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]

Thank You for the lesson. I would love some critiques on my store.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MchadG

[Former_Member]

Working on re-shooting photos today and still agonizing over an avatar. Just redid the banner. Thanks so much for this lesson. Learning so much by reading the above posts. Will be back soon to comment and participate today.

[Former_Member]

Uncommon Fripperies- if you go to Shop Settings and click options you will see Rearrange your shop. You can click and drag the items around then save.

[Former_Member]

Great challenge. I'd appreciate any and all feedback, so feel free to be completely honest!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SnowHandmadeJewelry?ga_search_query=snowhandmadejewelry&ga_search_type=sell...

[Former_Member]

Maybe I am just completely missing it, but I only see where you can rearrange your catagories, but not each individual item. Is that possible?

[Former_Member]

SnowHandmadeJewelry, I think your pictures and your banner are great! The only thing I would change, is having pictures of the clasps on the necklace, that definetly effects whether I will buy a piece or not. Just a suggestion.

[Former_Member]

This is great! Thank you to the OP! :)

[Former_Member]

CherryBlossomHats says

Maybe I am just completely missing it, but I only see where you can rearrange your catagories, but not each individual item. Is that possible?
____________________

Go to "your account". On the left under "Shop Settings" click on "Options". Click to enable "rearrange your shop." Then when you are looking at your storefront, under "Actions" on the left you will see "Rearrange your Shop." You can click and drag the pictures around to organize things however you want.

[Former_Member]

Great start. Here is my shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueLeafBoutique

[SterlingEchoes]

Great first week challenge. Hopefully my shop reflects the suggestions. Let me know what you all think.

http://www.sterlingechoes.etsy.com

[Former_Member]

how do I take items I have already posted and put them into seperate categories?? Help from anyone would be appreciated!

[Former_Member]

BacktoBasicsLogCabin, do you mean to change your shop section or shop tags?

[Former_Member]

eek, not sure which is which, i would like to categorize soaps in a soap section, essential oils in their own section, teas....etc.

[Former_Member]

Glad to be here. I know I'm behind but am buying a new camera tomorrow so will get started in the next couple of days. I'm really excited now.

[Former_Member]

westminsterstudios - Great job on photos and continuity. Feels like a real store!

[Former_Member]

Backtobasicslogcabin, I'm pretty sure you want to set shop sections. When you go to my shop, you can see the section "Success Guides".

Simple to do:
Click "Your Account" at the top of your Etsy page. Then under "Shop Settings" click "Info and Appearance". Then click the "Sections" tab. You can add everything there. :)

Stephanie Lynn

[Former_Member]

Just joined the team and I think the advise is great, some of the things I have done but still have lots to work on during the week. Feel free to check out my shop and comment in advance of me completely lesson one

[storybooksilhouettes]

Hi, everyone! Please take a look at my shop...I welcome all comments, critiques, etc. Thanks :)

[Former_Member]

Hey Thanks for the advise Stephanie Lynn of SweetDesignsSuccess! I checked out lilu1012 shop, I like your artwork! Everything looks pretty good to me.

[Former_Member]

Just a suggestion to people who are using real people in their pics, your items for sale will probably be more marketable if you use a model or mannequin. Family and friends, while affordable, dont create an atmosphere of professionalism. Many models just starting out will work for free, in order to get their portfolio started.

[Former_Member]

Thank you ElephantTrunks!

[doodleshop]

I just joined the team and would welcome suggestions. I already have a banner and have just added policies to my shop as well as changed my avatar from a picture of me to one of my cards. I'm still not 100% happy with the avatar. I need to take new photos today, especially of some of the first items I put on the shop and will be upgrading some of the photos. I'd appreciate any thoughts.

[Former_Member]

BacktoBasicsLogCabin- love the look of your shop!
Doodleshop- i am also agonizing over the avatar pic for my shop as well. Not sure what to tell you- but the rest of your shop looks good to me.

[doodleshop]

PlanetCalamri, thanks for your feedback. I think your jewelry is beautiful, but I would suggest using more simpler backgrounds for your photos. I found myself a little distracted by them and unable to really see the jewelry.

[Former_Member]

I would love some feedback on my shop! I'm not sure if my items are cohesive enough, and I've struggled with product photos (terrible natural light at my home). Do you think using a diffused flash is ok? Or should I never use a flash?

http://www.ebnartstudio.com

Thanks for any help!