Permission?

[MiloandMolly]

For those of you who post Etsy favorites on your blog, i.e. "I found this ______ and love it!" with a linked picture, do you ask the shop owner for permission before you do this, or do you just post it up? Or, do you tell the shop owner you've put their item on your blog?

I've seen this on a lot of blogs I follow, and it's something I've been thinking about doing on my blog, but wanted to get opinions first. Thanks!

[JNOriginals]

If the photo is on the blog, I seek permission first. If it's in the shop, I post first, and let the individual know about it afterward. Hope that helps.

[justByou]

I get permission first. Always. I think of it as blogging etiquette. If someone was to use my photos (from my blog or shop), even thought mine aren't professional, I'd like it if they asked first, or let me know. =)

[Former_Member]

First, I look for a policy somewhere. On blogs, a lot of people will spell out what is okay with them.
If there is no published policy, and I want to use more than one picture or any written content, I ask before posting. Otherwise, I convo with a link to the post and say that I will take it down if they ask. I don't wait for permission first simply because some people don't respond in a timely manner.

[JNOriginals]

I probably should have added this previously. When I select something from someone's Etsy shop to feature on my blog, I have thus far only featured fellow team members, where it is understood that we promote each other in this fashion. Anyone else--I would seek their permission first.

[Former_Member]

this is a great topic, especially for a new blogger like me. Thanks so much for sharing!

[AsYouWishPrinting]

Yes, great topic - very helpful! If I need to use someone's photos/images I try to contact them first to get permission and also to let them know that I am featuring them. Other times I have just given proper photo/image credit to them, for example: {Photos Courtesy of...} - and then of course link to their shop.

I do a weekly (every Friday) "roundup" type post called The Inspiration Board on our blog and I often do links to neat finds from fellow Etsy'ers shops. Then their shop as well as that particular item is kind of featured.

By the way, our blog is:

http://zavalickdesigns.com/

[Former_Member]

I ALWAYS link back. The only time I use someone elses photos is when I'm promoting them so I don't ask first. I don't think anybody would be mad about free advertising! I always let them know that I did it though!

[Former_Member]

Definitely link back, at the minimum.

I ran into this when I decided to use Etsy products to tell a story in this post: http://stitchingincircles.blogspot.com/2011/02/skunked.html

I let the etsy sellers know I had used their image of their product and had linked back to their shop. Most of them were pleased; HOWEVER, the person who was selling a *photograph* was less so. In that case, the image is their product, so I can understand that. The photographer said she would grant permission, but that the etiquette is to ask before posting.

So, for people who it doesn't hurt to have their image copied and pasted, I'd say ask afterward, but if you are using an image from someone who makes their money producing images, be cautious and ask before posting.

[Former_Member]

I don't usually ask permission because I make both the photo AND some text below link back to them. I could tell the person I did it but I'm too lazy and I would feel a bit spammy doing it.

[secondarycreations]

Maybe because I've had websites since long before I started on Etsy, I always ask: otherwise it's technically copyright infringement, which I'm careful about.

My Team Tuesday features are all for shops who've signed up to be featured, which I consider giving permission. It takes a bit of work, but on those features I always link each item photo (and caption or bit of text) back to the specific product page.

There's a site I occasionally use for copyright-free stock photos.

[Orangies119]

I use etsy items all the time in my blog to help tell the story... I ALWAYS make the photo clickable back to their listing, AND make the caption link back. I then contact them with a link to the blog post. So far everyone has been incredibly gracious, I have gained several new blog followers, lots of tweets, and even some offers of discounts in their shops. i also have been informed of some sales that came directly from my blog posts. If someone were to take issue with it, I would just take it down and replace with something else...

[Former_Member]

This is a great thread! I've often wondered the same thing. So far, I've generally just posted the picture, ALWAYS linking back and giving photo credit and in some cases, I'll contact the seller to let them know that I love their stuff so much that I blogged about it. I haven't had any unhappy campers yet.

I was actually wondering something similar the other day - doesn't have to do with Etsy sellers though. I wanted to post a music video of an indie band on my blog (with all proper credits of course) but I didn't know if I should or not. I've seen it done lots on other blogs - are they all asking permission first I wonder? I did email the band through their YouTube account (which they seemed to check often enough) but I still haven't heard back....

[Former_Member]

When seeking permission through convos has anyone been reported to Etsy for improper use of convos? It has been spelled out to me that convos were for purchases only, so I'm a bit confused as to how to do this.

[Former_Member]

I put them in a treasury and then link the treasury to my blog, that way all the clicks they get will come through etsy.

[JNOriginals]

Pooknflip, I think you did the right thing by asking permission.

[Former_Member]

I dont ask permission but I also link back to the item. It can only help the shop owner - hopefully someone who reads my blog will buy it. Sometimes I do tell shop owners though because they normally just are happy to know.

[MiloandMolly]

Thanks everyone for your comments and advice! If admin wants to close this thread, that's fine!

[Former_Member]

@Pooknflip... re: youtube videos -- when someone creates a youtube video, there is an option to not allow embedding on other websites, so if you *can* embed the video, that should only be because it has been explicitly allowed. I wouldn't worry about it.

[Former_Member]

Thanks so much, StitchingInCircles! I wasn't aware of that. Cool.

@CherishedHearts - I've never had a problem. I've also convo'ed people just to tell them how much I love their stuff. They've always been very well received messages. :)

I think it's more the intent behind the convo. I recently I had two separate shop owners contact me with coupon codes after I favorited an item of theirs. Isn't that weird!? I feel that's a good spammy example.

[Orangies119]

I agree, Pook... I think that is spammy and I have had the same recently. I get convo'd regularly about treasuries I'm featured in, so I don't view notifying about a blog include any differently. I would hope the intent of that rule is just to discourage spammers... I think if you have something specific to the seller to convo about, it should be fine.

[MiloandMolly]

I do convo to let people know they are in treasuries, but just provide the link. A handful of people will convo back saying thank you, and a slim few will convo back with a coupon code. I think it's kind of funny, but it doesn't bother me.

I know if someone told me they put an item of mine on their blog I'd be thrilled. But I know now everyone is that way and doesn't like to share their images. If I were to contact someone, it would totally be to say how much I liked their thing and to let them know it was there and I'd take it down if they'd like.

[Former_Member]

I give proper credit (link back to the item page on Etsy) and let the artist know.

[Unblushing]

I have never asked for permission. I always post a link to their site, and send them a message saying I featured them on my blog.

Basically, featuring some one's item that is up for sale is like free advertising them. It gets their item viewed by people who may not normally see it. I'd be surprised if anyone complained about it.

[Former_Member]

I've only done it once. I asked permission first and I linked back to her blog and her website.