Holiday Boot Camp - Week 3!

[Former_Member]

Hey Campers!

How are you liking boot camp so far? I'd love to hear if you're keeping up. Are there any tasks that have stumped you?

This week I challenge you to rework your photos. We have an exercise for newbies and a new article for more advanced photographers: http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/mastering-depth-of-field-techniques-for-dynamic-photos/

Having difficulties? I will be checking in on this thread (along with the rest of the Seller Education Team) to help you! So keep us updated on your progress.

Have fun with it!

Danielle

[Former_Member]

Perfect timing as I have been beefing up the shop for the holidays and need to reshoot a lot of items.

Great article and I plan to do the exercise as soon as I can find my camera manual! Thanks Danielle!

[Former_Member]

Thanks Danielle

So far I'm finding it really motivating and feel that I'm keeping on track. Although I'm finding that making and listing work is easier than keeping up with the paperwork, which I have been procrastinating about....just a little!!

Paula

[Former_Member]

Danielle, I did not receive anything for Week 2 and I don't know where to look for the info.

[Former_Member]

@Maplecreeksoap: here's the link for the blog article for week 2 of bootcamp.
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/etsy-success-stocking-up-for-the-holidays/
If you send me a convo with your email address I'll forward the Etsy Success newsletter for week 2 of bootcamp.

You should be able to sign up for the Etsy Success newsletter here: http://mailinglist.etsy.com/
Then you won't miss the upcoming bootcamp stuff :)

[Former_Member]

This is perfect. I just bought new equipment forvmy camera. :)

I am also enjoying the support from my buddy. It's nice to have someone to chat with about the activities and someone to keep me on track. :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the post! My photos need some overhauling! I've thought for a while, among other things, that this is something that would really help my shop get more traffic. We'll see... :)

[Former_Member]

Studio, nothing wrong with your photos. Nice, crisp, focused and simple. They look good. Can't see what you can improve.

[Former_Member]

So much to do! But I have ordered loads of supplies...everything I need in order to start making some new goods for this holiday season!

I really liked week 2. It helped me a lot, seeing all the categories and got my brain working on how to reimagine some of my items from a buyers perspective. Time to update some descriptions!

[Former_Member]

@StudioDevinat- I also think your photos are pretty good, just make sure you use all 5 photo spots. Your titles could be re-arranged though to help with your search engine optimization and relevncy. Since I revamped my titles and tags I've seen an increase in traffic due to effective searches.

For example: "Charcoal Medium Flower Earrings in Fabric & Sterling Silver"

could become: Sterling Silver Fabric Post Flower Earrings. Charcoal. Medium.
Use as many words or phrases from your title as you can in your tags:
sterling silver post
silver post earrings
fabric flower
flower post
charcoal
If possible, use some of your keywords in the first paragraph of your description as well. You'd probably see more of an effect on traffic if you make some changes in that area as opposed to your photos, which look quite nice to me!

[Former_Member]

Well I have to say: I was all hyped up at the end of last month cause to the massive view increase. But in the end I had just 2sales out of over 3300+ views :(
Since the beginning of October my views dropped again.

So we should be working on our pictures? well, that's truly a challenge for me. Cause I already take A LOT of time for making my pictures. Very time consuming issue.
Maybe one of you others has a hint on what I should be working?

X from France...Nic*

[Former_Member]

Great post. The category really helped. I make jewelry- so now I have to think how to do the writeup. There is so much to do. I was focusing on Breast Cancer jewelry for this month. I have to rethink now!

[PattibearsTreasure]

I also did not get week two, how do I find it

[LovgrenandDaughter]

Those photos, pesky buggers, sigh. I now have the utmost respect for catalog photographers. Should be at it again this afternoon....but am trying to find a reason not to....lol...writing about them is a large procrastition. Onwards!

[Former_Member]

I've been trying to update my photos, some look great but I'm still fighting the white balance.

[Former_Member]

LaNiqueHOME - consider removing that graphic from your first photos. They are quite good and that graphic might be keeping you from getting in treasuries (and the Etsy front page!).

Some of your photos might be a bit dark - try reflecting light back into the photo with a big piece of white foam board!

[JMMStudios]

Danielle,
thanks for the photo tips! i started a thread today on a critique of my shop and it seems photography is one of the areas I need to improve.

[HoosiermammaV]

I HATE taking pictures of my items. That is why I have so few items posted. They are either too dark, too fuzzy, too, too......I get frustrated and stop. I don't have live models for my hats or other items and I don't have the means to buy an expensive camera. Totally flustered at the moment. Sorry.

[Former_Member]

hoosiermamma1.......Well, I will send you an edited version of one of your photos. I'm thinking about offering a service where I edit your images at a nominal fee. Sorry that this has to be in a link but Etsy does not offer html code so here they are:

BEFORE
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z371/andy1953n/MISC/ESTY-business1.jpg

AFTER:
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z371/andy1953n/MISC/ESTY-business.jpg

WOULD ANYONE BE INTERSTED IN THIS KIND OF SERVICE???

[Former_Member]

Since learning to do manual white balance on my camera (thanks greenpix!) my photos are improving, but I wish the aperture explanation in that post had included some hints on how to "trick" the camera into a certain depth of field even when lacking manual f-stop setting.

[Former_Member]

Boot camp is going great lots of ideas and I particularly like the buddy support. Makes me more accountable. One of my goals was to get to 100 listings as well as improving my photos. I think I am finally headed in the right direction but will check out your suggested articles. Thank you!

[Former_Member]

OR this

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z371/andy1953n/MISC/ESTY-business2.jpg

[Former_Member]

My photos have come a long way from when I started 2 years ago! It is always good to keep working on them : ) I am looking forward to the e-mail!

[FantasyFairyTaleArt]

I have been keeping up right along.. Week 3 here we come =)

Photo's are allows a challenge. I take several until I am happy with what I have. Then I twicked them in my photo editing software.

Looking forward to the next email.

[Former_Member]

Hoosiermamma - I've been there and totally understand your frustration. You definitely don't need an expensive camera - I promise you, you can get a great photo with the one you have! Here's an article to prove it: http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2010/etsy-success-the-right-camera/