My head is hung in shame

[Former_Member]

4 times I have tired to get featured on Heartsy. Not one time have I been selected and It has really made me mad. At this point I feel it's something with me or my shop they don't like. I know it says they don't do it that way but come on.
First time I tried I got all my votes in like 3 hours and only posted it once on my facebook. My page is not that active so I know it was not from that.
The second time I got my votes with a bit of help from you folks and a post on my face book. My votes were high then too.

So the third time I tried my jewelry shop- it's not the usual jewelry so I thought maybe something different would do well. Nope got 2 don't want you letters for that one.

Then today after trying to get the free feature promo they had last week I tried again with this shop. Got the sorry for your luck you suck letter not once but 2 times again.
I give up!

I see others who are featured several times and feel maybe it's a bit unfair to both others who want in and their customers. I maybe wrong but I feel terrible and sad. I am willing to take the cut in prices for them to give me a bit of exposure. I really just don't get it.
I am not saying anything against those who have been chosen I am very happy for all of you and will still vote for you. sigh I am just to sick to continue as I have purchased lots of packaging to be ready. Now I guess I will have to find another way.

[Former_Member]

Aww, Lynda {{{hugs}}}. Don't take it personally. I seriously don't know what is up with heartsy lately. Personally, I'm not a fan of having the multiple features for shops (unless it's like 4-6 mths in between). I'd much rather see new shops featured every day. But that doesn't seem to be what is happening. And it's like they have some secret recipe as to how they calculate out the votes and the percentages and so on. I know it's frustrating. But you have a great shop. Maybe you can look into other sites for promotion?

[ChewsLifeShop]

I'm sorry Lynda :(
I checked out your jewelry and I really like it! It's beautiful!
I wouldn't take it so personally. I know that's easier said than done. Don't take it as a comment on your products. But perhaps they are just over saturated with jewelry in general?
There are better ways to market :) You mentioned that your FB page isn't all that active. So maybe you can have some giveaways, play some games, and connect with other FB pages to generate some traffic. Then when you have active viewers on your page offer items for sale there. I've found that to be pretty effective.
But don't beat yourself up :) Your shops are both lovely! You can take pride in that! If heartsy doesn't want to feature you, it's a bummer, but it's not personal. You do have great products! You just have to find your market :)
~Shannon

[Former_Member]

Thank you both for your sincere condolences. LOL I am usually and go for the gusto but I think after being sick last week I was really not in the mood for another rejection letter.
I do a lot on my face book pages.. I mean a lot. I have contest, give aways, blog about beauty tips and jewelry design. I blog about horse stuff because I know a lot about it. I have coupons I give away and now have a top fan of the week. I feel like I am talking to myself on all of them. No one comments or likes any of my stuff. Well my brother does and that's it.
Actually I have sold a few items on face book but it's so far in between. I actually paid for an ad of on face book and got 19 new fans who don't ever comment. I ask questions about scents, colors oh you name it I have done it.
Maybe I will take a break for a bit and do nothing for some time.
I am actually uploading another youtube video now of me creating. I'll share it here when it's done. My site is http://www.youtube.com/user/Purebathandbeauty

[RoyGBivandCO]

Your things are gorgeous Lynda! I have tried with Heartsy too. My votes are good at the beginning, but after the 3 days, when heartsy continues to go to their vips, the vote percentages decline. I really don't even shop heartsy anymore. I am busy outside of etsy making sales, and I shop my circles and searches on etsy, not heartsy.

[Former_Member]

Yes I have found a few really great friends through BNS treasuries and find them to be fun and positive. I am just so peed because I got actually 4 letters since yesterday that I am not being featured. Alright all ready I get it!! sheesh

I do lot's of other things but I see how everyone does so well so I would think my items would also do well. I have lots to choose from and can list even more items. I thank everyone for letting me vent... I don't often do this and try to stay positive always as I know everything takes time. If it were day time I would just go make some more soap cupcakes..LOL

[ChewsLifeShop]

What's your FB address?

Mine is facebook.com/organicmamas

[PoetryUnspoken]

Lynda... I know the feeling... but if helps to know, don't give up: it took me 8 submissions at different times to {finally!} get featured. Keep trying if that is what you want, try different pictures, different days of the week (maybe weekends have more viewers voting?)
It's not easy to run a business, not even online, so just keep searching out your venues, I have to always remember that it takes 10 'no's to get 1 'yes'...

