers in your network/community. The best way to do this is to post in your Team or Facebook group. Let your fellow sellers know your intent and goal for creating this craft show, and see who is interested. Ideally, you’ll have a group of 10-15 sellers that are keen on participating.
- Choose a virtual location. Facebook Live is a great option for this type of event since participating sellers can broadcast directly from their own homes. It could also be neat to capture a ‘behind-the-scenes’ footage through your Team’s Instagram Live—we’ll be doing this!
- Set a schedule. Give each presenting seller a time slot to share their stories/journeys, their shop names, and their selection of products. Buyers may also ask questions and share comments through the chat function, so keep that in mind when thinking about duration. My team is hosting the event over a three-day period, but you can keep it short and sweet and focus on one day.
- Get creative! Showcasing the sellers and their unique items is wonderful, but consider adding in some extra fun to entertain your shoppers. How about some musical performances? Or maybe a quick DIY craft session or art demonstration? You could even add in a giveaway. Anything to keep your viewers excited and engaged!
- Create branding to tie everything together. Similar to how you would have signage and swag at an in-person event, you’ll want to create branding for your online event. Think: a logo, a hashtag, a color scheme, and some vibrant assets to share on social media. This will keep your event top-of-mind for buyers.
- Promote your event far and wide. This is key! Make sure you and the participating sellers promote your event frequently through social media and word of mouth. Tell your shoppers and fans where and when to tune in. As highlighted earlier, creating fun, vibrant social media assets will allow for consistency across all seller channels, and will make your event more memorable.
What tips do you have for hosting a successful virtual event?
AngieAdameStudio
·6 years agoI would like to give it a try as well, I never done anything like this before, how about do I begin?
AluminumRussell
·6 years agoMy name is John Simonson. I am an Etsy seller with experience in editing music videos, collaborations, demonstrations, and other types of videos for Youtube. I would like to offer my services which include titles, transitions, audio improvement, and technical work; then upload the video with a link to the product in the youtube description. I would be happy to edit pre-recorded footage by donation to give sellers a chance to try this service risk free.
Contact me with questions at: johnrussellsimonson@gmail.com
I am in cooperation with the ESSN and their youtube channel.
MarieWoodCreations
·6 years agoMy videos won't upload to etsy. My photos do, but even a 2 sec. video wouldn't upload.
AngelicasCtCreations
·6 years agoI would be in for an Etsy online craft fair!
EdanCocos
·6 years agoEngage a group of sellers, thank you
bumbleofbees
·6 years agoI would love to participate in an Etsy online craft fair!
JuliaSzendrei
·6 years agoRight On Rebecca!
gregwoods4
·6 years agoI was wondering ,how it would be to have so many women ,all selling similar stuff ?
JillsTopnots
·6 years agoI too fancy doing this, i didn't see anything about cost??? There is always bound to be something...
l have run lots of real craft fairs alone and with others helping me too, health shows and lots of stalls at events of all sorts and that was never an easy task however l 'd really struggle with the likes of an on line market like this, if I had to run it. So if anyone sees what l make, and thinks i would fit in please contact me with more details. l'm sure it should put my shop , like anyones, on the 'map'!
As I mentioned previously l have my own ukulele Hat making lady Blues song that I can sing and play, and l also have a new hat and mask line I am hoping to launch also soon. I hope to have some recording equipment delivered soon also to improve on my recording methods. good luck anyway. JIllsTopnots. Jill Peer
MyStylCraft
·6 years agoI would love to get involved, but have no idea how to. I am not technically inclined . I don't know how to set this up. But, it sounds great!
JillsTopnots
·6 years agoso please tell me what is happening. and also, if i dont come to this page. frankly i have trouble. finding this page, does that mean i miss any communication? if so that is a real issue. what is happening about the market and how will it work? i heard nothing from anyone....... JillsTopnots
Madfishstuff
·6 years agoLove your ideas -virtual craft fair
well done you
xx
BeautifulBowsNBeyond
·6 years agoThank you for sharing, this is a great idea. I will definitely try to get something started in my group makers. I've turned my office into a virtual store.
TanyaKovalevaFelt
·6 years agoОтличная идея !!!
