AAA Cafe' Daily Chat 04/02/2015

[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
* Promoted listing guide m.youtube.com/watch?v=zXhsyqXBWPM

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!

Dry and fairly sunny day ahead, yay! Hopefully we'll get a few more people around the village today, it was not fun yesterday afternoon with all that rain.

This may be of interest to Mary, Hafsa and other Canadian team members https://www.etsy.com/teams/7718/questions/discuss/16184028/page/1 , it's a Q&A with Team Canada happening today from 11am to 12pm EST.

I've also seen that Etsy had an About Page Weekend Challenge https://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/16158155/page/1 , I don't know if any of you took part (I didn't), I've marked that thread and may read through when I have a bit of time. I think about pages are important, even though not many buyers may read them, but at least they are there and show that there is a real person behind our shops and it adds a touch of personality that will connect us better to the buyers.

That's also where I have put a photo of myself and the dog, and since that appears in every listing, buyers can see that there is a dog around and can chose whether to buy from me or not (due to allergies). The thing I keep meaning to do is to add a couple of photos to it of my materials, I have put one of the wool drawer, but I should really also add maybe a photo of my driftwood crates and something else. I don't have a studio as such, my stuff is mainly divided between the conservatory and one of the spare rooms upstairs, and there's stuff and materials for the brick and mortar too in the mix, so I won't be taking a photo of that!

Do you all have an About page? Do you read other people's pages? Any tips on how to write a good one?

I look forward to reading your posts :)

Have a great day everybody!

[Former_Member]

Good morning, everyone!

Had broken sleep last night, and only 3 hours sleep the night before, so I'm very tired. But I have a lot to do today, so I'll just have an extra infusion of caffeine.

My About page is okay, I guess. No bells and whistles, just the facts, ma'am, just the facts. (And how many of you remember what show that was from?) I don't feel any call to change it.

My embroidery machine was acting up last night, so I think I'll put it in the shop. And hope I don't get any orders while it's there! Or if I do, I hope the customer will be patient while I wait for the machine to come back.

Hope everybody has a wonderful Thursday!

[naturepoet]

Good morning, team mates.

Val, I am going to see if I can look in on the Q & A session with Team Canada. Might be interesting to see what they have to say. Thanks for the link. Love your about page.

Alanna, you and I should have been chatting all night, as my sleep was very broken as well. I only had about 10 hours sleep last week and this week hasn't been much better. This has been going on and off now for over a year and I'm tired of it. Also, just plain tired.

[naturepoet]

Did a little creating through the night.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/228492457/1905-rose-bouquet-downloadable-printable?

[ItsSewYouDear]

Good morning team mates!

Alanna and Mary, sorry about the broken sleep. With working the night shift, broken sleep is also the story of my life lol.

Val, I do read about pages on Etsy before I buy, and also sometimes out of curiosity if someone posts something interesting in the forum, or if I stumble upon a unique shop. I am always disappointed when the seller didn't include their craft/art story as I do enjoy reading them especially for handmade items.

My own about page still needs pictures lol. I have my story, but I have yet to get a chance to take some pictures. My studio is a spare bedroom, but I keep meaning to get a shot of my sewing machines, my fabrics (or the part that fits in a photo lol) and I keep forgetting or when I remember, the place is a mess. I am in the process of spring cleaning my house though, so I need to make sure to do that shortly after I cleaned haha.

Day off for me the and Mr and we have a gorgeous day here, so we shall get out and see what trouble we can get ourselves into :) Happy Thursday all!

[ZingRetroFinds]

Hi All,

Just for fun, I had a look at all of your About pages. I enjoyed knowing a little more about you, my wonderful team mates. I can't say that I do look at the About page when I buy on Etsy. I do look at the reviews though.

I recently re-wrote my About page using the approach of speaking to my ideal customer. It helped me clarify my thoughts. I updated my photos at that time.

Here is my latest piece:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/228439471/art-nouveau-lady-necklace-renaissance?ref=shop_home_feat_1

Have a good one!

[lollyjodesigns]

Morning all!

I do have an about page. I'm not sure how great it is, but at least its there. :)

I have listed a couple new items recently... really trying to get 100 items in my shop in the next few months.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/228476913/you-me-and-the-sea-burlap-pillow-cover?ref=shop_home_active_1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/228469637/sea-turtle-burlap-pillow-cover-turtle?ref=listing-shop-header...

I am tired today too. No broken sleep, but I feel like I just didn't get enough rest!

Love your new designs Mary and Donna.
Alanna, hope your machine gets fixed quickly!

[HollyODesigns]

Hey all! I've been away a few days trying to complete my lengthy list before kids are out for a whole week. I've done pretty well, but still have more to do. There are never enough hours in a day.

