Improving Your Etsy Shop Week 8 - Pinning Tips for Your Business

First thing’s first: If you haven’t already set up a Pinterest account it is pretty important to do so. It really helps with shop exposure and hopefully this workshop will give you an idea of how that works. Hop on over to www.Pinterest.com and sign up.

WARNING! You WILL become addicted to Pinterest after using it. Trust me. It’s amazing how much fun it is to create little collections of all of the neat stuff you find on the web.

OK….let’s get started.

Sure, Pinterest is cool, but how are we going to use this to promote our business? 

We’re going to use my shop as an example. I make bows, sleep masks, jewelry and, all things girly right? Well I don’t necessarily want to go in and follow a bunch of boards of people that do the same thing as I do…but I DO want to go in and follow people who are pinning items that would be of interest to someone that my items would also be of interest to, or shop owners that would go along with my items.

Following Businesses

So let’s start with businesses that would go well with the kinds of items I have to offer.

Photographers, people who are in the wedding biz (caterers, planners),  these people are going to interact with people who have a demand for the types of items that are in my shop.

Following People

People with kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews….these people are looking for my type of product. If you see them pinning cute things they find on the net, chances are, they are (or will be) looking to buy things for those little cuties.

The best part of this is, that when you follow someone, a lot of them tend to follow you back…which will help you reach a larger network of people with your fabulous items. 

If you missed any of our posts in the Improving Your Etsy Shop Series you can find them here:

Scheduling

Creating a Cohesive shop

Photograhy

Tagging

Twitter

Facebook

Repeat Business

Don't forget to join us next week for week 8 where we'll discuss Organizing.

As always don't forget to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Etsy. Sign up for our Newsletter and don't miss any of our blog posts, shop updates, or exclusive Newsletter subscriber discounts and offers.

Improving Your Etsy Shop Week 7 - 4 Ways to Foster Repeat Business

It is proven that it's easier to get an existing customer to come back than it is to get a constant influx of new customers. It is also proven that repeat customer spend more when they come back than a new customer.

But how do we keep those existing customers coming back for more?

The answer may be a lot simpler than you think....

  

A customer that gets excellent service from you is likely going to tell everyone what a great experience they had. This not only helps your shop, but the Etsy community as a whole.

How can we make a customer a repeat customer?

Here are some great ways to keep them coming back for more.

Brand and label your items

This is something our fellow Rock Star Kelly is an expert in. Branding is a big BIG deal...you need a branding plan. It's more complex than just slapping a giant logo on everything you sell. It's a balance. A simple tag on all your items, a business card, your shop header, you need to make your mark, but not in an over bearing way. And everything should have a cohesive theme.

Customer service

Maybe ship the package a day earlier than your ship times indicate...your buyer will be surprised. Or if you know the item is a gift, maybe you can make it look cute for them with a little extra effort in your packaging so they don't have to worry about that when it gets to them. Include a sample of something as a sweet little surprise! or even a handwritten note to thank them. These are all things you can do that will surprise your customer and make them think of you again, without breaking the bank.

Social Media

 Be sure to add your Twitter and Facebook to your Etsy page so your buyers can easily follow you. Interact with your customers on those pages. It doesn't have to be all business ALL the time, but you should discuss topics in your target audience. Give shout outs to great customers. You don't have to mention their names, just an acknowledgment that you think they ROCK and hope they love what they ordered is enough. Remember...the best part about buying from an individual is that it's a more personal relationship than mass produced items they can get. Make it a fun and unique experience.

Advertising

 Need help spreading the word? Ask your customers to help out. You'd be surprised how many of them would be more than happy to sing your praises to their friends, family, and colleagues. Get them involved and let them feel like they have helped out their new friend that just happens to sell them some really awesome stuff!

If you missed any of our posts in the Improving Your Etsy Shop Series you can find them here:

Scheduling

Creating a Cohesive shop

Photograhy

Tagging

Twitter

Facebook

Don't forget to join us next week for week 8 where we'll discuss Pinterest.

As always don't forget to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Etsy. Sign up for our Newsletter and don't miss any of our blog posts, shop updates, or exclusive Newsletter subscriber discounts and offers.