Is it worth getting a blog?

[Former_Member]

Just looking to increase views/sales and am reading that many users have blogs to promote their items and/or interact with other bloggers to gain attention. I don't have much time to blog as I work full time and having an Etsy shop takes up my evenings and weekends. Is it worth creating a blog to help promoting my shop? Can anyone show me some examples of great Etsy bloggers?

Thanks in advance :)

[SantasSockCentral]

I just started a blog recently, can't really say if it's worth it yet. But it's not taking me much time, I have no experience programming etc, I use Blogger and it's very very easy to use! Just like writing an email.

[Former_Member]

Blogs are good for backlinks. Unless you put a lot of time into it, it won't get you a lot of attention.

[Former_Member]

Some blogs just have just photos which can be a good thing as customers get an insight of the products you make. You can use FB page for this too. I tend to use my facebook page actually.

[Former_Member]

I really admire those who can keep blogs going! When I think blog I think-work.

[SantasSockCentral]

Does anyone know if it matters in the SEO ranking if the blog is NOT updated regularly? Like if I have a blog that had a post 2 months ago, would that be worse than having new blog posts every day? For the backlinks to my Etsy shop.

[DancingLotusDesigns]

I agree totally with Alex ! I am drowned with work as it is keeping up with etsy, fb and promoting .... making the jewelry ....taking the photoes .... I am too full of work for making a blog .... maybe later :)

[HausofAriella]

I blog because it's fun, not necessarily because it increases sales or anything. Honestly, I don't think it helps that much for views and sales directly unless you gain a large following, which is fairly difficult. However, like Jean said, it's good for backlinks and if you like writing, then why not? But if you're not that into writing or think that having a blog would be a chore, then I think you'd probably be better off with fb, twitter, etc. If you do decide to start blogging, there are some good Etsy blogging teams like this one http://www.etsy.com/teams/9104/interactive-blogging/discuss/

[Former_Member]

Blogging is certainly a great way to connect with potential customers, gain trust, create content & establish yourself as an 'expert' in your field.

However blogging isn't for everyone- so if you create a blog but don't update it somewhat regularly then your SEO will not benefit.

[Former_Member]

Is blogging something you'd like to do? There are a million blogs out there without readers, so there's no real reason to start one if you aren't going to keep up with it.

[Former_Member]

I forgot to mention, for anyone interested in blogging- BlacksburgBelle is giving away 3 scholarships to her Blogging for Your Creative Business course: http://www.blacksburgbelle.com/

To the original poster- if your looking merely to increase your sales, views, exposure here are a few suggestions you might try.
-I highly recommend create/add more inventory to your shop (this puts more keywords, and content out there allowing people to find your biz) Many new shops start with 20-30 listings and may see sales trickle in, while some established shops do well around the 100 product mark.
-Great keywords & SEO.. you want to get found. I share a few posts on How to Get Found on Etsy (heres one: http://trashn2tees.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-get-found-etsy-sections-are-meta.html)
-Buy Ad spots on relevant blogs
- Heres a link to +50 Free Ways to Promote your shop : http://trashn2tees.blogspot.com/2011/10/60-free-links-to-promote-your-biz.html
- You can find a ton more biz goodness resources at www.handmadeology.com or try www.ohmyhandmade.com

[Former_Member]

TNTees- thanks so much! I will check all of these out - I definitely need to add more inventory to my shop, I am slowly making more. I think I made a bad call on opening my shop so early. I was so excited to find out about etsy that I basically started making things on the same day I opened a shop..part of my downfall for sure. Thank you for your advice :)

[Former_Member]

I have a blog, but I don't stay current.
Plus, I found that I was removing stories and comments often, because I felt I was being TOO personal.

I have a tough time finding my balance.

[RaesSpirit]

Thanks for the advice TNTees. I'm going to check it out.

[MagpieQuilts]

I have a blog and frankly, it's a lot of work and I'm not sure I'm getting any sales from it, but I do get views. If you don't think you have time, see if you can get featured on someone else's blog.

