How serious you take your networking and promotion of your shop should be based on what the ultimate goal is.
No matter what...pictures can and will make or break you. This is not really a problem, all you really have to do is read up on basic lighting concepts, and your golden. Heck I started out on ebay, using a sheer white curtian over my plexiglass gem carving box to create a softer lighting. So if I can do it anyone can, be creative. And use the apps... there are some great apps that are free, and super easy that will make photgraphy issues a breeze.
Take complete advange of free media. Any and all that you use set up an account or page just for your shop and link it to your personal profile. That way all your friends will get updates each time you add something. Plus everytime they like something you have posted, all their friends will see it, and so forth. Just make sure you have your shop pages set to public. I have even set up an additional personal profile on Google+ with a shop page linked to it. On my personal page I have the links to all the sites, Etsy, Facebook, all of them.
Network with with others...being socialable and building relationships, will get you farther that you think...this applies to both your buyers and your sellers. With the obvious reasons for buyers, if you go the extra mile for them, they will be a loyal patron of your shop. And with sellers, the same applies. if you get the opportunity to start a conversation, do so. You never know what doors that could open, if you give a seller a tip that will save them some cash...chances are you just made a business buddy. And if the next time you buy from them they give you a really good deal or a discount code, send them a thank you email, with the link to your shop and a coupon code as well. Thank them for their excellent customer service. It really does pay off.
I have only made 12 sales on here so far, but I've been selling on another site since Feb. and have right at $2,000.00 in sales so far. And my local sales are not includes in these totals. Because you can NEVER put a value on word of mouth adverstising.
So when you start getting customers that are repeat patrons and are always kind enough to leave feedback....REWARD THEM...I have a coupon code that is just for those special ones...it is not listed anywhere. It is for a special % off, and it is reusable.
I hope these ideas help...please let me know any that you have.
http://www.facebook.com/ThompsonsTreasureshttps://plus.google.com/105783607276046715308https://plus.google.com/111315523997922681448
