Treasuries - Pros and Cons

[Cynhumphrey]

I have a question regarding treasuries and I'm hoping to get some feedback here. Please don't get me wrong, I love being featured in treasuries and consider it to be an honor to be chosen from the many talented shop owners offering items here on Etsy, I promote each treasury that has taken the time to include my items as well.

However, with that being said, I have yet to create my first treasury. The majority of my free time goes towards promoting in various ways, both my shop and the shops/items of others but not in a treasury form.

I guess I truly don't understand the importance of creating one. I know it creates more "visibility" to your shop if you are selected. For that, I am grateful! However, do you feel that shoppers actually do a search for treasuries rather than type in key words for items they are interested in buying. I know I do not because many times the names of the treasuries would not pick out what I was really looking for.

I am a firm believer in helping others promote their items though, especially if they have considered doing this for me! I feel guilty that I haven't returned the favor of creating treasuries but as stated, I'm not really sure it will be that helpful. I am not seeing a lot of page views generated from treasuries in my stats. Is anyone else?

I'd love your thoughts, comments, and any feedback on this topic.

[artangel]

Well, Treasuries can lead to increased visibility (if they get on the FP especially!) but it's by no means guaranteed.

I don't often make Treasuries but when I do it's just for fun - I don't really think of them as a promotional tool. Other than the ones I'm lucky enough to be featured in, I rarely browse Treasuries.

[Plektra]

I have created some Treasuries and I'm very happy and grateful to have been included in some. As you said, there are thousands of talented people here and the curators pick your work!

I also feel that Treasuries are a bit strange. You basically promote someone else's work in the entrie Etsy community, and FB, Twitter wherever that Treasury might end up and help buyers find sth to buy. You haven't met the artist and you haven't even seen the work in person, yet you promote them and you cannot include your own work.

What I find disappointing is a) Treasuries get buried immediately among dozens posted at the same time, b) Some people don't even thank you for the inclusion, which I think is rude, even when you send them a message to let them know, c) they don't always generate lots of traffic to your shop and d) to get featured in the front page, the Treasury has to have specific background, style etc.

I enjoy creating them but I do them when I am able to and have inspiration about sth as they are quite time consuming.

You don't have to create one. You can thank the people for including you, you can add their work in your favorites, you can add them to your circle....there are other ways you can show appreciation. You shouldn't feel guilty about not creating a Treasury.

[Cynhumphrey]

thank you Minerva and Angie for your insights on this... I do always thank the creator of the treasury for including me... I favorite the treasury, share it on my FB wall, and even pin many items included in the treasury.... I feel all of those ways could lead to just as many views, if not more.....

[BallardHandmade]

I enjoy creating treasuries to help promote other shops a d when I'm included in treasuries I do notice an increase in views!

[Cynhumphrey]

Thank you Emma. I think the reason why I don't really see an increase in views when being treasured could have something to do with the fact that I am a part of what is probably one of the most saturated markets on Etsy, jewelry. Nonetheless, I do get excited when someone has included one of my items. I don't think that will ever "grow old".

[BeautifulByCharlene]

Cindy,

I make and am featured in a lot of treasuries and I think they do help. In the past 30 days, I have gotten 2,209 views from treasuries. I do not think people shop by searching on treasury names. But the treasury key words are used in the Etsy finds emails that come out everyday and making (or being in) a treasury that has key words from Etsy finds can bring a lot of views.

But, I don't do Facebook or Twitter and don't want to. I like making treasuries so this is what works for me and fits with my personality.

[Former_Member]

i have made several treasuries, none have ever made the front page, but i never expected that to happen. they never really get many views though either :/

i have been featured in several. and i am truely honored each time :) i have even taken part in a few bns' but they dont really increase my views, and they certainly didnt get me any sales.

theyre just for fun, i think. i would honestly say there is no point to them. not good, not bad.

[Former_Member]

I agree with a lot that has been said here. I am grateful to be in treasuries, and many times I'm surprised I am included in a treasury because there are tons of badges/magnet stores on Etsy.

However, I'm not sure the exposure is necessarily great with treasuries. I've had almost 7000 views this year, and only 113 of them came from treasuries. Most of my views came from search engine, teams, and direct traffic.

With that being said, I like to make treasuries mostly to create something different from my own shop. I have fun getting inspiration and trying to create a visually pleasing treasury - if it doesn't get a lot of views / favorites - with a specific theme, colors, etc. It's creative, and fun, but traffic to your site really depends on how many visits the treasury gets and if its curated well. :)

[Cynhumphrey]

Thank you Charlene, Ashley and Katy. I think the general consensus would be if you enjoy creating the treasuries, then by all means do them. If creating them is something that is truly a passion for you, then they will be curated well. I will continually be grateful for any inclusion!

For me, I think I will focus on promoting in other ways since there are many many options. Although there are those many options I guess there is no reason to feel obligated to utilize them ALL. :-) I'm also relatively new to Etsy. Who knows, maybe in time I will feel more comfortable in offering a few of my own. :-)

Thank you everyone for your feedback, it was helpful.