Bad Public Relations

I have to say I am quite frustrated. I was reading around on the Etsy forums yesterday and read that Etsy sellers are being banned from certain websites because they are quite spammy! Also read that people are being told to "look out" for those Etsy sellers.. they're full of spam!

It's so sad to me that we have allowed ourselves to create this image of Etsy sellers. Pretty soon people will ignore us all together and totally disreguard anything Etsy because it's all just spam.

Advertising is so difficult now because we all are so overloaded with advertising everywhere and of course I realise it is so difficult for Etsy sellers to be able to compete with such a small budget. However, I feel that what we've done has caused the exact opposite of what we'd like our advertising to do.. and that is bring in more customers. Unfortunately it looks like people are being warned to stay away from us.. what does that do? Well it means people are disgusted and repelled by us.

So how do we fix it?
We can't undo the damage but here is what we can do.. make a great name for ourselves by being friendly and not always being so outrageously spammy with our twitters, facebooks, myspaces and blogs. Nobody reads spam.. no one wants to.
Create interesting, readable blogs that people actually want to look at and read, in turn they will be more interested in seeing what you have to sell because they actually have the choice to look at it.. it's not being shoved in their faces.
Another thing we can do is to be more present on our websites, put more of our personalities into what we do to gain attention toward our Etsy shops. That is what makes Etsy so personable in the first place, is that crafty, down-to-earth sensation people feel when they first sign up. Sadly that feeling has been lost because Etsy sellers become over zelous and too lazy to actually do effective advertising.

Advertising is not easy. Simply having a presence on all the social networks and posting on all the forums and making friends with everyone, everywhere... you must actually BE present. Be yourself, make FRIENDS not customers. People want to be treated like humans, not ATM machines. Be respectful of people and they will hopefully reward you for that.

I am not guarenteeing this will work, but I am concerned that people are loosing hope in Etsy because they feel it is ineffective when really, it's us who are making Etsy such a difficult place to do business.

SELLER TIPS - Photograph Your Jewelry on a Budget

I will share with you a few of my absolute favorite product photos I've found on Etsy and I'll tell you why.

The first photo is Flirty Verdigris Earrings by stamp

This is an example of a beautiful jewelry photo. This photo stands out to me mainly because of the fantastic dramatic lighting. Secondly, the focus is on the earring upfront, leaving the second earring a piece of the background.

When you are photographing pictures of your jewelry, keep in mind that it's the image that sells your product. Take time to carefully consider how you want your jewelry to be portrayed. The earrings in this image are a classy/antique style and the photo definitely reflects that.

Notice the neutral gray background. It's nothing fancy - but it certainly accentuates the jewelry! It goes to show that fancy patterns and interesting backgrounds are not necessary for beautiful photos. There is nothing in this photo that distracts the viewer from the product.

Lastly - this image does not even fully show the earrings. This is another point to consider when plotting your photography - it is not necessary to show the whole product (at least on the photo that represents your item, it is extremely important to include pictures which show the entire product in your listing) The earring is partially a mystery, which makes it even more intriguing.

This next photo is Moorish Jar Wool Pot Felted Vessel by potteryintheround

What I love about this picture is the angle. It shows a sort of bird's-eye view of this beautiful jar, and accentuates the curves of the product. If you are photographing something with curves.. make it even more curvaceous and snap a picture at an angle, use your camera's focus to accentuate curves as well.

Next, the background so beautifully hugs the vibrant colors of the vase. Again, basic colors are beautiful! The soft gradated beige background is also an extreme plus because it mixes up the dry, monotonous one-tone color.

My next favorite is Turquoise Berry Clutch by KnitKnit

Here is an example of a handbag, in it's natural habitat! I love to see handbags in use. Not only does it show how stylish it might look at my side, but it puts the size into perspective so that your customer's aren't disappointed with how small/big it really is in real life.

Lastly - Wood tree pendant by garnishhome

This is one of my absolute favorites. I've said many times that a nice, plain neutral background is the best thing for jewelry photography - but garnishhome has found a way to use complementary patterns to accentuate his/her jewelry.

The only time I recommend using pattern backgrounds is if it absolutely positutely matches your product. This particular photo works mostly because the jewelry in the photo is an even tone object. If your product is multicolored, it clashes horribly with another multicolored background. If you plan to use a pattern background, please do so carefully.



What I don't like to see on Etsy

• Washed out photos- where the product is mostly white due to use of a flash (please please buy a fluorescent daylight bulb (or use daylight itself - but not direct sunlight) Also- if your image is washed out - chances are your picture probably does not adequately portray your product's colors.
  
• Dark photos- don't think that not using a flash is smart, if you don't use a flash you have to supliment your light somehow (again - buy a daylight fluorescent bulb - about $20 at Home Depot)
• Blurry photos - if it's blurry, you could potentially be setting yourself up for unsatisfied customers who thought your product looked like something else. It's that simple.
• Busy photos- It's just not pleasing to see pictures of something, with something else in the background. What are you selling? It's just plain confusing.
• Front views of a model wearing a hat- if you have a hat for sale, display the hat NOT the model. Showing a sideways view of your model wearing a hat shows more of your hat, and less of your model - allowing viewers to be intrigued by your beautiful product, not your model's lovely smile.
• Upside-down /sideways photos- what's up with that?

