AAA Cafe' Daily Chat 03/13/2015

[NaturalClocks]

Welcome to new members, welcome back to returning teammates! If this is your first time here - this is a place to ask questions, share your most embarrassing secrets, or just chat about the slow and boring bits of your day…we want to hear from you!!

Be sure to check out the discussion board. There are games to be played and threads to explore. The more you promote your fellow team mates, the more you get promoted, so be sure to participate on a daily basis. Check out our blog and our Facebook page, as well as the other links provided below.

IMPORTANT LINKS:
* Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/301427606658253/
* Etsy Calculator: salecalc.com/etsy
* Etsyology: www.etsyology.net/
♥ Online Photo Programs: fotoflexer.com/ or www.picmonkey.com/
treasurypin.com./ and editor.pho.to/
arwmedia.net/tools/pixlr_express.php
* Etsy Craft Tools: www.mycrafttools.com/
* Etsy Gadget: www.estygadget.com
* Craftopolis -Edit multiple listings: www.craftopolis.com/#com=ee
* Etsy Banner Maker: bannerfans.com/banner_maker.php?bnew=1&pses=1a256d05
* Craftcount - craftcount.com/teritory.php
* Google+ tutorials blog.kissmetrics.com/personal-google-plus-account/ and moz.com/blog/tips-to-use-google-for-s
* Chrome Treasury Box: brittanysbest.com/treasurybox-chrome-extension/
* Google+ information plus.google.com/communities/112658132414010568954
* Etsy team page: www.etsy.com/pages/aaasupport
* Check your keyword relevancy in search: www.tools4etsy.com/Wall-e/Relevancy/Keyword
* 50 Reasons you're not getting Etsy Sales: www.handmadeology.com/50-reasons-youre-not-getting-etsy-sales/
* Betsi Lite: www.blugrin.com/ (make sure you click on Lite at the bottom of the screen, as that is the free edition!)
* New Category List: www.etsy.com/help/categories/seller#node-id-1250

Please don't forget to post in the AAA Support Team thread in the promo forum :)) www.etsy.com/uk/teams/21915/promos/discuss/15267796

Good morning team!

I woke up to a nice sale, 3 driftwood clocks going to one lady in the US. Now I'm just hoping that I had worked out the international combined shipping correctly and that I won't lose (too much) money LOL.

Yet more proof that there is no rhyme nor reason to this online business, I'm not doing anything different, but in these 13 days of March I have already surpassed sales for the whole of February. And hopefully they won't stop there haha. Or maybe I'll just go through another dry spell now, who knows. So, keep at it my friends :))

Ellen, many of us are on the same boat as yours, it's difficult sometimes to juggle personal life, day job and Esty, there just aren't enough hours in the day. I suppose all we can do is to try our our best without losing sleep over things :)

You and Holly mentioned Pinterest yesterday, good topic. I must admit that I don't use it much (I'm known around here for being absolutely hopeless with social media and not using them to their full potential). I have a page which I created for NaturalClocks, I don't have a personal page, and I pin things on it when I remember (not very often). I honestly think that it won't hurt to have both a personal and a business page and you can pin to your heart content, ultimately it's down again to how much time you can dedicate to it.

Pinterest works for some and not so much for others, I think that as with all social media, you'll soon discover what works best for you and what brings in the most traffic, if I'm not mistaken Candi does well with Wanelo, and I know of some team members that do well with Google+. I personally love Tweet Eye, as it requires very little effort on my part (I did say I'm hopeless with social media, right? lol) and it does bring me lots of views and perhaps even some sales. Difficult to tell, but still... I regularly sell items that are tweeting away, so maybe there is a connection.

I look forward to read your tips and advice on Pinterest today (and any other social media that you wish to discuss).

Have a great day everybody!

[naturepoet]

Val, congrats on the large sale. That is fantastic.

This month has been very good for me as well. March often is.

I use pinterest more for other people than I do for myself, but I have quite a few boards, which reminds me, I need to do some of my own.

Pinterest has never been a great seller for me and maybe that is why I just ignore it for myself, mostly. I have a page on FB but spend most of my time here on promoting on team threads and promoting in the forums. It's been good to me, as has the promotional ads. I just have the minimum, but sales do come from there quite frequently.

