Welcome everyone to our first Open Spark Thread! I will be around to answer questions, and post some tips!

Here is a great blog post on dominating your niche! http://www.copyblogger.com/dominate/ This is one of my favorite posts from this year!

Excellent post from copyblogger. So, BUY MY STUFF.
Kay

That is the way to think!

I am Facebook challenged. I have a personal and a business page. When I go to 'like' someone or comment on their wall,how can I post it as my shop name and not my personal? I do have the shortened url with enough friends on each. THANK YOU for all you do and can't wait to "meet" little Spark!

Any tips for a first timer at an arts and crafts show?

My mother and I are sharing a booth since we both don't have very much and use vintage buttons in our work. I would love to get some heads up on things… pricing, special deals, booth setup, keep track, etc.

Thanks!
Kari @ http://www.ThePaperButton.com

Thanks Barbra!
There is no way for you to separate this. When you like something it will always be from your personal profile. It stinks but we just have to embrace it!

PaperButton, I'd say that the first rule of commerce in any venue is "Make it easy for people to give you money." Sounds simple, but I'm always shocked by how many craft fair vendors forget this. Be in your booth (not always the case!) and look available. Not hovering, of course, but happy and interested and ready to schmooze it up. Donald Trump said that (hey, wisdom is where you find it) "People do business with people they like."

So, as a craft fair goer, I'd say that the most important aspect of selling at a craft fair is to be around, appear approachable and friendly. Smile to each and every person who comes into your realm.

~Karen~

Thanks for the reply. I've been wondering about this, too.
For better or worse, many fewer people know who "I" am vs. know my business. When the paparazzi begin to really become a nuisance, I suppose, I'll be glad for that. :)

My partner, Karen, and I are busy, with multiple businesses. Social networking is fun, but updating various venues can be time-consuming. We know you’re a big proponent of managing one’s time well, but even still there are limited hours in the day, and I still only have two hands, darn it! So do you know of a good way to promote various venues at once? We already have Blogger and Facebook interfacing, and I’m using NutshellMail, which is handy, for Twitter, but is it an impossible dream to think that there is some app out there that will update everything, or almost everything, at once?

Dare to dream! :c)
Tina & Karen

That is so true Karen…

I like to have a large sign that stands out. I made a metal sign that I painted orange and people could see it from far away!

Tina & Karen,

There is such a thing. Hoot Suite handles Facebook and Twitter updates. It is free and you can schedule everything. You can be sleeping and still have your Twitter and Facebook update! Here is a link to an article I wrote about Hoot Suite: http://www.handmadespark.com/blog/automatic-etsy-… This article actually shows you how to set your Etsy shop to update automatically on Twitter!

I am always e-mailing knit and crochet patterns to my customers via my yahoo mail account. I get so tired of typing the same message over and over to each customer. Is there a faster way to do this without having to pay for a service?

Well it surely will be hard to embrace EXCEPT I do have sweet Family,Friends some are my fans too. So explained that I WILL be putting my Jewelry Designs and promoting my business from time to time and frequently, on my FB page. Told em I would understand if they deleted me but hopefully not. Still like Barbra I sure would love to have two separate ones. I wouldn't think that possible customers would want to know about Suzies babys diaper rash.LOL Thanks for letting me get that off my mind too.

I sent out a Flyer to previous customers to let them know where I would be for a show. Then I bought numbers that reflected the booth I was assigned to and put those booth numbers in my flyer AND put those numbers on front of my booth they appreciated it because I got a few return customers because of it. Hope it helps!

Thank you, Timothy! This is good to know.

Another question: if you were to choose, what is your most useful business promotion tool? We have great products for jewelry designers and crafters, but if few people know about us it does no good. We are fans of polite promotion and of what I call the Friendly Sell, which is the opposite of the Hard Sell, and which builds relationships rather than sales at any cost. Knowing that, what do you advise?

Thank you, Timothy!

Tina & Karen

Have you tried Copy and Paste JUST the part that you want to send, in the body of message? I have learned thats an easy way for repeats of same message. Best to you.

Doris

Tina & Karen,

Creating relationships through social media is about as soft as a sell you can get. Build a relationship and gain trust! Getting noticed on Google is another great non "hard" way to promote. Our MySpark Mini-sites are designed to help in both the social media and Google. A good number of your Mini-sites are being found on Google in just a few days! Here is more info: http://www.handmadespark.com/blog/handmade-spark-…

Thanks Timothy! I'm looking at this link right now and will share it with Karen.

I do website design and authoring (though less so these days as I don't like it as much as I used to and am more involved in jewelry design and our supply business), but SEO is something I try to pay good attention to, so we'll be continuing to build our standing in search engines.

This is my last question, for now: Given how busy you are, all that you do, and the different directions you must go in on any given day, even thinking about time management, how do you assure that you have enough time left over for family and other things? Sometimes I feel that business takes over most of my life. I love what I do, but also have such a variety of chores to do and I'm often left feeling that some things are not getting done, and am not spending enough time with my family. Is there a tool you use to help yourself with this, or is it something else?

