Weekly Chat November 30th to December 7th

[#1]

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

Also, don't forget our promotion thread on the forums! Here is the link:
www.etsy.com/teams/21915/promos/discuss/15267796/page/157

Hi everyone. I got the chat started on time this week. Amazing, I know.

Remember that every Monday is RAK (Random Act of Kindness) day. Do something for a team mate. It could be a shop fave or a page fave, make a treasury, or just send a note of cheer to someone who's having health issues. We support our team mates and promote their shops.

Be sure to take part in the games, as this helps to promote your own shop as well as others. Remember to Read the Rules if you're not sure what to do.

This thread is private, so you can talk about whatever you'd like. A personal or shop issue, sales or ask questions. We all help one another any way we can.

I have my Christmas shopping about wrapped up. How about you? That would be a nice subject for a discussion.

Have a wonderful week and happy sales.

[CustomCraftJewelry]

I don't make many treasuries but I decided to do one today. Hoping you all will stop by and like it for me :) Thanks!

https://www.etsy.com/treasury/MzA1OTgzMzZ8MjcyODA3Mzc5MA/santa-claus?ref=pr_treasury

[CustomCraftJewelry]

Renee- Unfortunately since it's a genetic disease, there isn't a "cure" and EDS disrupts almost every body system you can think of. It's a terrible disease. Very painful and many weird symptoms go along with this. I hate that I passed it down to my kid.

Alanna- EDS is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Isobel- I would need a secretary if I were to start a blog lol. I'm so busy tweeting and favoring etc plus having to make items for the store. It takes up all of my day. I know blogs are good to help promote our stores, but I just don't have it in me lol.

[BedlamSoapery]

EDS is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, I have it too. Its a genetic condition that affects the collagen production in the body. Nothing holds in place. Thin skin, bruise easily, tendons and ligaments don't support the joints so frequent dislocations etc. For me my knees don't stop at a 90 degree angle when i stand up straight they bend out and backwards causing hips / pelvis to twist and dislocate hence I can't walk without braces / chair etc. I have tiny tiny legs so leg braces bruise really badly to I barely use them.

There is one Dr in DC who does prolotherapy and Platelet rich plasma infusions that harden the tissue around the joins to create a kind of internal bracing by stiffening up the joints - I am going to go have it next year to stabilize the legs.

[CustomCraftJewelry]

Kitty- Here is one of my new pictures that I took yesterday :)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/259586330/handmade-choose-your-gemstone-teardrop?ref=shop_home_active_1

[BedlamSoapery]

Pictures look a lot better. Is that a daylight bulb, it still looks rather yellowish? If you used daylight I could edit them a little bit but the coloring is a little off so this was the best I could do and you loose a bit of the sharpness: https://gyazo.com/2e3259832a7ca7d64787b04caaf8f156

Lots better though that is for sure, just watch your shadows.

Don't forget that your first paragraph helps towards searches so don't loose it to Choose your own. That sentence should be crammed with key words something like

'stunning teardrop gemstone pendants, great for a gift or that spare chain you have laying around. Choose from a variety of stones including Rose quartz, citrine, agate, amethyst etc A little something for everyone.'

Something like that so the most popular gems are mentioned. Hope that helps.

[CustomCraftJewelry]

Kitty- Thank you :) I know they aren't perfect, but it's getting there lol.
And I'm terrible when it comes to keywords and SEO's.

[KrochetKingdom]

Hello Team and welcome to all the new members. You will find a lot of answers, advice and friendly people here.

Kitty - these things happen. Just breathe, correct the orders and carry on. Your customers will appreciate that. I admire your determination to enjoy your life with the EDS that you have. Very remarkable.

Isobel - It is always nice to hear your stories on the Hogs and I gave your listing some love.

Alanna - you do have quite a lot to accomplish. Please take your time and don't do any more harm to those knees. Still praying for you and Pam.

Today is RAK day, so I must get busy.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

I'm shattered - all the more because the Hedgehogs at Home event bombed!! Not a member of the press turned up. It does happen and really one can't blame the Editors/Newsroom Managers. The world as it is these days has greater things to think about than little critters like Hedgehogs.

