How to make the system work for you

[Former_Member]

The biggest challenge for me with on line selling has been making the Etsy system work. It's a massive machine with a simple mechanism: make a product, list a product, market the product, sell the product. I have seen the best results when I'm actively promoting cross platforms. An item listed does not sell itself.

When you list an item, create a treasury or are listed in a treasury, email your friends, post links, on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, DeviantART, your blog, mask blogs, etc. Post to your material's pages. For example, I use Creative Crystal, and will send them photos of finished work with links. People view their page, and click on my link.

Also, promote locally. Find your local "Made in your state/country" page and post links.

Every time I get active- make a post, link to social networks - my hits go up. If we all did this with our Treasuries, I think we'd all see our traffic increase. I'm hoping the Team will help with that endeavor.

Thoughts?

[Former_Member]

Excellent advice. Thank you for sharing.

[ShellDanielsonDesign]

I agree...I'll try and get another treasury made soon...I always post them on my FB pages...I'll make a pinterest board devoted to masks when I can...have been driving a bulldozer through my basement trying to clean house!...Send Search and Rescue!!!

[beadmask]

Laughing at the bulldozer in the basement comment. I often feel like I need a whip and a chair to get my studio in order ;)

As to the original topic, I agree that it can be challenging. People often tell me "Oh wow, you're a self employed artist? That must be so much FUN!" -- and it is. I absolutely love what I do; but I certainly work my butt off to be able to do it! The creative aspects come easily to me, but the administrative and marketing facets of my business have taken a lot of studying, effort and experimentation. And I still have so much to learn!

Jill, your summary seems spot on to me -- make it, take excellent photos and cross promote to as many social networks, creative communities and local outlets as possible. I guess the only thing that I would add is to be patient. Sometimes the results are not evident right away -- but I think that all those "little" actions build on each other, and collectively/progressively make a difference.

[ShellDanielsonDesign]

I just started a pinterest board called masks...I've pinned a few of our team...will do more later!

http://pinterest.com/roadiemama/

[Former_Member]

Marketing is so huge! Sometimes I feel like I'm working more on marketing than I am on the actual masks haha. But it certainly does help a whole lot.

[DaraGallery]

I've been a "deviant" on dA for years and love that site. I just started on FB after avoiding it forever. It seems rather invasion and commercialized ,but I suppose that works for cross marketing.

Does any1 have any views on ArtFire? Is it worth the fees? And is any1 active in their local art coop or gallery scene? Done direct marketing to local shops? How did you approach them? We have a renn faire seller here and I think my masks would be perfect for his shop. I want the right approach though.

I queried a local alternative art coop in my area about space. They said my pieces wouldn't "fit in" which was fine considering the monthly fees and commissions they were charging!

[Former_Member]

I haven't used ArtFire. The internet services I use to promote are Facebook (beadazzlebyjill), Twitter (jkrynicki), Pinterest (riversilks), deviantART (beadazzlebyjill), Google+ and Yelp.

According to my Etsy stats, I still get the most hits from Etsy, but Facebook is a close second.