I hope you found this helpful. :)

I do not, in any way mean to single out, poke fun at or insult any Etsy member. I mean no harm whatsoever, I simply want to share some hints and tips that have helped me in the past.

I am in no way affiliated nor do I claim to have any sort of artistic right to any of the preceding works. If you are the owner of any of these photos and object to the use of these please contact me and I will immediately delete them from this blog.

Tips for a successful craft fair

Last fall, I had the opportunity to sell my crafts in Apple Hill, California. This was before I had opened my Etsy shop and it was a great learning experience for me. I'd love to share with you a few tips and tricks I learned during the month I hosted a craft booth.

F.A.Q.'s

• Do I need a tent? It's not essential but is quite useful. Especially if you sell handbags or other textile type crafts, a tent is an excellent way to hang your crafts. You don't need (and probably can't have) a tent at an inside craft show. Tents run about $75 - you can find them at Wal-Mart, Longs Drugs, Rite Aid, Kmart, Target ..........(do some comparison shopping before you dish out all that cash)
  
• What sort of display equipment should I invest in? If you plan on hosting a craft booth multiple times, I suggest investing in nicer equipment. However, there are certainly ways you can make use of everyday household items without spending too much on stuff ya don't need.
  
• How many tables do I need? It depends on what sort of crafts you are selling. If you sell jewelry, you probably will want to have about 3 tables (5 ft long - or 6 approx. card tables) Otherwise, your display might consist of one table and a few shelves, a grid or a clothing rack.
• How should I arrange my booth? Make sure you put your best product up front. Observe which direction your customers are coming from and what side of the booth they often visit first.
  
• How much does it cost? Craft fairs range anywhere from free (it's true!) to hundreds of dollars. If you contact tourist attractions in your area, they are often willing to allow craft vendors to purchase a booth for a fair price. Check your local newspaper, fairgrounds and other public city events for great deals on craft shows. Some shows may required you to have a resale license or show some sort of tax information.
  

How to attract customers to your booth

If you have colorful, sparkly, shiny or big products - put them up front to attract customers. A colorful tent attracts customers.

Carefully plot out the layout of your booth before you set up. Layout is extremely important because it determines whether or not your customer feels comfortable approaching your tent.

DO not create a layout where customers must walk into your booth - they are less likely to stay and chat because walking into a booth requires commitment and customers are often intimidated. DO use a layout in which customers can quickly and effortlessly browse through your jewelry while passing by. This way your customer will see what he or she likes, and possibly by it. Whereas if a customer has to make effort to enter your booth instead of just glance by - they are less likely to take a closer look at your products.

Again, a booth where customers do not have to enter also means that your products are upfront, accessible and easy to look at.

A warm inviting smile is always the best way to invite customers into your booth. Say "hello! How are you today? Enjoying the weather? Where are you from?" or something to that effect to engage your potential buyers in conversation. Customers love friendly service! Another reason friendliness is always best is because while engaged in conversation, your customers must stay around longer and chat, all-the-while enjoying your products.

If you spot potential buyers interest in your product:

• Remind him or her that you have a mirror and if he/she would like to try something on, feel welcome!
• Explain to him or her what your product is made of, describe what inspired you to make it, tell any interesting facts that might be relevant to the product he or she is interested in.
• Go out of your way to answer questions and make suggestions about what he or she might like.
• Ask what he or she is looking for, if there is anything in particular that they may be looking for. If he or she is looking for something specific or a gift, ask what colors or styles they might like.
  

Pricing
Often times at craft shows you will find customers think that it's ok to haggle. If you feel comfortable haggling - feel free! Be sure that your handmade items are going to be appreciated. If a person is haggling too much, feel free to say "no, sorry, but that took me forever to make"

I always suggest that sellers carefully watch and listen to customers talk amongst themselves. Do not be offended when you hear people say, "would you look at these prices, I could make this for less." it's not uncommon that you will hear this. Unfortunately there are people who do not appreciate artisan crafts for what they are. However, if you take into consideration what the majority of people say and how they react to your prices, you can get a good idea of where your price range should be. You may see customers pick up your product and quickly put it back down after seeing the price- this is a common indicator that your price might be too high.

Know who you're selling to. A certain event attracts a certain social-economic crowd, so adjust your prices accordingly.

Always make sure you make money. Just because you are a nice person doesn't mean you need to give stuff away. Keep record of how much it costs to make your product and be sure to include the time it takes to make and the time you spend at the craft fair selling it. Don't get ripped off!

Cash Handling
Make sure you come with plenty of change. Customers usually hit the ATM before they come so you'll be getting plenty of 20's! Make sure you have plenty of 10's, 5's and 1's. If you keep your prices at even dollars, you wont have to handle all that change!

