Just a tip - using the hashtag #etsy on IG is a sure fire way to get a barrage of spammers to come to your IG stream. Nobody likes spammers but on IG it's really a pet-peeve of the folks that are there just to share their photography.
As far as getting views to your Etsy shop from IG...that could be looked at two ways.
There are people who post their Etsy items on IG and their shop name/link in their profile. This is the subtle way to direct traffic from your IG stream over to your Etsy shop. This kind of stream usually also includes general photos and life updates from the person posting. The marketing is low-key because they sprinkle their items within their other updates--it's not just, "Hey, look at me and buy my stuff!"
There are other people who start an IG stream and use it as a mini shop. They also post their items but only their items--not pictures of their food, their kids, their vacations or their pets. This person typically updates their stream at a specific time each day so their followers will know when to visit and view/purchase their new wares. Purchasing is done one of two ways on IG. Most IG shops state that the first person to comment and leave their email will receive the item. They send an invoice (usually via paypal) to the commenter and payment is handled privately off-stream. Others use the chirpify app to handle payments...this method requires that both parties be a member of chirpify. Google chirpify for more details on their service and the app.
My personal feeling is if you're just joining IG to sell then start an IG shop and be professional about it. If you're just going to drop links in hopes of someone, anyone, looking at your shop, and don't intend to put time into it and build community, then why not just use Facebook or Twitter? Although, having used FB and Twitter, I know those are also community-based as is blogging. It's really all about being REAL in an 'unreal' atmosphere.
Bottom line with IG, as with all social media networking -- it's not just for selling, it's really meant for communicating and connecting with others. Following others with the sincere intent of fostering community, leaving real-content comments on their pictures, and making the effort to be a real person (albeit thru an online app) goes a long way in building your own community and allowing others to get to know you and trust you. If those others happen to like what you have to offer they may (or may not) become your customers as well.
Hope this is helpful to anyone that posted in this thread.