KuumbaArtDesign
·6 years agoThis is great! Thanks so much for sharing.
EdanCocos
·6 years agoThank you very much, thouse tips can be useful for the new seller like me
ArboretumArtCards
·6 years agoHow do you find sellers who are local to you? Is there an easy way to search on Etsy?
StudioSabrinaGill
·6 years agoHi,
I am Sabrina Gill from RengeBySabrina. Would love to host a show like this, but do think this is the time?
CabochonVOG
·6 years agoI think this is a great idea. I would be happy to participate)
Mariekecreation
·6 years agothanks a lot to @OodleBaDoodle for this interesting post, I am interesting to know if differents # are growing on pinterest or instagram in this set of initiative to support and promote small creators in the face of the corona crisis.
thanks
marieke
KinderKrayon
·6 years agoThis is a great idea! Can you let me know if there is one being organized still looking for vendors?! I would love to participate!
FieldsFancy
·6 years agoI think my main questions as a seller are more related to pulling together video content. I have been invited to a couple of these virtual craft fair type things and they all ask for video content of me and my stuff, which is outside of my comfort zone. I just don't know where to start with making that look interesting and engaging, my craft space is small and looks cluttered no matter how I organize it and I don't like being on camera.
ColmenaJoyas
·6 years agoGreat article and a very interesting idea, thank you so much !!
RoseManorGifts
·6 years agoSounds like a great group....thanks for all the helpful information...
GieseDeseiGns
·6 years agoI am thinking of bringing something like this up with an art group I belong to also. We may not be able to do our open studios this summer and this might be something we could actually do.
flyingkiss
·6 years agoWhat an excellent idea! Thank you for sharing.
gOGwall
·6 years agoI love the idea but it means I have to clean up now - LOL - since no one is coming in I've turned my living room into a super spot because It has the most light and aesthetics that I love in my home and helps brighten my time alone.
TurkishRugHouse
·6 years agohttps://www.etsy.com/shop/TurkishRugHouse?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
HarleyandStorm
·6 years agoWould love to be involved!
SquaredCharmDecor
·6 years agoLove this!! Please count me in.
quilligraphy
·6 years agointerested!
maearthnaturegoddess
·6 years agoA great idea ! As an artist, I opened a virtual 3D art space on kunstmatrix. Further, I created today a group board #standwithsmall on pinterest for etsy sellers to promote their products, motivate and encourage other etsy sellers with likes, repins. For joining, just send me a message.
Best wishes and inner strength,
MAriska MA Veepilaikaliyamma
BogsTowelBoutique
·6 years agogOGwall
·6 years agoThis made me realize I need to find the sellers in my local area community. I really like this, thank you, Piavazelle
lisajewelry1
·6 years agoso sad, the application is closed!
PineTopBoutique
·6 years agoI would love to be part of something like this!
VintageBonanza
·6 years agoEtsy facilitate coupons from sellers to potential customers that favourite item/s or add item/s to their basket but not purchased. I would like to suggest Etsy facilitate a similar scheme permitting sellers to send a coupon to their past customers. This scheme could be used for craft events and generally to assist sellers to promote to people that previously purchased. In turn, Etsy will generate additional revenue. What do others think?
I hope everyone is keeping safe and well.
VB
trendytotesetsycom
·6 years agothanks for sharing Great Idea
bymarizacrochet
·6 years agoOkay .... dear Rebeka !
aoxgo
·6 years agoI think this event will be very good
PanosFantasyArt
·6 years agoThank you!!
BaliChicBoutique
·6 years agoA very good idea and inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
WerOneFamily
·6 years agoYou are just what we need!!! But why stop at sales shows....let's do a 24-hour Zoom Etsy Sellers Home Shopping Network, with DIY crafting shows (especially now for kids with common household and/or crafting items) with some direction to where viewers can buy your work? I'd be happy to help, I have good small biz skills, organization, holistic biz procedures, but not so much experience with online meetings. Please feel free to contact me at gustafsonstaci@gmail.com. I'd love to make this happen, and it appears there are many interested in helping with similar things!
handworkstudio
·6 years agoLove the idea....
Thanks for sharing!