It was not an entirely wasted afternoon though - the Sales Lady in the "Artful Buttoner" and i spent s couple of cheerful hours nattering and quaffing coffee, while she knitted and I almost made a whole Baby Hedgehog (which will be posted on Wednesday). It's not needed as a Christmas present, but if sent off then could still get there for the Festive Season.

As for the Press not turning up - it's the price one pays for the Freedom of the Press - and I for one am all in favour of that freedom. I have a cunning plan to get back at 'em, but am just too scuppered to do anything about it tonight! Afraid that goes for RAK's too. May try to do them tomorrow, though am not promising.

Tomorrow is going to be taken up with a meeting of fellow residents and I facing the Manager of the company that is hired by the owners of the complex to clean the common areas. The guy appointed for the job is rubbish and we've been complaining via our landlords for months. Finally, I was given the job of writing one of my "better quality" letters to the landlords - basically telling them that they weren't doing the job properly and it's about time we got value for the money we pay them for!!! Remarkably, we have the boss lady herself coming to meet us to find out about why we are complaining. She better be ready with armour-plating.

Incidentally, writing "better quality letters" as and when needed is one of my fortes. It's a term coined by Peter when he I and worked together, and such epistles were addressed to recalcitrant customers, and latterly in our lives together when dealing with medical and other authorities as his health declined! I have been unofficially appointed as Scribe in Chief among the Tenants!! Can be fun - but do have to get some of them checked by Clare - who, with her legal training, now keeps me in check. Peter used to do the editing in the old days!! But really, when spiders (dead for weeks) remain in situ and the cleaner claims to have done the hall ways - something really does have to put one's foot down!!

Rant over - see you around soon. Thanks for all your support on the Hedgehog front - pleased to say though that thanks to the recent sales of said critters, there's a nice little build up of 10 per cents ready to be shared between the Hospitals, and over the week-end Tiggywinkles sent two complimentary tickets to me so that Philippa and I can visit their establishment when I'm down in Buckinghamshire over Christmas.
I'll try not to rabbit on about the little critters too much in future.

Christmas Shopping done - overseas cards sent: now it's the UK and local cards and wrapping that needs doing. Oh, and my tax return!!

[KrochetKingdom]

Isobel - you so have a beautiful way with words and I do enjoy your writings, rantings, humor, etc. So glad you are on this team. Sorry that the press disappointed you, They could have had a lot to "news" about had they been present. Their loss.

[Former_Member]

Isobel, I'm so sorry the press didn't show. I agree with Marion - their loss. I hope you'll continue with your campaign.

Marion, it's good to see you again!

Kitty, the treasury looks wonderful.

Not much to report on my end. I'm taking Pam to two appointments today, then heading up to the VA to get my denture adjusted. It's rubbing in one spot and that really hurts. I'll try and take the huge amount of books we're donating to the library when I'm done with the VA.

Hope everyone has a good day!

[CustomCraftJewelry]

Isobel- I'm so sorry the press didn't show up :( There are more ways to advertise though!

Alanna- I was thinking about Pam and there is a disease called Transverse Myelitis. Have they ruled out Myasthena Gravis? I hope you get a better fitting today! I need all of my teeth pulled. I'm sick of my teeth. Every 6 months I have so many cavities from my meds and dry mouth and my disease. They are filled down to almost the root and now they need root canals. Well, I can't afford the crowns so just pull them all and give me some dentures! Too bad Medicare doesn't cover crap for those either :(

[Former_Member]

Kristi, they've pretty much ruled out everything, including myasthenia gravis. She's already seen some of the best neurologists at the University of Maryland Medical School. I suppose if they can't figure it out, they can always send her to Johns Hopkins. She'll be having a PET scan of the brain soon. We'll see if that shows up anything.

I had an exact same feeling about my teeth 21 years ago. I went into my dentist, who told me I needed four root canals, and I just threw up my hands and said "Pull them all!" I've had dentures since I was 40, and I love it.

The only drawback is the cost, of course. Of course, if you add up the cost of all the root canals, it just about breaks even. See if you can get some dental insurance before you have them pulled.

[BedlamSoapery]

So thankfully the order mishap only involved two customers and both seemed very happy they got to keep the extra oils they got by mistake, so thankful that is resolved, even if I am out of pocket on that one I view it as a cost of business. I would rather be out and have them come back knowing I will make mistakes right by them than be upset or annoyed having to mail me back the wrong order, even if it was me paying for shipping, I would be annoyed.

I never really did get my Christmas baskets up, I think I listed 1 or 2 haha but the last two weeks I have been getting about 100 orders a week at first it was crazy then I decided to do crazy promos on the easier to make items and kind of heard the sales in the direction that worked for me, and it did. I promoted items that are easier for me to make in larger batches. Looks like I will prob hit 700 sales today.... it's blowing my mind.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Goodness me, Kitty - think you'll have to take space here and give us all some hints on the way your promote your stuff - and maybe some of that sales dust that you are sort of "complaining" about could rub off on us!! Well done indeed. 700 sales in the time you've been on this team, and I've yet to get to my first 100 and I've been on Etsy since 2010 and on the team since 2011!!!!

Kristi - didn't notice your Santa Claus Treasury yesterday - so have just given it the "treatment". I love hearting other folks Treasuries - there was a time when I first joined that I did not have a clue as to how to do them for myself. Instead, I followed and hearted everyone that I liked the look of, and that way got the Cuddlies known about.

Must admit, doing them the way the Chrome Treasuries link at the beginning of our Chat Thread does it gave me the tools to do them, and I've not looked back since. Have got a lot to do for the end of November and beginning of December. Am on four or five other Teams that do a lot of them, and I do find they do heighten the profile of one's Shop too. Using the link we have here, I can now do one in about 25-30 mins a time. Far quicker than the way Etsy tells us - although one teamie on another team seems to be highlighting an EtsyTreasury app (whatever that is) that apparently does much the same thing.

Thanks for the consoling remarks. Having been in the PR business for most of my working life, am used to these niggles of the press not doing their bit. I shall get em, never fear! Know what my next move is going to be - and whatever happens, I've got nothing to lose - and might even do better than the first time around. As the saying goes there's more than one way of "skinning the cat" - than just organising press at homes. Actually doing it this time was a lot easier, Internet is wonderful for all points broadcasts, and so much quicker than the old fashioned way (by snail mail!!) If only we'd had the tools when Peter and I were at it Would have made it a helluva sight easier.

Guess what - the cleaning manager couldn't turn up for the meeting with the residents today - she rang in sick!!. Although the cleaner guy we're all complaining about did turn up and my did he do more than usual - but because he really does not know HOW to do the job, it wasn't any better than his usual offering. Not sure what will happen next...... watch this space, may be!

[BedlamSoapery]

Haha Isobel, yes I know the issue I have is I currently live in the middle of nowhere so getting any kind of help so to speak is near impossible and I still have a 'normal' full time job so to speak. I doubt this will continue past Christmas so looking forward to some down time in about a week once shipping dates hit.

[naturepoet]

My apologies for not getting a new chat up for this week. Let's just continue with this one and I will change it this weekend.

[KrochetKingdom]

Kitty - yes, the rest of us would like to know your marketing strategies so we can hopefully have some sales as well. You have done very well and we are proud that you are on this team. Keep up the good work.

[CustomCraftJewelry]

Alanna- I'm so sorry about Pam. I try to keep thinking of rare diseases that could affect the nervous system but I'm coming to a dry spell. I truly hope this PET scan will be her life savior! I know everyone wants answers and a diagnosis. Believe me when I say this and know that I understand what you 2 are going through :)

Isobel- You keep fighting, lady! Those Hedgehogs need you!

Kitty- I don't know what I would do with all those orders lol. I would never be able to keep up! I did get 1 sale today though so that makes it #5 this month so far. I'm glad your customers responded positively and didn't make an issue out of the mishap :)

Marion- I haven't met you yet, so hello!

