TEAM CHALLENGE: LESSON 1

[#1]

Team Challenges are designed to help ALL of our members increase exposure to their shops and increase sales. Our team have new members enrolling everyday, so I have to design the team challenges in series of lessons. That way, the new members will not feel like they are falling behind. They can follow and catch up to the rest of the team by simply following these lessons in order. This is the 1st lesson so we all have a fresh start. Ok, here we go....

Starting a business is a difficult challenge and it is also an art. As business owners, we have to wear many hats and have to be a jack of all trades. I know how overwhelming it can be to start a new business venture. Even if you are not a new business, you can still benefit from our team challenge business series of lessons. The market is always changing so you have to make sure that you are adapting to the changes each season. Plus, there are always something new out there to learn. Now, since there are so many topics and lessons to cover, and each of our members are on different growth level of their business; I have to make sure that we are ALL on the same page so that we can move along together.

Now, keep in mind that we all have different business needs. So if the lesson does not pertain to you then you have no homework for the week. Treat these lessons like your weekly homework. Each week, you will be assigned new homework assignments. Your reward at the end of the semester (lesson series) is to see growth in your business and sales.

First off, like I have mentioned earlier, to move forward together as a team, we cannot be doing random things here and there online or in forums. This is extremely non-productive. So to move our team along, I have to make sure that we are ALL on the same page and we will be starting off our Team Challenges on a level playing field. That way, we will ALL be able to grow together. Even if you think that the lesson pertains to you, please don't discount the lesson entirely. Before you decide that the lesson is not advanced enough for you, please give it a try. There is ALWAYS something that you can improve on because the market is always changing.

LESSON ONE: Store Makeover
1. Make sure that you have a cohesive theme and look throughout your store.
1a. Make sure you have a banner with your store name and logo
1b. Make sure you have an eye catching avatar
Your Avatar should be something interesting. It should be eye catching. It should make you want to click on it if you see it in a forum, chatroom, or facebook.
It could be your best selling item. Something that screams You. I see some people putting their picture up as their avatar, but let me ask you this question: If you see someone's picture in a chatroom or forum, would you click on it? Does it catches your eye? Does it stand out among the thousands of other images online? Does it tell others what you are selling? Does it represent/fit in with the theme of your shop? Now do you see my point. It is up to you if you want to use your own picture as your avatar, but I do not think that it is a good idea.
1c. Make sure you have set your store policies: including Returns and exchanges. Many people do not have a return policy in place and then when something goes wrong, then it's just a big mess because you did not state your terms ahead of time. Your store policy is a place where you can state your store terms and what your customer should expect from you and your shop (especially if something were to go wrong). And it is where you can lessen your liabilities. You should state a clear return and exchange policy. Also include shipping and insurance info here too. Just in case, if something were to go wrong, you would be covered if you state it beforehand in your store policy.

2. Take Great Photos
Good photos are not enough...it must be GREAT!
Online shoppers do not have the luxury of feeling and touching your products in person. So your job is to be able to do that for them. You should create an experience for your shoppers by the way you portray your products. Suggest how it is used, but don't just say it, show it with pictures.
2a. Lots of lighting (use natural light, no flash).
2b. Use light color background
2c. Do not use distracting props
2d. Ask yourself if you were in your shoppers' shoes, would you buy your own goods by just looking at the pictures? If you wouldn't buy it, then chances are your customers won't either.
2e. You do not need an overly expensive camera to take great photos. This is a secret, but some of the pictures in my shop were taken with my cell phone camera...can you tell which ones...exactly my point! A good source of natural lighting is the secret to taking great photographs.
2f. You do not need to be a professional photographers to take great photos. Just practice practice practice. Also, another tip is taking as many photos of 1 item will give you a better chance of getting a great photo out of the bunch. A professional photographer once told me that his secret to taking amazing pictures is to take as many of them as you can...you might be able to use only 40 photos out of hundreds. But 40 amazing photos is better than hundreds of so so photos. Do you see my point.

3. Lastly, make sure that all items in your shop follow the same theme and color scheme. When you open an Avon catalog or some other store catalog, all of the items look like they belong to 1 collection. There is no single item that screams, "I don't belong here." Now, make sure your shop is the same way. Your store is like an upscale catalog...now it is your job to stage your product and use the right color schemes (use a light color background for your photos)

4. Write a good description of your products. Paint a story. Suggest some uses for your products. Many shoppers might admire your products but they are only lookers and won't buy because they don't know what they will use it for. It is your job to consult them on what they should should it for. Lastly, answer this question for each of your products (in your customers' point of view): Do I have to have this item and why?

Alright...you are done! See that is not so bad!
Once you have completed this assignment, post your store here and we will critique your shop (optional). By posting your store below you are agreeing to have our members visit and critique your shop. Doing so is extremely helpful for our members who feel that they need a non bias opinion. Please remember not to take our critique personally...remember it is just business! Ok, now let's all have fun and help each other out!

