Today I thought I`d do a quick `help with promotion` blog mainly aimed, I suppose at those who are selling on the various craft sites, including the big ones, Etsy, Wow Thank You and Folksy. Pretty much the same sort of thing for a website too.
One thing I`ve learned is the importance of links. You need to get your links wherever possible and there atre plenty of sites where you can add your shop or item links for free.
The main ones you need of course, are Facebook, Google+ and Twitter for starters. They are ideal platforms for the crafter to help build their business.
Both Facebook and Google+ have a facility for business pages. Sign up to a personal page and then add a business page.
We`ll do those more in depth another time.
For now I want to give you some links you can use.
Craftori.com was originally EtsyLush. They changed the name when they opened the opportunity to advertise to all. The site gets a lot of traffic so it`s worthwhile adding your items here. There are two options Free and Paid. Worthwhile taking a look at both.
Pinterest.com This is a site that`s really taken off and is great for advertising your wares. The more an item gets repinned the more coverage it gets. I have discovered that the more items you pin the more followers you seem to gain.
Stumbleupon.com It`s a site worth joining as it is very popular and gives your items a wider coverage. Here is a link for a HELP guide
100craftlinks.com This is a craft directory where you can add a shop or website link with a description. You do need to go back every so often and re-add your link as with each new one added yours moves down. There are only ever 100 links.
Kaboodle.com Join and add items from your shop or website. I do belong to this site and add items periodically but need to do more with it. You can follow others and gain followers too. One way of getting extra interest is to do style boards or run a poll. The poll can be as basic as having a few of your items and asking what people prefer.
Tumblr.com A popular site and a good one to join. It originally started as a blogging site I think. You can add items, your own and others for more interest, add links for blog posts, treasuries or anything.
Well there`s a few to be going on with. I hope it helps as a start. I will do this as a regular Saturday blog for the immediate future.
Every little bit of promotion helps. It may seem daunting and time consuming at first, having to add items to various sites on a regular basis but it quickly becomes a routine you can do quickly.
Some sites of course you add your shop or website link once and that`s it.
If you found this blog helpful please share so that others can make use of the information too.
Thank you for visiting, I hope you`ll come back soon.
29/06/2013
28/06/2013
Hot Orange Cool Aqua #Etsy
I thought I would try for the colours of a sizzling summer, orange heat and cool aqua, so that I can at least look at it even though the sizzle isn`t happening here in England yet. Well it did get warm yesterday but cooled right down when it rained.
I am really hoping we don`t have a summer like last year which can be described in one word, lousy.
It seems that since I have been made redundant from my job of nearly 20 years, I haven`t had a spare minute. Life seems to be busier than ever. Mind you it doesn`t help that I still haven`t got back into everything properly since my holiday.
I do need to get my head back into gear as I shall be taking part in a new team on Etsy, that is an offshoot of the British Crafter`s team I belong to. It`s a joint effort with Etsy to help us all improve every aspect of our shops and businesses including social media. I expect it will be hard work for the month of July it runs for but I`m also hoping that it will improve sales all round.
I will let you know how I get on and share useful information I learn that can help others who also sell online. We all start out thinking it will be easy and then come down to earth with a bump when we understand just how much of our time gets taken up with promotion.
As usual, to see a bigger picture or a description, just click on the item to view it in the shop.
ENJOY!!!
A poem I wrote on holiday.
A vast sea, so endlessly grey.
Will it improve? Who can say.
Smooth and calm with the odd little ripple
well it is unless you`ve had a tipple.
Don`t seem any who get drunk, I think
they may worry they`ll end up in the drink.
Wouldn`t want to be stumbling about outside
could make for rather a tricky ride.
Much better to go easy and enjoy the cruise
otherwise there`s just too much to lose.
Now, along the horizon there`s a brightening
above that line the sky is lightening.
Maybe we are heading for the sun
I hope so it will be much more fun.
