Action creates chances..........

This post will hopefully be of interest to Etsy store holders.

I stumbled upon Etsy and without any research or forethought I set up an account and listed some things. That was 31st Oct 2007

I wouldn't say that I am a runaway success, but I am pleased with my sales so far. My sold items have ranged from $20 - $135

I have sold:

Nov 8 items
Dec 13 items
Jan 32 items

So what do I account for my modest success in the first three months?

Here is what I have learnt:

You don't sell anything, nothing, zip, zero, zilch - if you don't get traffic.

TRAFFIC to the store is the MAIN goal.

It then comes down to your products desireability. Lets just say that you make a "primplepropplepapple"

Not everyone wants a "primplepropplepapple", so you may find that only 1% of visitors would actually part with cash for their very own "primplepropplepapple"

Statistically, you need to drive 100 people to your store, for the chance to get the one who will buy your "primplepropplepapple"

At the same time as getting your 100 people to the store, you are also getting nosey etsy shop owners, (like me). Shop owners who are doing market research on price points, colours, techniques. Exactly like you probably do. These nosey people will generate 100 views.These people will never buy, but they give you a lot of visits. So now you need 200 visits to get your one who might buy.

I say might buy, as the one person in a hundred that arrives at your store, might not be in a position to buy that day. They may be broke, about to go on hols, about to move house, just broke up with their other half......

So whilst they were the person who wants your "primplepropplepapple", they just can't buy it today.

So now you need another 100 views to get the next person, then they might be in a simialr position......

So your product might actually require 50, 200, or 1,000 views before it sells.

The only way to getthese views is to drive traffic to your store.

Forums

I didn't find the Etsy forums until 22nd Nov, so my shop was in quite a shabby state and in hindsight I can't believe I made any sales that first month.

I then started to read forum posts, in particular the Crafting and Business section. It seems the best advice is located here.

So not only was I learning about running a better shop, but each post generaated a visitor or two.

Etsy Chat Rooms

I have picked up a lot of views and a lot of hearts, just by being in the chat rooms and joining in. I also like to look at the shops of other members in the chat rooms.

It is this kind of exposure that will drive traffic, which then hopefully drives sales.

Blogs

I opened a blog in April 2007 and never did anything with it, after reading some posts in the forums, I decided to resurrect it, so I started posting again Nov 25th 2007.

I am still not the best blogger in the world and I blog much less than I should do. However my blog has now received over 6,000 hits.

I try to keep my blog restricted to my work, Etsy, and running a craft business. I don't want to blog about family etc.

I can also see from my hit counter that some people have found my blog via search engines. Some of these will then be curious enough to visit my shop.

Storque

I have delved in the Storque and whilst I should explore it further , it has provided some good advice. I was again quite late in finding out about the Storque and I am still not using it to best effect.

ShowCases

I spent a small fortune in Dec on showcases to see if they worked. I spent probably $100 in total. I thought that they did work but i think my sales came in that period came from items being featured in Storque articles, Treasuries or via Stumbleupon. It is impossible to find out where traffic is coming from, but if it is featured in an article, you get a lot of views and with that comes the sales.

Photographs and descriptions

A lot has been said about good pics and good descriptions. I do not profess to being an expert on these matters, but I started giving these two subjects some considerable thought.

I realised that the only thing that will sell an item is the photo, and once that has stirred an interest, the description will nail the sale.

I have seen some lovely work, which is accommpanied by a description that is lacking. It leaves me with so many questions about the piece, I wouldn't bother contacting the seller.

Profile, Shop Announcement

Icing on the cake. again there is much written about these two subjects. Suffice to say, I think the shop announcement should be short, if nothing else, so that the surfer can see the three featured items stright away.

The profile is then used to introduce the surfer to the artist, and give details about shipping, refunds, packaging and other buying related questions. The more you can do to put the buyer at ease, the better.

Again, I do not suggest mine is perfect, but it is better than it was and I will continue to tweak these things as time progresses.

Avatar and Banner

I didn't even know what an Avatar was until Dec. I hadn't given any thought to them and had quite poor pics in place. It then dawned on me, that with frequent posting in the forums, the Avatar is a powerful selling aid in its own right.

The avatar pic should arouse an interest and at the same time, give a flavour of what can be found. the question is:

"If you saw 10 thumbnail avatars, which one would you click on first?"

If yours is the eyecaatching one, you are already doing something to drive traffic.

I was also convinced by a helpful Etsyian that I should have a matching banner and avatar, to give the shop some form of professionalism.

Flickr

Very late onto the scene with Flickr. I have a basic account and my next step will be to upgrade it, tag the pics and participate in the groups I have joined.

http://flickr.com/photos/chris-parry/

I can see the use of Flickr in promoting your work, past and present. I am not an active member yet, but have set this as one of my goals.

Stumbleupon

A useful tool to use. It is similar to ; digit, delicious, and I am sure there are others as well.