[Former_Member]

Hey guys i would love some feedback about my site :) etsy.com/shop/customknittreasures

[Former_Member]

I would appreciate any advice on my shop.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/WheelchairDecor

Thanks, Becky Jane

[Former_Member]

Thanks again, FarraDesigns, this is such a great reminder: Photos is where the sale starts!

-Kerry

[Former_Member]

doo do dooo. I know my photographs aren't very cohesive, I'm still trying to work that out.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/brahmanda

[Former_Member]

Any more advice? http://www.etsy.com/shop/FarraDesigns

[Former_Member]

Ready for critique...still working on reposting photos of some of my older items, it's a work in progress.
Thanks for your suggestions!
www.twohandsdesigns.etsy.com

[VintageDiva60]

Great Lesson... Thanks

[Former_Member]

Great advice!

I don't have everything up yet, but before I put any more items up I'd like a critique of my shop.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/UlteriorMotivesInc

[CharcoalDesigns]

Everafterandforever: I really like your avatar and etsy page. Everything is cohesive and I especially like that you have dresses from different time periods not just one era.

[Former_Member]

I would appreciate any and all critique. From reading all the replies I will be taking new photos on a light background to start with.

[Debbsdesigns]

Love this Idea, can someone critique my shop, I really really want to get to the next level. I started redoing some of my photos but haven't gotten to all of them.

[BohoChicGypsyJewelry]

Thanks for the first lesson, I believe it's always good to go back to the first steps every once in a while.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Lesbijouxcrealune

[Envy2]

I think Lesson 1 is very essential to creating a shop that is very appealing. I have tweaked my shop and I am now up for the next challenge!

http://www.envy2.etsy.com

[Former_Member]

BYTHESEASOAPS.FIRST, I LOVE YOUR SOAPS AND THEY ARE PRESENTED SO NICELY. THEY LOOK GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT! THANKYOU FOR YOUR ADVICE AND I WILL GET RIGHT ON IT. ANY AND ALL TIPS ARE MORE THN WELCOME!

[Former_Member]

Here is my shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/FashionLoversDream?ref=pr_shop_more
All suggestions welcome!

[Former_Member]

If anyone has the time, I would really appreciate some feedback on my shop so far :)

Thanks!

[Former_Member]

I think I have met all these goals- tell me if you agree!! http://www.etsy.com/shop/NapierWoodburning?ref=hdr

[ifanhour]

Thank you for your input sweetandlush! Off to work on the banner...

[ifanhour]

Buffalovely, the only thing I would point out is in your photos of your cute caps I can see the wrinkles, steam them out before you photograph or use your photo editor to even out the color (sorry...a pet peeve of mine...) They are so cute and should not have anything detract from them!

[Former_Member]

Well, I have been working on many things in this lesson for awhile. I have someone designing my own avatar and banner, almost finished with that. I am working on getting new photos for all of my products. I have had to cancel two photo shoots because of snow storms.
But please take a look, I am always up for advice, and please, don't sugar coat. I am new to this and need to learn as much as possible! I will just need to re-critiqued once I have my new photos up.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CherryBlossomHats

[Debbsdesigns]

WOW, ifanhour, I love your shop, its soooo romantic :)

[EleganceFarmHome]

Buffalovely, I love your shop name! So sweet. Your products look like they must take lots of time and they are really unique. I love hydrangeas (as you can see by the prop in my shop's photos!)

Here are a few tips, which I learned from other sellers when I opened my first shop: www.EleganceFarm.etsy.com:

1. It's great that you are using natural light for your photos, but try taking then out of any direct sunlight. The sun seems to be bleaching your colors out in spots. Overcast days near a window are the best.
2. Use the macro setting on your camera (the little tulip setting). It makes a world of difference for the close ups.
3. Try shooting from unusual angles. Here's something: place your pillow on a solid white background. I use the white bookcase near my window or our flat white radiator cover. Anyway, place your pillow on it, flower side facing the ceiling. Then kneel down so that your camera is shooting the pillow side on (not overhead) and take a close up of the edge and the intricate felted flowers). It will give you an intriguing first photo that people will want to click on!
4. For your shipping, one of your descriptions says that you offer a flat rate of $4 and if you order another item it does not go up. So that means your second shipping price ("if shipped with another item") should be $0 not $4.
5. Tell us more about your process in your listing, speaking in first person.
Something like: "I created this hand stitched cotton and felt pillow by first cutting the individual petals from ___ felt. Then I used my grandmother's antuque sewing machine to sticth the seams of the hat/pillow. I was inspired by the big 'ole hydrangea bush in my yard that blooms in July every year, and reminds me of our summers in Cape Cod." or some such. Tell a story about how you make it and why you love making it.
Anyway, I've rambled enough!

If anyone would like to, please critique our new shop. We just opened this week and know we need some help getting started! Thanks :)

[EleganceFarm]

I'll take a shop critique, please!!
www.EleganceFarm.etsy.com

[Former_Member]

EleganceFarm you do beautiful work! But honestly I find the words on some of them distracting.

[Former_Member]

I just opened my shop a few days ago. I've had a really hard time getting pictures that actually look like the pieces I made. Here's my shop...

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JulianasJewelryNMore

Any and all suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance!