So Much Time On The Computer

[Former_Member]

I guess maybe I am going through a bit of a slump, after only a little over a month. Just wondering if anyone else feels like the amount of time they have to spend in front of the computer promoting themselves is ridiculous? And if you take 2 or 3 days off your shop seems to slip into oblivion! Not quite what I expected when I signed on. I find the more time in front of the computer totally zaps my creativity!

[elainesgems]

It does seem to take a lot of time on the computer. Posting photos to Wanelo, Tumblr, Pinterest, etc. I just hope that the Christmas sales are good. I feel like the computer is an extension of my body!

[Former_Member]

Promoting is SO important, because NO ONE will help promote your shop but you. Etsy does nothing to help you get noticed, so its all you. It's true, and I agree, too much time in front of the computer zaps creativity, but you NEED to promote or else your views fall.

Use Tweepi and Hootsuite to schedule content ahead of time, that way you can walk away from the computer for a day and still have your stuff on Tumblr, FB and Twitter.

[Former_Member]

The time spent on the computer is insane. However, it's what it takes, because if I walk away from it for 30 seconds, my views drop to zero.

I picked up running in high school. Whenever I feel like I've spent way to much time in the virtual world, I pick up my MP3 player and head for the street. It helps to move around in short, strenuous little bursts ;)

[CardsandGiftsbyDella]

I'm finding the computer time is a lot as well but I agree necessary to be noticed. I'm off to check out tweepie and hootsuite - thanks for those.

[Former_Member]

I'd recommend being wary of autobots to schedule tweets/facebook posts. I really hate it when I respond to a tweet only to realise there is nobody at home.

[Former_Member]

Heather - I am not encouraging people to ONLY schedule posts and leave it alone. I do check in once or twice a day to see if anyone has re-tweeted me or responded to my tweets. I try to be courteous and thank people for their input or RT's. I'm just saying - this is a great and easy way to ensure that the computer does not become a leash for you. It is OK to walk away for a while.

[Former_Member]

oh absolutely Maggie - but I'm sure you've noticed that some people find out about autobots and are never seen in realtime ever again. I've even seen people "recommending" scheduling personal-style tweets.

[Former_Member]

Yes, I do not like the seemingly growing number of accounts that are posing as real people but are only bots. I have had to go through my following list a few times, and remove some of those who I was fooled by!

[Former_Member]

I find all of this social promoting so overwhelming. It takes so much time just to keep up with listing, photo editing, etc that I haven't even started really figuring all this out. I want to be as successful as possible here but am weary giving up everything else to stare at a computer screen all day and night. Especially while trying to learn all of it.

Does anyone have advice for a quick run down of what does what?