timothy adam designs

Search trends during the holiday shopping season

2009-11-11T18:51:00.000-08:00

The Holday online shopping season is upon us. According to Google using the insights search tool the Holiday shopping season is about to take off. In the graph below you will notice that in 2008 the searches for "holiday sale" greatly increased in mid November. Sticking with the trend as 2009 in blue has done we will start to see an increase shortly.

One question that is often asked is: What type of sale should you run.... free shipping... discounts.... bogo..... The following graphs show the trends from 2007 to 2009 of what sales words are being searched. Click on the pictures for a larger view

Holiday Free Shipping

Discounts

Coupons

Bogo

Etsy Sale

"Though not all retailers offer free shipping, discounts, or other rebates, know that these value propositions resonate with consumers so begin thinking about how your company or product is providing value and incorporate that messaging into your online marketing campaigns. Consumers are eagerly looking for a reason to buy from you."

by Eric Lopez, the Google Retail Team

Tips for New Etsy Sellers (submit yours)

2009-11-11T10:39:00.000-08:00

One of the best ways to increase Etsy Traffic is to find quality, high ranking, and relevant sites/blogs that will link back to your Etsy shop: I am compiling a list of tips for New Etsy sellers from Etsy sellers. If you have tips to share and are interested in increasing your backlinks, just fill out the form below. You can submit as many tips as you would like..
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Etsy Front Page Nov 3

2009-11-10T08:05:00.000-08:00

I have been working on my new line of trees to list in my Etsy shop and finally got them listed. The same day it was featured on the front page of Etsy and then sold.

Etsy Top 10 (11.10.09) Grab Your Spot!

2009-11-08T19:38:00.000-08:00

57 weeks.... 570 shops featured, 104,800+ views, and over 57 direct sales that I know of! I just want to thank everyone that takes part in the Top 10.. I look forward every week to looking through all the Etsy shops and picking my Faves!

Etsy Top 10

This past weeks Top 10 items received so far a total of 1956 + hits !!!!

Tune in to my Twitter channel this Tuesday at 12 pm for the top 10...
The Etsy Top 10 is now being posted on my Facebook fan page: HERE (1700+ fans)

__________________________________________________________________
If you would like to have your Etsy shop considered for the Etsy Top 10 Leave a comment on this blog post telling me what item from last weeks Top ten you like best!

Also post your Etsy shop in the Forums >> HERE
These 2 steps must be taken to be considered for the top 10!

!!!Top 10 Twitter Challenge!!!
Each week the Etsy seller with the most retweets about the Top 10 will automatically be given a spot in the Top 10! All you have to do is hit the "Tweet This" buttons below.. The more you tweet the better!!!

If you create your own tweet make sure you add the #etsytop10 tag!
Add #etsytop10 to all your tweets today before Tuesday at 6pm!
GOOD LUCK!!!!
_________________________________________________________________

Help Spread the word about the Etsy Top 10:
Tune in Tuesday and help retweet all 10 winners!!!
Add #etsytop10 to your tweets!!!

If you have been featured in the Etsy Top 10.. you can add this button to your blog. Just copy and paste the code below.... Make sure you grab the code from the week you were featured, and it will send your readers to that week and help increase your traffic to your Etsy shop!

Brought to you this week by :

_________________________________Handmadeology University Scholarship Program

____________________________

Sign up for my FREE INSIDER tips and tricks click HERE

Setting up Google Analytics for your Etsy shop

2009-11-08T11:50:00.000-08:00

Google Analytics is a very powerful tool to use when marketing your handmade goods. Google Analytics allows you to track incoming traffic to your Etsy shop. You can even get extremely detailed info like what time of day your visitors are viewing your Etsy shop. This video below will walk you through step by step how to set up an Google Analytics account and then add your Etsy shop.

If you are looking for more indepth information about what Google Analytics can do for your Etsy business check out this Google Analytics video that explores in depth how to read and process the info found in Google Analytics.

Google Analytics In Depth

More Google Analytics Tips and Info

Etsy Tip of the day (Love what you do)

2009-11-08T10:56:00.000-08:00

Tip By: Drops of Sunshine : Blog
Don't take more than you can handle but don't be afraid to try.

I found that when I put all my effort into a few items I got more traffic than doing things "half-way" and not giving them my all because I was focusing on imputing a lot of items. Now my focus is to take the best pictures, do my best description, do things I would love to see in my shop and promote them like my babies.

