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Soft Agression
Barbra La Bosco
Promotion is tough! Many artists and crafters would rather create and hand over the self promotion to a partner so as not deal with it at all. I have always told my friends “I’ll make it,you sell it”! I am not an aggressive person but I quickly learned that after posting an item you MUST let it be known you are there. Post and they will come? NO!
I realized that there are some subtle ways to promote and avoid that fear of rejection. An old saying states “You have to spend money to make money” and as tough as it may sound in these economically challenged times, it works. When I first started on Etsy I thought to buy something in order to get some positive feedback. My first purchase were some adorable magnets which I still use and then my banner. Positive feedback all around. My name was leaking out! Initially, I had sales from friends (bless them!) but shortly after the purchases came my first sales from non-related customers. I never really spent tons of cash. I did find great products that I used as well as many gifts. Many turned around and bought from me. Win-win.
Recently, I opened another shop on Zibbet. I love this site but there are no forums so initially being seen is tough. I bought a card from one seller ($3) and she has given me a huge amount of business in return. The other day, I wandered into a new shop and sent an e-mail welcoming the seller and complimenting her work, all sincere. She checked me out and bought a gift.
Now, I’m not saying to spend like crazy or spam & falsely compliment through e-mails or convos. I am saying to spend wisely and convo when something moves you. See that vintage piece that reminds you of your childhood? Comment! Need some supplies? Skip AC Moore and buy online. Have a question about an item? Ask and while you might not be able to purchase, your name is getting out there. And on-line that is the goal!
Image courtesy of HeartLady1
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Tags: artists, craft business, handmade, how to promote, marketing, online business, promoting, zibbet
December 20th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Awesome post… and so so very true… I will post links to my stuff sometimes.. but I have found that is not the best way for my stuff to sell.. talking to people ( about anything ) works great… promoting other shops and items I see and love… works good too… what comes around does go around a bit more in the crafting/art world than I have noticed of other worlds…. interact… communicate.. share…have fun
December 26th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Hi Barbra,
You’re right, promoting is tough!
I sell on Folksy (www.folksy.com) and do use the forums there to promote my jewellery. I’ve made two sales directly from the forums but have had many referals from the forums too. Most of my sales have come from outside Folksy according to my Google Analytics. My blog and facebook help too and I try to post photos of my jewellery on free sites like CraftJuice & YouCraft regularly.
Etsy is another story! I find it hard to be noticed on there but saying that I have been concentrating on my Folksy shop a lot more recently. I think 2010 will have to be my “try harder on Etsy” year!
Great article!
Tracy x
February 10th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
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