How do you use a blog to proliferate business if your blog doesn't get much traffic in the first place? (and other matters concerning the etsy-blog experience)

[Former_Member]

Everybody has heard the adage about how a blog is vital for owning an etsy shop, but if your blog isn't widely-read, what can you do to use one to promote the other? I have a tumblr with personal and inspirational posts, but I don't think that it's going to help my shop business very much. Should I be blogging about my creations? And how do you get involved with other craft-bloggers? I have always really wanted to be part of a blogging/crafting community, but I have never figured out the trick to establishing regular correspondence with other artists.

[Former_Member]

Of all the posts today I zoomed right in on this one to see what the replies were - and there aren't any! Drats!! I started a blog and have only 4 followers so I'm wondering the same thing. Can anyone help us?

[Former_Member]

I've just started my Etsy shop and a blog for it. I might not be an expert in any of these fields, but have been online for several years now. I've read a lot about selling online and separately about how to run a successful blog.

Here is what I've learned so far -
1) Search engine loves blogs
2) Communities/bloggers love blogs
3) Blogs give you lots of flexibility in linking to whatever you want, post what ever you want.

So from this list, I can use my blog to attract more exposure to my shop. Now the question is how? What I am doing is
1) Link to my items from my blog posts
2) I added a Etsy Mini widget
3) Use posts rich with keywords and anchor text to increase the relevance of my items, shop categories and shop.

Now the issue is getting people to my blog first, then lead them across the bridge to my shop. How? What I am working on is -
1) Content that is relevant to my niche
2) Joining in the blog community via blog hops, following and commenting on other blogs, link love... etc
3) A resource rich blog that shows up in searches

I hope my plans will work, fingers crossed!

[ColoursandTextures]

Thanks for sharing Yini.
I have etsy mini on my blog, do you know if you can make a mini the links to another website/ I know u can do it with flickr.
I have a lot of artwork on another website and I would like to link to my paintings from from my blog.

[Former_Member]

Getting followers to a blog is the hardest thing to do. But if you work hard and build a constant group of readers, that will be a great way to get sales .

You can get more followers to your blog by doing giveaways.
Your posts must be good, and they must not be only about your shop.
Post about almost every interesting thing and mention about your shop at the same time.

I'm telling this because I saw an etsy seller who has a wonderful blog with a lot of followers now and also a successful etsy shop.

http://www.julieannart.com/

This is her blog ...
I really like it and I knew about her shop through her blog.

I hope I said something meaningful ! : )

[Former_Member]

Gaya lee that blog is lovely :), I'm working on getting more followers got 8 so far :)

[ChrisOsCreations]

i believe that some1 should use bloging to let people know him a little better
at least that's how i'm using it
you know the story behind the creation
it's a way to express myself , actually i've been blogging longer than i've been here
i've linked my etsy shop with my blog but that's only for the last month and it helps :-)

http://chrisoscreations.blogspot.com/

[kijsa]

I typically use my blog as a site to link to other more popular blogs...for instance, yesterday there was a link party that etsy shops could link to...I posted a short and sweet post on my site (you can see what I mean here www.kijsa.blogspot.com ) sending a link to their site, then linked up my etsy shop with the linky party. That way I promoted them, they promoted me and it all worked well. Lots of link parties ask you to post on your blog...so that way you can faithfully participate, while still having links to your site and products.

Hope that helps :-)

[Former_Member]

I think the key to being a successful blogger is to just be yourself. When people visit a blog they do so usually out of curiosity about who the person is behind the blog, or they are looking for information about a particular item or tutorial.

I have always had a blog, long before I had an Etsy shop or even thought about selling anything online just because it is a great way to express creativity and exercise creative demons, so to speak.

Some things I've learned over the years are:
1. Post frequently - readers really hate to visit a blog that hasn't been updated in a while. Posting frequently gives you fresh content but it also keeps your rankings in search engines higher

2. Post what you know. If you're a seamstress or bag designer, blog about it. If you love to cook, blog about it. If you're a frustrated mom of a teething 1 year old, blog about it.

3. Use TAGS and ALT tags in your posts for images, etc.

I think blogging can be very beneficial to a shop, but only if you use it :D

[Former_Member]

Thank you all very much. That's extremely helpful. I've always enjoyed blogging, but I think I've gotten less personal. It's hard to believe that people would be interested in my life... but I mean, I'm interested in others', so I suppose anything is possible.

[Former_Member]

I started blogging first, etsy just recently. Honestly I think it would be hard to do it the other way around. I started my blogs about things I really enjoy and want to share. I homeschool my boys using Montessori and Waldorf and other methods and knew it was hard to get ideas so I shared ours for others. Honestly I think if you are not passionate about your blog it will show. You obviously like making things and etsy. Start a blog with your loves and talents in mind, not sales goals.

[CrochetMadness4U]

I haven't the foggiest clue on how or where to start a blog. Can anyone give me a tip on this? Thanks!
Monica
http://PrettyShinyThings4U.etsy.com

[Former_Member]

I find that to get followers, something usually is in it for them too. Sometimes with recipes or DIY projects. I do a treasury every week that you can submit for on my blog. People want to come back each week to get into treasuries.

www.AllThingsTangled.blogspot.com

[MagpieQuilts]

I've been blogging for about a year. everything I've read says that blogs can take anywhere from 1-3 years to gain a following. To do that you have to have content. DIY, Works in Progress, Studio tours are just some of the posts that an artisan or crafter can do. Let your audience see a little of your creative process, your inspirations and maybe some other parts of your life. Find link parties you can join up with.

Here's mine: www.magpiequilts.com

[Former_Member]

This is some great advice everyone. I also just started my blog, just last week and havent' the foggiest clue how to get followers. I was going to tell my friends and family to follow me but then am lost after that. I have one follower right now but am hoping as I get more posts then people will be able to read and see what the blog is about and would be more inclined to follow me. Definitely taking everyone's tips into consideration. This was my project for the day so I'm so glad I found the post!

http://peko1012.wordpress.com

[Former_Member]

I started my blog about 2 months ago when I opened my Etsy shop...
I see trough Google Analytics that most of my readers are returning visitors...but they are not always "followers"... Haven't got much followers so far...
I did put an Etsy Mini on my blog and saw that it did bring a bit of traffic to my Etsy shop.

I just suscribed to Hello Cotton, that can be helpful too...got some followers there...

Anyway, for now, I'd say I'm blogging because it keeps me motivated. I like to share with people, even if I don't know who they are! Also, since I've been on mat leave for almost a year now, I had a huge need for communication...and blogging made me feel good so...why not?!?! ;)

Here's mine: http://cutifulbaby.blogspot.ca/