[Former_Member]

Rubi you are right about the no's I took a business course years ago about that.
Glad I am not the only one who has tried so many times. I thought it was me.
I got all the votes I needed I actually seem to get a lot of votes. The fist time I tried the percentages for my items compared to others was very high.
I saw that heartsy was actually looking at my shop this time so I thought I might have a chance. No way no when they have sent me 4 different e-mails to tell me I was not accepted at this time. LOL 4 really I get the hint.
I e-mailed them to ask if there was something I could do to make my offers better but I have not heard back yet.

[tanyabond]

I've just been featured after 7 rejections, and I've seen here a shop that's been featured after 13 rejections... I believe it's to do with the percentages... Check them often and keep an eye on them if you can...

[LittleAcornToronto]

Can I give you a little bit of advice? And I hope I don't offend you.

Work on your photography. Your slice of pie soaps are GORGEOUS! Absolutely gorgeous... but I bet if you photographed them in natural daylight they would look even better.

Your labels could also use a little tweaking. I have bought handmade soaps, lotions, etc here on etsy and if the labels aren't attractive, or if the ink on them runs at the first hint of oil or water then I generally don't shop at that store again. Try investing in waterproof labels.

People WANT to support handmade. They just don't want it to LOOK home-made, you know what i mean? I would totally shop at your store, but if people can't get past the first impression, they won't even come in to have a look at your shop.

so that's my (totally unsolicited) 2 cents ;o) I say, work on your labels and photography - and then try Heartsy again.

[saffronandsaege]

I agree with what GoddessOfJewelry has said. Your soaps look so fun! I love the look of the cupcake ones.

It looks to me like you're using a lightbox, am I right? I tried using one too but I haven't been satisfied with it. I take all my photos outdoors and then edit them with Picnik, which is free and fantastic. It's especially helpful with correcting white balance and color temperature.
I think one of the biggest reasons people get rejected from Heartsy is not product but photography. I'd invest more time on that and less in other areas because I really think it's the most important key to success on Etsy. I'm always looking for new ideas too - I get serious photography envy when I look at other shops. :)

I also hope I don't offend anyone else out there, but I think the first thing anyone should do if they get rejected from Heartsy is to reevaluate their photography, read some of the threads on and off of Etsy for photo advice, and figure out the best way to represent your fantastic products.

[Former_Member]

No I don't use a light box I use a full spectrum lighting and when we have any type of sun here is crap ville I get some light from outside. I do take pictures outside when I can but I often get bugs walking across my stuff. No thank you!
I do take my jewelry outside when the weather permits and it is not often.

I know the pictures of the cake didn't come out as well as I would have liked but I was in a bit of a hurry getting ready for a show. I take my time on my photos and take hundreds a week only using the best. I have a great photo editing program I think works just fine.

I was not aware others took so long to get in. I ofter just see the same things featured.
My labels are water proof and I spend a lot of time designing them. I have actually had comments at shows because people didn't think I made the products because of the labels.
By no means am I upset about any ones suggestions. I have thought of all of that. I really don't think it's my pictures. They are bright and detailed and close up yet I have other angles of each item in my jewelry.
Any way I am over it and moving on today. Maybe I will try after the first of the year.

[tanyabond]

Just looked at your pictures - they look just fine to me...

[waterwaif]

from what i've heard, they have started declining people who submit their shop using photos with identifying labels. it's against the rules to submit those photos but a lot of people don't know and/or lots do it anyway for the exposure during the voting stage. by chance did any of your soap shop submissions have those?

[Former_Member]

Lynda, both of your shops look lovely and I'd love to see them on Heartsy! And your jewelry IS different than what's usually offered...frankly, I feel like there's less variety jewelry-wise on Heartsy than there was in the beginning. (No insult to the stamped jewelry-makers out there, but I see it every week!) Heartsy seems to have gotten into a rut, and as a buyer I'd love to see more variety!

Also, I really don't know if the voting process is the right way to go anymore. Who has time to vote all the time? I did a lot when Heartsy first started because it was exciting and new, but now? Hardly ever. How many people make up the voting pool, I wonder?

[Former_Member]

Well since my attitude change and getting over the 4 rejection letters to my one shop I actually am being featured. Not sure when but I am surprised. So now to prepare for the sales.

I know I don't often get down about these kind of things but thank you everyone for you thoughts and kind words and Help! It's nice having a group to talk to that is informed.
Gremlygirl I don't know about the voting either. I do try to help those who are trying to get featured so I vote when they leave a link. I think some of the new has worn off Heartsy but It's a great way to get your name out there.
I know the 55% they want me to offer seems to be high but I guess it will be ok for this time.
I had submitted this shop 3 times and finally. I really didn't think this one would get picked at all again. Maybe my jewelry is just way to different. Oh well new door!!!