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.

[Former_Member]

I love the articles in the newsletter, and I am really looking forward to getting the next one! I had actually changed my photos a couple weeks ago, and I have really noticed a difference. Reading the Etsy newsletters is really helping me in transitioning from a brick and mortar shop to being solely online. Thanks!
Heather

[AggieRay]

I love this weeks feature. I really need to get a better camera. I have tried various lighting tips, etc. but my camera is not up to par! Thank you for the great newsletter this week!

[Former_Member]

This is such a great resource! I can't believe I've only just found it. Thanks so much for all these useful tips. I'll be avidly following along :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks for having me in this successful group! :) Im off to read and attack the tasks!

[Former_Member]

I recently got a Nikon Coolpix S570 and I HAVEN'T read the book yet. Telling me to read the book is probably the single most important piece of information anyone can receive on taking excellent Photos! TY TY TY!

[ionesAttic]

happy to be here!
I would like to share my blog post that addressed the face lift that I gave my shop's banner:
http://ionesattic.blogspot.com/2010/08/face-lift.html

[emmacarpendale]

Thank you for the branding article, it was very useful. particularly the tip for having a consistant logo across all social media sites which I am now implementing! :)

[Former_Member]

Read all the articles and am looking forward to applying them to my shop. Planning on taking some new pics today and working on the tips I read today. Thank you! :)

[TheMagiciansWardrobe]

cool, this is great, am well on it getting our shop up to scratch this new year now all the hectic christmas markets and events are over! School of Etsy, we salute you!x

[Former_Member]

I tackled all steps and learned a good bit, Im off now to finalize my banner and possibly play and make a couple more for future use. Im also going to rearrange my shop once again, the off to "kreating" and listing! Thanks for all the info and that extra kick I needed! :)

[DreamspiritCreations]

Wahoo! I've had a dear friend who is also a graphics designer volunteer to help me with my banner when he gets the time. That's a tremendous load off my mind and I soooo appreciate his help. Still re-tagging my items. Didn't realize I had so many items! More coffee and back to work on tags.

[KatersAcres]

Hey all - See what you think of my new banner. I also did challenge #1 - ARRANGE the items in your shop. With over 200 items....it WAS a challenge. See what you think and let me know please!

[KatersAcres]

I also re-wrote my profile information. I think it's 100% better now...see what you think.

[KatersAcres]

Dreamspirit - I think your shop is wonderful.

[KatersAcres]

Off to work...I'll be back later.

[ashcreeknativities]

What a great idea to be able to save the ideas so easily in PDF. I live in Oregon...what's winter light? :)

[sydemcgus]

I'm new at this, and enjoying reading all of the interesting and informative posts. It is very helpful. But, now I need to get to work on some of these suggestions! Thanks everyone.

[Former_Member]

toystorynutty.. I really think your shop is super cute!! Can't wait to re-organize my shop!

[Former_Member]

I use a light box with pie plate lamps that take a while to set up, I like the idea of trying just one light and then the white foam core/bristol board. I'm going to try that soon!

[StudioCherie]

@moonbindery - your post on page 13 and your excellent banner have been the most convincing argument for a banner that I have heard. Thanks for that.

I did take down featured items, so now you jump right into the shop.

[Former_Member]

I loved the advice from Makery. I have a somewhat cloudy idea of my ideal customer so I am working on that assignment. It helped me to compare my shop announcement with some other Etsy shops that offer similar housewares. I redid my banner and would love feedback if anyone can take a look: http://www.etsy.com/shop/jarabas
Here's a question--I like my avatar which is a photo of me with my dogs but would it be better to change it to a product photo? Does it matter? How do people react to avatars?
I tried several rewrites of my announcement. I'm still working on the photo challenge. We have a blizzard in New England today so I am home for the duration--kinda worked out well that way.

Jan

[StudioCherie]

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!

[StudioCherie]

@toystorynutty - in your banner you have a different name than your shop name. That is confusing.

[StudioCherie]

@jarabas - great banner and shop. I think your avatar should coordinate with that. You can use your current one for your facebook profile or something. Hope that helps!

[Former_Member]

Some great ideas in these posts folks--thank you.
Hi ToyStoryNutty--I have some suggestions for your banner. Use your ToyStoryNutty instead of Krater's Acres. I think it fits better with your product and photos. I am not sure what is in the first photo-looks like crayons or soap? Maybe swap in another toy? Very cute toys by the way--love those!
Moonbindery--love your banner post. You have a clear connection between your customer and your photo!