I like to read the about pages too. It's nice to know more about who your buying from. I find the story sometimes sells the product.

Mary and Alanna - sorry for the lack of sleep. It's so hard to get things done when your tired! Praying for a peaceful night for y'all tonight.

Great new listings!! Ive faved all.

I managed to list one new item. I'm working on a few more and hope to photograph and list within a couple of days.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/228330253/chunky-boho-bracelet-chunky-pearl?ref=shop_home_active_5

I'm off to get the kids from school....early dismissal today. Then I'll be back a little later to play some games!!

[RedRiverValley]

I like to read the about pages, especially when people don't have their picture as their avatar. I have an about page but as others have mentioned I'm not sure how stellar mine is. It probably needs to go on the list of things that need revamped or tweaked as most things in an Etsy shop do.

We got some much needed rain last night and early this morning. I'm hoping it will help my yard green up. I saw yesterday that my tulips on the south side of my house are getting ready to bloom, which is fairly early. It was early May that they bloomed last year.

I am working on finishing a new set of wood pillar candle holders that I hope to list tomorrow. Along with some other designs I would like to get working on.

Mary and Alanna, that is dreadful news not sleeping well at night. May you both rest peacefully tonight.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Sorry to hear about the lack of sleep Mary and Alanna. Whilst it could well be because of your respective medical conditions, do you by any chance have a warm uncaffinated drink before you retire to your beds? (Like Cocoa or malted milk?) Some folk find that can have a terrific effect on relaxing them - and never watch an exciting TV programme or one that needs your brain to function! That too can keep you awake.

These days I don't take a long drink after an early evening meal - and only drink water before I go to bed (so I can take my final batch of pills). Otherwise, I get disturbed to go to the bathroom (sorry if that's too much info!) and sometimes can have difficulty getting off again.

Managed to list a new Rabbit for the Cuddlies today

https://www.etsy.com/listing/228531836/rabbit-toy-blue-fleece-bunny-white?ref=shop_home_active_1

There is a replacement Purple one, which was never de-listed when the previous incumbent went to the Shop and found a new home. So, I made two Purple ones and Two Blue ones. One is this new guy(guyess) and the other one went to the Shop earlier this week.

Love the items displayed earlier here. Faved them all.

Hope everyone is getting organised for Easter - have got long church services ahead of me for the next three Days, although I think we're not going to the Easter Vigil one on Saturday, as Clare is chief (and only) Cantor for the 1000 Mass at St. Barnabas Cathedral on Sunday morning. That's a performance and a half, I can tell you - and then they've kindly invited me back for lunch and the afternoon. Games with Dotty and the Cats - great!

[Former_Member]

Good afternoon everyone -

Sorry I have not been here. After my normal job, I have been taking care of outdoor things that needed completed now that I can finally see my yard again. I also have an About page too but I know that I need to improve on it a bit. Plus I need to add photos.

I finally got my lake signs released:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/228332305/welcome-to-the-lake-wood-fishing-sign?ref=shop_home_active_1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/228333419/welcome-to-the-lake-carved-wooden?ref=shop_home_active_2

https://www.etsy.com/listing/228330933/welcome-to-the-lake-carved-wood-welcome?ref=shop_home_active_...

I figured on improving the fish so they would show better so now I know what needs to be worked on with them. Soon I will also have ducks and loons available too. I am truly excited to have these now. Hopefully it will help my shop out since sales have gone down.

Have a great day!

[Former_Member]

Well, I got my new Kindle and just spent most of the afternoon getting it set up. It's much thinner and lighter than the old one, and I'm still getting used to the keyboard, which is far more sensitive. Before I deregistered the old one, I had to laboriously transcribe all the web addresses from my bookmarks to the new tablet. That took much of the afternoon.

I'm probably going to bed early tonight, to try and catch up on my sleep. Mary, you sound like you're seriously sleep deprived. I hope you'll sleep well tonight.

[NyamiJewelry]

Hi everybody

Alanna and Mary I really wish you a good night sleep!

I have an about page, I hope is fine and clear.. without too many spelling mistakes.
I always read the about page and like to see the picture of the person behind the
shop, especially those with the avatar like mine with only picture of the thing they make.
I like the story behind every shop and I think this is what makes each etsy shop
owner unique and different from other one.

[naturepoet]

Three more new, but it stole my energy.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/228572862/home-decor-water-slide-decals-blue?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/228537031/1970s-vintage-sewing-pattern-4374?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/228535612/royal-trent-staffordshire-england-fine?

[Former_Member]

Hi, everyone.
A sleep aid I've been finding helpful is 'Flora-Sleep.'
It's a mix of flower essences.
My back is still having problems but at least I was able to sleep the last couple of nights.