| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Jan 26 2011 : 10:48:53 AM
Tips and advice for online shops:
1. Photos. Always, always make sure that your photos are not blurry in any way. Cannot emphasize how important this aspect of selling your item is. Make it exciting, make it bright, make it say "wow! If you don't know how to take a bright/clear photo keep practicing with your camera. If selling an item of clothing, shoppers do not want to see that item on a wrinkled background or on a blanket. Take the item outdoors and hang it on a pretty fence to photograph it if you must. A clear uncluttered background is a must for showcasing an item. Make sure items are not wrinkled. Wrinkled says "used" whether the item is or not.
Jewelry: again blurry is just not going to get you the sales you want. You can easily create a "light box" for photographing small items by taking a cardboard box cut big windows in your box on 3 sides.(the top and 2 sides) Tape a white thin tissue paper window on all 3 sides then use a light table/as what is used for tracing and embossing work/found at craft shops. Set your item on top of the white light table. Or use a large sheet of colored poster board and curve the piece of paper in a c shape all the way from the top of the box down over the light table to create a seamless/smooth background. Set a bright desk lamp to one side of the box and shine the light directly into the side window of your box. Then use the macro/tulip setting on your camera to capture the details.
Tags for descriptions: Always use as many of the tags as you can. Try to use all 14 in an etsy listing. Color words help also, such as yellow, red, etc. The more tags you use the easier for customers to find your item.
Utilize social networking sites: Let sites like twitter and facebook become a tool for you, not just a friendly chat area. When you create a new item for your shop let folks know and let them know where to find the item. Share a photo.
Price: Don't undersell your work, but in the same regards check out your competition and price your work accordingly. Price shipping fairly as well. Don't gouge folks on the shipping cost. Get adequate shipping rates from your postal service and price the shipping appropriately. One of the fastest ways to lose a sale is by overpricing on the shipping. The item may be a top seller, but if your shipping cost is outrageous many folks will pass you by for a better deal.
Hope this helps a little.
~I Dream of a Better World..where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!~
blogs:http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and http://thevictorygardener.blogspot.com
magazine: www.stliving.com
etsy shops: http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com
and http://myvictorygarden.etsy.com |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kathyinozarks |
Posted - Apr 07 2011 : 09:03:47 AM
thanks, adding all the tags has really helped me
Farmgirl Sister 1849
A retired country girl, living in the woods of Missouri Ozarks
http://kathyinozarks.multiply.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/kathyinozarks |
| ChickieMama |
Posted - Apr 06 2011 : 8:54:30 PM
thanks for the advice! I try my best to take good pics ;D
Farmgirl Sister#2808
"Happy Hens make Happy Eggs"
http://lazyjoranch.blogspot.com
http://etsy.com/shop/lazyjoranch
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| GoddessintheGroove |
Posted - Feb 15 2011 : 11:42:01 PM
I need to make a light box. I have such a hard time getting my pendants on Etsy. I usually take pics outside so I don't get the glare...
This will be my next project for the coming round of new pendants.
Thanks!
FarmGirl Sister #2245
"A journey back to the roots..."
http://www.herbmagik.com
"Women with opinions, pendants, & KitchenWitches...all in one."
http://www.goddessinthegroove.com
Find me on FB: http://www.facebook.com/theGoddessintheGroove |
| Forrester Farm |
Posted - Feb 10 2011 : 3:27:15 PM
Great advice Tina - especially as I prepare to list items again.
Ann
Forrester Farm
www.forresterfarm.com
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| AliciaNak |
Posted - Feb 07 2011 : 8:04:56 PM
Great advice! I know my photog skills need some work.
Alicia
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.~Ralph Waldo Emmerson
www.blondenak.blogspot.com
www.artfire.com/users/BlondeNakCreations |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Feb 01 2011 : 11:26:37 AM
hi, I've been swamped w/orders from the shop. having to relist this afternoon as folks have been thinking Spring. if you stop by the shop do so later this evening please.
thanks.
~I Dream of a Better World..where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!~
blogs:http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and http://thevictorygardener.blogspot.com
magazine: www.stliving.com
etsy shops: http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com
and http://myvictorygarden.etsy.com |
| frolicnfibers |
Posted - Feb 01 2011 : 10:54:08 AM
Wonderful advice Tina! I'll be shopping in your "Victory Garden" again this spring also...I can't wait!
Diana
Please come visit my animals and my Etsy stores on my new blog!
http://www.frolicnfancies.etsy.com
http://www.frolicnfibers.blogspot.com
http://www.frolicnfibers.etsy.com |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Feb 01 2011 : 09:41:56 AM
you can make up your own tags to describe your item too. for example if the item is garden related you can use the words garden, backyard garden,self sustainability,green,gardening.
~I Dream of a Better World..where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!~
blogs:http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and http://thevictorygardener.blogspot.com
magazine: www.stliving.com
etsy shops: http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com
and http://myvictorygarden.etsy.com |
| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - Feb 01 2011 : 09:37:01 AM
Tina, Great advice! I have seen items that look really nice but the pics are blurry or people take pics of items sitting on what looks like an old comfy chair! I totally agree to limit the background clutter because it can be distracting from the item you are trying to sell!
One thing I would add as far as tags is to PLEASE tag items correctly on etsy! I sell yarn and fiber and it drives me crazy when I see wool fiber tagged as yarn or as handspun! The check that I use to tag items is to ask myself is "Is this item _____" and if I can not say yes to that question then I don't use that tag!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com
www.justducky48.blogspot.com
www.heroesandink.blogspot.com
www.duckystreasurechest.etsy.com |
| cntybuff |
Posted - Jan 26 2011 : 12:55:56 PM
Great advice..Thank You. I will try the lighted box idea for my ornaments
Beth |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Jan 26 2011 : 11:34:58 AM
yikes that is a lot of snow! brr . Best of wishes for your shop,and for any shop owners here. Good luck gals!
You are welcome. The article posted above is on the Small Town Living site.
by the way... I used the dough ornaments on my tree this year.:0) love,love,love them...you might think of making and selling those /they are awesome!
~I Dream of a Better World..where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!~
blogs:http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and http://thevictorygardener.blogspot.com
magazine: www.stliving.com
etsy shops: http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com
and http://myvictorygarden.etsy.com |
| idcityrose |
Posted - Jan 26 2011 : 11:14:38 AM
Thanks Tina. I guess I will need to work with my camera more. Right now taking photos outside would be the equivalant of using a white blanket because we have 3 feet or more of snow on the ground but I will use that info for future pictures.
I will add your etsy site to my favorites and again, thanks for info.
Some people look for happiness, others create it~
We are never alone in the forest of Sisters! We "Mountain Farmgirls" are outstanding in our field! |
