As a creative business person there are areas where we rock our business, and other areas where we struggle. In one sentence or so, describe the area in you business where you would love to improve your game. I look forward to seeing what you all have to say. Thanks in advance!
I have trouble talking about my business in person to friends or family or people at my day job. I guess I don't want to feel like I'm spamming them all the time. But I need to figure out a way to get the word out, because that can be your biggest marketing tool.
I have the opposite problem from Leanne. I can promote in person without feeling like I'm spamming, but I have trouble doing the same thing on social media sites. In person, I can make it part of a conversation, but online.... I need to work on that. I know not every marketing tool will work for everyone, but I think I could make FB/Twitter/Pinterest/etc work for me once I get comfortable with it.
I haven't been able to decide on shipping materials. I want it to look professional and still keep some of that personal "hand made" aspect that brings people to shop on Etsy. I've been using thick colorful cardstock and stamps but I feel like I need to step it up a notch.
Regarding the social media , I try to have fun with it. Instead of seeing it as just an avenue to promote my items (which I definitely still do) I also see it as way for my customers to know me a little better, learn about what inspires me and anything else that could be related. I've posted pics of me selling at events and even of earrings I made myself as a birthday gift. I have also offered discounts exclusively through my Facebook page as an added incentive.
@ Rene: Maybe that's how I need to see FB & Twitter, just as a way to tell people about my process and inspirations, almost like an ongoing About page (which was surprisingly easy for me to write). I can do that. Thank you! :)
Btw, I'm going through a shipping material overhaul too. I've found lots of great ideas at www.Nashvillewraps.com that I can actually afford. Hope this helps.
I think pricing and photos have been my biggest issues; getting a great photo that is clear, bright, and not distracting from the item always leaves me frustrated; on top of that, I had trouble making myself charge what my ornaments really cost. They can get time consuming when I make sure they are well-made and well-finished, but when I see what I spend on materials, I get a sense of guilt when I compare that price to my listing price.
Organization! My studio is eternally a mess because I have no room to put things and I have such limited work spaces. Plus, I don't seem to ever have time to just stop and organize.
My studio is in my home, so trying to balance my work and family/housework is a constant struggle. I need to keep reminding myself that my husband and kids can fend for themselves once in awhile and the dishes will still be there after I respond to convos and finish up orders!
I can't stop crocheting! I'm not good at working at home because I can't stop working until everything is finished. My husband sometimes had to stop me from crocheting all day, so I don't hurt my hands.
My biggest problem isn't much of a problem - it's just that I'm new. Lots of trial and error (like, look up international shipping rates BEFORE you offer free shipping as a promotion - lesson learned!), so many what-if's and should-I's, and the emotional roller coaster of it all.
My biggest problem is product photography. I have a DSLR, and I've read all the articles I can find on Etsy about how to have great pictures, but for some reason, the colors still don't come out true to life, and the pictures are dark and shadowy. *sigh*
I love the comment made by Sarah. I did the exact same thing yesterday and promoted a free shipping offer without realising how much it would cost for me to send it out of my own pocket. Luckily I realised a day after so I could stop it but I felt guilty as I want to give my customers a treat. I did consider the discount option but I realised just 10% discount would leave me with either nothing or a tiny-weenie bit of income. I am not very good with maths so I asked a family member so according to his mathematics it wouldn't work out.
I think etsy should bring out coupons that says 1 pound off/ 3 pound off etc (my pound sign button won't work again!) grr!
My other issue is photography. I am an amateur photographer yet when taking photo's of items it's a nightmare, I find it easier to take photo's of musicians running around a stage surprisingly! Although now I think I have found a suitable place for taking photo's of small things, on the blue outdoor windowsill, I think it compliments the item especially with the flowers in the background.
Last issue is packaging. I am currently trying the figger out the best way to make it smart and fancy, but with items of all odd shapes it's hard to do.
My biggest issue is organization, my workspace, my orders, my supply purchases, tax info, and profit / budget info. All of it, makes for a big mess that I prefer not to deal with, isn't that what being creative is about, LOL!
Marketing <sigh>. I really hate the thought of selling myself. I don't want to be pushy, so am trying to brainstorm ways of marketing locally that are not to painful. (YET:)
I don't mind getting organized or doing papar work or any of that other stuff. It's just that I can't be good at that and be good at the creative side.
Once in a job interview I was asked "what is your weakest area" (those are tricky questions) so I answered carefully but truthfully. "I can have really pretty ducks" OR "I can have all my ducks in a row" BUT "I can't have really pretty ducks all in a row"
That interview was a long time ago BUT it's still true!!
Social Media Promoting. At my day job the subject is old news, and my side business comes up in conversation several times a week. I can talk a blue streak on new products I'm working on etc., but to actually post on FB, Blog, (twitter I'm getting better at) it's a real beating.
Social media is something I need to work on to draw people outside of Etsy in. I'm trying to find the best ways to create attention and ramp up my sales. I have another shop and I'm not sure how to effectively promote it too.
I just need to start with FB and learn all I can about it and then move on to Twitter, etc. etc.
I tend to work best under pressure, so I put things off until the last minute. This is how I got through college and grad school (and was miserable the entire time!) and can't seem to shake it! I'm always planning to work a bit on my products every night (or on weekends), but I tend to wait until I have an order or a show coming up, and then I'm stress and rushed. Ack! I'm not like this at my real job - I wish I could apply that balance to other parts of my life!
Keeping up with monthly expenses and organization. I do a pretty good job but I always procrastinate and wait until the last minute to get everything together, especially at tax time.
Jennifer - I have a DSLR also, and the best thing you can do is make sure you set the white balance. Check your manual or look up your manual online & follow the directions; mine takes about 5 seconds to set! I'm in the process of trying to make a light box myself, so I'll post it it turns out!!!
As for my biggest weakness; that would be posting my stuff! I get my goodies all put together and I'll even get a bunch of my listings all written out (right now I have about 100 ready & written) but when I go to post them I just get bored and fall asleep or meander off after a few posts!
My trouble is not having a job and depending on sales here to get more supplies. I do whatever I can with whatever I have, but sometimes when a particular product or item runs out, I have to wait a while before I could buy some more. Also, I try my best to take really good pictures, but sometimes it doesn't work out.