Many thanks to you, Timothy. :c)

Tina & Karen

I just discovered the mini-sites on Handmade Spark and I think they are wonderful. I love it that people can see some of my beaded jewelry items pictured in a garden setting and then read about gardening in my personal blog. If they are more interested in crafting than gardening, there are links for them to go to my Etsy shop or to read the articles about beads, craft shows, and jewelry making that I do as a writer for Handmade Spark. They can even see my twitter stream, which includes all sorts of interests of mine! I hope the mini-site will help bring sales to my shop. I haven't had any for a long time now and am getting a tiny bit discouraged. Come visit the mini-site, the blog, the Spark articles, the tweets, and most of all, my Etsy shop at http://www.beadedjewelrybysusan.etsy.com.

I feel like the doctor has spoken and although I'll survive, the treatment is crappy! Thanks,Tim!

any tips for finding potential customers? I have a blog, facebook page, and 2 etsy shops. I need to attract traffic to my etsy shops. I think if people look at my stuff they'll buy, but getting them there is hard! I feel like I'm lost in the crowd!

hi-when i have to do this, i keep a copy of the message in my drafts or my sent file and then it's easy to open it, change the address, and hit send to mail it out again.

I have recently opened an account here and am excited about my minispark site. I was wondering if it is something that should be on my business card or is it better to list my shops/blog etc seperately on my card? I need all the help I an get so want to do things right!

Oh, I am liking this. By the way, I love my Mini Spark Site. Here's my question…I struggle with TIME…having to work outside of the home, but my goal is to run my Etsy business as well as a couple of other venues from home 24/7. I'll get there. Blogs, tweets, fan pages, AWESOME tips on running an Etsy business, improving photos and tags, and I could list all night. So, any suggestions on some type of outline of what is best to do each day. Emails first, then market, or work on products, then market some more. Read blog posts for that day of the blogs I follow. Write my articles for handmade spark…My brain thinks faster than I can put it all in motion. I'm an organized person and love structure, so any advise on creating that structure is most welcome. Oh…August will be here before you know it, aim for the 30th, that's a good day, ha ha, my birthday! Just a suggestion…thanks Tim.

Hi, I am wanting to get started in wholesale. I have a few designs that would work out well this way. Any suggestions on how to get started? Should I consign for a bit first and see how that goes before making the plunge? Should I do up a business plan, approach a bank and try to get a revolving line of credit before proceeding? Any advice would be most appreciated. Thanks Tim

I have a list of all items I am selling (by category) & keep it handy. As I sell items I write down the amount on my list.
For exampls – under Pendants $8.00, $11.00, etc.
That way as the day progresses, I can get an idea of how it's going.

good luck!

I have just introdiced a new item in my Etsy Shop…
3 in 1 Cupcake toppers, Craft Activity & Party Favor.
They are designed to help parents plan a party for kids, mutli taks, and save $$$ at the same time.

I'd LOVE some feedback and suggestions.

Thanks http://www.etsy.com/listing/49037986/3-in-1-cupcake-toppers-craft-activity” target=”_blank”>.http://www.etsy.com/listing/49037986/3-in-1-cupcake-toppers-craft-activity

Kathy
Roz Petalz Studio

I'm bookmarking this, some great questions here. Thank You Tim for all the hard work, dedication, and desire to help all of us :)

Hi all, I just wanted to say that I think this is a great idea and I appreciate all that you do Tim. You really put out some great advice and opportunities. So, I'd like to take this opportunity to tell everyone about my Etsy shops and invite you all to come and take a peek: http://loriannenchanted.etsy.com – is upcycled vintage jewelry http://hotbakedcouture.etsy.com – is my brand new shop selling hand sculpted clay jewelry.
Feedback is always welcomed. Thanks!!

Thank you! I was hoping to find the answer to that somewhere.
~Annie~ http://www.ASpinnerWeaver.com~

Lori – pretty stuff! What kind of camera do you use? I have trouble getting close enough on small items. I probably need a new camera!

Hi Everyone:)
Please check out this collective Etsy shop set up to benefit victims of the oil spill: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HelpTheGulfCoast
Even if you are unable to donate an item, you can still participate in the thread on Etsy or help get the word out about the shop which is also promo for your shop while helping a good cause! This is the thread link: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6…

I'm remember reading a great article on wholesale v consignment ages ago, spelt out the pros and cons beautifully but…do you think I can find it?!! Nope! I did find this one though which is a good summary and might have some useful information for you :) http://www.jewelry-marketing.com/Selling_Your_Han…

It's things like this that remind me of the awesome community spirit on Etsy! Just tweeted about the shop and thinking about donating an item too. Thanks for letting us know about it :)

Does anyone know how to create two columns on blog sites? I use blogger.com. I want to have more room for gadgets and stuff. Also, Tim you posted on one of your sites how to upload ESeller Ads, now I can't find the tutorial, thanks much…..

Jennifer, ESellerAds tutorials are here: http://www.handmadespark.com/blog/?s=esellerads

Wondering if anyone is interested in swapping their shop buttons to place on each others blogs. We can all do with more exposure i am sure and this is one way it can happen for free. Here's my blog with more details if you're interested. http://jocelynfriisart.blogspot.com/ Look forward to hearing from you.

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