We have been heading steadily North
sailing so speedily as we go forth
into lighter nights and brighter mornings
and ever earlier, each new day`s dawning`s!!
Gadget Armour. The Felt Menagerie.
Gimme That Thing. IzzyBeads.
PinkyRoo. LarkRoadRhymes.
Adien Crafts. Spinning Streak.
Elegance By Elaine. Bluedaisyglass.
ArizonaMarmaladeShop. Dottie Designs.
Joscinta. Sew Gifted.
R.E.D. Ceramics. Carolyn Cochrane.
Hope you enjoyed today`s gorgeous array of sizzling shades reminiscent of summer heat and cooling down. All from the crafter`s of Etsy.
Thanks for visiting, please come back soon.
I am really hoping we don`t have a summer like last year which can be described in one word, lousy.
It seems that since I have been made redundant from my job of nearly 20 years, I haven`t had a spare minute. Life seems to be busier than ever. Mind you it doesn`t help that I still haven`t got back into everything properly since my holiday.
I do need to get my head back into gear as I shall be taking part in a new team on Etsy, that is an offshoot of the British Crafter`s team I belong to. It`s a joint effort with Etsy to help us all improve every aspect of our shops and businesses including social media. I expect it will be hard work for the month of July it runs for but I`m also hoping that it will improve sales all round.
I will let you know how I get on and share useful information I learn that can help others who also sell online. We all start out thinking it will be easy and then come down to earth with a bump when we understand just how much of our time gets taken up with promotion.
As usual, to see a bigger picture or a description, just click on the item to view it in the shop.
ENJOY!!!
A poem I wrote on holiday.
A vast sea, so endlessly grey.
Will it improve? Who can say.
Smooth and calm with the odd little ripple
well it is unless you`ve had a tipple.
Don`t seem any who get drunk, I think
they may worry they`ll end up in the drink.
Wouldn`t want to be stumbling about outside
could make for rather a tricky ride.
Much better to go easy and enjoy the cruise
otherwise there`s just too much to lose.
Now, along the horizon there`s a brightening
above that line the sky is lightening.
Maybe we are heading for the sun
I hope so it will be much more fun.
We have been heading steadily North
sailing so speedily as we go forth
into lighter nights and brighter mornings
and ever earlier, each new day`s dawning`s!!
Gadget Armour. The Felt Menagerie.
Gimme That Thing. IzzyBeads.
PinkyRoo. LarkRoadRhymes.
Adien Crafts. Spinning Streak.
Elegance By Elaine. Bluedaisyglass.
ArizonaMarmaladeShop. Dottie Designs.
Joscinta. Sew Gifted.
R.E.D. Ceramics. Carolyn Cochrane.
Hope you enjoyed today`s gorgeous array of sizzling shades reminiscent of summer heat and cooling down. All from the crafter`s of Etsy.
Thanks for visiting, please come back soon.
27/06/2013
Ships Galore #Etsy
Well it`s Thursday already a week to the day that I returned home from holiday. It is becoming a distant memory almost. Kind of sad how once you get back into daily life it qiuickly feels as though you never went away. Sigh!!!!
Still I have been trying to keep it alive a little bit longer by doing blogs that touch upon aspects of it.
Like this. We visited the Vasa museum in Stockholm and it was amazing.
Vasa is a Swedish warship built 1626-1628. The ship foundered and sank after sailing less than a nautical mile into her maiden voyage on 10 August 1628. She fell into obscurity after most of her valuable bronze cannons were salvaged in the 17th century.
After she was located again in the late 1950s in a busy shipping lane just outside the Stockholm harbour, she was salvaged with a largely intact hull in 1961. She was housed in a temporary museum until 1987 and then moved to the Vasa Museum in Stockholm. The ship is one of Sweden's most popular tourist attractions and has been seen by over 29 million visitors since 1961.
I decided to do a ships and sailing blog to tie in with this and it does in a way. It`s kind of nice to have a bit more to a theme as well as keeping the memory alive a bit longer.
