What is the benefit for being in someone's circle?

[Former_Member]

So - what's the benefit? I know the people who I have added to my own circle show up in my feed when they like a shop or an item (and there are two people I can think of who absolutely show up constantly) but what else is the benefit? Seeing items that I may also like because I trust their taste?

What is the benefit for me being in someone's circle?

If there is a benefit - how do I branch out more to get more circles?

Now my head is spinning!!! :D

[LaurasLastDitch]

Personally, I see the benefit as being that you get a bunch of notices you don't want! I prefer simply to favorite shops I'm interested in, but perhaps others see it differently. My guess is that it's something that might be more useful for those who are primarily buyers and know of others with similar taste.

[SleepingKnight]

When you create a treasury it is posted to everyone in your circle. When someone favorites your shop or item or treasury it is posted to everyone in their circle. This can create a surprising amount of traffic for you. The more circles that you are in the more potential vies you have. When someone favorites something of yours it can go viral.

[artbylisi]

I love circles! I just wish there wasn't a limit on how many we add, :(

[Former_Member]

yes, I think the benefit is increasing the number of people who might see your shop and your activity and you never know when one of them might want to buy something.

I think that getting into circles is fairly easy, but in the beginning I felt a little awkward about it. At first I wondered if it was a "friend-thing" with only people you've been chatting with, or an invitation only kind of thing. Basically, I started by waiting for someone to favorite my shop and then I'd add them to my circle. I also started by only adding people who already had a TON of people in their circle because I figured they must like circles!! Many people will automatically put you in their circle after you add them, but some don't. And sometimes people will just randomly add you to theirs. If it's a product I kind of like, I'll go ahead and add them to my circle. If it's really not something I could ever see myself using or buying or admiring, I probably don't add them to mine.

In the activity feed, I do try to take a peek at a few things that others in my circle are adding as favorites. I try to visit a few of those shops each day. But sometimes when the feed is going crazy - I just click the check box at the top to see ONLY what's going on in my shop.

[Former_Member]

I was slow to adopt circles, but I love them now. I get to see all kinds of things I probably never would have found on my own.

[KthysKreations]

Clean - know what you mean. My favorites list is getting pretty long from the shops I've visited in my circles. I'm thinking of giving my husband and daughter a nice long Christmas Wish List from my favs. :)

[BrittanyWright]

I've been wondering...if I join someone's circle, are they automatically part of MY circle or do they have to join my circle on their own?

[Former_Member]

Brittany - it's two different steps. You can add someone to your circle and you will see their activity in your activity feed. But that doesn't automatically add you to their circle. If they choose not to add you, they won't see your activity unless they add you.

Many people seem to automatically reciprocate, but definitely not all. I have some going both ways, some where they added me but I chose not to add them to mine, and some that I added to mine but they didn't add me.

[TouchOfSilver]

I agree that by being in circles you see many more items than you would ever stumble on without them. In addition, if you create treasuries, many people in your circle will see it that might not have seen it in the past. Of course, you reach those people who happen to be on their feed when you post it. As with email, posts slip out of sight pretty quickly, so if someone has alot of circles, more people will be posting at a given time and anything you post, will move quickly. Still, you're reaching alot of people you might not have reached before, and every little bit helps exposure:)

[Former_Member]

Thanks, Watercolors ... I wondered about that reciprocation angle.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/74534019/digital-download-quote-by-henry-ford

[Former_Member]

How do you get into circles? I'm fairly new and I don't quite grasp the concept!

[Former_Member]

I have a lot of people 'Favoriting' or 'becoming admirers' of specific pieces in my shop but does that mean when I add something new they get an update?

[Former_Member]

I like being in a lot of circles. I get to see other people's treasuries and favorites as well as the treasuries they favorite (tip if you are featured in a treasury, you might increase your own exposure by making it a favorite!).

If you think having too many people clutters your activity feed, well you can just UNCLICK the "your circle" box and ONLY see what's been going on with you and your shop. I do it all the time when I log in and only have time to deal with what's going on in my shop.

[Former_Member]

I think the advantage of being in someones circle is seeing the items that they like. If you see someone that constantly views the circle it may be good to view their shop. Knowing what they like - you may place more product in your shop that is similar. There are so many beautiful products on etsy. Talent is incredible!!! Being in circles helps you to stumble across shops that you may have never found.

I personally like viewing peoples circle and fav their shops because I'm looking for specific products for my home. Or to buy presents for Christmast etc... May not necessarily be able to afford the item at that time. But if I fav their shop it make things easy to find them when I am ready to purchase.

[LazyTcrochet]

If someone adds me to their circle, I click to see what types of things they like. If their favorites are "private" I don't see any advantage to having them in my circle. You don't see anything anyway, right? That always confused me.

[Lovelytocu]

I think everyone is missing the point just a little bit. Circles is just another marketing tool to increase visibility of you, your shop and/or your products. Except that other people are also helping you to do this. Sort of like 'word of mouth'.

WatercoloursBAmyC has described it best... you never know when someone might want to buy something.

Visibility is key. Especially if you have a lot of competition in your product area. The question you should ask yourself isn't whether or not you want to see other people's favourites but whether or not you want people to see your products.

If you want to be seen by other Etsy members then participate in Circles and obviously if you don't want to be seen then don't.

If you want to be in more circles you have to increase your own activity through favourites, treasuries and increasing your own circle.

[Former_Member]

I love circles, I rely on everyone else's favorites, figuring if we are in circles together, we must have something in common! My business has picked up considerably, too.

[Former_Member]

I look at my circle as including 'like' people and stores that I believe have the same taste and interests as I do. When their favorites show up I tend to find myself favoriting the same items as well.

[Former_Member]

I'm a fan of circles. Although I don't have tons of people (I think around 50 or so), I do find it really nice to see what people are liking, seeing fun treasuries they create, and also knowing that they see mine, too! Just keep in mind that if you are finding it overwhelming to see everyone else's activity, there are little check marks at the top of your activity screen, and you can uncheck "your circle." Then, you can just look at things that have happened directly related to you and your shop. You do have to update each time you go there, but it helps filter a bit:)

[LazyTcrochet]

Being in someone's circle doesn't necessarily make you visible. They don't see your items, only those you mark as a favorite. My sister bought something that she saw me mark as a favorite LOL.
I understand the need for visibility, but I don't often look at people in my circle (or items from their shop), only what they mark as favorites and their treasuries.
Having people mark your items as a favorite will show up in their circles, and that's a good thing.