Still wet behind the ears!

[SeaShellabration]

I don't quite get how this works? Could someone please help me and my shop seashellabration get in the groove? I promise to give back once I know how!!!!
Many thanks and kindness!

[Former_Member]

Carrie, Nice shop. Work on your pictures. Try to step back and get the whole mirror in the first picture. Some of your other pictures are a little dark. Take white paper for small items or a large piece of white poster board.. Hold it up near your mirror and camera, not so it is in the way of taking your picture. Then your picture will have a blank mirror. You will have to play with that. Might need someone to hold the paper while you take the picture.Then your pictures will show how nice your shells are. Tiles Large Sea Shell Mirror Sea Shell Art Beach Décor Gift Idea. Leave out framed in your titles. Then add to tags. You can also use color. Like Large Pink Sea Shell Mirror. Tags. Add sea shell art, wall décor, wall art, gift idea, shell wall mirror Pink, seashell mirror. Tag with both sea shell and seashell you will get good searches for both. Things like that . Hope this helps. Happy sales.

[SeaShellabration]

Thanks Ellen,
I have been struggling with color. I have a brand new LGG4 which is supposed to be state of the art. Especially the medium mirror, I just can't seem to correct the left side showing up grayish and monochromatic when it actually is quite colorful with browns, etc. Otherwise, the color varies between rooms and lighting which varies dramatically and accurately. Many of the shells are jewel like and pearlly and do capture different hues which I would like to disclose...but I can see how this can be confusing. I will also try to block out the reflection. I will definitely drop the framed description. Overall, do you suppose there is something major to correct with my store or Etsy is not the correct venue, or, tweak it a bit and keep patient...that first sale takes time? Thank you so much for your valued advice. You are very kind! Now I'm going to check out your store and see what is working for you. Hopefully I will be able to help someone else out as you helped me. Sending sunshine and smiles! Carrie

[Former_Member]

Carrie, Pictures can be hard. Just keep working at it. You have only been open for 2 months. Everything takes time. What you might want to do as the holiday shopping is starting. Make some smalls. Like shell ornaments and smaller mirrors, Frames for pictures, shell wall hangings. Things like that. You need some different price points, with lower prices as not everyone has a lot of money for your larger pieces. You really need to add more items, helps you get found more, and add some of the tags I gave you. that should help. Look at other shops with your kind of items to get ideas on prices and all. Best wishes.

[SeaShellabration]

Thanks so much Ellen. Plenty of great ideas! I was thinking along those lines...I've ordered supplies to do a line extension on coastal service/dinnerware...still high end. I think your idea is key...if I don't include items that appeal to mainstream, coastal customers, I will be limiting myself to a small % of the population. I love your shop. Such a wonderful mix of unique, tasteful art; classy and affordable. I guess I am overly cautious on what I offer. There is just so much shell related crafts out there. People are gluing, painting, decorating just about everything with shells and a lot of it is not good. I have even run across a couple of blogs that are attacking shell art "shell art is dead!" and "stop making shell crap!" Yikes! But I am quite passionate about it, so I will continue to learn and persevere. Thank you again for your well thought out advice. Good selling to you too! Blessings, Carrie

[TheSandbar]

Carrie,
You have lovely mirrors and looks like you have a good basis. When I first started, I didn't have many views but I only had 5 items in my shop. I started becoming more successful when I made a goal of having at least 15-20 items listed at any given point. As you consistently have that many, make a new goal! During the school year, I try to have at least 40.

A few things I'd recommend doing...
- get a banner up there, think of it as a welcome mat into your store.
- pictures...I'm a big fan natural lighting. I could be wrong, but it looks like the flash was used making the colors a little different and the background/surroundings are distracting. When I search the term "seashell mirror" here were a few that REALLY stood out to me
https://www.etsy.com/listing/124040479/one-of-a-kind-seashell-mirror?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_searc...
https://www.etsy.com/listing/54559504/beach-decor-sea-glass-seashell-mirror?ga_order=most_relevant&g...
These pictures have a solid background, which allows the customer to focus on the true beauty of your work. Sometimes it can be hard to think of a solid colored surface to put such a large item...try outside (not middle of the day, late afternoon lighting always works well for me in FL), your driveway, your wood deck, patio, grass, etc.

Until you get a chance to play with new photo's, I'd recommend making the second picture on this listing, your cover photo and adjust the thumbnail https://www.etsy.com/listing/247711517/large-seashell-wall-mirror?ref=listing-shop-header-1

Ellen also offered wonderful ideas! To add to her idea of titles and tags. If you're looking for different phrases, I'd also include the kinds of shells or where the shells are from.

Hope that helps, and if you'd like feedback once you're able to implement some new ideas...just let us know :)

The discussion board at the top of this team is also filled with other amazing ideas from the whole team!

- Jess :)