[NaturalClocks]

Thanks Mary :)

This thread has been going around for a couple of days, not sure if you have seen it: https://www.etsy.com/teams/7718/questions/discuss/16091853/page/1 . Looks like Tiffany are cracking down on infringements at the moment, so if you have anything with "Tiffany Blue" in your titles/descriptions/tags (unless it's of course a Tiffany vintage piece) make sure you remove it (and you don't put it back on).

[Former_Member]

Good morning, team!

I woke up this morning to a sale! My first one since early January. Sweep out those tumbleweeds and fire up the embroidery machine! I'll work on it this afternoon and mail it tomorrow morning.

I tried getting my Pinterest account up and running, but had problems with it. I couldn't figure out how to do anything, so I essentially abandoned it. I'll get back to it one of these days.

Pam fixed the computer, huzzah! I swear that girl has magic in her fingers. Anyway, I was able to list my last six items. Here are three of them:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/225945450/virgo-tote-bag-zodiac-tote-monogrtammed?ref=shop_home_active_...
https://www.etsy.com/listing/225948611/libra-tote-bag-libra-constellation?ref=shop_home_active_6
https://www.etsy.com/listing/225949837/scorpio-tote-bag-zodiac-tote-machine?ref=shop_home_active_5

Have a great day, everyone!

[ItsSewYouDear]

Good morning team mates!

It's a gorgeous day here in the sunshine state! And I am OFF work! Hallelujia!

Congrats on the sale, Alanna!

Val, congrats on the big sale, that's awesome! Yes indeed, no rhyme or reason for business on Etsy (or maybe in general, I won't know, I only ever sold here). I had a very good January, stellar February, Mach so far isn't that great. I am getting sales, but it's no where near the past couple of months. Like you, I am not doing anything differently, but Etsy is running (or at least was running) search tests and my stats are all over the place.

Yes, Wanelo is my best promotion friend lol. I get many views and sales from there and I spend very little time there. All I do is post any new item on Wanelo, it takes two seconds!

I love using Pinterest personally, and I do get the occasional views from it, but all in all, it doesn't seem to do much for my shop.

Off work today, I need to package some orders and get them to the PO. I have a couple of new listings to work on too and my many house chores. Happy Friday the 13th to all!

[ZingRetroFinds]

Hi All,

Val and Alanna, congrats on your sales.

I post on Twitter, FB, Google (not lately), Pinterest and I had a page on Instagram. Not really much traffic from any. Perhaps, I will try Wanelo.

Today is my birthday. I am in upstate NY and its sunny.

Have a good one.

[naturepoet]

Val, thanks for the warning. I do not, nor have ever, put T Blue in my titles or tags. I can see that name being copyrighted, but many try to say that things are that have been around since before they were born. Like T Swift is doing.

[naturepoet]

Happy Birthday, Donna.

[ItsSewYouDear]

Donna, Happy birthday, have a fabulous day!

I just realized that I lied about something and need to amend lol. I did get a sale from Pinterest last week. A guy found my owl pouches board there, signed up for Etsy and sent me a convo to ask me if I have any purple owls lol. Of course I made him a purple owl. But yes, that was a sale from Pinterest even with very little followers and views, so really one never knows, it only takes one click/view to make a sale.

[CherryPicks]

Happy Birthday Donna!!!!

[Former_Member]

Happy Birthday Donna!

I don't use Pinterest for biz. i try, but i don't.

did you see that you can sell straight from Instagram with Penny! has anyone tried it? I am interested...but nervous. LOL!

[Former_Member]

Good morning -

Happy Birthday Donna!

Congrats on the sales Candi, Alanna and Val.

I do not use Pinterest. I have been using Twitter and my own website and word of mouth. I still get plenty of views though from other spots too.

Seems all my interactions from the time I started up until now suddenly disappeared yesterday. I let the bugs forum know but no resolution yet.
Very strange and it also happened to someone else too.

Have a great day!

[RedRiverValley]

Good morning team!

Another beautiful day here!! And it is going to be a busy one which is good right?

I used Pinterest a lot last year with little to know traction so I have also abandoned mine. I don't even know my log in info any more. I think it has such a reputation of being a DIY site that there aren't a lot people on it looking to shop. I do think if they add the purchase button that will change it. As far as social media goes I think I have way to many irons in the fire and I'm not using any of them well. I might have to decide how much I really have time for and select a few to use.

