CirclesCirclesCircles ???

[Former_Member]

Running in circles...What do they do? Does adding someone to your circle help you, or...?

[JenniLeighCreations]

Haven't seen any benefit yet except that your shop or item might show up in someone's activity feed.

[Former_Member]

I think I've gotten a lot more comments on treasuries from people who have put me in their circle, which feels really good because it's very spontaneous

[Former_Member]

Thanks!

[Former_Member]

Your shop doesn't show up in someone's activity feed because you've added them to your circle- their favorites (if they're public) and treasuries appear in yours.
Your items appears in people's activity feed if they have circled someone who then favorites something of yours.
Your treasuries and favorites (if public) appear in the circles of people who have circled you, but not vice versa. So having lots of people circle you gets your treasuries seen by all those people, but not your shop or items.
Not so circle-y really...
I'm trying to circle people whose taste I like, and who make interesting treasuries so my activity feed is full of things I like...

[CapitalCityCrafts]

I'm dizzy....
are some people who are constantly adding actually spamming?

[Former_Member]

I think there's a limit to the number of circles one may have (200 is it?) ... but the number of circles you may be in (should there be plenty of people who admire your taste) is limitless ...

[Former_Member]

the fact that we are limited to creating a circle with a finite number of shops in it would be a good anti-spam measure in my opinion ...

[Former_Member]

I have seen a lot more activity on my account since I started adding people to my circle. As far as sales go I've only gotten one from my circle. I think that adding people to your circle or favorites shouldn't be considered spamming. If we start saying that something as simple as this is spamming it will become practically impossible to get our names out there. I think it is a good business gesture to offer a coupon code to new viewers and leave them to decide if they want to use it or not. But even this is considered spam and leaves us to find other ways of promoting our shops.

[SweetEttaRose]

I agree, and if you don't want to be in someone's circle you can remove yourself.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for agreeing with me WhatGirlsLike. I love your shop name and picture. I'm going to check out your shop now.

[CapitalCityCrafts]

I'm not sure there is a limit. this shop is in over 400!

[Former_Member]

I don't think there's a limit to how many circles you can be in ... it's just that you can only have a certain amount in the circle you create for yourself ...

Interesting idea about coupon codes. I offer one to people who follow me on FB but hadn't even considered that for circles ...

[ShabbyRoad]

I feel like I'm running in circles, I check activity to see my hearted items, and that's ALL they are (( - I'm pouting like a baby because of it.

I don't mind the cirlces but they've not helped one bit (

[Former_Member]

I have seen a bit more activity in my shop since I have started using circles which is exciting. I like seeing what other sellers are up who have similar interests. I have also found some really great shops that I may not have come across for a while by checking out the what's going on within my circle. So, I like them...!

[Former_Member]

I added you to mine :)

[brienna]

My thought is it's a way to keep track of your favorite shops by seeing their activity feed in your Activity Browser (similar to Facebook). So, if someone puts you in their circle it's a huge compliment because they want to see what your latest posts are, who you favorite, and where your work is being featured (i.e., treasuries). I personally love it because it means people want to know what my shop is doing ;o), add away please!

hugs,
brienna

[Former_Member]

I'm with you on that Brienna. I am up for as much exposure as I can get.

[Former_Member]

I was talking with a friend the other day who is new to Etsy and ended up explaining the difference between circles and favorites like this:

FAVORITES are a way to identify stores that you want to follow because you like their products
CIRCLES are a way to identify people that you want to follow because you like their taste in other Etsy stores and want a peek at what they're finding out there (through their treasuries and favorites)

Just another way that I think Etsy is encouraging people to connect with one another -- and another way that less authentic stores may become more transparent ....