So I’ve been meaning to write on my blog and alas, I have summoned the courage to write again. So, here goes… I have recently joined ETSY and although I have not sold many items, I wondered how I could go about networking and marketing Malikasabaa---or help others market their shops. I know many of you have read articles similar to this and perhaps believe twitter and blogging is more than enough and there is nothing wrong with this, but if you want more ideas and or want to really connect with others, here is how. Here are just a few things I have found to be helpful:
On ETSY:
I read every featured artist and his or her recommendations. These artists are experienced and have a lot of insight, and although some of the featured artists do not work within the same genre as perhaps myself, I still like to browse their shops because you can learn a lot from other successful shops. I read and learned a lot from two very successful shops: morelle and tastesorangey. You can find these shops at the following sites:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/morelle
http://www.etsy.com/shop/tastesorange
I would strongly suggest looking at these two shops and reading their features. As a matter of fact, read all features and look at all their pics.
Joining an Etsy group:
If you’re really interested in joining a community of artists, of all genres and backgrounds, this is the place to be. Check out all groups and submit a request. I am a member of the S.F. Etsy group and what an experience it has been already. Our team leader, Jen, has her very own tasteful ETSY shop -with plenty of colorful goodies- and has created a group blog. She has committed a lot of her time to supporting and growing what I believe to be, a strong and well organized group.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mamasmagicstudio
http://sfetsy.blogspot.com/
Being in a group allows us to be in constant communication with one another. We email and facebook great ideas as well as share ETSY features and blog posts, therefore supporting and encouraging one another. I recently connected with a fellow etsian named Jamie, who, after receiving a message from me, decided to phone me and help me edit part of my blog. She knew nothing of me, but was more than willing to assist, and all this because we happen to be in the same group.
Jamie’s shop: www.bungelowjame.etsy.com, has a very simple yet very classy feel to it. Her pieces are exquisite and one of a kind, appealing to any woman’s fanciful and dreamy imagination.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bungelowjame?ref=seller_info
Facebook:
Another way to really connect and or advertise your shop is via facebook. Facebook is a great resource because you are not only advertising to your friends, but their friends and so on and so forth. I was introduced to two wonderful etsians, Walk in the Woods and Simply Smitten, who, through means of their facebook accounts, permit other etsians to post and advertise on their page. Seriously, how wonderful is that? Walk in the Woods, LLC has an etsy shop and while focused on her own business, found another way help to help other etsians. Her etsy account and blog are as follows:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/walkinthewoodsllc?ref=seller_info
http://whatrosemadetoday.blogspot.com/
Simply Smitten has a shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/simplysmitten and apart from advertising her shop, she wanted to help her daughter's ETSY shop grow:
(http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheForestFaery). Both have been wonderful venues to show and present updates to any shop.
I truly hope that this article in someway has helped. Please comment here or feel free to friend me on facebook at: www.facebook.com/malikasabaa.etsy
Best Wishes, Malikasabaa
