Keyword Advice

[CoreyartusImagery]

Hey, gang--I'm trying to list my items with the proper key words, and finding that others often describe my work differently than I do... I'm concerned I'm trying to "pigeonhole" what I think my pieces are like by trying to apply key words that are too descriptive and particular. But when I try to think in broader strokes, I find I'm at a loss...

Now that Etsy has shifted it's primary search engine to be about relevancy, the keywords that we use are even more important. In part, I feel like it boils down to knowing your customer and what they would be looking for, but (being an artist) I find it's hard to apply specific descriptive terms useable in search functions as everyone will have their own "take" on what the pieces mean to them...

Has anyone found a method for figuring out keywords that may be more applicable to your items for a larger range of people rather than the ones that you personally think are descriptive and categorizing for your work?

Here's an example: I've used these keywords for the listing below: "Renaissance, Ruff ,Handmade, Chocolate, Brown, Teal, Clown, Carnivale, masquerade, renaissance, elizabethan, neck ware, costume, and cosplay".

But am I missing something incredibly obvious that I SHOULD be using because I can't think outside my own box? Or are the keywords I'm using accurate enough to describe what it really is for someone who might be browsing through a search?

Or is my item listing title actually what I should be concentrating on? I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83652277/silk-ruff-of-teal-and-chocolate-with

[Former_Member]

I think sometimes we have to use descriptive words that people that people will search don't know what the real words are.
For me that means I have to call a fascinator a hair clip to make it simple so people can find me. I'm thinking the average buyer doesn't know the word fascinator.
I've never heard of a ruff- so if I was searching for this item of yours I would search ruffle collar. or elizabethan collar. But I would definitely use the word collar in your title and tags.

[CoreyartusImagery]

Nichoir, that is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Thank-you!! And it seems so obvious--of course I should use that! But I think this happens a lot--we know more about the project we're working on (like you and your fascinators) than the average person, so we're missing half of the people that actually might be interested in what we're making. They just don't happen to know the terms we do.

Thank-you thank-you thank-you! Brilliant advice!