Marketing on Etsy Done Right

Did you get the recipe for off-Etsy marketing? It’s one part social media, one part blogging, one part email and 100 percent being a kind, giving and approachable person.

But what about Etsy itself? Can you get further in your business by pulling the magical Etsy strings?

I know- silly, silly question. And it’s true there are so many opinions on this topic.

But after researching the subject I found that the world was just one blog short of having enough “How to Market Your Business on Etsy” posts.

So let’s fix that, shall we?

But this time let’s keeps in mind that off Etsy efforts are driving traffic to our store.

Do your homework

BORING!!!! But it’s so important to do your Etsy-market research. Investigate your niche:

• See what other sellers are making.
• See how much they are selling.
• See what they are selling it for.
• See how many people are selling what you want to sell.

Unless you specialize in crocheted cozies for naked mole rats there are 57 shops doing exactly what you do and another 319 that come close. Find the ones that do well and take lots and lots of notes. When you’ve figured out what makes their shop awesome (chances are it’s one or more of the things on this list) go fix your shop.

Make an offering to the Internet god

Search engines are powerful things. But they are not omniscient, so you have to leave them clues — little bread crumbs in your text — to help them find you. The technical term for these breadcrumbs is search engine optimization. And because most SEO advice is boring and technical, hundreds of creative minds tune out at the mention of it.

That’s why I love Everything Etsy’s SEO video tutorial. Kim and her husband explain SEO in a crafty-person friendly way. At the same time, they don’t hold back. These tips are powerful and just what Google is looking for. In one hour (20 minutes for the video, 20 to search Google Adwords and another 20 to fix your most popular listings) you can clean up your SEO and the supreme power of the Internet will begin blessing your store with traffic.

Keep a tidy shop

Take a little shopping trip for a minute. The first store is poorly lit and all the products are a jumbled mess. You might put up with it if you were at a thrift store – but you wouldn’t expect to pay more than a quarter for any one item.

Now pop on over to Harrods. Everything has its own display and there are more lights than Disney’s Electrical Parade.

Your shop isn’t going to charge Harrods prices but you want to look like you could. Amazing photography is a must. Learn how to snap beautiful pics or spring a few bucks and hire a professional (or an aspiring professional).

Organization is the second key to a tidy shop. Utilize the shop categories for every item you list. Well-named categories help shoppers easily move through your selection. Straighten your shelves (categories) from time to time as your shop grows and your product line changes.

Network

Join teams, participate in the forums and seek out other Etsy shop girls (or guys). You will learn volumes from other sellers – both from their ups and their downs. You will make amazing friends — send business to them! Do it enough and someday someone will return the favor.

If you don’t think teams are your thing, I highly recommend Norah’s testimonial on Handmadeology.

Provide a customer experience people will talk about

Good customer service is a cliche and everybody thinks they’re doing it. Don’t just think – do it and do it better than everyone else in your niche. Take service up a notch (or three) and wow customers with your prompt communication and personal touch. Always use first names and seek to recognize repeat buyers.

If you exceed expectations, people will leave you glowing feedback and send you referrals. You won’t even have to ask.

A final word

I am purposely leaving one thing out of my post — frequently listing and relisting items — but it can’t go unmentioned.

There is so much debate on the subject. Some swear it works, others say it is a waste of money. I think renewing items boosts sales if it is the ONLY way you are marketing your shop. But if you’re here on Moxie Tonic  you already know it’s not Etsy’s job to get buyers to your site – it’s your job.

List regularly, but instead of listing just to list – take a holistic approach. Think about your SEO, keep your shop full and offer a variety of products and price points. Once your total marketing package kicks in to high gear – you won’t really have the listing dilemma – you’ll be naturally relisting as items sell.

Coming soon I’m going to introduce a new feature to Moxie Tonic – The Awesome, Amazing, Superstar Seller Profile, Feature Thing-y.

I’m still working on a title.

But I have our first guest lined up – Cyprianne from Speckled Frog Crochet – she rocks Etsy because her product is amazing and she provides an amazing customer experience.