As usual, to see a bigger picture or a description, just click on the item to view it in the shop.
ENJOY!!!
A very old ship that started sailing
barely out of the harbour started flailing.
It wasn`t the weather, no sign of mist
when this great ship began to list.
It managed to limp barely a mile
I doubt the crew managed a smile.
Now it`s been brought to light
and is such a wondrous sight.
Saved for all and also preserved
it`s what those sailors deserved
some recognition for their plight
and to give pleasure and delight.
This ship has an air of mystery
from being far back in history.
Now it is the people of the present`s turn
to see just how much they can learn!!
Pebble cove decor. Joe V Leather.
SouthernBelleOOAK. Gretchen Hancock Paintings.
Cyberoptix Tie Lab. NauticalBeachDecor.
Wilson Graphics. Ahpeele.
Scrimshaw Design. CakeaDoodledoo.
Winterberry Cottage. Forest Bags.
Ton Case. Stick It There.
Lady Rene. San Filippo Leather.
Hope you enjoyed today`s wonderful nautical themed crafts from the crafter`s of Etsy.
Thanks for visiting, please come back soon.
Still I have been trying to keep it alive a little bit longer by doing blogs that touch upon aspects of it.
Like this. We visited the Vasa museum in Stockholm and it was amazing.
Vasa is a Swedish warship built 1626-1628. The ship foundered and sank after sailing less than a nautical mile into her maiden voyage on 10 August 1628. She fell into obscurity after most of her valuable bronze cannons were salvaged in the 17th century.
After she was located again in the late 1950s in a busy shipping lane just outside the Stockholm harbour, she was salvaged with a largely intact hull in 1961. She was housed in a temporary museum until 1987 and then moved to the Vasa Museum in Stockholm. The ship is one of Sweden's most popular tourist attractions and has been seen by over 29 million visitors since 1961.
I decided to do a ships and sailing blog to tie in with this and it does in a way. It`s kind of nice to have a bit more to a theme as well as keeping the memory alive a bit longer.
As usual, to see a bigger picture or a description, just click on the item to view it in the shop.
ENJOY!!!
A very old ship that started sailing
barely out of the harbour started flailing.
It wasn`t the weather, no sign of mist
when this great ship began to list.
It managed to limp barely a mile
I doubt the crew managed a smile.
Now it`s been brought to light
and is such a wondrous sight.
Saved for all and also preserved
it`s what those sailors deserved
some recognition for their plight
and to give pleasure and delight.
This ship has an air of mystery
from being far back in history.
Now it is the people of the present`s turn
to see just how much they can learn!!
Pebble cove decor. Joe V Leather.
SouthernBelleOOAK. Gretchen Hancock Paintings.
Cyberoptix Tie Lab. NauticalBeachDecor.
Wilson Graphics. Ahpeele.
Scrimshaw Design. CakeaDoodledoo.
Winterberry Cottage. Forest Bags.
Ton Case. Stick It There.
Lady Rene. San Filippo Leather.
Hope you enjoyed today`s wonderful nautical themed crafts from the crafter`s of Etsy.
Thanks for visiting, please come back soon.
25/06/2013
Russian Crafts #Etsy
Russian lacquer art developed from the art of icon painting which came to an end with the collapse of Imperial Russia. The icon painters, who previously had been employed by supplying not only churches but people's homes, needed a way to make a living. Thus, the craft of making papier-mâché decorative boxes and panels developed, the items were lacquered and then hand painted by the artists, often with scenes from folk tales.
Apparently papier-mâché was used as it wasn`t affected by the extremes of temperature. The boxes are painted in layers with varnish covering each layer, often Mother of Pearl is used as well and painted on. Those pictures are amazing with an iridescent quality that is very striking.
I fell in love with these beautiful boxes that came in so many different shapes and sizes. Not surprisingly, considering the craftmanship that goes into them, they can be expensive. Wonderful as something to keep and pass down through the family though.
