Etsy Success Shop Makeover: Week 1

[#1]

For the next four weeks, I’ll be sharing a series of blog posts and challenges to help you give your shop a makeover for 2011. Let’s start this year with a bang! In today's Etsy Success newsletter, you'll find homework to help you focus your branding and enhance your product photography.

To get the most out of this series, be sure to sign up for the Etsy Success newsletter — full instructions will arrive in your inbox on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Once you've received the newsletter, I'd love to hear what you think about this week's task list. Let us know if you have any questions or are feeling stuck.

[ElvenStarClayworks]

Just did an update on my banner. I love that the Power Point ones aren't pixelated like the first one I made from Piknik!

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

Next I'm working on making some freebie magnets with my shop name and Etsy link.

[Former_Member]

does anyone know what the best camera is for an ammetuer? I can't get my reds red, and photography is hard for me.... :[

[Former_Member]

Please everyone check out my site and tell me the things that are wrong with it, i have just started and know nothing. I will be adding my crafts and jewelry later on today. I PRAY!

[Former_Member]

StudioCherie says:
I knew there was something I wanted to comment on from Imakecutestuff's original article, and someone here reminded me - it's the bit about reading the manual for your camera. Soooo helpful!

finding answers as I catch up! Great advise...read the manual! lol

[Former_Member]

Im so overwhelemed right now. I know I have a ton of work to do. First can someone point me in the right direction to make a banner. I am not sure I would be able to do it on my own unless it was super easy. So is there a program you would suggest? I have also seen business that will do it for you. Should I go that route?

[Former_Member]

KT, I'm no expert, but do feel you need contrast in your pics..try a white tablecloth and edit out background 'extras' in your photo...use edit on your pics..right click and hit edit..go from there to bring object in...

[Former_Member]

I also would like a banner more in keeping with my avatar..if someone knows of a good banner site..

[Former_Member]

GlitzNGiggles - if you are feeling overwhelmed then slow down. This truly isn't a race just focus on one or two items until you get those just the way you want them.. It's no fun if you make yourself crazy trying to do everything that needs to be done... NOW. Everything will fall into place one part at a time if you don't overwhelm yourself. Decide what you want to work on ONE thing.. work on it... then decide on the next and so forth.

As far as your banner.. go ahead and spend $6 on a temporary banner from a seller here, you can always go back and change it later. :-)

[Former_Member]

Glitz, there is a help page at the top of the Etsy site...
http://help.etsy.com/app/home

it's a great place to start

[IzabelaRocks]

if you read the suggetested article and watch the video on making a banner with gimp you see how easy it is

http://www.etsy.com/storque/seller-handbook/seller-how-to-banner-tips-6265/?utm_source=bronto&utm_me...

[Former_Member]

Okay I changed my banner. Does this one look better or still need work? I will change my avatar after I get a banner that is awesome

[Former_Member]

@AuntKarensCreations
Thank you! I know I need to slow down. Thanks for reminding me! I just ordered a banner! Whoo hoo!

@isamocrochet
Thank you for posting this link. I bookmarked it so I can go back and look more into that! I currently have a baby tugging onb my legs and getting into everything. That will be a project for naptime!

[Former_Member]

I'm super excited! This weekend some friends and I are going to do an "America's Next Top Model" -esque photo shoot with my jewelry. My one friend is a really good photographer, so she's going to be the noted fashion photographer. I'm going to be Mr. and Miss Jay directing my other girl friends in the shoots. Since I like to make my jewelry wearable for all women, I asked all my girl friends of all colors and sizes to model for me. My hope is that when people see the jewelry they'll be able to see themselves in it after seeing other real women wearing jewelry. I might show up in a piece or two as well!

[Former_Member]

@GlitzNGiggles - for a very very easy banner - you can use etsy's. Here: http://team.etsy.com/bannerdisplay.php

I just did one for http://www.etsy.com/shop/ModestEve - I plan on moving my patterns to the etsy and reworking the 'Soniaymonica' for the Sewn items.

So needless to say - I'm way way behind. It's just important to go at your own pace.

[Former_Member]

I've been working through shop makeover and am now reading my camera manual. I am very excited about this process. Not up to redoing my banner yet.
GlitzNGiggles I know what you mean by being overwhelmed. So much to learn. Take it a step at a time...we will get there too :)

[jocaledesign]

This is perfect timing! Thank you. I having been putting together a plan of action for the next few months. I am sure this will help me a great deal.

[MarysPintsizedPieces]

I love the newsletters and am ready to start the year anew. I can't wait for the next newsletter and am now off to rearrange my shop! Thanks for all the helpful tips

[RobinsArtAndDesign]

Great advice. I redid some of the photos and reorganized them in my shop by color. I also made a new banner and did some editing. I do think it looks better than before, but... Is there anything more I can do to stand out in the vast, infinite etsian sea? (I've made a few treasury lists and joined a couple of teams.)

[Former_Member]

looks like we all have some of the sames issues..one step at a time...will work on my baner and read my camera manual :]

[DreamspiritCreations]

Mudijudi - my husband downloaded a free photo editing program from NCH software called PhotoPad Image Editor. It works better than the Windows image editor plus the option of adding text. NCH offered an upgrade to a newer version but I didn't like as much so reverted back to the previous one. It gives you the ability to adjust colors, exposure, etc and a tool for covering up smudges and other flaws in an otherwise great photo. (I have a problem with cat's that like to camp out in my photo box!) It's worked well for me.

[DreamspiritCreations]

Just finished adding additional tags to all my items and rearranging the shop. Now I'm cross-eyed. Next the banner. A friend is going to help me with this but may give it a try on my own. Anybody have any suggestions for my banner?

[Former_Member]

thanks dreamspirit..I use my kodak software...works great..just need to take better pics to start with :]

[sammysgrammy]

mudijudi, we have some fantastic artists right here on etsy. I have a teammate: beargengic (i'll check that to make ceertain of the spelling) who did a couple banners for me. They are very reasonable too. I paid about 9.00 for my current one.

[sammysgrammy]

oooops....I meant that post for Glitzngiggles, about the banners.

And it looks like she's all set.

[Former_Member]

Here's my update: I took photos of some new items and kept in mind 1. The Rule of Thirds 2. Wanting a more stream-lined looking shop 3. brighter photos!! I think it looks better.