Promoting?

[BlackCatStudio98]

I see this term a lot in reference to Etsy. What exactly is meant by this? I make my listings and try to come up with the best tags I can, I post to my Facebook page, and pin my listings on Pinterest. I've also had one giveaway and one sale. Are there other things that I'm missing that can be used to promote an Etsy shop?

[Former_Member]

To 'promote' ones business is basically to advertize your specific listings to whomever in order to gain an immediate sale.

You may be doing that by posting on pinterest, facebook, tweeting individual listings, etc

The alternative is to 'market' your business, which is to make your target customer aware of what it is you sell so that when they are ready to make their purchase they will remember that you carry what they are looking for.

Too often I see people dumping listing after listing on Pinterest, twitter and Facebook without ever making that 'connection' with the customer.

Walmart has done a very good job of marketing their brand in that most everyone knows that they are the place to go if you are looking for the lowest price but not necessarily the best quality.

[RandomWish]

You can promote both on and off Etsy through teams, treasuries, and other websites.

Here is a link for 116 places to promote your Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6452187

I think that it's important to pick a few that you can focus on rather than doing as many as you can, because you aren't as likely to put as much effort into it if you have too many to worry about. Like crochetgal said it's important to conect with people. Show them what makes your products special. I personally like deviantart.com as a promotional site because it lets me connect with other artists.

[MelsCreativeWishes]

Yes, that's not a great way to promote!
I promote on Facebook, my blog, twitter, in person and here on Etsy teams.
I also promote to my target audience ( mums with preschoolers) via kids and parenting sites too.

[Former_Member]

Is it recommended to promote your shop especially when you're new?
Ive just opened my shop a week ago, and I'm not sure whether putting in money for the etsy ad promotion is worth it or not?
Whats the most effective way to get more people to see my stuff and hopefully get an order or two soon?

[BlackCatStudio98]

Thanks for the replies! The non-spam ones that is.

I'm realizing I have a lot to learn. I had never even heard of SEO until I read it in this group today. :-P

[HopeAndGracePens]

How ironic that so many sellers are posting listings on this thread without reading the discussion! They're making some of the points made.

But seriously, I "promote" on FB, Pinterest and other places, but I'm guilty of "dumping" stuff on there as pointed out above. Any tips on HOW to make that connection with potential customers?

It's not like I can put something on Pinterest and then target it to specific groups or people (can I?).

[Former_Member]

I would also be interested to know how to use Pinterest in a more effective way?

[Orchiada]

Really?! Are people not getting the point that THIS IS NOT a PROMOTION THREAD.......

Anywhooo. I am still trying to really get the hang of promoting with direction, I guess I can call it that. I have an fb page, pinterest page/acct and I have just joined two other sites, indiepublic.com and picsity.com. Usually when I list a new item it automatically uploads to my fb and pinterest, so that is a way I have used to let others (those following me or or liking me) know what new and exciting items I have just listed.

I guess one of my issues, is that it does take a lot of time and effort to create, make and list and then to try to optimize my promoting to get traffic and ultimately to generate sales can be sometimes..... tiring, especially since right now I still not able to do etsy fultime (i/e., I have the dreaded "day job"). So any tips of getting the most out of my limited time to promote and promote effectively?

[LaBelleGifts]

Goodness, there are soo many fine promotion teams, please let's be mindful that this is not a promotional thread..

[Former_Member]

Lol...all the people promoting on here.

I promote my shop on my instagram account - I post photos of custom stamps, giveaways, projects I'm working on, etc. I also do this on my Letter Kay facebook page and have just started a tumblr account. Whenever I make something new I also pin it on pinterest. My local friends/customers often purchase when I do this.

[RosyPinkLingerie]

LOL that's hilarious!!!!

[BlackCatStudio98]

Oops, I should have named my thread something else!

[Former_Member]

Wow! Its amazing how many people don't even read the team rules

***Please do not share social medial links, Treasuries, new item listings, calls for entries or submissions in the Etsy Success Forum, unless you are sharing or asking for small business advice.""

[rhodyart]

I would simply report these posts. I'm doing that now

[Former_Member]

I have trouble reaching my target audience as well. I have a business facebook page, pinterest account, wanelo, and twitter. I do not like facebook and have pretty much abandoned the site because it is so oriented to personal postings. I do occasionally reach my personal facebook friends with a post regarding a new listing or something I am working on but do not do regular Babywear by Babs blasts on facebook.

I also have scaled back on PInterest because it is full of DIY people. I don't think I have gotten one customer from Pinterest and very few views. I don't want to put my designs out onto DIY sites that other people will be tempted to copy rather than buy.

I do like Wanelo for the very reason I do not like Pinterest. It is a shopping site. People post items they like and where to purchase. You can post everything from your Etsy shop to a "shop" on your Wanelo account and get followers. I know that I have gotten sales from Wanelo and it gets pretty hot during the winter/Christmas season. If anyone reading this wanted to check Wanelo out do it now so you are prepared for the Christmas shopping season. My account is: http://wanelo.com/babswool

I also just started using Twitter and have targeted my customer demographic but I think there is so much on twitter that people don't read most of the tweets they get - I know I don't. I have tried to vary my tweets and be selective on who I follow so I can get a following that really counts. I also have been learning how to use the # so that I can target people who follow a specific topic. For example, my Boston Red Sox booties I tweeted and included the #Boston and #red sox. I watch my views after tweeting and definitely see and increase in views - don't think any sales have come out of the tweets though.

Lastly, I have started asking all my customers - at the time they make their purchase - where they found me so I can track what social media is working for me. Everyone is happy to reply and almost everyone has done a search within Etsy and found me that way - so.... I hope all this effort into outside social media starts to pay off.

[Former_Member]

This thread has been very interesting, and I have found very funny how often people just feature their items without reading anything, I can picture them copying and pasting madly all over the place!!!
Laura (ô_=)

[Orchiada]

I agree Erin and Laura,

People aren't even reading the thread. It is very distasteful.

[rhodyart]

I've been reporting people who have been posting their items. It's harsh but I am tired of people abusing teams and threads in their insatiable need to promote their items. Yeah, I'd like to promote my stuff too but that's not what this team is for

[FfigysDesigns]

Good for you, Lin! I'm tired of people spamming these threads with their listings. There are plenty of other places to put their stuff!

[Reinventedmimi]

I use twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and stumble upon.

I would be happy to stop all that and buy an ad...just don't know where or what to buy!

Most of my views come from within etsy.

[rhodyart]

To those who persist in posting their items for sale
are you that desperate that you must break the team rules in posting your items? please be advised that whenever I see a item posted I'm reporting you as a spammer. you are not creating good will towards your shop you are only annoying people. I personally will never buy anything from you and I'm sure there are others.

[CactusCurio]

Hi Amy,

Try checking out this section of the Seller Handbook for some tips:
https://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2013/the-seller-handbook-archive/#promotionandpress

And to the team,

Please remember that sharing promotional threads is a violation of our team's Dos and Don'ts. If you post listing links within the Etsy Success team, we reserve the right to delete your post (as is the case here), and if you continue to violate our team's Dos and Don'ts, you will be removed from the team. Our hope is to maintain an environment for small business discussion and questions.

Read more of our team guidelines here: https://www.etsy.com/teams/5002/etsy-success/discuss/11263210/

Thanks!

[Former_Member]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/487179336/womens-bohemian-black-peacock-dress?ref=related-1