AAA Daily Chat March 18. 2015

[naturepoet]

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. We have cooler weather here again. Today there was a nasty wind, so back to the winter coat. I'm just waiting for a time when it and the boots etc., can be put away for a few months.

I enjoyed everyone's input into St. Patrick's Day. Thanks to all those who participated.

Today, let's talk about photos. Ask questions, tell us how you manage your photos. How you make them sharp and clear. Also tell us if you have problems getting good photos. Some members will be able to help those who experience difficulties. I know we have covered this before, but we have a lot of new members that may benefit with a review.

Enjoy your day. Spring is coming soon.

QUOTE of the DAY:

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence."

Helen Keller

[ZingRetroFinds]

Hi All,

Mary, Helen Keller was one of my heroes when I was growing up. Thanks for the quote.

I read a great etsy article yesterday about making your pictures sparkle. Here is the link: https://blog.etsy.com/en/2013/top-10-marketing-tips-from-top-sellers/ It made me take a new look at my photos.

I am going to Ft. Lauderdale for the 90th birthday of a dear friend of mine. Warm weather, at last! Its supposed to get up to 83 degrees F today. I will be bringing my laptop (and my bathing suit) so business should go on almost as usual.

Have a good one!

[naturepoet]

Donna, thanks for the link. There is a treasure trove of information there and not just about photos. Very interesting.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Interesting tips in that link, Donna! Thanks for posting it. Found the one about not necessarily sticking to a white background all the time particularly pertinent. Most of my toys look good with an outdoors background I found, after a while of picturing them against a white one, so will be doing that more this year. Obviously, things like the slippers and the hand puppets, actually would look more appropriate against a plain, not necessarily white though, background. Really do think it is a case of trial and error - which is a lot more feasible with digital cameras, than it used to be. Wouldn't be able to cope with the old-fashioned way of photography nowadays!!

Baby Rabbit chosen and should be on his way by Friday at the latest. Thinking of going in to the Shop to see if the Owner would like me to swap some of the girls and boys on display and if so, will take in some substitutes on Monday (which will be 2 weeks since they first went on show).

Got landed with another set of minutes for a meeting of the Tenants with our Landlord's representatives - purely because of what I'd done on Monday!!! Still, since I did them for over 40 years, they're not really a problem, so guess what I'll be doing after this - before I get one with the 4th replacement Fox/Wolf!!

Cheers for now. Have a good trip to Ft Lauderdale Donna. Lucky you facing sunshine! It tried to get out hereabout today, but the easterly wind we've had all week seems to have settled just over us!!

[NaturalClocks]

Good afternoon everybody! I thought I was late to the party, but it looks like everybody is a busy bee today :)) I finished my stock taking in the shop today, so I kept busy with that.

Thanks for that link Donna, lots of useful information. I have to admit that I am a fan of white backgrounds for my items. It's just that my items are all in different colours, so if I keep it white it looks more cohesive. Saying that, I use a black background for the white or light coloured clocks, I just don't seem to be able to achieve the lovely look that some sellers can get of white on white, maybe it's the light available, I don't know.I keep meaning to get some wood and try photos with that in the background instead of black, as it may look softer all together.

It's also difficult to be creative when photographing clocks, they are basically 2 dimensional objects, especially the wall clocks, and I believe that for something that will go on a wall and you'll look at it everyday a buyer may want to see straight away the full front of it. That's my view anyway, I may be wrong.

What I always try to aim for are clear, detailed photos, showing close ups. It's difficult to show the scale of the desk clocks unfortunately, and I really don't know what to put next to them to help out potential customers whilst still getting the object to fit in.

In any case, I have seen some gorgeous photos of various items with the most varied background, so anything can work if done properly. One thing I don't like much it's when the photo looks too cluttered with too many props, and it gets difficult to tell what they are actually selling. And sorry, a big no-no for me are photos with the date and time showing on them!

Enjoy the rest of your day!

[WildeElementJewelry]

Thank you Mary for the links, I look forward to researching them.

I am new to your team and I am excited to learn with you all.
Today I have a strategic plan to write and many phone calls to make.
I am researching organizations that do good work with Native Tribes.
I have a lot to do today and I am glad to be here.

Photos, I shoot a lot of jewelry photos which requires a lot of detail and attention. I find that mid day, over cast natural light is the best. I prefer a neutral surface. I choose wood, for a natural look, it fits with my theme over a white background. Sometimes I choose models or props to place in the back ground, but I mostly have decided that this distracts. I try to include an amazing close up to two and a few different angles. I take close ups of different gems I want to highlight and always a picture of the clasp on a necklace as well as any naturally occurring stone "irregularities" that I perceive as beauty marks. No flash. I have a few different cameras, but these days, I prefer my I-PAD. I like to edit on Picassa. It's free and I like the vintagette setting to add a bit of an antique look to my pictures.

Thanks for listening,
Be Well!

[GoldFeatherStudio]

Hi, all!

Thanks, Donna for the great link! I feel like my list of shop edits to make is growing and growing (and the amount of time I have to dedicate to it becoming less and less).

I feel that photos are a difficult thing, especially when it comes to selling original artwork. A clear closeup is necessary of course, but it's hard to get creative when you can't afford to frame every piece and you live in a small apartment--so I understand your struggles, Val, there's only so many things to do with a piece of paper. For my small pieces, I do have a premade frame and mat that I will put each artwork into and photograph on the wall. I hope this is not too redundant...I usually edit in iphoto to try to brighten the photos and match them to what the art looks like in "real life." Even in nice, natural light, white paper often comes off with an unattractive gray dullness. I don't know what that is and if anyone has a way to avoid it, please let me know!


I like the clean white background look for some items, but when I am shopping, I definitely want to see what the item would look like in a setting. I'm a big fan of items depicted on models or in a furnished room or even in a nice natural setting.


Thanks for you opinions, everyone. Have a great day!

Ellen

[NaturalClocks]

Welcome to the team Sarah! Your photos look beautiful and I love the wooden background.

Ellen, I agree with you, natural light, away from direct sunshine, is very important. The room and shelf that I use for my photos face west, so when it's sunny (not that it happens often in this part of the world haha) I can't take photos in the afternoon. I get the same problem about the dull greyness, it doesn't matter how bright the day is and how white everything looks to the naked eye. Very frustrating.I use photoshop (but any other editor will do) to brighten up my photos and get rid of some of the greyness, I really don't have any other tips unfortunately.

[naturepoet]

Sarah, welcome aboard. I took a peek into your shop, which is lovely and faved a few items.

I also use overcast, natural light to take my photos. Many days, it is too bright, which causes nasty reflections.