General Team Chat for August

[#1]

Hi everyone! Part of being part of a team is to get to know each other so I've started this thread where we can just chat.

Its not for posting new listings (there are separate threads for that) but just so that we can chat.

Anyone interested?

It doesn't have to be about crochet either. It can be about anything at all!

[Former_Member]

Craftcult.com - Tools for Etsy shops - a site that has all sorts of interesting stats about Etsy.

The 'heartomatic' section will show you who hearted your shop, specific items, show you item view totals, give you all sorts of stats, etc. Just play with it a bit.

There is advertizing on the site so if someone were to click on one of the adverts and get into Etsy and subsequently get to your shop, your stats would show traffic from that site. It's how they initially got to Etsy that counts.

[Former_Member]

Craftopolis.com works in conjunction with your Google Analytics to tell you how people found a specific item, how many times an item was hearted or viewed, etc. again its something that you need to play with.

Craftopolis also has an 'edit express' feature where you can change prices or titles in one sitting.

[Former_Member]

I just went over to craftcult.com. You can aslo sdvertise your shop there but the cheapest is 15.00 for 4 days. right now alittle out of my price range till i get more sales. ...cindy

[Former_Member]

Hi Everyone!
I'm fairly new.
The heat has calmed itself in IL but the cost of gas remains in the high $3.80's..about $3.87. Your comments about the cost of gas reminded me of when I was a kid and Grandma would put $5 in the tank and we would go all day. Guess you can tell I am now a senior myself.
Not to change the subject but I have a couple of questions I was wondering if anyone would comment on??
1. What do you have to do to get sales around here???
2. Has anyone ever sent items to a photographer in exchange for photo's and has not received the photo's???
Hoping to hear from some of you.

[Former_Member]

I saw that LoveNYarn mentioned adding some Destash listings...anybody else have good luck with destashing?
I was thinking of adding some when don't have time to add more patterns or items (which is right now!) and also to help with my yarn obsession. I have an over abundance of yarn and my time and closet space is in short supply. I guess it's not drastically different from a garage sale...

[Former_Member]

Hi there everyone! I have been wanting to get back to this thread and post more info. I've had some health issues that have set me on my butt, but I am finally rallying. I've spent >6 hours editing all my titles, descriptions and tags in hopes of more people coming to check out my shop. I am thrilled to say that I have already seen an increase; now I HOPE and PRAY that is get more sales :0)

Just a little about me:
I absolutely love daisies and my hubby of 36 years started bringing me 7 Daisies every week since we started dating back in l972! That's why my shop is daisyadaycrochet! We are blessed w/2 sons who have doubley blessed us with 2 "daughters by other mothers" a.k.a. daughters-in-law (I like my version better!) In addition, we have 3 very energetic and loving grandsons, ages 3,5 and 7. To top it all off, we have 2 wonderful dogs, Maxi, a Standard Poodle and Snickers, a Toy Poodle.

I love crocheting and have been doing so since around 9 years of age!

Just to let you know, Crochetgal is not kidding when she says she has a lot of yarn.....her front room is my "TOYS R US"!!! I live in Kingman AZ, about 3.5 hours away from Crochetgal, but I LOVE going to her house and do what we call "YARN DIVING".

I am also in agreement with Crochetgal about how HOT it has been this year. UGH!!!!! I really am looking forward to cooler weather!

Just a side note: I LOVE FOOTBALL AND THE ARIZONA CARDINAL!!!!!

[Former_Member]

I'm sooo pleased to hear that slow sales is not just in the UK. I look at some US sites and they seem to be selling really well - you know the sort of thing - joined in February or March 2011 and 50 sales already. I joined last December and only have 5 (two of them to the US!). I must just be looking at people who already had a large following from somewhere else.

I hadn't thought about destashing - thanks, what a good idea.

It's been so cold again that we have the heating on this evening!

I'm finding the shop stats really useful. In order, my views are coming from Etsy itself, google.com and google.co.uk this last week. I'm really pleased about the google ones - shows the SEO is working.

I've also re-ordered all the listings in my shop (by renewing) and changed my featured pieces, in response to what people are searching for.

I also have a MASSIVE LATE SUMMER SALE - with between 25% and 30% OFF, so if any of you want to buy any of my designs do feel free. I'm not selling the patterns at the moment - though that is in the pipeline, but if you're like me you buy to copy! I don't know whether I should encourage you to do that!