Tip BY: Sleepy Moon Design : Blog

LOVE WHAT YOU DO... it's that simple. You wouldn't want to sell something that was only half good.

When you put your full self into something it will show and your personality will come out.

This works for your item descriptions as well. People always love to read interesting descriptions and here more about the item and what went into it.

If you have an Etsy tip you would like to share Click Here for more details!

Want to learn more about Increasing your Etsy Traffic?

ArtFire’s Anniversary Special

2009-11-06T10:38:00.000-08:00

ArtFire’s Anniversary Special: Allowing Members to Pre-Purchase and Save

ArtFire.com Launches new Payment Option for Pro Members

Tucson, Ariz. – To celebrate their one year anniversary, ArtFire.com has announced the Anniversary Special, which allows users to pre-purchase a Pro account at a discounted rate. However, they are only offering this option to the first 500 members to take advantage of the deal.

Previously, ArtFire Pro accounts were available for a monthly subscription only, with Pro members paying a flat rate of $12 a month (ArtFire also offers free unlimited listings to its Basic seller accounts). This pre-purchase option will allow members the opportunity to pay $100 for an entire year of membership. This allows users to save over 30% or $44 per Pro account.

ArtFire plans to allow for more pre-purchase opportunities in the future, including options for quarterly payments for all members interested in the program. However, this Anniversary Special is only open to the first 500 to register for this pre-purchase option. Future regular pre-payment options will not have such a substantial discount.

“We couldn’t have come this far and been so successful without our artisan members,” said John Jacobs, CEO of ArtFire. “This special will help reward them for working with us to build this wonderful community and allow us to grow even further in 2010.”

A Little More about ArtFire

ArtFire.com is the premier artisan marketplace online. Although ArtFire has only been in open beta for one year, they’ve seen phenomenal growth in that time. In just one year ArtFire has grown to 50,000 members with 700,000 products listed and more than $1.5 million in product sold by artisans. These numbers make ArtFire the most successful artisan marketplace ever launched. To celebrate this success, ArtFire is offering their artisans a way to save money as well as time with their Anniversary Special.

Adding a Retweet Button to Blogger

2009-11-05T14:50:00.000-08:00

Providing a Retweet button on in your blog posts is a great way to increase traffic to your blog. Having this button allows your readers to quickly post your link on Twitter. The video below will walk you through the process of adding a Retweet button to your Blogger blog.

Here is where you will find the code talked about in the video: Tweetmeme.com Code Page

Here is a small revision to the video: If you want the code to show the correct Tweet numbers paste this small code along with the code you just posted:

Colorado Trees Series

2009-11-04T10:01:00.000-08:00

The Colorado Trees Series was inspired by my trip to Colorado in 2009. Camping and hiking in the wilderness was truly an amazing experience.

The Colorado Pine Scene is hand welded from recycled rusted steel. Designed just for display and decoration, this handmade display will make a great addition to your holiday or everyday decoration.

Each branch hand cut from a old rusted garden fence. They entire display is clear coated to protect from further rusting.

Size: 10 1/2 inches wide :: 7 inches tall

:: Please note that each scene is handmade and WILL differ from the picture. Just like trees in the forest no 2 are alike.

Modern Steel Belt Buckle

2009-11-03T20:43:00.000-08:00

This modern industrial belt buckl e is a prefect addition to your stylish wardrobe. It is 100% handmade.... cut from 1/8 steel and shined to perfection. The highlight of the buckle is the oval shape with the hand carved grooves. This buckle is finished with a durable enamel.

Size: 3.5 inches long and 2.5 inches tall

this buckle will fit a 1.5 inch belt

Etsy Top 10 (11.3.09) Enter your shop!!!!

2009-11-01T10:55:00.000-08:00

56 weeks.... 560 shops featured, 103,000+ views, and over 57 direct sales that I know of! I just want to thank everyone that takes part in the Top 10.. I look forward every week to looking through all the Etsy shops and picking my Faves!

Etsy Top 10

This past weeks Top 10 items received so far a total of 1824 + hits and 3 SALES !!!!

Tune in to my Twitter channel this Tuesday at 12 pm for the top 10...
The Etsy Top 10 is now being posted on my Facebook fan page: HERE (1600+ fans)

__________________________________________________________________
If you would like to have your Etsy shop considered for the Etsy Top 10 Leave a comment on this blog post telling me what item from last weeks Top ten you like best!