I also bought a Father or Grandfather Frost. The name varied according to who told the tale.
I believe that he emerged during the years of communism as Christmas was banned or actively discouraged as being a religious holiday. The mid winter celebration moved to New Year when Grandfather Frost brought gifts.
He is generally hand carved from a single piece of wood and then hand painted. He is often wearing blue robes though sometimes they are red and white like the traditional Father Christmas or Santa Claus.
I didn`t get, but would have loved to buy a Faberge style egg. We did see some stunning ones too. I have included some on here as more examples of beautiful Russian crafts.
As usual, to see a bigger picture or a description, just click on the item to view it in the shop.
ENJOY!!!
A taste of Russian crafts that are sold,
from a country known for the cold.
A country with much past mystery
as well as a very varied history.
A place that is stepping onto the world stage,
somewhere that is having a coming of age.
I am trying not to be too partisan,
hard when seeing the work of each artisan.
These crafts are amazingly divine
with a workmanship so very fine.
So many hours of work in each creation,
owning one calls for a celebration.
I think it`s quite safe to assume
they would make a wonderful heirloom!!
TanyaHPSrus. For U 7.
Saskia van Rijn. Russian Decor.
Crafters Creek. Ginger Little.
Holiday Crystals. SteanFinds.
KerenKopal. The Beaded Bead.
Russian Gifts. ArtMatryoshka.
Hope you enjoyed today`s gorgeous and wonderful display of Russian style crafts. Many of these do come from Russia and Russian sellers with shops on Etsy.
Thanks for visiting, please come back soon.
Apparently papier-mâché was used as it wasn`t affected by the extremes of temperature. The boxes are painted in layers with varnish covering each layer, often Mother of Pearl is used as well and painted on. Those pictures are amazing with an iridescent quality that is very striking.
I fell in love with these beautiful boxes that came in so many different shapes and sizes. Not surprisingly, considering the craftmanship that goes into them, they can be expensive. Wonderful as something to keep and pass down through the family though.
I also bought a Father or Grandfather Frost. The name varied according to who told the tale.
I believe that he emerged during the years of communism as Christmas was banned or actively discouraged as being a religious holiday. The mid winter celebration moved to New Year when Grandfather Frost brought gifts.
He is generally hand carved from a single piece of wood and then hand painted. He is often wearing blue robes though sometimes they are red and white like the traditional Father Christmas or Santa Claus.
I didn`t get, but would have loved to buy a Faberge style egg. We did see some stunning ones too. I have included some on here as more examples of beautiful Russian crafts.
As usual, to see a bigger picture or a description, just click on the item to view it in the shop.
ENJOY!!!
A taste of Russian crafts that are sold,
from a country known for the cold.
A country with much past mystery
as well as a very varied history.
A place that is stepping onto the world stage,
somewhere that is having a coming of age.
I am trying not to be too partisan,
hard when seeing the work of each artisan.
These crafts are amazingly divine
with a workmanship so very fine.
So many hours of work in each creation,
owning one calls for a celebration.
I think it`s quite safe to assume
they would make a wonderful heirloom!!
TanyaHPSrus. For U 7.
Saskia van Rijn. Russian Decor.
Crafters Creek. Ginger Little.
Holiday Crystals. SteanFinds.
KerenKopal. The Beaded Bead.
Russian Gifts. ArtMatryoshka.
Hope you enjoyed today`s gorgeous and wonderful display of Russian style crafts. Many of these do come from Russia and Russian sellers with shops on Etsy.
Thanks for visiting, please come back soon.
24/06/2013
Sea Shades #Etsy
This was a treasury theme called tropical, to include blues, greens and turquoise. I love these shades and they always remind me of the sea in it`s many moods and reflections of the sky.
Greens are summer and are often reflected in the sea. Turquoise makes me think of Caribbean waters and various shades of blue are the sea in it`s many guises.
