Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Day 2, Dear Diary......

What happened yesterday? Listed 5 items, Sold 1, Gained 1 Shop Heart. 
Financially? Made 9.99, Spent 1.34 (listing fees, plus .34 for the sale) for a net profit of $8.65; Less cost of goods, and well it is a little less than $8.65 hmmmmmm.

On the bright side I did sell an item and gain a heart so here's to repeating a sale today and more sales in the future. 

Yesterday, I mentioned promotional efforts. I divide promotions/marketing into two types. Passive and Active. Today I wanted to talk a little bit about active. I think those are things like Twitter, Facebook, Plurk and whatever other social media you use. It is active because it requires your time to interface with the platform and users. You just have to be careful how much time you spend. It can get addicting, but it does work. Last week I sold an item to @MerCuriosJewels. She saw it on twitter from her phone and bought it from her phone. Hey, marketing in action. Her Etsy shop is pretty great too, check it out http://www.etsy.com/shop/mercurios

Tracy with an awesome etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/polishedtwo who recently hit 5000 sales (GASP) uses facebook a lot for her marketing. So I guess it is kind of what you are comfortable with.

What's your favorite form of active marketing and why? Submit what works for you by commenting. I'd love to hear and I'm sure others would too!
Until tomorrow, Jamie.

5 comments:

  1. I've been using Facebook and Twitter and have found that my views are increasing as well as an increase in sales. I do find that the time spent on social media can really suck away your day because you get involved with the people and end up spending more time visiting and getting to know them than actually time in your studio creating, but really, isn't that what it is all about? New friends, new relationships, oh, and I find great items I can't possibly live without as well. Great blog!

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  2. First, thanks so much for mentioning my shop. I L-O-V-E my new vintage scarf. In so far as marketing is concerned, I don't do it as much as I should. I spend a lot of time on Twitter (@MerCuriosJewels)via my new android phone. However, 99% of that time is spent participating in the general conversation rather than promoting myself & business.

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  3. We have advertised on craftcult, craftopolis and facebook. Some success with all 3. We also have a mailing list-that is a great way to connect with existing customers.
    Also good success with social networking-mainly facebook and twitter. They allow you to know your customer base better, what they want or need and find new customers who you may not have connected with via Etsy. Must add here: We've found that the best benefit from social networking is common ground, laughter, friendships and links to the most interesting things all over the world. So yes, alot of time is spent balancing the laughter and the purpose of social networking, but it is worth it!

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  4. Facebook is a great marketing tool. I find it to be a much more effective tool (and cheaper) than advertising because I'm already linked up to so many people that really appreciate handmade. Many of my Facebook friends are fellow Etsy sellers who share their latest vintage finds, handmade items, or supplies through Etsy's Facebook "Connect" option. I love it!

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  5. Jamie,
    Very interesting post. I see tremendous views every time I tweet one of my items however it hasn't really translated to too many sales, as far as I can tell. I, too love the Etsy Connect feature on Facebook. It makes it so easy to share!

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