Also post your Etsy shop in the Forums >> HERE
These 2 steps must be taken to be considered for the top 10!

!!!Top 10 Twitter Challenge!!!
Each week the Etsy seller with the most retweets about the Top 10 will automatically be given a spot in the Top 10! All you have to do is hit the "Tweet This" buttons below.. The more you tweet the better!!!

Etsy Tip of the day (customer service)

2009-10-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

Tip By: Delirium Designs Jewelry Deux : Blog

I think listing on a regular basis has , whenever I can do it, brought in more people to my Etsy. More important, though, is to listen to your clients and become a service-minded shop owner. Do all you can to make the buying experience a pleasant one that appeals to potential customers.

Make an effort to answer any covo questions a potential buyer might have and do anything possible to help them decide to buy the product they are inquiring about. For instance, I had a woman from Europe who was interested in a pair of earrings. She pointed out to me that my photos (which were lovely and detailed, with a description including the size of the earrings) didn't clearly show the scale of the earrings. I took a photo wearing the earrings to show their size and she realized they might be a little long for her. With a minor adjustment to the lengths of the wires the beads were on, she was pleased and so was I (I made the sale) and learned a lesson, to either have a model wear the earrings or use a common prop to photo along with the earrings to show scale.

Tip By: sleepy moon design : Blog

Customer service!!!!! Always treat your customers and potential customers very well. They will remember you because you were so nice or easy to talk to. Also treat everyone as potential customers.

Etsy Tip of the day ( better photography is worth the aggravation)

2009-10-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

Better Photography really is worth the aggravation.

A few tips from allisa jacobs

# Read your camera manual! This helped me immensely. I grabbed a coffee & spent an afternoon figuring out *many* of the modes & tricks.

# Find the light. You DO NOT need sunlight, in fact sunlight can make photos look too bright & leave too many shadows. This is probably the biggest thing I've learned. I take all of my photos on a table near a window sill on very dreary & rainy Oregon afternoons. But since I account for the white balance (see below) it works!

# Manual Mode. I almost always use this. It can be found on the little dial on top of the camera. It allows you to adjust for white balance (to get rid of that pink hue. Or the blue or gray or whatever it may be) the link above gives great explanation on modes. *This discovery was the second most important thing I did to improve photos. Auto mode doesn't cut it.

more photography tips:

If you have an Etsy tip you would like to share Click Here for more details!

Want to learn more about Increasing your Etsy Traffic?

Etsy Tip of the day ( Helping your New Customers Check out)

2009-10-27T09:54:00.000-07:00

Hello Tim & fellow Etsians!

This is a tip I discovered when I started my second Etsy shop of Wedding flowers shop, www.AmoreBride.etsy.com. (my first shop is www.AmoreVivo.etsy.com) A high percentage of my visitors there are very new to Etsy. I noticed that they would purchase from me, but didn't complete the payment process. New sites can be confusing for the first time consumer, so now in my announcement I have a link explaining the complete payment process. I even am testing it in some of my listing descriptions. This is what I use, feel free to copy it, or add your own wording:

If you're NEW to Etsy, here is a helpful link to guide you through checkout: http://www.etsy.com/help_guide_checkout.php

Good luck, and happy continuous sales!
Michele in Michigan : Blog

If you have an Etsy tip you would like to share Click Here for more details!

Want to learn more about Increasing your Etsy Traffic?

Etsy Tip of the day ( Must Read Tips)

2009-10-25T18:41:00.000-07:00

Have a personal story behind your shop or individual piece. If you have competitors on Etsy, which you probably do, having that personal story or write up may make you stand out! Tip by: Cyber Fiber

The biggest tip I can offer is to find a niche market. Specialize in a certain area and promote your store specifically for that product (or special technique, custom sizing, etc.)...streamline & focus :)
~Robbie Ruby Vegas

Don't be discouraged by people selling similar items to you. Keep working hard, it takes time for people to notice you are there. Also don't be discouraged when sales are low, it happens to everyone:) Tip by: Ambient Girl Designs : Blog

If possible, list one item daily and at different times of the day, rather than listing several items at once. If you have a large block of time to prepare listings, prepare the listing and do not click on the final FINISH button. Copy the URL for the almost finished listing and email it to yourself, or save it in a Word document. Then you only have to login to etsy, past the URL into your browser, and click FINISH. You can prepare several listings and post them all at different times during a day or week. This keeps you closer to the top in the categories.
Tip by: MF Vintage MF Crafts

If you have an Etsy tip you would like to share Click Here for more details!

