Christine of PillowThrowDecor had one Extreme Marketing Idea and put it into action. This is what she says:

I knew for our Bootcamp program I would have to come up with some really compelling ideas that would bring traffic and make sales for our sellers. One afternoon I was off to do errands and experimented with a new marketing idea as an opportunity to hand out business cards about my new pillow and throw store and this new Canadian Handmade Online company icraft.ca.

I grabbed my camera and strapped one of my Geek Pillows to my chest and off I went packing it around as though I was wearing a baby bundle. I made three stops; the bank, the post office, and the insurance company.  At each place I was asked for cards and “the story”. I had carefully rehearsed my “new store, new company” script and explained it to anyone that would listen even people walking by on the street. I laughed with a lot of people that afternoon but always when I explained I was writing an article they wanted to get in on the act too. I handed out 23 cards and at the end of the day sold my Geek pillow at my last stop. Doesn’t get any better than that!

Today, they are on Day 14 of Bootcamp at iCraft.ca. What is that you say? It’s a ‘Sellers’ Bootcamp’ 28 day marketing programme, headed by ‘Experts’ with backgrounds in sales and marketing, in the form of their very own talented iCraft Creators!

They began a 28 day period with daily assignments designed to encourage Creators to get into the habit of effective and consistent marketing. These assignments were simple ideas with low to no cost methods, and took up only 30 minutes of time daily, with ‘Bootcampers’ reporting back to the community with their daily progress. The assignments are still available for everyone to see here.

There are 55 bootcampers signed up! And, it looks like you can join the fun at any time. Just sign up here.

Take a look of some of the wonderful creations by these bootcampers. A more complete list is available here.

If you are hard on cash but are willing to spend the time and have a passion for something, then consider uniting with other artisans with your same passion.

For example, if you love animals or make accessories for animals (like Sue and I), then consider joining a cooperative of animal lovers. If you are an animal lover like Sue and I, and you are on Artfire, join Crafting for Animals; if you are on Etsy, join Etsy for Animals. I am the guildmaster and member of Crafting for Animals and Sue and I are both active members of Etsy for Animals so these groups come highly recommended. Of course there are many more groups out there but what comes to my attention (of course) are the animal friendly cooperatives

There are also geographic cooperatives that bring together people of the same continent, country, state, city, etc. I am based in California so it was natural for me to join CCCOE – California Crafters Club of Etsy. CCCOE is a very organized and active group of artisans that are dedicated to promoting handmade in California.

But lest you forget, joining is not enough. To get any benefit from these wonderful groups, you need to become active! What does that entail? Well, just about anything. First, find out what you are good at. I’m not much of a forum browser so, for me, trying to keep threads alive, is nearly impossible (Michele of EFA, on the other hand has a great knack for this!). I’ve found that making updates is my cup of tea so I’ve joined the CCCOE blog admins in updating the CCCOE blog.  

By doing something for the group, people get to know you and that’s the great thing about handmade. Your life is what adds to the story of your creations so its natural that sharing your passion with others will get people to love your creations.

This article is particularly aimed at cooperatives that unite like minded individuals for two reasons. First, you are sharing a little more about yourself to your customers and clients, which adds a piece to an ongoing puzzle that facinates customers of handmade items. Second, you are increasing your network of like minded individuals with varied crafts. This means they are your potential customers as well. I mean what better way to find people that are passionate for what you love! And better yet, they don’t make items like you do and many of them may not even have a clue about your type of craft.

Of course, you could also join cooperatives of individuals of the same craft but make sure you are going into the group for a slightly different reason. This type of marketing is a little different than the cooperatives uniting people of similar passion or geography. These types of cooperatives generally bring together people for mentorship and idea gathering (although several do actively market together). Of course, I also highly recommend them – the most active groups I see (related to my crafts, of course) are FAST: Fiber Arts Street Team and Etsy Greetings.

You can find a list of cooperatives on Etsy here. If you are on artfire and a verified member, consider some of the cooperatives listed here.

Join in our “Spring for a Deal” contest for a chance to win your choice of advertising on Indiesmiles! 

THE PRIZE

You can choose from our Smiles Coupon Campaign, our Indie Finds Directory, our Big Smiles Ad Space, or our Showboat Feature. Read more about each advertising program by clicking on their respective links.

This month, our Coupon Campaign will feature our new “Spring for a Deal” theme where stores will offer our IndieSmiles coupon for $5.00 off with a purchase of $25.00 or more.