A very Happy Birthday to you Donna!! Enjoy your time in NY!

Congrats on the sales Val and Alanna! May you get many many more!

John, that sounds terrible! I hope Etsy can figure out what they did and make it right soon! I know I have saved convos and such that I have kept to refer back to. Please let us know if you ever get an explanation.

[naturepoet]

I do use Pinterest, but don't get a lot of views from it and very few sales. I've had one or 2. I also have a page on FB, but the forums and teams here and keeping new in my shop so Google will cache it is my main sales.

BTW, when was the last time your shop was cached. Just go to Google, type in your shop name and when it comes up, click on the little green arrow beside your name a click on cache.

Mine was last cached on March 10th

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

I'm on Pinterest, and use it to publicise the fact that I've "treated" any Treasuries the Cuddlies have been selected for - as I do Facebook and Twitter. Also, post my blog there each time I post. That seems to generate quite a lot of views for me. Used to spent a lot more time on Pinterest, but gradually the others held more relevance to what I try to do.

Somewhat excited today, because I've finally got my first overseas Patient in the Stuffed Animal Clinic (that's after 3 years of it being one of my items in the Shop). She's a Bear from Portland, Oregon - and as it's a first, every stage is going to be an exploration. Naturally, a blog post will occur in due course, but am hoping USPS and Royal Mail will co-operate and that her journey will not be protracted as her Best Friend is devoted to her and I hate to think of them being separated for too long. Canine injury infliction is the cause. Really that relationship is fraught, especially with the tendency of so many folk to give their dogs cuddly toys to play with. How's a fella (or gal) to know when it's not permissible to pull limbs off?

Happy Birthday Donna. Have a great day.

Also heard today, that one of my Rabbits who went on display at the local shop at the start of the week has found a new home!! Really good day today, so far.

[DoorCountyVintage]

Good morning gang!

Let's not forget to meet and greet those new members the same way you where greeted into the team. I'll post the link below :)

https://www.etsy.com/teams/14664/aaa-support-team/discuss/16101032/?ref=team_page

I'll be posting the 2 newest history items shortly

Everyone have a great sales explosive day :)

[HollyODesigns]

Congrats to all who have made sales!!
Happy Birthday Donna!

I must say , I Love Pinterest!! I use to pin things before I started my etsy shop. I merged my personal account and my business account. I prefer using my business account for pinning because I want my business name to be seen. I'm not sure about sales from Pinterest, but I do think I get views. I'm looking forward to the buy it button. I hope it will help with sales, fingers crossed.

I'm interested in hearing more about this buying straight from instagram thing. I use instagram as well. I can't say I've gotten much traffic from there other than other etsy sellers. I have gotten a few contacts from people that want to promote my business. Some legit.....some not. I've been in touch with a stylist consultant that has several blogs and is a stylist for a tv personality. She is interested in my jewelry and promoting it. I "gifted" her a set and am looking forward to what is to come of this. I'm hoping it brings lots of good exposure. This is the first time I've done anything like this, so I'm a little nervous I've just given away jewelry for nothing. Lol.
Well I'm off to write a bio and promote a little. I hope many more sales come to all of us! Have a good day!!

[DoorCountyVintage]

Happy birthday Donna!

[DoorCountyVintage]

We shouldn't be talking about buying strait off anywhere but Etsy because it is against the rules to do so. There are admin amongst us so lets keep convos on Etsy sales conversions or if the admin peak in and see these convos we may lose members or the team itself.

[DoorCountyVintage]

As far as sales go I have been completely dead since the 5th hopefully I can figure out what went wrong before I lose my mind..lol

[DoorCountyVintage]

I meant selling strait off anywhere.

[NaturalClocks]

Happy Birthday Donna!! I hope you are having a great day!

That sounds exciting Holly! I do hope it will give you lots of exposure, she sounds quite legit...

John, that's really scary! I hope that Etsy have taken a look at it and it's just a glitch that has now been fixed.

[Former_Member]

sorry. :-/

[Former_Member]

Hello everyone ! Thanks for all the love today , so nice to be part of such a loving group :) . Ive only just started my shop up so any advice would be great.

[naturepoet]

Glad to have you aboard, Ellen. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask. I will take another peek into your shop, but it looks great.

Thanks for the reminder, Chris.