These sites allow you to give a webpage that you have found a "thumbs up". Other users of the service will then be directed to that page, who in turn can give it a thumbs up (or down).

It drives traffic, which yet again is the main goal.

I don't use this religously yet myself, but I intend to.

Pricing

I could go on forever about this subject - so please read this page and the links within it for lots of info. There is also a free spreadsheet that you can use to calculate your retail and wholesale prices.

http://chris-parry.blogspot.com/2007/12/free-spreadsheet-for-pricing-your-work.html

Suffice to say that you need to understand the money you are making in running your business, so that the business will support itself and you in the future.

Packaging

A simple aftersale "WOW" factor. Quite a few of my feedbacks, comment on my packaging. It is another small step to endear you to your customer. I care about the itmes I make and how they are packaged.

Newsletter

Only just started one of these on my blog the other day. I was pushed into action when an Etsuain said that she has a great SNS (Sat Night Sale). She informs those who sign up to the newsletter of the upcoming promotions.

I haven't used this form of marketing yet, but I will.

Goal Setting

I posted about goal setting here .

http://chris-parry.blogspot.com/2008/01/goals-or-hopes.html

Mine are simply evrything above. Done regularly and consistently.

My daily aims are to

List an item
Improve pics
Improve descriptions
Improve profile
Improve shop announcement
Blog
Flickr
Chat Room
Forum Post
Stumble
Read Storque article
Improve Packaging
Answer queries quickly



The above is not exhaustive and I am sure I have missed some of the things I do. I hope however if you have read this far, you will see that it is important to be driving traffic to your store. It is the traffic that will bring the sales.

So those are my goals and in Jan I have not done each of them every day, so you could say that I failed to meet my goals. However, what I did do, has generated enough traffic to sell 32 items in the month of Jan and I still have so much to improve...............................

Recommended blogs..............

I recently asked in a forum, "What are your favourite blogs that you read ? (But not your own)"

I was after an unbiast list of blogs that the guys and girls in Etsy actually read.

Here is the list:

http://www.liarsandlunatics.blogspot.com
http://axlsart.livejournal.com/
http://myloveforyou.typepad.com/my_love_for_you/
http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/
http://smittenkitchen.com/
http://spherikus.blogspot.com/
eighty8words: http://88words.typepad.com/
yasminbochi: http://missmishmish.blogspot.com/
JeweledElegance: http://jeweledelegance.blogspot.com/
http://rarebirdfinds.typepad.com/
http://www.ljcfyi.com/
http://treefalldesign.typepad.com/
http://ijustworkhere-punchanella.blogspot.com/
http://nancycreates.blogspot.com
http://www.christinaperdue.com/blog/
http://simplywiredcustomjewelry.blogspot.com/
http://www.cuteindiefinds.com/
http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/
http://decadentdiamond.blogspot.com/
http://martawrites.blogspot.com/
http://charliemotel.blogspot.com/
http://www.decor8.blogspot.com/
http://www.oughttobeworking.blogspot.com
http://www.thisyounghouse.wordpress.com
http://outofcharacter.blogspot.com
http://www.honeybunchbuzz.blogspot.com and her shop blog
http://www.honeybunchshop.blogspot.com (vintage and recycled stuff for kids)
http://www.abigailpercy.blogspot.com (wonderful jewelry from scotland)
http://www.noticingproject.blogspot.com (2 exquisite photos a day)
http://printpattern.blogspot.com/
http://outofcharacter.blogspot.com
http://www.xanga.com/juliepersons.
http://thepioneerwoman.com
http://africankelli.com
http://creativelittledaisy.typepad.com
http://etsyhighdesertdiva.blogspot.com
http://theindiepath.blogspot.com
http://pamperingbeki.blogspot.com
http://claudinehellmuth.blogspot.com/
http://thetinashow.blogspot.com/
http://mylifeasabunny.blogspot.com/
http://natajane.com/blog/
http://www.decor8.blogspot.com
http://www.dooce.com/
http://beachbungalow8.blogspot.com
http://www.theonlythingiknow.com/
http://outofcharacter.blogspot.com/
http://stephaniegibsonjewelry.blogspot.com/
http://www.creativeeveryday.com/creativeeveryday/
http://www.happygiddyboots.com/
http://andnotapoundmore.blogspot.com/
http://www.thepsychoexwife.blogspot.com
http://www.justmentertainment.wordpress.com
Vintage Indie http://vintageindie.typepad.com
She Strings http://www.shestrings.blogspot.com
Mansphere http://www.mansphere.blogspot.com

The making of a square ring.

I thought I would add this step by step process of how I made this square ring. I know it isn't truly square, but that is what I call it.

To begin with, I anneal some silver square wire. the black on this wire is just the remnants of heating it up to 900 plus degrees under a flame.

Once the silver is annealed (softened), it is wrapped around a mandrel (a cylinder) so that it is roughly the correct ring size.











