How to....? Information for Newbies

[#1]

This thread is specifically for detailing out how to do particular things. If you have a question on how to do something, please post it here & we will answer it (to the best of our ability). We will also be posting links to important information & instructions on basic etsy functions.

[GeorgianaArtAndStyle]

Thank you Roxie for the BNR/BNS treasuries information.
I always wondered how they work exactly and what BNR/BNS means :)

[Former_Member]

So helpful Roxie. Thanks so much.

[Former_Member]

Roxie- thank you for the explanation, very helpful.

[Former_Member]

Could you elaborate on #2 please? What do you mean by change listings?

[Former_Member]

I'll just elaborate on treasury notifications. It will show up in your activity feed but unless you check within a few hours of it being made it has a tendency to disappear...

Another way to find out about treasuries is to bring up your shop stats. Where it has traffic sources on Etsy click Treasuries. Then you'll see the items that had views from treasuries. If you click on the individual item then it should list treasuries that it has been in within the selected timeframe (today, last seven days, etc.). If you're curious.

Adriane- I think when Roxie said change listings she means take a listing for, say Puppy Keychains that are $3.00 a piece and are one a BOGO half off sale, and edit it so that the title now reads (this is an example) "Reserved for K Jones- Puppy Keychains" and then change the price on the listing to the bulk special price (that would be $4.50 for two). Save changes and let customer know. Am I right Roxie?

[Former_Member]

Absolutely! Thanks K for picking up there. That is exactly what I was meaning. This option does entail being in contact with your customer.

[Former_Member]

What's the difference between views and clicks? I just made my first treasury:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/Mjk3ODg2MTd8MjcyMzkxODUxNA/dream-beach-vacation-house-relax

[Former_Member]

Views are how many people viewed the treasury. Clicks are how many people, once in the treasury, clicked on one of the items.

[Former_Member]

Thank you Roxie

[SeamsIntriguing]

What is the difference between admirers and followers?

[Former_Member]

Admirers are people who favorite your shop or items.

Followers are people who choose to follow your activity on Etsy (which isn't as creepy as it sounds!). They'll see your favorites and treasuries in their activity feed when they log in.

They do kind of go together as when someone favorites/admires your shop it'll show up in the activity feed of all the people who follow them, so it's good to have followers and follow others to share the Etsy love!

[SeamsIntriguing]

Thanks, K. I figured they were related somehow.

[Former_Member]

Really helpful tips ,thankyou for taking the time to share , i love this team already :)

[CanyonRiver]

How do I get more people to see my site?

[Former_Member]

Work on tags, titles, promote on other sites (pinterest, wanelo, etc...) promote here on etsy (participate in games, threads, etc...) and word of mouth. That's where I would start, but there are always new ways to get people in the door. Keep an eye out!

[Former_Member]

Can you print an invoice of what the buyer puchased? Would like to put one in the package to be shipped. Also, are there any creavtive ways to ship an item, packaging, ect? Would like the buyer to be excited when they open their package for my shop.

[Former_Member]

Hey Dena! You can print an invoice from the order page. Once the order is placed, click on it & in the upper right hand corner there is a button "print order" you can click on. As far as packaging, having a special way to send your items is definitely a good thing to work on! It makes a statement to a buyer, so you want it to reflect your shop style or something that somehow relates to or "fits" with your shop. I use pictures from old falling apart books to make my own boxes for many of my jewelry items (some need specific boxes, so those I package up differently) and I have a shop section "bookish items" where I sell famed pictures from books-so it is creative, reusing materials, and "fits" with the items & style of my shop. My advice: brainstorm with your friends & family-you NEVER know where a good idea will come up! Best of luck.

PS: here is the link for the video on how to make your own boxes, if that helps anyone!
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2007/how-to-make-a-box-out-of-paper-scraps/

[Former_Member]

Thank you. I found it! Very cute shop. Your prices are very reasonable. I favored a few of your items. Thanks for posting the link, I will be checking it out.

[LaBelleGifts]

I've not thought about pinterest for self promotion-any suggestions for promotional? thanks!

[MAKINGtheNESTofIT]

Hi Elissa - I use pinterest. Do you have a pinterest account (so you're familiar with how it works?) or totally new to it? I only get a couple views a day from it, but I figure it's easy enough to do! If you need any tips on how to use it let me know. :)

I also use wanelo, but not as much. I used pinterest long before I had an etsy shop, so it comes a little easier! I do use facebook, but haven't done much promoting there lately either. I need more hours in the day!

[LaBelleGifts]

I do have a pinterest account, but just to look at things every so often, so don't really know how to use it & would love some tips when you get a chance- I can see you could spend hours on it though,& wonder if it's really worth the time - will be opening my shop very soon - thanks :)

[Former_Member]

I just want to add that I felt kind of robbed that I didnt know that you can get 10 free credits for Etsy on Sale with a referral link. I found out after the fact. I did a Grand Opening Sale which helped drive traffic to my store and I was able to get 15 sales and pass my break even point. I am so excited about that. If anyone is thinking about using the application, they can message me for a referral code or maybe you can put a place on this board for people to post them.
I would also love some instructions for Pintrest. I can't figure out how to put stuff there. Why don't they have PINIT integration?

[Former_Member]

Sorry Nicole. I have etsy on sale thread here where I let folks know that.... I was looking forward to some referral points too lol!

[Former_Member]

Hi,

I have a question. The items in my shop consist of original artwork I have done and are for sale, so a customer just has to add it to the shopping cart and pay, But I also draw custom portraits from photos, which are done once someone first orders, pays and sends me their photo.

Here is my question; how does someone buy a custom portrait from me? They can't just add it to the shopping cart because it doesn't really exist yet.

I am a little embarrassed asking this question, but I haven't had any sales yet so I don't know how this works. I'm sure there is a simple answer; just want to get it right.

Thanks so much,

Cathy

[Former_Member]

Hey Cathy, that is an excellent question! So you would basically create a listing for a custom portrait: title it as a custom portrait, price it as custom work & detail out what the process is & what they should expect when they order. Then for the photos you would use examples of your custom works (pics you've done of your friends, or pets, whatever your custom listing is for).... does that make sense? Then, when a customer wants to order a custom portrait, they can find it (hooray!), put it in their cart (whooohooo!), and start the process with you of doing custom work. I hope this helps! Best of luck :)

D'oh. Spoke first, then checked out your shop. Looks like you figured it out. Nicely done! and will leave the info here for others who may find it useful (since I went ahead & took the time lol...) Beautiful shop by the way!