I'll let you know if any - or all - of those tricks works to increase views and listings.

[Former_Member]

Goodmorning everyone.

I am in cool San Diego till tomorrow. On the news this morning they were talking about how hot it is going to be here the rest of the week 90 inland I had to laugh that is a cool day in Phoenix!!!!!! Daisy you have a lovely shop.
Oh gas here is 3.74

[Former_Member]

ValeriesCrochet, I've found that the best way to get sales on Etsy is to market your work outside of Etsy. Having great titles and tags help as well, as does adding new items on a regular basis.

chanteuseCrochet, if you've got some unused, unopened skeins of yarn that you aren't going to be using, why not destash them?

Yes Daisy, you (and anyone else who is nearby) are more than welcome to do some 'yarn diving' in my front room. There's probably about 1,500 more balls of yarn there now since the last time you were here Daisy!

KnittingGoddess, I would love to be in San Diego right now! Yes, the temps here in the valley this week are absolutely brutal!

[Former_Member]

OMG crochetgal! I can't wait to get there:0)

Today John and I are celebrating our 36th Wedding Anniversary! He will be home early and we will go out for a nice romantic dinner :0)

Hope everyone is doing great and enjoying life.....IT IS MANDATORY :0)

[designbcb]

I would love some pointers on marketing outside of etsy. i do craft shows and will ne able to do marketing there. but tips would be great.i am beginning to think i wont reach50 sales.

[Former_Member]

Congrats Daisy on your anniversary! Hugs to both you and John!

Designbcb, There are many ways to market locally.

1) Whenever possible, wear something from your signature collection every time you leave the house. People WILL comment on your work.

2) Carry business cards at all times and don't be afraid to use them, especially in case 1) above.

3) get involved with your local artisan guild and know what each other sells. Networking within the artist community is a great way to spread the word.

4) Tell your friends, relatives, and anyone else who will listen what you are doing. You never know where that sale might come from! I've got the clerks at the local market as well as the manager asking me how my business is going just about every time I'm in there.

5) If you are doing art festivals and craft shows, be sure to have your business cards prominently displayed.

[Former_Member]

Need your advice..I am thinking about offering gift wrapping for the holidays...what do you think or has anyone on this team done that...cindy

[Former_Member]

Cindy, you can offer gift wrapping but you cannot list it in your shop as listing by itself.

What you can do is put a note in your policies and/or in your listings that tells the buyer that if they wish an item to be gift wrapped that they can let you know in the message from buyer.

[Former_Member]

I'm kinda bummed out! Worked so hard to iimprove all my descriptions, titles and tags. Getting OODLES of hearts but no sales :P

I need to find a craft show or something. Any ideas?

[Former_Member]

Hang in there marrianne, the sales will come. The holidays will soon be here...cindy

[Former_Member]

I agree! I've been getting a good number of views but I've had *one* sale in the last month and a half...so looking forward to Christmas!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the encouragement Cindy :0) From your keyboard to God's ears!!! :0)

[Former_Member]

I'm thinking - and praying - for you people on the eastern seaboard. I trust you will all remain safe as Irene approaches.

[Former_Member]

My newest treasury
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTIwMzQwMzV8NjMwNTk4MDMx/getting-ready-for-the-cold

[Former_Member]

I'd agree with crochetgal! I live in the southwest too and stay inside to avoid the hot weather as much as I can. ^_^

As of recent I've been doing comissions for a customer that wants some crochet Pokemon dolls. I wish there was a way to show pictures of the items I make that don't sell on Etsy so customers could see them.

[Former_Member]

Can anyone recommend a trust worthy site to build personal websites on?
I want to have my own website, in order to sell all items that aren't allowed to be sold on Etsy.
Thanks!

[Former_Member]

DineInStyle - I know E-Bay is pretty popular with other Etsy sellers, have you tried that? I don't use it myself, but I've heard many good things. :*)

[Knitspin]

Hi Everyone,

How is everyone doing today. I hope that does that are near the East Coastline have left and they are safe before the storm hit.

Ebay is very popuplar but the thing is that it all depend if you have something that people want. It is a Hit or Miss with the sales there too.

[Former_Member]

Thank you for the information, but I was actually looking for a site that would let me create my own website.