to blog or not to blog?

[Former_Member]

Hello! I just started my shop last month and I have been working on adding inventory and re-vamping my profile and item descriptions. Right now I am torn about starting up a blog. Ultimately I think I would like an e-commerce website that includes a blog. However, I am not sure I'm going to go that route. I have a business facebook page and I am currently posting there at least once a day. I have blogged personally in the past, but never for my business. And I don't know what to do. Blogging takes time. . . .and I have been so busy building my shop, creating my items and reading up on this team's forums that I'm not sure I even have the time to blog.

But my understanding is that a blog will help drive traffic to my shop. Is that correct?

I need some feedback about blogging for your business to help me make this decision.

Thanks everyone,

~M~

[correenscdesigns]

I don't blog just because I have enough on my plate taking care of my family, filling orders, maintaining a website, Facebook page and Etsy shop. I just can't fit the time in to figure out how to blog and what to say.

They say it helps get traffic but I get more traffic than I ever did since I came to Etsy. I am just thrilled with the steady flow of orders.

[PurpleMoonDesigns]

I can’t figure out what to blog about. I don’t have time to create tutorials, I don’t feel I’m enough of an expert on anything to write how-to’s, I’m probably the only one interested in the one-sided commentary going on in my head… so what is there to write about?

[Former_Member]

If you like to write and are willing to promote your blog, then by all means start one.

However, if you are starting a blog that will end up being neglected, it really won't do much for you.

I do have a blog, but I don't blog about very much to do with Etsy. Rather I just blog when I feel the need to write about something. I do have an 'etsy mini' on my blog and that does occasionally bring traffic to my shop.

I don't really have the time for a blog or for facebook marketing.

If you can blog about specific topics on a regular basis and gain a good following, yes then your blog can help.

[Former_Member]

I used to have my own e-commerce site (well, I still do have my own site, but I removed the shopping cart and now direct customers to my Etsy shop), and I had a blog as well. It took an obscene amount of time to maintain the website and the blog, try to get people to come to my blog, and then hope they might then check out my store! Granted, I didn't have a clear focus for the blog, which is key :-D

Either way, I'm like @correensdesigns - I've got so much on my plate between family, Etsy shop, and all the behind-the-scenes stuff that goes into running your own business (where you also make the product your selling) that I started shaving off activities that were not efficient, effective, or productive. Blogging was one of those for me. I would say that if you have a million ideas for blog posts, and a clear focus of what you'd be blogging about, and you have a good vision for it, then go for it! If you're just doing it because someone said it might help drive traffic to your shop, but you don't really have anything you want to say, I would skip the blog and focus instead on other forms of networking that might feel better to you. Hope that helps!

[Former_Member]

Thank your for all the feedback. I do like to write and at some point in the future when I am a bit more organized and know exactly what my focus is I might have enough to say to actually write a blog and keep up with it.

But for now, I have too much on my plate. So, I'll skip the blog at this time.

I just launched my business last month. And in 4 months we are moving to a much smaller house out in the country. Which means I need to devote what little extra time I have to sorting, organizing and packing up my house.

I want to have a successful Etsy shop, but I am realizing that it shouldn't be THE priority right now.

[RebeccasSoapDeli]

Blog if you can. It increases in bound links to your shop and benefit you in the long run.

[Former_Member]

Absolutely!! A blog should be your online 'home' - the place people come to find out more about you, and get pulled into your world.

I am a full-time blogger as well as running all the other aspects of my business, and I love it :) It has been an invaluable tool for my business, both to drive traffic to my shops, and to make money from directly (I sell ads direct to crafters/bloggers etc)

EpheriellDesigns.com if you're interested ;)

[Former_Member]

Please let me all give you a piece of advice.

Join Tumblr, Its a blogging service where you can easily rack up followers. I myself have just over a thousand followers on mine in just over 7 months.
Don't blog about your items, people wont be interested, blog about yourself, stuff you like, post up images to like etc. Once your number gets high enough then promote your shop,
By then you have gotten into digital friendships, so more likely they will buy your stuff. Also the MOST important thing, everything you blog can get reblogged so it can go on another persons blog, thus your work can spread through a network of people without you needing to do anything.

Just my two cents, good luck

[Former_Member]

I do appreciate everyones two cents. This is a decision that I am considering very carefully. And there is a part of me that says I should wait until after our move etc before I get started. there is another part of me that says during the time that I would be waiting I could gather a following.

My business has many aspects and so I would be blogging about all sorts things Reiki related as well as Etsy etc. I quilt and I would definitely like to chronicle my quilting journey.

So. . . .I am still thinking.

Would love more feedback from more Etsy users who blog.

[VanKirsch]

Of course! try to be creative and have a schedule for your blog posts so you can stick to write regularly. With interviews, promotions, giveaways, mood boards or inspirational posts, or simply write about you, or your daily, or your creative space, brings people to now more about the person behind your craft..

I've had a great experience and feedback since I'm blogging, and definitely it has helped me not only gain more views and sells in my shop, but also feel more confident while navigating the huge ocean of the handmade world!

The interesting part of blogging is that you can write about anything you want. But I recommend you keep always a link to your shop. I tend to write about different subjects, but creativity, friends, and the handmade world is always present, no matter if its a recipe, a short trip, or just some other craft or inside thoughts I wrote about..

Sharing my blog: http://kirschbits.de

Good luck blogging!

[Former_Member]

Thank you Kirschbits. Maybe I do have things to say. Like today, I found awesome home decor fabric to make curtains for my daughters room for $3 a yard! I mean that is definitely blog worthy. A blog is about more than just my shop and my craft. . . it's about me and why I craft, how I craft etc.

Your post has me leaning more toward blogging now. . .

[ionesAttic]

If you have a desire to express yourself through word and image, a blog is a great vehicle. It is a discipline that I find hard to maintain more than once a week. I do use it as a format for sharing personal interest, which I agree is more compelling than just linking back to a shop or service. Still have a lot to learn about marketing via email and other social networks. And having said that, I am also becoming more interested in the old-fashioned brick and mortar shop or space.

[ionesAttic]

here's my latest entry
http://ionesattic.blogspot.com/

[Former_Member]

Definitely use Tumblr! I mainly post pictures of my designs and the people that follow me and don't follow me leave notes. I do write sometimes but it's solely about my designs and answer questions from other Bloggers. I've noticed that in Tumblr people like pictures and if you have a design they like, it will circulate and that's how you get followers and traffic to your shop. Once you are on there you will figure it out and you will get the hang of it. There are other bloggers as well that can feature your items and this has helped me generate sales and followers. If you have any questions or help with Tumblr, send me a convo and I am glad to help!

[Former_Member]

Yay! Thank you. Jazzie - I just set up my tumblr blog. I went with Tumblr because of it's easy to use phone app. I love my phone and love to post on the go.

http://divinesolace.tumblr.com/

If I have questions I will be sure to send a convo.

Thanks!

[Former_Member]

Not a problem! My tumblr is http://aliljazz.tumblr.com

Welcome to Tumblr!

[Former_Member]

Hey Divine, I didn't catch your real name, but I think now would be an amazing time to start a blog.

You are going through something very real, a move! You have tons to say. You juggle a family, Etsy shop, a new home. A LOT of people can relate to juggling many different things.

I use my blog to talk about just that. My organization of full time work, etsy shop, blogging, projects, shoppings, etc.

I make checklists in order to keep myself focused.

I would love to see how your progress goes just living your busy life, decorating a new house, and running a shop!

Check out my blog!

http://maraley.blogspot.com/