No Promoting Treasuries, Facebook Fan Pages, etc, pretty please!

[Former_Member]

Hi All,

Let's keep this forum free of self promotions like the following:

*Coupon Codes
*Links to new Treasuries
*Links to new items in your shop
*Links to your Facebook Fan Page
*Games that promote the next shop, etc.

I think we'll get the most out of the conversations here if they are focused on growing our small businesses by sharing tips, links to interesting business-related blog posts and resources. And by sharing our own experiences running small businesses on Etsy!

I hope you'll agree.

Best,
Danielle

[Former_Member]

How would you suggest promoting coupon codes to get the most out of them?

[Former_Member]

Put them in your profile and announceement - if you have Twitter and Facebook, that's another good place to do it. Just don't spam on either of those places either - you'll lose your followers.

[Former_Member]

Thank you... the forums were getting a bit clogged at times

[Former_Member]

Great.

Question: Is it ok to send direct messages to people who favorite your items and shops promoting with codes/special offers??

[Former_Member]

It's supposedly against Etsy rules to send convos to people who favorite you, unfortunately. Wouldn't it be great to be able to send them coupons? I know I'd like to get discounts from my favorite shops!

[Former_Member]

I think id better go and re read the rules.

Thanks. I, as most shoppers love a coupon. Just thought it would be a good way to promote. I'll have to think of something else.

[Former_Member]

Hmmm maybe there is a way to create an email list?

[Former_Member]

maybe an option on each page, customer can msg you if they are interested? and give permission?

[Former_Member]

bibsnbobs says


Question: Is it ok to send direct messages to people who favorite your items and shops promoting with codes/special offers??
---------------------------------------
no that is not ok... it would be considered spam

I post my coupon codes... on the rare occasion I have them.... on my facebook page for my fans as a thank you for their continued support

[Former_Member]

thanks for the info.

do you invite customers to your fb page after they have purchased? or do you post a link on your listings?

[Former_Member]

I've had people convo me directly after I have made them a favorite. I find it a bit pushy. I can see why some people are just "secret admirers" ... that being said, I miss the promotions forum (the old one). It was fun and it worked !!

[SummerWeeds]

Thanks Danielle!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for this! I popped by a few times only to see thread after thread of promotion.

Do you have a link to any promo-allowed teams for those who are interested in sharing links for T's, FB, etc. Since it's not allowed here?

[heartsabustin]

Popping this up to the top of the lists, as we seem to be having more o' the same. :P

[heartsabustin]

http://www.etsy.com/teams/7506/lunaessences-arts-and-crafts-world-expo

http://www.etsy.com/teams/7693/fun-and-friends-promotion-team

These are two teams I'm on that do allow Treasury promotion. Danielle's just trying to keep our Fora here more focused. :D

[Former_Member]

Join this team if you're looking to promote your shop:

http://www.etsy.com/teams/8190/promo-galore

[Former_Member]

Isn't all of those ways to create Etsy Success and the top priority of success is self promotion?

[Former_Member]

Just stumbled upon this thread and think it needs repeating! With this rule, I'd hope the many discussion threads that are doing this now would be deleted. There are quite a few.

There are lots of teams for self promotion, isn't this one more about learning from each other?

Conquest of Etsy's Front Page, Team Discovery, Pay it Forward Teams all allow promo of treasuries, new items listed, etc.

[Former_Member]

I invite buyers in the convos I send after purchase to "like" my facebook page for coupons, and previews of new items. I've gotten quite a few return buyers through facebook. :) It's a nice way to do it without spamming them. You just say something like Thank you for your purchase, when they can expect their items, and a please check out my facebook for specials, and new reveals.

[Former_Member]

Danielle wants this forum, for now, to be focusing on ways to improve our shops and whatnot - there are a bazillion promo teams on Etsy, and they usually don't have many requirements.

[Former_Member]

bibsnbobs says

thanks for the info.

do you invite customers to your fb page after they have purchased? or do you post a link on your listings?
----------------------
no inviting past buyer to fb would be spam too. I just have a link to my facebook page on my business card. My business card goes into every box I send out... people find me thru that... then my fans tend to pass me along all on their own without me asking... I heart my fans :)

[Former_Member]

JillyBugsBoutique says

Isn't all of those ways to create Etsy Success and the top priority of success is self promotion?
---

You ARE promoting your shop by joining in on conversation about how to make your shop more successful. I'm less likely to visit a treasury, fb page, blog, or shop of someone who just leaves a link than I am if I see them giving good advice, or posting a helpful link about something.

So, in a sense, we are promoting ourselves in this team by supporting each other, improving our own shops, and helping out other sellers. ;)

[Former_Member]

I noticed that a lot of folks have not seen this thread so I will give it a wee bump :)

[HopscotchCouture]

I am new to Etsy but I have a lot of experience in marketing, this is the best advice, at this time, that I can give.

Make treasuries of the items you really enjoy, and email the people you included and let them know. It actually makes connections and friends.

TRUE STORY:

A few days ago I was put in a treasury, I always say thank you and look at the shop that made it. I saw a vintage purse I wanted to buy for a cross promotion I am doing. I would decorate the purse, post my shop and hers then use the money to fund my hands on art exhibit for the blind. 3d portraits of celebrities.

Anywhooo, The woman, it turned out has cancer and is so happy to just be a part and help she is just giving me this purse. So many people are helping her she really wants to do this. What a love. We have so much in common that we now speak on the phone. She was a TV producer and is getting me a spot on that very show to promote my blind exhibit.

My cousin in the meantime, has been toying with the idea of caps and wraps for cancer patients. She loves to help people also. She is starting it now and sending the first one to this lovely woman. I have decided that purse, when it sells, the money is going to caps and wraps on behalf of my new friend.

The giving is just continuing. I don't know where this is going to lead but I got a write up in the newspaper and sold 5 purse in one day.

Pay it forward, you will never need or want.