New pay it forward!

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone!

I posted this in a earlier thread, but I think it'll get more traction this way :).
On New Years, I started a pay it forward thread giving anyone advice that posted- I want to try this again, but with a twist.

I've been having troubles staying motivated because its been more than a month since I've sold something from my shop. So I'm looking for some advice! I've tried social media, adjusting my banner, and keeping an eye on etsy constantly throughout the day.

For everyone that gives me a piece of advice, I will return the favor :)- the only thing is you can't repeat what someone else said!

I hope everyone enjoys this as much as I do :)- helping people in this team really keeps me from getting discouraged and this is my way of showing you all thanks :)

Kelly

[SeagullSmithJewelry]

Hi As a child of the 50's I used to watch Popeye all the time. I think the problem is that you can't really see the cartoons.I also would want to buy the item already framed so I wouldn't have to worry about finding the right frame to fit the mat. Try to do a close up as your first picture and then explain there are 4 pictures in the set.
Also, your framed book art is photographed with a lot of shadows. Try to get clear crisp images without shadows. I know this is difficult because of the short daylight hours, but using flashes and artificial light soed cast shadows. I know I have reflections of my chandelier in my black pearls and need to do those pictures over, because it looks like the pearls have holes in them! Good luck, anad lwt me know what you think I can do to improve my shop. Thnaks

Good luck.

[Former_Member]

Ellen,
I think your photos are great! The one suggestion I would give you would be to adjust the photos that are complete white backgrounds. The ones you have with the subtle background such as this one are gorgeous :)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/112036686/earrings-brown-and-emerald-green-round
I feel it gives your jewelry more depth!
Best,
Kelly

[SeagullSmithJewelry]

Hi Kelly I plan do to all of my pics over on the weekend to give a more cohesive look to my shop. Any suggestions as to why my items aren't selling? Are my prices OK? Do you think people care if the items are silver plated or sterling silver, on posts or leverback or fishook earwires?

Sorry for so many typos I am in a hurry to get somewhere But wanted to respond. Ellen

[Former_Member]

Kelly,
I've always heard that the more you have, the more you sell. And also that a watched pot doesn't boil. Sooo instead of spending more time eyeing Etsy, it might be a good idea to make LOTS more items to sell. (I'm trying to hit 100 this week.) Don't worry about a slow month. January is tough for everyone. Nows a good time to stock up and learn some new lighting tricks for shooting your products.
Best of luck!
Christine

[Former_Member]

hi
your banner is nice but maybe you could add something like your owl to it. it stands a little lonely in this field of white.
also put something relevant in the line below your shop title. add keywords for search engines there, that way you get found way more easy...
all the best
barbara

[Former_Member]

Christine and Marc,
Your little fish pieces are AMAZING! Definitely just faved some haha. I think if you took a picture of you creating the piece and put it in your listings, I think you'd get some traction! I'm not saying this to be mean (it's a compliment in my eyes) but your stuff looks so flawless, it looks like it was in a way manufactured. I mean pier 1 manufactured haha. Showing your process would show your shoppers your method and justifying the amount they're spending on it.

Hope this helps! Seriously I'm in love with your pieces :)
Kelly

[Former_Member]

Barbara,
I think if you add your pictures of someone wearing your items, it will get more traction. I feel if you paint the picture for the buyer instead of having them imagine it, it'll benefit you in the long run. I definitely understand it'll take a long time to do that, but I just feel it would be a nice touch to what you already have going in your shop :)
Best,
Kelly

[Former_Member]

hi kelly.
thanks for that input. i have been thinking about that too. i also thought of combining them with outfits to wear. the only question is, where to get the model??? and i´d also probably need a better camera because now i take the pics with the camera of my mobile phone. for the pics of only the bracelets/onaments i think it does ok but for the items on a model?? i doubt that. i will in any case give it a thought and see if i can set something up. i think the next thing i will try is pinterest and see what i can get out of that..
regards
barbara

[Former_Member]

I would ask a friend, and if you want to be extra nice, let them pick an item from your collection as payment :).

[Former_Member]

Kelly,
Thanks for your sweet critique on our fish. We never would have thought them to be considered too flawless since everyone is a one of a kind work by hand. Nevertheless, that's great feedback. We will definitely add more info/photos to show how much work goes into them. Thanks for favoriting our ifsh. If you've got a minute, here's a cool video we made to show how they're made: https://vimeo.com/37871240
Good luck with all your sales.
Christine

[Former_Member]

Oh my gosh ! Just add that video to your listings!! It's perfect! :)

[cushncovers]

Hi.....I would work on your profile page. I don't know anything about you....tell your story. I like to find out about a seller before I buy from them. It builds trust. You don't have to go into great personal detail, but some things that might be relevant to what inspired you and why you have your shop.