1) The silver has been cut at a length that gives the correct ring size. You can see that i have neatened up the edges so that they form a tight fit.

2) The ring has now been soldered, afterwhich it was put in a pickle solution which removes the tarnish and flux which builds up during the soldering.

3) I marked out the ring into quarters. I used a marker pen so that you could see the reference points I was using. I then started to file a curve onto each outside quarter of the ring.

4) I have now progressed the filing. in this picture you can see three of the four outside edges have been filed to give the ring a symmetrical look.



Here is the finished ring.

I continued filing the ring, until it was very symmetrical and I had the correct dimensions on all the edges and corners.

This was then sanded with fine sandpaper and eventually polished to this high polished finish.

The ring was made to just under the required ring size. After it has been polished, it is given its final sizing adjustment, ready for the lucky new owner.


I hope you like this ring, you can order your very own by visiting my etsy shop. chrisparry.etsy.com

A close-up of a personalised guitar pick (plectrum). These are hand made , then I send them off to The London Assay Office for hallmarking.

When they have been duly hallmarked, I get them back, mark out where the wording is to go, then stamp away.

The letters are then oxidised, so that the contrast makes it easier to read.

The picks are then polished up and popped into their very own little pouch. This one went off to USA.

Advertising

Thank you so much for your interest in becoming an advertiser on my Blog. I welcome ads from those who support or participate in the handmade/indie design community.

I currently receive approx 3,000 visits per month.

There are six 200x200 spots available on a three month basis. The cost from top to bottom for the whole three month period is:

1-$50
2-$40
3-$30
4-$20
5-$10
6-$10

You can resevere advance periods or book one straight away if it is currenlty free.

Please drop me a line to chris ||AT|| chris-parry.co.uk

Sterling Silver Guitar Pick - Plectrum. Any problem you can not solve with a good guitar is either,unsolvable or not a problem.

My latest addition to my range of simple silverware. Sterling silver guitar picks / plectrums.

Each guitar pick/plectrum is handmade, and carries my UK hallmark.

Pop into my Etsy store to treat yourself to one or my shop in Gravesend, Kent, UK.

Ugly Brother

My significantly ugglier brother (;-) has just opened his very own Etsy shop.

Pop in and have a gander ianparry.etsy.com

Goals or hopes ?

The Etsy forums are full of Etsyians saying such things like

"My goals this year are 100 more sales."

Well, that is not a goal it is a hope. A goal is something that can be achieved via a course of action. A hope is something that you have no control over.

So I am sure you can all understand what a hope is "My hope is that I win the lottery. Yes I can buy a ticket, but my odds of winning are out of my control."

So what is a goal and how do you define it as such?

A goal is a task that is set down on paper with 5 qualifying criteria.

I have simplified this method, there are others , but for my blog I am going to introduce you to S.M.A.R.T.

Stands for
S - Specific
M- Measureable
A- Achieveable
R- Realistic
T- Time Bound

A written goal therefore needs to have these 5 criteria met for it to be achieved. A simple example follows

It can't be a vague goal such as I want to start a blog. It has to be SPECIFIC - which is - I will ask for advice tomorrow about which Blog I should start and I will join and get my free account up and running by Sunday.

This is now also a MEASUREABLE task as you have given a day by which to complete. It is either done by Sunday or not.

The task has to be ACHIEVEABLE - so, is it feasiable to get some feedback about blogs, and then decide, log on, and create a free acccount in the next X days? If I was going to say that I want to climb Everest by tomorrow afternoon, this is just not ACHIEVEABLE.

IS it a REALISTIC task? For instance, is it a simple enough task , that you , with your skills can complete? In this case, yes it is. Signing up for Blogs is idiot proof. (I am a good example - you are reading my blog afterall)

IS it TIME BOUND? Again we accomplished that one by saying "by Sunday". If we forget to mention a timescale, beit a week, month or year, the task is meaningless.

As I mentioned earlier, there are other methods for composing tasks, and this is not meant to be a definitive article on task setting - you could write a book on that one.

So how do you set SALE GOALS?

You don't.

What you do , is set goals that are S.M.A.R.T. and once performed, they have the potential to deliver sales. Such tasks to set that "might" influence sales would be...

Better Photos
better Descriptions
Better use of Tags
Starting and regular use of a blog
Writing for other peoples blogs
Creating Treasurys
Posting on the Forums
Listing daily/weekly etc
Starting a Flickr account
Sell wholesale
Sell in Galleries/Shops
Joining an Etsy Team
...................there are many, many more activities which will increase your exposure to the world. These activities will hopefully deliver your dream of more sales.

It is vitally important that you understand the difference between a hope, which you have no control over, and a task that can be achieved following the S.M.A.R.T. rule. When you read your written goal (yes yo have to write them down) you should be able to tick off the 5 criteria.

Hope the info helps - any questions - gt in contact.