Post your questions for the experts!

[#1]

Hi everyone!

We are going to host some Online Labs for the holidays, and we'd love to get your questions! The guests will be:

Top sellers: PalomasNest and BlackbirdTees. Ask them anything about selling during the holidays (or more generally, successful selling).
http://www.etsy.com/shop/palomasnest
http://www.etsy.com/shop/blackbirdtees

AND

Emily Bidwell, who is an Etsy merchandiser - she curates emails and on-site merchandised areas. Ask her about popular items during the holidays and her tips for getting your items featured!

You can see the schedule of the upcoming Labs here:

http://www.etsy.com/community/online-labs

Thanks in advance, everyone!

[Former_Member]

yes I would also like a critique..........thank you! Sabine

[Former_Member]

Hi Michelle my question is for Emily. What more can I do to improve my pictures to make them Finds and Etsy Newsletter ready? Try as I might my pictures just never seem to make it there.... I am either still doing something wrong or my style is just not a good match for Finds and the other newsletters.

I kind of feel like I am banging my head on the wall shooting and reshooting pictures LOL :) Thanks

[seafairiesjewelbox]

I would love to see a new Merchandising Report also!

[Former_Member]

Is there a way you can put a discount sale on items in your shop and that shows the discount saving? The only way I can think of right now is two put in shop announcement a promotion code for them to enter at checkout.

Also, my shop opened Jan 2011 and I am a UK seller. Since the beginning of 2012 I have made a real concerted effort to try and build sales in my shop. I have only had 18 sales to date. (6 of which have been directed from myself on Facebook). I have 81 items listed so feel the size of my shop is well enough established but clearly I am doing something wrong to not be progressing. A shop critique would be really appreciated.

Many thanks : )

[Former_Member]

Any advice for Cyber Monday would be awesome, especially for people who do a lot of custom orders!! Thanks!

[Former_Member]

ok 1. I would love a shop reivew

2. my main question would be what if any social networks are these top sellers using (FB, pinterest, Wanelo TwitteR) and which do they feel is most beneficial to their business??

[Former_Member]

Is the best and most effective way to get views and ultimitly sales by uploading something new to your site every few days? Are there other more effective ways to increase your appearence? I've tried paying for advertising through etsy with no results. Love some advise. I plan to amp up my Fall invintory and want to know some good pointers for the Christmas sales season. Thanks KC!

[Former_Member]

Everything you read on marketing is about social media. Many suggest adding an item to your Etsy store than, bookmark it to Facebook, Stumbleon, Pinterest, and Digg among others. Isn' t this spamming?

[BohemianTribe]

Hi there!
I have so many questions!! I just recently sold my very first item on Etsy, and it was so exciting! It gives me a glimpse into the dream-becoming-reality where I could one day quit the day job, and truly live my dream of sharing what I love!! -That is, making beautiful, funky, artistic jewelry, that makes other people feel beautiful and unique when they wear it! Now I'm seeing more views than ever in my shop, but no catches. I do monthly street fairs and have a following there... So, how do I find and reach my audience and bring them to my shop? Also, say I wanted to run a special promotion/coupon, how do I go about doing that? One more thing, how do I get a shop critique? Still new at this, since I am no computer wizard. Any advice would greatly appreciated!! Thank you, thank you!! -Bohemian Tribe

[MissBlackEyes]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience. Because experience is the most valuable thing!
I would be very grateful to receive critique of my shop, if possible.
And also how do I find the best way to invite my customers to read the policies of my shop?
Thank you!

[GabriellasTreasures]

I have RSVP'd to attend all labs, luckily Thurs is my day off!!

Everyone here has asked my questions, but a Critique would be welcome!

Thank you for this opportunity - looking forward to the labs!

[Former_Member]

What is the best place to market my shop? And what kinds of things have you found to be successful in getting business and traffic to your shop? Giveaways? Sales? Contests?

[Former_Member]

Is there a magic percentage for increasing stock in preparation for the holidays? For example, if I make 100 sales a month (in my dreams), should I plan to increase my stock, say, 25%?

[Former_Member]

I want to know how to get more people to look at my shop, even if I only have a few items to start!

[EllisonsOrganics]

I, too, would greatly appreciate a shop critique if someone is available!

My question: How can I convert some of these views/favorites into sales? I've had a few sales, but they are a small percentage of the views. Of course, I'd also like to increase the views! Basically, whatever your secrets are to increasing sales, please spill!

Additionally, I dream of being featured on the front page or in email(s). How can I make myself a good candidate for these venues?

Thank you!

[Former_Member]

Top Sellers: what do you do if you make an item that turns out slightly less than perfect? Do you list anyway? Do you create an as-is section or keep for yourself?

[iGifties]

Top sellers: How can I promote my shop other than using "Search Ads" ?

And how can I get my items feature on the handpicked pages?

What tags or what do I need to do to get my items show up when potential customers search for the items?

Thank you so much. :)

[Former_Member]

I need help. I get views and some likes but few sales. What am I doing wrong? I also had a questions about getting featured, other than photos what are you looking for in featured items?

[Former_Member]

I would love advice on how to drive traffic to my site. I have a blog and advertise in the side bar, I also tweet and pin every new item....just isn't working. Do I need to do Facebook? Help....I really want to be a success.

[Former_Member]

Hello, my questions would be:

1. Is there a best range of time or day to place an item for sale?

2. I have had my store for 10 but havent sold anything, how can i get my store going, i have been posting things on FB, Twitter, Flickr, blog, but still havent sold anything, is this normal or am i doing something wrong?

3. what good advice you have for the people just starting?

Thank you so much! :D

[eeBeeVintage]

Sellers of artwork: do you put a signature on the image or a watermark? Why or why not?

[Former_Member]

1. Who is the best person to ask to critique your shop? Other sellers, a team, ??

2. What are the top three tips you would give to someone new to selling their items?

3. How long did you have your shop before you got your first sale and how long before they where more then one or two a month?

[Former_Member]

I would love a critique too... have been trying to sell for a long time and very few sales! Thank you!

[PamGeorgeArt]

Top Sellers:
I would love a shop critique. I have had slow sales but just started in June. I have been trying to improve my photos, seo etc. Help. Any advice. I have over 130 items and work constantly on my shop. I really want to see my shop make a go of it. This Christmas will make me or break me. Appreciate any help I can get. Should I make a different Holiday Banner for my shop?
THanks, Pam

[Former_Member]

Hi... I feel like I'm buried in the masses here, but I thought I'd give this a try anyway.

My biggest question right now is: what am I missing?
I've been watching the Oline Labs and reading the Seller's Handbook and implementing changes really quickly. I now have 165 items, and I like the overall look. There are still some improvements I want to make with my photos, but that'll take some time. My "sales" so far have all been trades... so, what am I NOT doing right?

Thanks!
Athena