THE RULES

First, if you haven’t done so already, join our IndieSmiles Facebook group. If you for some reason cannot join the group, add El and / or Sue as your friend (that’s us!) and request that we add you.

Then, leave a comment on our Facebook group! Entries are accepted daily so leave a comment once a day to increase your chance of winning!

Enter before March 10!

Its that simple

Instructions are available here.

Most of the stores are offering 10% off with coupon code 10SMILES so try them out (please read the exact discount of each store. This information is place directly underneath their listing)! All art or handmade work are direct from the maker.

For information on how to redeem the IndieSmiles coupon, please see this post.

A Hot Pink Petticoat: wedding maps and more

Whimsical wedding maps created to represent you and your perfect events.

Check out A Hot Pink Petticoat’s Showboat feature!
Save 15% from February 15-28 with code “10SMILES”!

HempLady4u: handmade macrame jewelry

Handmade hemp necklaces, braclets, anklets, earrings and more made with nothing but the best fine waxed hemp twine available on the market.

Save 10% from February 15-28 with code “10SMILES”!

Sea Star Dreams Designs: Beach Relics from faraway seas for your jewelry collection!

Each shell (or other beach relic) has been handpicked off a beach that I have traveled to or visited!
Save 20% from February 15-28 with code “10SMILES”!

Check out Sea Star Dream Design’s Showboat feature!

Tantalizing Stitches: DIY Supplies for Bags

Get your supply fix at Tantalizing Stitches! You can find large lobster clips, magnetic snaps, poly bags, knitting needles, and more.

Save 10% from February 15-28 with code “10SMILES”!

TackyBackinTime . . . the fun way to go vintage!

Check out TackyBackinTime’s Showboat feature!

Fun vintage and non-vintage craft supplies and gifts!

20% off from February 15-28 with code “10SMILES”!

Get to know your customers by finding out where they come from. If you have a store on Etsy or Artfire, you can get this information by installing Google Analytics to your store.

If your store processing does not allow you to insert Google Analytics into your store or if you’re just not getting the detailed information you want, you will just have to ask your customer where they found you. Many customers will spend the time to tell you. However, if you want to give them an incentive, why don’t you offer them a 10% off (or any other deal) coupon if they let you know where they found you. You’ll have to give them a coupon code and track the code so it is not used more than once. Not only will this get you the information you desire but you will give them another incentive to return to your shop!

In Your Google Analytics Account

To insert Google Analytics into your store, you will need a Analytics account.

• If you don’t have one already, go to Google Analytics and create an account.
• Login to your Google Analytics account by visiting http://analytics.google.com and hitting the Access Account button.
• Once logged in you should be directed to an Overview of your account. Scroll to the bottom and click on “Add Website Profile.” See screenshot.

• You will then insert your url (for example http://tantalizingstitches.artfire.com ).
• Click finish.
• On the next screen, you will be given your Google Analytics Tracking ID. Copy this down so you can install Analytics to your Etsy or Artfire store. See screenshot.

Etsy Shops

To insert the Google Analytics code into your etsy shop, follow the Tech Update.

• Login to your Etsy account.
• Click Your Etsy.
• Scroll down to Web Analytics. The following screen will show.

• Insert your Google Analytics Tracking ID (This starts with UA- and you include the UA- in the code). You should get the screen below (except it will include your tracking ID).

Artfire Shops

To insert the Google Analytics code into your Artfire shop, follow Behind the Beta.

• Log in to your artfire shop.
• Click My Artfire (unless you were already redirected there).
• Scroll down to My Studio Stats. See screenshot below.

• There will then be a space for you to place your Google Analytics Tracking ID (This starts with UA- and you include the UA- in the code).

A great way to boost exposure to your store is to get your store featured on blogs.

Many blog authors offer this for free. Take a look at these bloggers:

• The Studio at Crow Haven Farm features Etsy artists and crafters as well on her blog. Contact this author by email or leave a comment on one of her blog posts. Provide her with your Etsy address and, if you have one, your blog address and / or website address. You should let her know what you specialize in and your name.

• The Cutest Shops Online is run by http://www.itsybitsybracelets.com. She would love to feature earth friendly or recycled products, items with proceeds going to charities or anything that is just plan unique and fun. Really anything goes as long as it’s family friendly! You can contact her by leaving a comment here or posting a comment on her blog. You can also contact her at Artfire and Etsy. No traditional “Blog Giveaway” please.