I found a secretary for all my online advertising! It's called Seller Tools. I'm trying it for free for 14 days and today has been amazing! I don't know how many hours I had been putting in each day to advertise, but it was affecting my ability to create and list new items. I haven't done any advertising today and I've had over 400 views and 1 sale. But it let's you choose which listings tab you want to have advertised for that day. Like for me, I had it advertise just my jewelry today. I just changed it to start advertising my charms and gemstones. It's amazing! Now I can work which is all I have been wanting to do!

[BedlamSoapery]

Morning / Afternoon all.

I have decided for my sanity I am cutting off Christmas dates early in the store. I have basically said no orders after Sunday for Christmas. I may put shop on vacation mode, I am not sure yet but I need some rest.
I don't know how some shops do it, I will defiantly have help in the shop this time next year I can't do this alone again while having another full-time job.
The blessing is of course medical bills, Etsy sales help fund those so every sale really does help.

[Former_Member]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/258660284/she-believed-she-could-so-she-did-wall

[CustomCraftJewelry]

Kitty- I do totally understand! I don't know how you fill all those orders on a daily basis while working a full time job. But I got messed over last year while Medicaid was playing around and I wasn't able to get a Medicare Advantage Plan and so I only had Medicare and now the medical bills have been piling up. I have to do an Advantage Plan because I'm under 65. I got signed up for one last week so hopefully the bills will die down a bit. A couple of my Dr.'s have written off my bills which was very nice of them to do.
Happy Sales everyone!

[CustomCraftJewelry]

Ok everyone....I need your help with something.

A customer ordered something around 1 1/2 weeks ago and it was custom made to tailor her wants.

I was getting ready to ship it this afternoon and now she wants to cancel her order.

I told her that her money went to pay for a medical bill and that I don't have the money to refund her at this moment because I'm on Social Security and I have a budget that I have to stick by and if she could wait a couple of weeks until I get more sales.

IDK what to do.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BedlamSoapery]

It doesn't matter about medical bills. That's not the customers issue that's yours, don't mix that.
Ultimately she ordered something custom that can't be resold, she entered into a contract of which your part was fulfilled and I take it she has paid.
I would give her two options

- send the order out to complete the order
- refund her less your material and labor costs

Have you sent out the order?

[BedlamSoapery]

And what are your policies on custom orders?

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Kitty is right, Kristi - as a custom order, you may well not be able to sell it to anyone else. Send it to her, with the deduction - and remember her. If she tries it on again in few months (some folks can make a habit of it) refuse to do business with her. It's not good business.

Alternatively, If you want to take the chance, you could refund the money all together, and re-list it and you never know someone else will snap it up before you know where you are. You'd then have a happy, but unreliable, customer: and you'd have won a prize in customer relations! And sold the item too. Depends which you prefer to have. Next time, though, and ALWAYS in future, don't spend the money until the job is finished. Technically, it is still the customer's until you've delivered, even though she's changed her mind.

I got taken for a ride a couple of years ago, and ended up with an enormous Koala Bear (a real one would have fitted into him about 3-4 times!). The job started at the size of my baby Koala and ended p with the Giant, and when the time came to pay, he disappeared off Etsy. At first, Colin was given a home by Clare and Alan - to await their adopted child, but when little one did arrive it pretty soon became clear it was going to be quite a while before Elliot and the Koala could become friends. Colin was far too big for him. He did get ordered by someone, who only gave me 3 days to get him to her down in London - that proved impossible. I refunded the whole cost, and paid for the return journey - even though my policies say the customer is responsible. It was my fault for saying I'd try to do the impossible!! But last month, a lady from Southend on Sea purchased him for her son as a Christmas present, so all has ended well.

Was in the shop today, where the Press At Home was supposed to take place - picking up the leaflets etc relating to it - and while I was there Daddy Hedgehog was purchased by a lady who was definitely in the Christmas Shopping mode!!! Really exciting! Means the second Daddy will have to go to replace him, and I've got to cut out 2 more Daddys and one each of another family before I leave for High Wycombe a week on Friday. (Means geting more of the plush fur too!! Heavens - have got to wrap the presents, and send off the UK and local cards too!! Some late evenings ahead of me I see!