Flickr - a great networking site, or waste of time?

world mosaic: a tribute to flickr portraits
Originally uploaded by pardeshi

So far, in the last week that I've been using Flickr.. there isn't much to be seen. I'm still wondering what the big fuss is about Flickr. It's like Youtube for photos. Basically. But for some reason people love it! I'll have to say, I have seen some excellent photos, and artisan crafts on Flickr but I'm just not impressed with the options for small business owners.

Flicker does not like it when business owners use Flickr to blatantly and shamelessly promote their store. Don't bother posting links to your items or your store in your photo descriptions- this has apparently caused many members to be banned from the site. Instead, Flickr allows members to post a link to their website in their profile. Subtle advertising? yes. Effective? I don't know
So far I haven't gotten very many (if any at all) hits from Flickr. Hopefully I will be able to turn this around as I'll be exploring more of what Flickr has to offer small business owners. Below I will share with you my findings.

Well here's what I've found out myself:

* Invite your friends - Flickr allows you to send out mass emails telling your friends about your Flickr "Photostream." Customers, or whoever you have an email address for... send out an email and let people know you're out there! Sometimes I've had friends forward emails I've sent them just to help promote my store. Flickr is a great way for people to see all your photos without the pressure of shopping, or feeling like you only care about their friendship because they have money and you don't.
* Groups - Join LOTS of groups. Make sure your name is out there. Some groups allow you to upload your pictures to their group for others to see. This way you get more exposure! Groups also allow you to network and find others with similar interests. Stay active in the group discussions and you're sure to make new friends and hopefully customers!
* If people are really interested in what you are selling.. they will find a way to access your store. Don't worry about them finding it. People who are determined to buy.. will find a way! It's like they say -Where there's a will.. there's a way!
* Moo - Use your Flickr photos on Moo. If you have an Etsy store you can do this already, but it's just very convenient to be able to quickly and easily transfer photos if you need to make prints.
* Explore - just look around and check out other people's photos. Leave comments and make new friends. Networking is the best way to advertise.
* Don't expect results right away. Just like any website - it's not easy to establish your name. Take time to respond to comments and just be a friendly person - people love buying from other friendly people!

I hope this helps anyone who is as confused about Flickr as I was. My best advice to those people: take time to check out the site and be patient!

Well if you have a Flickr and want a new friend.. look me up!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fruitjooce/

Moo? Let's Make sense of it all.

Moo MiniCards
Originally uploaded by ocellnuri

It's tough to start an online business. There are a lot of options and really neat resources available and it can be a bit overwhelming at first. I'm trying to sort through the good, bad, useful and just plain wasteful resources and make sense of them.

I have been hesitant to consider Moo as an option for ordering business cards because I thought they were a bit on the pricey side. But now I did a little researching and found that (because of the quality) their prices are right on.
One of the things I was wondering about is mini moo cards, why are they so popular.. what do people use them for and how can they be used as a promotional tool? I was reading a blog, and got sort of intimidated by these mini moo cards. The blog said they can be a great promotional tool "if used the right way" ... what IS the right way?

So I brought up this topic in the Etsy forums and here is what I learned:

* Mini Moo cards are great because they are unique in shape and size. They're cute, and people generally like them!
* They're not just business cards----They have many many many uses!
* They are high quality

Here are some neat things you can do with Mini Moo cards:

* Business cards - duh! But no, really, you can just hand them out, stick them in the bags or envelopes when something is purchased and have them sitting on your table at shows. Give them to friends to hand out too!
* Tags - use them as price tags, or just little business card tags. Attach them to your products so they can be branded! Use them as gift tags, or punch a hole in them and use them as little decorative tags when you wrap your items for shipping.
* Earring Cards - use them to hold your earrings! How creative! If you don't already have earring cards this is a way to save money!

Anyway, as you can see there are many uses for Mini Moo cards and I think I will be ordering some after I get a few more orders!

Taking a break

After my second sale, I'm really excited about what's to come for my shop. I've been working hard the past week to promote my shop, and make some new friends and it's been paying off :)
I did take a break today to go to church and saw the new Batman movie afterward. I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things tomorrow.
I'm going to see what this Google Base thing is all about and maybe figure that out tomorrow. Hopefully that will be a great resource too.
So far Flickr hasn't been that great to me. I haven't found any contacts on there, and haven't been getting many views either. I'm not sure if I just don't know how to use the website fully, or if it's just not a very good place to get exposure. We'll see I guess. I'll continue to try and make some contacts on there.

I made some cute little envelopes for my business cards and a thank you gift for my customers. I think they will be a really nice little addition to all my orders. Hopefully my customers will know that they are very much appreciated :)

Beefed Up

I sometimes feel like my etsy item descriptions are a tad sparse. I have been learning that it's important to have lots of info, and sometimes cute little antics help create a more appealing product. I beefed up my profile a bit too, after I read a really neat thread in the etsy forums. The thread was full of really good suggestions from a buyer. I really enjoyed reading it and I got a lot from it.

I'm excited about my SECOND etsy sale! Woo hoo! I'm so glad that people like my earrings :)
I think I'll be making some more later today, I have some good ideas. I'm feeling very creative today for some reason. I painted last night, and felt the sudden urge to write, and now I want to do some designing. It must be an inspiring day for me for some reason.

First sales and Flower necklaces

IMG_5717
Originally uploaded by Stacy's Designs 88

I wanted to blog about this particular necklace I've found, it's amazingly gorgeous. I wanted to give Stacy's Designs props for creating such a wonderful work of art!
The copper tones create this vintage look that's so classic, yet unique.
I love that it's long too, it would look so cute with a long v-neck top.
The cute little Swarovski crystal pearl is adorable as well.
The whole necklace just makes me feel happy inside :D




In addition to my excitement about this lovely necklace,
I am extremely pleased to announce that I have sold my first pair of earrings from my new shop!! Hurray! I've been working hard for 3 days to promote and meet some new friends, I'm super excited!
I sold my favorite berry earrings, Bloo Berry

Just starting

Well I just re-opened my store yesterday, with a whole new look and new items. I haven't used Etsy for a while, and decided that since I have a little more free time now.. I would give it another try!

So far I've been trying to promote my shop, and make some new friends. It's been great so far. I landed my first treasury last night! That was exciting. You can check that out here: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=58376


I'm also excited because I joined Flickr, everyone seems to have had one already I decided I should give it a shot. I'm still not quite sure of all it's capabilities... but I'm having fun playing around with it. If you have a Flickr, please add me to your contacts... and help me learn how to use it!

It's a lot of work, promoting. I'm having a lot of fun meeting new people though. Hopefully my hard work will pay off! I really enjoy making my jewelry, it's always satisfying to find people who enjoy wearing my earrings as much as I enjoyed making them. :)