• If you are an artfire member, get featured on libertydoll’s blog by posting in this forum. You will be added to both libertydoll’s blog and kaboodle in the order the posts were received. Once you have been added, she will contact you through artfire!

• RougeRiverBeads has offered to spotlight inspirational items in her Get Inspired section of her blog at http://rougeriverbeads.blogspot.com. Just leave a link to your item in this Artfire forum.

• Nyblaque features artists on here blogs: http://nyblaque.blogspot.com/, http://myindielove.blogspot.com/, and http://artfiremoms.blogspot.com/. You can contact her through etsy or by leaving a comment on one of her blogs. She will respond by sending you a Questionaire, which varies depending on the artist. She will also ask for permission to feature some pics of you work and may ask for your shop minis and other contact info.

• Smokey Mountain Scents has a blog where she features artists as well. You can also offer to sponsor a give-a-way and send the item directly to the winner. You can contact her on etsy or email her at smokeymountainscents-at-charter-dot-net.

• Avie Designs maintains a blog and features artists. You can contact her on etsy or by email at avie.designs [!at] gmail.com. She typically asks you to provide her with the following information:
  •  Tell us about yourself? Name, age, where you live, do you have a spouse, kids, pets, education/training.
  • What do you make?
  • What inspires you & what is your creative process?
  • Where is your studio and how has it evolved? what is your plan for it in the future?
  • What tools & equipment do you use?
  • What else do you do? Is this your full time gig?
  • What do you hope to get out of this, what are your goals?
  • How do you promote yourself?
  • Any tips for fellow crafters/artists?

• TimothyAdamDesigns hosts bluefuse, which handmade features items for men. View here for submission details.

• Get your store / items added to Buried Treasure by following the submission guidelines here. 

• Littlewhims has a blog at Absolutely Delish indie shopping finds and design in general. Leave her your information in the We Love Etsy forum thread here and you may just be included in her blog. 

• The Creative Ark is also offering to feature artisan / crafters on two of her blogs: http://thecreativeark.blogspot.com  and http://perfectlychic.blogspot.com.

I’ll be adding more blogs to this list as I find them so check back often!

Our next Smiles Coupon Campaign will be a multi-useful coupon. We will be featuring a 20% off discount with redemption of our coupon code. However, we will allow interested indiepreneurs to offer 10% off, free shipping, buy one get one free, or any other discount they desire. Simply sign up for our Smiles Coupon Campaign and we’ll ask you what you prefer.

Better yet, if you sign up before January 13, 2008, we’ll throw in a free Indie Finds Directory listing for 2009!

Just purchase below!

Promotion boxes are meant to promote individual sellers but there are three types of promotion box programs. In both types of promotion boxes, participants desiring to promote their store sends samples, coupons, and business cards to the coordinator who has been designated for the task. I find that business cards alone are a waste of time and money – after all, people want to see what you provide and unless you sell artwork that is displayed on your business card, business cards do not do it.

In the first type of promotion box is what I call a promo swap. Here, the participants receive a package of samples from other participants and cross-promote each other. So for example, twenty participants send in 40 samples. The coordinator sorts the samples such that she creates 20 boxes filled with two samples from each participant. This will mean that each box will have 40 samples. The coordinator then sends each box to one participant. Once the participants receive the promotion box, they can hand out the samples, business cards, and coupons to their friends, family, and customers.

There are several groups who coordinate promo swaps. For example, if you have a store on Etsy, several Etsy teams have such a promo swap program. I have participated in the California Crafters Club of Etsy (CCCOE)’s promo swap which is directed by Yolanda. If you have a store on Artfire, wunderkrafts is trying to coordinate a promo swap with fellow artfire members here.

In the second type of promotion box or sample box, the coordinator sells the promotion box at a very reasonable price to customers that desire to sample products. In this type of promotion box, the participants must only send in samples since customers would not want to purchase business cards or flyers. This type of promotion box requires the coordinator to promote the sales of the promotion box. Often, the coordinator does not charge the participant since they make money by selling the box. You kind find these type of sample box at places like The Little Black Box and The Spotted Box.

In the third type of promotion box, the coordinator sets up a contest or give-a-way and the lucky winner receives your sample products! Or, the coordinator just gives the item away! This is great because the winner appreciates free stuff, will try out your product, and may just visit your store! Riskybeads seems to be hosting a monthly contest and is soliciting stores for items to be included in the give-a-way. SalvageNation is collecting items for her February 14 swag bag handout.

Give it a try!