[Former_Member]

Cathy, I would suggest working on photos. The ones I like best are the bright close up corner ones like this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/104850681/teal-bench-seat-cushioncustom-made-to

Thr ones that are further away and kind of dark are not as attractive, but still good to have but not as the first in a listing. http://www.etsy.com/listing/107593571/bench-seat-cushiondragon-printasian

[Former_Member]

I'm going to bump this up, I think is thread is a great idea!

[Former_Member]

I took a peek at your shop. As I do know you are a newer shop owner with a few pieces in your arsenal I must say that I am kind of confused with your shop sections. Like what does Gussy Up Mean? Maybe putting that in your shop announcement may be good. Also the custom is a little strange. Like custom work? or is that where you store custom projects for customers.

I do like the pennant photos with the stuff in the background, have you thought of putting it on the wall to display? I seen many shops that are on the FP that sell banners or whatever displayed, maybe try that?

[Former_Member]

Amanda, I'm not sure which post you were looking at, but I believe you were supposed to do my shop :) Here, I'll do you and then the next person can have a look at my shop. First of all I think your photos are nice and bright, your shop is colorful and easy to look at. Your titles and tags look good to me. I noticed in your panda glove listing that you linked to your hats section. That's great, but you might also want to link to your glove section saying here are some other gloves I have in stock or something like that. The more things you can get lookers to look at, the more likely a sale!

[SeagullSmithJewelry]

Hi Honey, I am very impressed with the quilling process. I never saw jewelry like it. Your pictures are bright, your titles and descriptions tell me what I want to know except I have no idea what niobium is. I like the earring findings but need some more info. Do they have nickel in them? Are they hypo- allergenic? You are obviously doing something right with all of your sales. I especially like this photo.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/115180508/rainbow-cluster-earrings-modern-paper

Any tips for me? Do you feel my prices are appropriate ? I am working on my pics to make them all on similar backgounds and including pics of my organza pouches containing the items. What dpo you think??

[moonbeamgifts]

Your shop is very cute. I'm a little puzzled about the different geometric book listings - there are two that appear to be the same picture but one is framed and
the second is not but the prices are the same as are the titles. Also, I would say to use the titles to your advantage - in those two listings you've only got three words, maybe expand on the differences, list sizes so buyers can keep them straight, add a color description? Good luck. :)

[xoxocrocheted]

I haven't had a chance to read through all the other advice tips, so I hope no one else did mine!

More listings are always good (I know, I'm working on it :D). Also a variety of items attracts more varied customers.

[Former_Member]

Sorry Honey obviously I didnt read the rules. Sorry about that.

Thanks for the feedback :)

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

Amanda, you read the rules. :) The OP asked for advice on her shop and said she'll return the favor to anyone who gives her advice.

Kelly, I'm not a fan of the stark white backgrounds on your pennant listings. I know a lot of sellers favor the Fotofuze look but I'm not one of them. I think the pennants would look nice on a shelf with one or two props or with the same soft white background used on your geometric art listings. If you look at the front page lately, they don't have a stark white background. It's usually a soft, almost gray white.

I didn't read every post to see if you already got the same advice. Sorry if it's already been said. :)

[cushncovers]

Thank you for the advice you gave me Honey from HoneysHive. I live in Minnesota so the sun isn't always shining. I do agree with you....I love the brighter photos.

I don't have much control of this though....maybe I should buy some kind of a lamp to take pics indoors....I take all my photos of my cushions after they are made and then the same day...or the next....I have to ship them out. None of the cushions in my shop are my own, but were ones I made for customers. All my orders are made to order....so I have a dilema....what to do?

If a cloudy day....or it is Winter and I can't step outside with a cushion....I have to use whatever light I can find. BUMMER! BUT...maybe I could change the first photo to be the brightest one. Good idea...now that I can do! Or...maybe a program to help me brighten them up?

[Former_Member]

Oh my goodness I forgot about this thread! Haha time flies when you're working on etsy!!
Cathy- I think you should add a few of your more inexpensive items to page one- if I was looking at your shop, I would have sticker shock (not saying everyone would!) but if you show people that go into your shop that you do have everyday affordable prices, maybe you would get more traffic :)
Hope this helps!

[Former_Member]

Honey I would update your policies. I noticed that they haven't been "tweaked" since September. Not that there's nothing wrong about your content, just updating it every once in a while helps and shows the buyer you are keeping up to date!
Best,
Kelly