AluminumRussell
·6 years agoI mean sure, that would be great!
JillsTopnots
·6 years agoi d love to do this if anyone wants to look at my page JillsTopnots but im not too hot on IT. I can press the odd button!
Do call me if you think i have the right potential or suitable hand made stuff. Pass on my information or tell people to contact me please.
i love doing my craft fairs, i have run a few here over the past 20 years, especially from home and have a good home spun ukulele song called 'The Hat Making Lady Blues' if you want me to add that to attract ( I hope) people.....????
I am 70 Ecsentric and nuts.. i make loads of stuff .. Unicorns puppets, dolls, hats of course, hair bands , masks and fairy doors.. please try me. Jill Malvern Hills Uk. x
LynnInlow
·6 years agoI would be interested in being a participant in your show.
3CountryGirls
·6 years agoThis is great - would anyone be interested in collaborating on a similar initiative? I'm local to NYC however since this is an online event I guess participants could be from anywhere.
Badineries
·6 years agoJ'aimerais beaucoup participer, s'il y en a en France. Je suis du Val d'Oise et crée des articles Zéro Déchet pour la maison
CrocheryDesigns
·6 years agoGreat idea! Who is from Russia here?
TheSpiralRock
·6 years agoI am also usually doing local markets, a group of regulars who are also on etsy can get together to concentrate on reaching out to their regular customers too via virtual market. I am unsure how this actually works. Are you proposing vidios of people talking and holding products or slideshows of photos. Being a bit thick
KoalasandCamels
·6 years agoGreat idea, always wanted to do something similar but not sure how to get started - what application to use for video editing ? fill me in xx love your videos,
disbaudesign
·6 years agoReally a cool idea if you know more Etsy sellers, thanks for sharing!!
ForestandFolklore
·6 years agoGreat ideas! I would love to do something like this! Any other tips, especially regarding any apps or tech needed?
JuliesHeart
·6 years agoAwesome idea but I'm not tech savvy enough to run something like that through my phone, especially pulling others into the live feed. It would be nice to have a video done while you are prepping to show how it is done behind the scenes to help inspire us to venture out into unknown territory! Hope you come back and post your date and link....
WOODCOVERGift
·6 years agoThis is an exciting post!
Thank you!:)
akcgems
·6 years agoi appreciate, thank you
merrittcreates
·6 years agoI would love to work with others to make this happen!
TheVintageCraftCave
·6 years agoThis is great. I do virtual sales on social media quite often. It is great to see more sellers having a go at them! They are great fun
ZhennelandTreasures
·6 years agoThis is an exciting post! Thank you!
Sckulpturee
·6 years agoIt is necessary that there was an organizer as a Bca show . And instagram, pinterest, or Facebook all the time I spread zero sense . Or we can all come up with an original hashtag that people can find .
PersonalizedToday
·6 years agoWhat a way to think outside the box! That's awesome!
OddsnEndsQuiltShop
·6 years agoI would love to join in on something like this!!
Frameyourstory
·6 years agoI would love to view your show.
Thank you for sharing with us and good luck.
VermontCutCoins
·6 years agoWe pretty much do this a lot on a small scale on Instagram for selling precious metal bullion and coins. It works great if there are people involved who have active followers who join and participate.
MonogramItDarling
·6 years agoLove this idea! I have thought about doing this!
DandyLionEtsy
·6 years agoThanks for this post - we are in the early planning for a virtual market, and your suggestions are excellent, lots of great advice.
VintageRescueSquad
·6 years agoI'm seeing a few of these on Instagram too (vintage sellers and jewelry seller friends). Wlorks well because they create a hashtag that all sellers can participate in
CreationsOfTrueFairy
·6 years ago@OodleBaDoodle Great idea!
Tips?.. Some simple as:
1. Coupon codes for shoppers. The same coupon for all 10-15 shops.
2. DIY craft supplies that are fit for different ages and different creativity; for example:
https://bit.ly/2y9wdzG
3. Not only FB group, but Pinterest group board for sellers or for sellers & shoppers; for example:
https://bit.ly/3a0IOm0
4. Announcement in local press and specialized online publications.
5. Giveaway for shoppers who will make maximum reposts of announcement.