Want to learn more about Increasing your Etsy Traffic?

Etsy Top 10 (10.27.09) Grab Your Spot!

2009-10-25T12:36:00.000-07:00

55 weeks.... 550 shops featured, 101,000+ views, and over 54 direct sales that I know of! I just want to thank everyone that takes part in the Top 10.. I look forward every week to looking through all the Etsy shops and picking my Faves!

Etsy Top 10

This past weeks Top 10 items received so far a total of 1895 + hits !!!!

Tune in to my Twitter channel this Tuesday at 12 pm for the top 10...
The Etsy Top 10 is now being posted on my Facebook fan page: HERE (1600+ fans)

__________________________________________________________________
If you would like to have your Etsy shop considered for the Etsy Top 10 Leave a comment on this blog post telling me what item from last weeks Top ten you like best!

Also post your Etsy shop in the Forums > HERE

These 2 steps must be taken to be considered for the top 10!

!!!Top 10 Twitter Challenge!!!
Each week the Etsy seller with the most retweets about the Top 10 will automatically be given a spot in the Top 10! All you have to do is hit the "Tweet This" buttons below.. The more you tweet the better!!!

If you create your own tweet make sure you add the #etsytop10 tag!
Add #etsytop10 to all your tweets today before Tuesday at 12 pm!
GOOD LUCK!!!!
_________________________________________________________________

Help Spread the word about the Etsy Top 10:
Tune in Tuesday and help retweet all 10 winners!!!
Add #etsytop10 to your tweets!!!

If you have been featured in the Etsy Top 10.. you can add this button to your blog. Just copy and paste the code below.... Make sure you grab the code from the week you were featured, and it will send your readers to that week and help increase your traffic to your Etsy shop!

Brought to you this week by :

_____________________________________________________________

Sign up for my INSIDER tips and tricks click HERE
Also check out Handmadeology

Etsy Tip of the day (Building your Social Network)

2009-10-23T17:23:00.000-07:00

Developing collaborative communities with Etsy Sellers inside and outside of Etsy has really taken my business to a higher level. So I really feel it's necessary to create a multi-prong strategy:

*Establishing a solid base of followers on Twitter--we tweet our items and RT our fellow artisan's items and I got my first #Follow Friday!

*Establishing a solid profile on Facebook--I am beginning to offer added value to fans by promoting their posts, adding Discussion Topics so that they can share their Twitter Channels, Blogs, etc. and gaining a larger friend and fan base.

*Providing rich content on my blog--featured artists, giveaways, articles about marketing and promotion

*Establishing a presence in the Etsy forums, chats, labs--I am currently working on developing a stronger Etsy presence and broadening my participation.

And I also am getting back to basics: redoing some of my not so successful shop photos, redesigning the banner, and making sure my items are fresh and appealing to buyers!

Deb
Zur Designs : Blog

If you have an Etsy tip you would like to share Click Here for more details!
Learn more about Facebook, Blogging, and Twitter for the Handmade scene

Etsy Tip of the day (Forums and Chat)

2009-10-22T18:19:00.000-07:00

Be as active as you can in the Etsy forums. There are so many talented and successful artisans who can give advice. Don't be intimidated because you're new - just jump right in.
Tip By: ceejay bags : Blog

Make tons of new friends in the Etsy forums and in the Etsy chat rooms. I pop in at least a few times a week to look at new shops for inspiration and/or to talk about how we all promote or shops. I really enjoy being part of the Etsy community! Tip By: Looks Good : Blog

Read the forums daily. You will gain tons of knowledge and information to help you along the way. Tip By: Sun Creations Emporium : Blog

Post in chats, forums, and on blogs. This gets your name around and helps you to get to know sellers and perhaps potential buyers. Tip By: Designs By Bec : Blog

If you have an Etsy tip you would like to share Click Here for more details!

