Is it considered "rude" to "circle" a customer?

[Former_Member]

I apologize if this is a stupid question, but I have no idea on Etsy etiquette. Is it considered "bad form" to circle a customer? I thought it would be interesting to keep up with what our customers are favoriting, to see if we're keeping up with what they like, but as I circled a couple, I wondered if they'd consider it "stalking" or something.... What is good Etsy manners?

[Former_Member]

I don't know about "etsy etiquette" here, but if someone circled me after I bought something from them, I wouldn't mind at all. I would think of it as a good thing because perhaps that would help me in the end with my shop.

[Former_Member]

I agree! I always feel a little flattered when someone circles me! I say go for it!

[Former_Member]

I'm not entirely sure about how people feel about circles, since I'm pretty new… I would appreciate some advice too, haha.

[Former_Member]

oh...I circle every customer, De...some don't even realize it's there. and if they circle you back, they are going to see things that keep you and your store in their mind ;)

[Former_Member]

I circle someone if i like their taste, i don't think it's rude at all (:

[TheAlteredDiaries]

I sometimes circle people who favourite an item because they often like the same things I do. I've made some amazing finds here that way.

[PointingDogPaper]

i always circle anyone that circles me or admires my shop.

[Former_Member]

I think circling your customers is perfectly fine.

It would be considered spammy to search etsy for buyers accounts and just circle them for the hope they would go check out your shop. But your intentions make sense and are completely fine.

[Former_Member]

I circle people who seem to like the same things I do. New here so I'm not all together sure on how the whole circle thing works but I'm trying to figure it out as I go along.

[Former_Member]

OK, I admit to being dense.!
I know how to "favourite" someone, but how do you "Circle" someone?

[Former_Member]

I know I'm having a hard time finding info on circles as well. It's quite confusing.

[TheFamilyJewelsWI]

I don't understand the "circle" thing either. :(

[RhymeScapeSelection]

I can't think of any reason that cirling someone could be an offense in any situation -- after all, you are inviting them to your activity feed, and not imposing anything on them!

[Former_Member]

I always thought it was considered "spamming". I would love to know for SURE though...most of you seem to think it's acceptable. We need to check the Etsy Etiquette list.

[cushncovers]

I would take it as a compliment if someone circled me.

[Former_Member]

I definitely don't think this is a stupid question at all. A savey Seller will always keep up with the customer likes and favorites. It's how we know what the customers and future buyers are looking for.

Depending on what area of the world the prospective buyer lives in will also dictate the styles and trends of things. For instance, it's trendy and acceptable for ladies to wear hats in England, but not a trend here in the South. That may be a far fetched example, but I hope you get my point.

I think your idea is a great one, but like Judi said..I'd be interested to see what the actual Etsy etiquette says. If it is acceptable, I'll be doing it myself.

[Former_Member]

Hah. Me too, Nana!! There are other things I would do, such as send previous buyers a special coupon code...but I know that goes against Etsy's TOS. It's a sticky slope...but I too think it's a great idea. PLEASE...someone help us!! We need to know is it "OK" or "Not OK"?? :)

[AuntBsAttic]

circling is like networking. Say a group of 4 gals are in a new town and only have two hours to window shop. You've done your research and know there are 4 main shopping areas in the town - so you all head out in four different directions ! At the end of your two hours, you jump back on the train/bus/plane and share the special items or types of treasures you saw. Your favorites are then shared with each other - just like a circle on Etsy shares their favorites via the activity feed. It's a wonderful way to help promote shops/items you've found - and find shops & items that you might NEVER have found on your own ! Circle away - and enjoy !!

[Former_Member]

It never occurred to me to circle my customers, but it's a great idea. I just went through all my past sales and added past customers to my circle. Thanks for the idea :-)

[aliciawatkins]

Circling is fine! They won't get anything new in THEIR activity feeds, so it shouldn't affect them at all -- they just get the pleasure of seeing you're following their interests. And if they don't like that, they can change their settings so you can't see what they favorite anyway.

On the other hand, CONVO'ing someone to tell them you're circling them, or to thank them for circling you, is against Etsy's TOU and considered spam.

But I circle customers all the time, along with people who favorite something of mine, or anyone whose taste I enjoy...that's what it's for! : )

[Former_Member]

Thanks, everyone!!

Judy, if you have a Facebook page (which I highly recommend - it has brought us new customers!), maybe you could message previous buyers with your Facebook page link and let them know that you have coupon codes on your FB page? (I haven't read the Etsy Etiquette in months, so I'm not sure about that one.)

[LouiseMead]

De I think if I hadn't liked a seller on FB & they messaged me on fb I'd find it a bit pushy. Perhaps you could have links in your order confirmation info and URLs on your sales documentation but I think to pursue people, be it outside or on Etsy would be a bit too much and not really in keeping with the Etsy spirit. Interested to hear what other people think on this?

[Former_Member]

Love the advice. I just went and started to 'circle' some of the people who favorited items in my shop.

Do you think that being in someones circle has much effect on views/sales?

[Former_Member]

I don't find it rude at all when a shop "circles" me after I have bought from them, or after I favorited something of theirs. I will say, however, that a while ago I circled someone who favorited one of my items, and just today they sent me a message stating that they do not want to be involved in the "circle" aspect of Etsy, and that I need to remove them immediately. First time I had ever gotten something like that, so maybe not everyone considers circling them to be flattering... ?