Wow, do I need marketing help!

[BigHairyBugs]

My co-workers Bob and Abby are tired of hearing me complain about this every single day and said "Ask the cats on the cat team!!" I always do what I'm told, so here goes:

Where can I market my stuff????????????????

Bob said to put in a lot of question marks to convey the whiny (whiney?) -- maybe winey...! -- tone! Abby sad to move my feet so she can stretch out on the heat register...

Any thoughts? Bob and Abby would really appreciate it!

[Former_Member]

Hi BHB and co-workers :-)

Are you on facebook? If so, why don't you join Pinterest....or do some other online ones to get your items "seen"....?

I would also suggest contacting some online companies to see if they are interested in stocking them and offer them a free sample.


I would definitely be telling your co-workers to pull their weight and help out too :-)

[Former_Member]

Also, maybe you could apply to etsy stalker to get your cards and prints and magnets on there...

[BigHairyBugs]

Thanks, GreenRitual! I am so completely useless at this!!!!

What's etsy stalker??

[Former_Member]

As you know, I am useless too!

Etsy stalker...google it as thats far easier than me trying to explain! :-)

Maybe stumbleupon too.....I am learning that one at the moment but haven't quite figured out the benefits as yet......Any really good and clever team members to help us out here??? :-)

[BigHairyBugs]

...And I am on Facebook, but that doesn't seem to do anything. Maybe I'm doing it wrong...?! Why aren't my co-workers more helpful?? Abby was all over my keyboard yesterday, like a hen sitting on eggs! The computer went into hibernation mode -- probably from overheating!

I'll google Etsy stalker (sounds dangerous and creepy, but surely it's not -- right?? :-D I've heard of stumbleupon as well, but know nothing about it.

Can't I just sit here and make things and let somebody else do the rest?

[Former_Member]

Ha ha...no, sadly, you can't...wouldn't it be wonderful though?!

I am NOT on fb....for certain reasons....and I am still learning with the others....no, stalker is a nice thing (not that other horrible site) and promotes items. I think you apply....I am looking into this too.

Stumbleupon seems like fun...I have just joined so if you do go on, come and find me! :-)

Oh, and the panther is NO help to me either. I may have to trade him in....

[Former_Member]

I have put your website on my stumbler page....

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/greenritual/

:-)

[secondarycreations]

If you can spend a little money on it, you could try advertising on some cat-related blogs. One way to do it where you control your cost is to use Project Wonderful. I didn't have much luck finding blogs related to my stuff, but you'd probably do better with cats.

[secondarycreations]

Have you thought about offering more sets of cards, or maybe a "pick three of your choice?" item? (Apologies if you already do that and I didn't see it - still on my first cup of coffee.)

[BigHairyBugs]

Thanks, GreenRitual! I'll take a look and see if I can figure out how to do it...!

Trudy, thanks also -- I'll check out Project Wonderful (love the name!). I need to do some serious blog work and also work on my own blog, which exists in name only and is hiding from the world!

I have offered sets of cards, with only one buyer -- a friend! last night, in fact -- but I can try that with others. I think my main problem is that I'm totally relying on Etsy people for my buyers, and that isn't working at all.

I'm on my first cup of coffee, too! A late start for me!!

[AutumnRainStudio]

Yes- update your blog! I've got to too- I'm TERRIBLE about keeping mine up, but I literally get views from all over the world on mine. Actually it's a little strange- I don't know anyone in Greenland or Russia but I get a lot of views from there!

And post the address to you blog on here so we can check it out and help it's ranking!

[BigHairyBugs]

Okay, I'll work on my blog this week and let you know! Thanks for the PUSH -- I need it! :-D

[CharonelDesigns]

Holly,
We have the same problem, definitely join Pinterest, we get lots of hits on our store there. It's an online "pinboard" for ideas.......make a board that says "my creations" and pin your cards and what nots....then classify it in one of the categories......it's quite addicting...lots of cool DIY craft ideas, recipes, photography and just all around really cool stuff!
Another team we belong to recommended these sites....we haven't looked at them all yet but after the holidays, intend to get on our own marketing plan.