Etsy Tip of the day (Etsy Street Teams)

2009-10-21T09:13:00.000-07:00

I've found that connecting with local Etsy sellers is very beneficial. Most people that appreciate handmade, really like to shop local, too. Chances are you have something that they want, and you can arrange a delivery or pick up. Nice chance to meet your customers. Also, if you do shows in the area, they are very likely to attend! This is a good way to connect with your local Etsy sellers, too. Chicago Style Crafters is our Etsy street team and we have regular meet ups, virtual and physical. We share information, critique each others shops, put together promo bags to hand out at shows, etc. I've learned a lot from the team!

Tip Submitted by: Spinal Fusion

If you have an Etsy tip you would like to share Click Here for more details!

1 Million Following Etsy on Twitter!!!!

2009-10-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

Etsy.com Just hit 1 million followers on Twitter Today!! Congrats!!

@Etsy

Stop by and give your congrats HERE in the Etsy Forums

Quick Handmade Marketing Poll

2009-10-18T22:48:00.000-07:00

Etsy Top 10 (10.20.09) Enter Your Shop!

2009-10-18T19:29:00.000-07:00

54 weeks.... 540 shops featured, 100,000+ views, and over 53 direct sales that I know of! I just want to thank everyone that takes part in the Top 10.. I look forward every week to looking through all the Etsy shops and picking my Faves!

Etsy Top 10

This past weeks Top 10 items received so far a total of 1971 + hits and 3 SALES !!!!

Tune in to my Twitter channel this Tuesday at 12 pm for the top 10...
The Etsy Top 10 is now being posted on my Facebook fan page: HERE (1550+ fans)

__________________________________________________________________
If you would like to have your Etsy shop considered for the Etsy Top 10 Leave a comment on this blog post telling me what item from last weeks Top ten you like best!

Also post your Etsy shop in the Forums >> HERE

These 2 steps must be taken to be considered for the top 10!

!!!Top 10 Twitter Challenge!!!
Each week the Etsy seller with the most retweets about the Top 10 will automatically be given a spot in the Top 10! All you have to do is hit the "Tweet This" buttons below.. The more you tweet the better!!!

If you create your own tweet make sure you add the #etsytop10 tag!
Add #etsytop10 to all your tweets today before Tuesday at 6pm!
GOOD LUCK!!!!
_________________________________________________________________

Help Spread the word about the Etsy Top 10:
Tune in Tuesday and help retweet all 10 winners!!!
Add #etsytop10 to your tweets!!!

If you have been featured in the Etsy Top 10.. you can add this button to your blog. Just copy and paste the code below.... Make sure you grab the code from the week you were featured, and it will send your readers to that week and help increase your traffic to your Etsy shop!

Brought to you this week by :

_____________________________________________________________

Sign up for my INSIDER tips and tricks click HERE
Also check out Handmadeology

Etsy Traffic Poll

2009-10-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

Personal Blogs on Art Fire

2009-10-15T12:04:00.000-07:00

ArtFire Integrates Blogs into Studios

ArtFire.com launches fully customizable blogs for artisan members

Tucson, AZ – In an effort to better connect content with commerce for artisan entrepreneurs, ArtFire has launched a new fully function blogging feature for pro members on the site. This new tool allows artisan sellers to manage a blog right form their studio bringing the additional traffic from content searches directly to the artisan’s studio.

Blogs are available right on artisan’s studios, allowing buyers a chance to read blog posts and further get to know the seller before making a purchase. These blogs are fully customizable, allowing users to set blog categories, font size, font color, add pictures, video and even enter in html scripts. Artisan bloggers can schedule blog posts in advance to announce oncoming events or sales. Bloggers with news to share with a wider audience can also submit their posts to HandmadeNews.org to further extend their reach and audience online.

“We’re giving sellers a place to promote and publish their posts where shoppers can do more than just read about an item, they can buy it,” said John Jacobs, CEO of ArtFire.com. “With this new blogging feature, members will be able to share even more with buyers and not have to manage a blog off-site in the hope that a buyer will take the extra steps of clicking to visit a studio later.”

More about ArtFire.com

ArtFire is the fastest growing handmade, vintage, supplies, and design marketplace on the web. With a community of 50,000 buyers and artisan sellers, ArtFire is a community of artisans as well as a marketplace. The site offers a number of interactive features for members, including site forums, site teams known as guilds, and an internal messaging system. By building in site blogs, ArtFire is allowing artisans an additional way to communicate and express themselves.

You can visit my new Art Fire Blog

Webinar Notes

2009-10-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

Notes From the Webinar This past Tuesday covering increasing Etsy traffic

Click HERE

Thanks craftymissusd