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]

bobbinsandbits--very nice banner. I like the color and how it suggests small, bright things.

[dodelinedesign]

As a graphic designer/business consultant, Makery's advice was right on target, and I really enjoyed the post!

[Former_Member]

Hi tresorbox,
I like your work but I think your photos are a bit out of focus. I would be a bit hesitant to buy because I am not getting that crystal clear view I want before I click the purchase button. Do you have a macro setting on your camera? It lets you focus very close up on your jewelry. One trick I learned is to use macro, zoom in as close as possible and then back the camera up until the whole item is in the frame. Use a tripod so your camera doesn't wiggle while you shoot. Maybe you know these tips already? Good luck and hang in there. You will make sales!

[Former_Member]

I can't believe this information came to my inbox today. I need to really start my Etsy Store in earnest and have been thinking about the name and the look for weeks now. I was in the process of thinking through a banner and avatar...not knowing what to do....this is amazing. The angels answered my prayers.

[Former_Member]

I thought the Week 1 email was great. I can't wait to rearrange my shop. In particular I enjoyed the photography part. I can't wait to tweak my shop and hopefully make it shine.
I know it just started, but I am liking this better than bootcamp.

[Former_Member]

There is SO MUCH good information in the suggested reading that it will take me a while to digest all of it! I'm already working out a new and more cohesive look to all of my branding: banner, graphics, labels, packaging, inserts, photos, and offsite marketing on my blog and facebook. Thanks for the nudging!

[Former_Member]

Trying a new avatar--my most popular lamp.

[Former_Member]

I love your avatar jarabas. It enticed me to visit your shop, and you have wonderful items!

We need to get going and add more listings to our shop. I like the poster sketch idea to help organize our items.

Here's to Etsy Success!!

[Former_Member]

I just retook a bunch of my photos- would anyone care to leave some feedback? Winter light is really hard- as many of you know. Thanks!

[Former_Member]

lots of new posts here..lol..will take awhile to catch up and see what I've missed. :]
Updated my purse shop..working on photography and tags...

[Former_Member]

jarabas - Good call on the avatar!

[Ashty]

@1mADwoman Thanks for the advice on how to rearrange your shop. I think that is what I need to create a more appealing shop. I'm going to try right now!

[Former_Member]

Happy to join this team! We've been reading Etsy Success newsletters for at least a year now. They are so helpful and encouraging.

Right now we're going for a cohesive shop. We're arranging items together related by themes and we're trying to improve our descriptions and tags.

We met our goal last year of selling 1 item per month (it averaged out that way ;) ) and this year's goal is to get featured on the front page! Good luck team members!

[Former_Member]

I am having a hard time with this weeks challenge. I sale DIY print Digital Cards/invitations/announcements so I am not sure how I can change my pictures. My only thought was to print out the differnt sizes and show what it will look like printed out. Any suggestions on my shop would be greatly appreciated??? Also comments on my avatar and banner would be great too??? Thanks everyone

[Former_Member]

This is fantastic! I decided during Christmas that 2011 was going to be my "break out year". This article is giving me tools to make that a reality. Tools I didn't even realize I needed.

[IzabelaRocks]

ok I did some reading and thinking too and chanched my banner, what do you think guys?

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

I should have posted a before as well but didn't think...

[Former_Member]

@MystifiedDesigns:

Beautiful digital prints. My suggestion would be to print some of your prints, so people can see how it looks in a real card. Maybe you can take a look at the shops that sell paper cards. There are some beautiful shops, with gorgeous photography.
Also, your banner looks a little smudgy to me. It might be my computer screen, though. I am known to let it get really dirty :)
Good Luck!

[IzabelaRocks]

@MayBeeClothing I think all the photos with t-shirts on the hangers look awesome! and you keeping them looking same which is good!

I have a problem with sticking to one background and composition, need to work on that :(

[IzabelaRocks]

@MystifiedDesigns I think you could do something with your avatar and banner, but not really sure what...

maybe something closer color-wise to your products, this pink just stand out too much I think

[Former_Member]

Oh, can anybody please take a look at my new banner?

My main niche is a 30 something years old professional woman, who would wear my silk scarves to kick their business clothes up a notch. What do you guys think?

[sammysgrammy]

isamocrochet, your new banner is very fitting for your shop - good branding tool

[lumafina]

I am going to retake some photos...the backgrounds don't match up and I need to keep in mind my Spring line for 2011 coming in! I'm also off to re-read my camera manual...never know what I'll learn this time!

[hoganfe]

Love the banner isamocrochet!
I am rying to list a new item at least once a week!

[IzabelaRocks]

@hoganfe and @sammysgrammy thank you so much for your feedback!

[IzabelaRocks]

@silkartfrombrazil I would suggest re-doing your banner, the letters seem to disappear a little,

@hoganfe I love your banner!