Links galore! Each one of these can help you to promote your Etsy store for FREE!!! Get information or help with anything else you could think of.. Take your time to look around. (None of these are my personal links nor are they spam)

etsyhacks.com/greasemonkey/copy_listing/
www.myhandmaderegistry.com/
www.craftweasel.com/
www.etsywishlist.com/
www.reddit.com/r/etsy
www.craftcult.com/treasury_widget.php
directory.everythingetsy.com/
cr8tivity.com/
developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/
handmademarketing.org/
www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=forums&op=view_topic&tid=10816
craftgawker.com/
www.freecraftylinks.com/
etsylush.com/
bit.ly/
pinterest.com/
lookbook.nu/
www.craftopolis.com/
www.google.com/analytics/
www.stylishhome.com/Community/fabDesign-Bookmarks
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1S8MiGeg8Y
about.me/
www.linkytools.com/
www.everythingetsy.com/

[CharonelDesigns]

And here's more from the same post: some of these are free, some not...
they also mentioned reddit.com , haven't looked at that one yet.

I found more... : )

Check out these sites that will mostly let you promote for free.
Join Make My Etsy Tech for more Free Tips

www.etsy.com/teams/8819/make-my-etsy-techy/discuss/9164044
www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6206634

plumdrop.com
etsylush.com ( you can submit one item of yours every 24 hrs)

pinterest.com (You make boards, like treasuries)

stumbleupon.com
Squidoo.com
Twitter.com
Facebook.com
Craftgawker.com (Does not accept anything from Etsy but submit your blog, which has your shop name in it)

Craigslist.com (go to classified ads for sale and then to crafts)

www.craftseekers.com
www.craftjuice.com (list an item of yours anytime you want)

www.100craftlinks.com/cgi-bin/ldb/ldb.pl (I get lots of views from here)

gallery.tryhandmade.com/
kaboodle.com
www.yaami.com/
tumblr.com
www.wanelo.com
linkreferral.com
artchain.com
thefind.com
Ravelry.com (for crocheters or knitters)
thingspeoplemake.com

www.gumtree.com (UK & Australia)

www.mywebees.com ( this lets you put your shop on facebook but you have
to go thru them. Read carefully)

coolmaterial.com/basic-listing-the-black-book/ (This site is focused on
marketing to men)

digg.com (search engine)

the link for help with Stumble Upon is
www.theredheadriter.com/2011/05/how-to-guide-for-stumbleupon.html

[BigHairyBugs]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!! I'm going to print this as a backup (in case Abby sits on my computer again and clears the screen...where is that girl?) I really do appreciate all this info -- and the time it took to put it together -- and will look at every link! :-D

[CharonelDesigns]

Holly, also you can put together a "press kit" with samples of your work and send it to magazines that might have readers that would be interested......even magazines like Better Homes and Gardens, Cat Fancy, pretty much anything that focuses on products or has a gift section.....write a letter, include samples of your work and send it off to editors....you never know, something might come of it. Maybe also go by local Humane Society...and see if they will sell your cards, offer to donate a portion of your proceeds to the shelter....also craft shows.....pet stores, pet supply stores.....etc......atleast you have a focused market.....our stuff is a little harder to peg......but good luck!

[BigHairyBugs]

MORE great ideas! Thanks!! I can certainly send samples -- and you're right, you never know. Again, thanks for these great suggestions! :-D

[TheRightJack]

Probably too late for this season, but someone mentioned local pet shelters, and I had a thought for you...your drawings are SO cute, it probably wouldn't take much for you to make them into a calendar. You could ask the pet shelters to carry them if you mention them somewhere on the calendar and donate a portion to the shelter. Is there a zoo nearby that might take your cards, prints and new calendar in their gift shop?
Maybe a dog grooming place would take your cards on consignment (expect a 60/40 or 50/50 split and price accordingly), ditto for the calendars.
Good luck!

[BigHairyBugs]

Great ideas, David -- THANKS! You guys are so great. If I can't get things going for this holiday season, I can certainly give everything a try throughout 2012 -- and the NEXT holiday season. I have a lot of work to do! Thank goodness I have two very busy co-workers at my side...

[LuckyCatHandmade]

Hi! Great ideas!
But who will do the sewing? Not my co-workers surely with their tiny paws...?
I just discovered that Pinterest looks quite cool but is by invite only. Could someone send me one? Thanks so much!
mafnobre@gmail.com

[CharonelDesigns]

I'll send you an invite.....that is one of my favorite places to hang out, it's so cool! Especially if you are a visual person like me! Be sure to "follow" me...Elissa Shier Garro and my mom Sue Charon. Have fun with it!

[BigHairyBugs]

We need invitations from Pinterest????

[CharonelDesigns]

Yes but I'm sure all I did to get in was click a button and it sent me an invite. Give me your email and i'll send u one.

[CharonelDesigns]

Oh yeah Mafalda, I already sent you one!