Always have a safe place to put your money. You can buy an inexpensive cash box for about $10 or just a simple money bag - either way, you need to have somewhere (preferably locked) to put your cash. ALWAYS keep your eye on it. Put it under the table or somewhere hidden and make sure you know where it is at all times.

Promotion
If you have an online shop, make sure you hand out business cards with every sale you make and hand them to potentially interested buyers or other crafters who would like to network. This is the best way to spread word about your website.

Also, make sure and walk around to see what other crafters are selling, what their prices are and see if they also have a website. It's always fun to meet other crafters and network with them. This is also how you might hear about other craft shows you'll want to attend!

Personal Needs
While spending the day at a craft fair sounds like lolly pops and gum drops - it's hard work!

• Don't overestimate your stamina. Make sure you bring plenty of water, and snacks.
  
• Don't waste money buying food at the craft fair because it tends to be expensive and very very overrated. Bring a sack lunch from home to save some money.
  
• Also, make sure you bring a chair! You will have to sit down.
  
• Bring someone along for company, and if you can't bring a project - knitting, sewing, beading or a book. You might get bored if things get slow.
• Bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat - tents don't always protect you from the sun.

Happy Crafting!!!

Five Business Tips from a Public Relations Student

Since I am majoring in Public Relations, I thought it appropriate to share with you a bit of what I've learned from personal experience with customers and also from my schooling.

Tip #1 - Be professional
It is exceedingly important that you act in a professional manor in every given circumstance where your name is exposed to the public and especially important to be professional when representing your business online, or in person. Don't use foul language, don't be rude and for heavens sake don't insult people.

Tip #2 - Don't forget the customer
Anyone you talk to is a potential customer, and you must be business minded, however don't undermine the integrity of the customer with shameless spam and advertising. It doesn't work, and it makes people frustrated - it actually respells the customer. Be friendly, but don't come on too strong. Customers appreciate people who can acknowledge their integrity and intelligence.

Tip #3 - Build a trust
Don't be tense, and don't have a memorized list of points to get across to your customer. Just relax, and be friendly. It's all about building a relationship with the customer. People buy things from people they trust. Show the customer you trust them, and that you are trustworthy.

Tip #4 - Write well
Don't just slap stuff down on paper, write professionally. You'd be surprised at the difference it makes. People really aren't stupid and they wont read just anything. If you are writing a blog, you've got to create a killer headline, and real them in with the first paragraph so they'll read more.

Tip #5 - Be Positive
You represent your business, and anything you say, do, or put out to the public will be related to your business. Make sure your image is positive and you never say anything negative about your products. This also means that your attitude must stay positive at all times. If you are confident in your product, it will be much easier to sell it to others.


Thanks for reading! Hope this helped you in some way.

Wholesale

I'm officially trying to snag some wholesalers who would be interested in selling my jewelry. I've sent out letters to invite shop or boutique owners to my store and see if it would fit them to sell my jewelry.

So far, I have received one response regarding consignment. I've decided consignment is not the direction I'd like to go, I've heard too many horror stories about stores disappearing with people's items and not returning or paying them for it. Apparently store owners like consignment because it costs them nothing upfront and it's safe for them. For me, unfortunately, it would cause my items to accumulate dust, fingerprints, fade the colors.. and so on. In other words it holds up my stock if nothing sells. So how do you tell if a store is reputable. I know that consignment does work, it's just a matter of finding the good vs. bad apples.

Consignment over a long distance is not a great idea though. I definitely am leaning toward wholesale at this point. It's just a matter of finding shops that are willing to purchase my jewelry upfront.


The search continues....

Balancing Act

It's been extremely difficult for me to balance my school work and my online store.
I did get around to knitting the other day, and made a few scarves. Unfortunately it's been difficult to make jewelry lately because I'm pretty low on supplies, and also on funds :(
I've found a little time this weekend to be able to re-photograph a few photos for my store. I went on the Etsy forums and asked what people thought of my store - and perhaps why I had not had any sales for quite some time.
The consensus seemed to be that the backgrounds I was using for my photos were quite distracting.. so I took some new photos and I'm pretty happy with how they came out. I'm hoping for the best and I'm trying to do some promotion before I get back into my studies.

Hopefully I'll be able to get some sort of rhythm down and be able to balance school, socialness and my online store.

Being Featured

Being featured on someone's personal blog, or website is an honor. I've never been featured anywhere before, but this morning I received an email stating that I've been featured in the craft section of TalentDatabase. I'm flattered, but I'm not quite sure how much of a promotional advantage I will have, being featured on TalentDatabase. So far I have not had any sales from this site. Hopefully that will change soon.

It's been a slow week, I haven't been able to do much promotion lately because I have been extremely busy. Last week I had my first two sales, and I believe I can specifically point those sales to my non-stop constant promotion online.

It's difficult to get started, that's all I have to say about that.