[Former_Member]

I blog because I like to write, and because it means a lot to me to be able to photo-document my works-in-progress (partially-finished cross stitch pieces). Plus, with as much time as I devote to some of my more intricate pieces, it's nice to be able to have a support group of people who cross stitch as much as I do to motivate me along the way! :)

Do I see more views from my blog? Yeah, there is definitely traffic coming into Etsy from it. But if you don't have a large following or a highly-ranked blog in Google, your readers are probably going to be a small crowd of people just like you - crafters looking for friends in cyberspace. You really need to branch out to your target customers if you expect to see sales from your blog.

[Former_Member]

I didn't think so but I started one about 3 weeks ago and it has brought in traffic to my shop. When I do a new entry I post it to both my fan page and personal FB page and some of my good friends repost on their pages or simply like the link and it appears on their feed. I've only done 4 postings and so far it has brought in about 12 clicks to my shop. That's not bad at all!

[Former_Member]

I don't find that my blog has brought about any sales, but I do have people looking at my Etsy shop from my blog as I have "items for sale" pages that link to my Etsy shop. I went through Google because it was free and there are lots of design options. Check it out if you would like to see - www.kimberleeannkreations.blogspot.com

[Former_Member]

Awesome, I really hope everyone can find something useful in the links I shared. Blogging like I mentioned is a way for you to establish your biz, create & explore a niche and share your genius. It's not going to directly send hoards of people into your shop on a shopping spree. (That would be splendiloquent if it happened too)

Think of it more like a first date... people who come to blog want to find out if they are interested & attracted to you- your brand- your mission- your product. People want to make a genuine connection with the makers and blogging (as well as other social media outlets) is just one way to achieve.

I think that crudeco touched on an important topic too- there is a difference between a Personal Blog & a Professional Blog.

[Former_Member]

I think it's worth it to blog and it really has brought in a lot of sales and traffic (it's my #1 traffic source!) It's really helpful in promoting, but only if you have some great content and photos and find the right readers for your blog. You'll want to make sure to promote it just as much as you promote your own shop! Your blog's also a good place to host a few giveaways with items from your own shop.

I hope that helps a bit! :)


modernbuttercup.blogspot.com

[Former_Member]

I used to blog and it brought me nothing. I am more focused on the FB page, getting likes and posting statuses. It just seems like there is so much to do! I still have to sew and design!! Sheesh, so much to do with social media. I can't wait to get a few helpers for this part of the business! Right now i am redoing my listings for the third time in two weeks!!!!

[HeidiandSeekBoutique]

I did this blog love ecourse (http://shopredvelvet.com/collections/e-course/products/blog-love-e-course) by A Beautiful Mess blog writer Elsie Larson (http://abeatufiulmess.typepad.com) and it was very helpful! I'm not quite to where I want to be with my blog yet either, but this course absolutely helped me to get an idea of how it all works!

[HeidiandSeekBoutique]

Oops I spelled it wrong. Her blog is http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com

[CarolaBartz]

Honestly, I wouldn't bother with a blog if you want to increase traffic to your Etsy shop. I have had a blog for two years now (before I started my Etsy business), a decent circle of readers and made some wonderful connections this way. However, for me blogging is for FUN and not necessarily for work. I think if I'd constantly promote my Etsy shop on my blog, no one would read it, because that is boring. I just blog about my life which includes the Etsy shop, but not in "in your face" way. I have a direct link to the shop from my blog, and some of my blogging friends have bought from my shop.

The moment a blog turns into "work" the fun factor might get lost. Therefore I keep my blog the way it has always been. Even if it is fun it is still a lot of work, but fun work. It is more personal than just writing it for increasing traffic to a store.

Blogging is time consuming - it is all about connecting with others, and that only works if you invest some time to visit other blogs, leave meaningful comments and BE YOU !

[TinTeddy]

I am quite enjoying my blog now, took me a while to get into it at first.

I give away free graphics, post ideas and tutorials and general musings.

I have had some nice feedback from it, which makes it worthwhile, and know of at least one sale as a result.