Notebook or journal? Help

[Former_Member]

Hi, fellow Etsians!!

I am a girl from Spain and even though I consider that my English level is pretty good (compared to Spanish people), sometimes I still doubt.

In this case, my doubt concerns the difference between journal and notebook. What is the difference? I think the journal relates more to write personal thoughts and notebook is more general, but I really am not sure at all. Also, the word "journal" sounds closer to "handmade" than "notebook" to me.

Could you please take a look at my shop and decide if what I do are journals, notebooks or something else?

I have been tagging my stuff as journals for months, but I have had no sales. I wonder if that is the reason.

[Former_Member]

Why not use both "notebook" and "journal" for the tags? It can't hurt.

Either way, your customer is buying a book of paper. What they chose to do with it (whether for personal or general use) is up to them and not necessarily for you to determine.

Be sure to note if the paper is lined or not.

[heartofautumn]

What Porsha said is right on. Maybe take a look at work similar to yours and see how theirs are tagged? I often have to hunt for tag labels that way since I feel clueless coming up with my own.

LOVE your shop btw!

[Former_Member]

In England we use 'Diary' for 'Journal'

I think of notebooks as a cheap writing pad to write my shopping list in. I carry them in my bag and they get bent and wrecked.

A Diary for me would be something more expensive/handmade/unique/looks special that I would keep at home and may contain personal things. Hope this helps.

[Former_Member]

Porsha, yours is a good idea :) I think I will start changing my titles :) Anyway, in my tags I always use both, notebook and journal :)
Your recomendation of lined paper is good, I 'll use it!!

Amy, I have already done that!! The problem is they are very wide range... also, the problem is they actually sell and I don't, and I don't understand because I check their tags and descriptions and they look similar to mine, I think!! Thanks for your time and appreciation! :)

Donna, it does help a lot, thank you!! That is what I thought, but I wanted to be sure :) I didn't know in England you say diary for journal... anyway, I already used this word as tag and it doesn't pop out often (apparently). Your words are very helpful. Thank you!!

[ForgedMettleJewelry]

I'm thinking that if you check other shops selling notebooks/journals they would be using both words in their titles and tags. I know in the case of me, I just use "notebook" even for my personal one with all my thoughts and things in it.

Maybe even try "book of shadows" if it fits. That's a Wicca term for pretty much the same thing...

[Spellbinderie]

anna, i checked out your shop. i do think your prices are a bit low (regards to your other post). it's funny but sometimes by raising prices a bit, you actually get more sales. i was scared to raise mine and finally i did and the sales keep coming. as for tag and titles, it's important to not have your titles exactly the same. use different words and in different orders. do some test searches using the tags and titles you think of, see whether your journals come up or not. variety is the key. i use journal, diary, guestbook (YOU should use this, your work would be nice for guestbooks) book of shadows, notebook, daily journal, sketchbook, artist journal. feel free to stop by my shop and message me privately, i'd be happy to discuss.

[Former_Member]

Thank you for your suggestions, Amy :) I knew about book of shadows, I just wasn't afraid my work wouldn't fit... but doing a bit of research, I see there's no reason not to use it, at least in some of my listings.

Karen, thank you pretty much for your kind words. Again, I use guestbook in tags, but I was afraid to use it in the title... however, I will do as you say: VARIETY IS THE KEY. I will certainly message you in the next days (now I'm very busy with some schoolwork due on Wednesday -.-) :)

Thank you, people! :)

[wildwomanbeads]

Your work is lovely, and I would buy them as journals, or gifts of journals to others, when I need something like that. But I agree that versatility is the key in tagging an item, and you want to draw as broad a selection of viewers as possible. Also, as you so aptly point out, in different countries we use different words for an item like this so using as many of those words in your tags and titles can only be helpful to you.

Truly lovely. Good luck!

[Former_Member]

Thank you for your kind words, Meredith! Good luck to you too! :)