I had meant to do something related to my holiday for today but I ran out of time. I seem to be still in holiday mode all too ready to stop and celebrate now that I`ve got in the habit of enjoying myself. I am trying and failing to impose order and routine back into my life.
So far, since I`ve been home I still haven`t cooked a single meal, although that will change today with the weekend over. There was a meal out on my return. Saturday my eldest daughter and son in law, hosted a barbecue for a late Fathers Day celebration that we missed while on holiday and Sunday my youngest daughter and Son in law took us out for a carvery lunch.
I have to confess to really liking this non cooking habit I have got into, such a shame I have to break the habit again.
Ah well, reality beckons.
As usual, to see a bigger picture or a description, just click on the item to view it in the shop.
ENJOY!!!
All the moods of the sea
are so fascinating to me.
It seems to have so many powers
as I sit and watch it for hours.
Gently moving, smooth and calm,
this sea is a soothing balm.
Like this it usually looks quite blue
depending upon the sky`s hue.
With a sky turning grey and wind rising
a rougher sea is not at all surprising.
When the wind whips up a storm
huge boiling waves are the norm.
The sea it dips and flows away
returning in a crash of spray.
Exhilarating to see each frothing wave
standing firm and being brave.
As they get larger with lots of foam
then I start wishing that I was at home!!
TJB Designs. Redd Apple.
Cosmic hippo designs. Virtuly Glass.
Josh Friedman Photography. Narya Toys.
Two Cats And An Owl. Creative Treasures.
Handmade Creations by Shelly. Inanirsakolurbence.
Berkshire Bowls. Bluedaisyglass.
Barbara Szepesi Szucs. Ebi Emporium.
Designed by Seragun. Deniza 17.
Hope you enjoyed today`s gorgeous array of colours, blues, greens and turquoises from the crafter`s of Etsy.
Thanks for visiting, please come back soon.
Greens are summer and are often reflected in the sea. Turquoise makes me think of Caribbean waters and various shades of blue are the sea in it`s many guises.
I had meant to do something related to my holiday for today but I ran out of time. I seem to be still in holiday mode all too ready to stop and celebrate now that I`ve got in the habit of enjoying myself. I am trying and failing to impose order and routine back into my life.
So far, since I`ve been home I still haven`t cooked a single meal, although that will change today with the weekend over. There was a meal out on my return. Saturday my eldest daughter and son in law, hosted a barbecue for a late Fathers Day celebration that we missed while on holiday and Sunday my youngest daughter and Son in law took us out for a carvery lunch.
I have to confess to really liking this non cooking habit I have got into, such a shame I have to break the habit again.
Ah well, reality beckons.
As usual, to see a bigger picture or a description, just click on the item to view it in the shop.
ENJOY!!!
All the moods of the sea
are so fascinating to me.
It seems to have so many powers
as I sit and watch it for hours.
Gently moving, smooth and calm,
this sea is a soothing balm.
Like this it usually looks quite blue
depending upon the sky`s hue.
With a sky turning grey and wind rising
a rougher sea is not at all surprising.
When the wind whips up a storm
huge boiling waves are the norm.
The sea it dips and flows away
returning in a crash of spray.
Exhilarating to see each frothing wave
standing firm and being brave.
As they get larger with lots of foam
then I start wishing that I was at home!!
TJB Designs. Redd Apple.
Cosmic hippo designs. Virtuly Glass.
Josh Friedman Photography. Narya Toys.
Two Cats And An Owl. Creative Treasures.
Handmade Creations by Shelly. Inanirsakolurbence.
Berkshire Bowls. Bluedaisyglass.
Barbara Szepesi Szucs. Ebi Emporium.
Designed by Seragun. Deniza 17.
Hope you enjoyed today`s gorgeous array of colours, blues, greens and turquoises from the crafter`s of Etsy.
Thanks for visiting, please come back soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)