Monday, April 11, 2011

The Minimal Look in Etsy Treasuries


Contributed by:  Lynn Hoyt, MidnightCoiler

If you make treasuries you've probably noticed different treasury 
"looks" on Etsy's front page. One look that seems to prevail is lots of 
negative space- empty or near empty space around the photographed object.


The space makes the item the center of attention. When a treasury is built with mostly this style of photo it achieves a simple clean look that showcases each item individually, yet binds them all together with the use of the neutral colored space in between. This technique helps the eye scan smoothly from one item to another and gives a feel of continuity and simplicity. It takes some selection discipline to achieve this kind of display, but if it's successfully done it's often beautiful. 




Not that all photos should have this look, but photoing some items this 
way for your first photo may increase your chance of being included in 
this type of treasury. Of course, various item types may require 
different styles. I actually think that it can be beneficial to mix 
styles on those first photos. Some close-ups, some with staging, some with that solitary object, etc. That way the treasury makers have more 
choices for what they're trying to achieve. 




Treasuries are an art form in themselves, and I find it interesting to 
see how curators put them together and to feel the effects and emotions 
they evoke. The background around an item is important not only to the presentation of the item but to the cohesiveness of the treasury.

MidnightCoiler
Etsy Treasury Team 

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Spring Cleaning: 5 Ways to Improve Your Etsy Shop and Sales!


by Lynn Hoyt of Midnightcoiler,  Team Captain of the Etsy Treasury Team

 
It's time for spring cleaning, and many are reevaluating what to do to maximize sales.  Here are 5 points to consider that may help in that quest!



1. Offer variety in your items and prices and keep a well-stocked shop. For example, if you sell prints, offer a variety of sizes, framed and unframed. Consider making cards, shirts and other items with your images. This way you can vary your offerings and price points to appeal to a wider range of buyers. It's also fine to sell a variety of goods under an umbrella theme. For instance, in my shop I sell things made from nature: gourd items, pottery, wood toothpick/needle cases, and natural fiber basketry. Variety gives people choices, and they may discover things they love along with the things they came for. Keep your shop full of goods. A page or two of items is really not enough for maximum exposure. The more items you have, the more search hits, which means more visitors in your shop and probably more sales too.  
  
 

2. Sell in sets. This can be especially effective for small inexpensive and moderately priced items. When fees and other expenses are figured, there is little or no profit in selling items for just a few dollars if you are not always receiving multiple sales. Instead, sell in sets or collections, and price for a more substantial profit. Group them attractively so buyers will see how they look together. You will save on listing fees, postage and handling. The buyer will receive an instant collection that can be kept intact to make more of a statement, or given individually as gifts.



3. Use all 5 photo spots in your shop. Stage some of your items. In other words put them in a setting that shows how they look and how they can be used. This gives the shopper a sense of scale and gives them ideas that may convince them that the item is just what they can use. If you sell jewelry, show some of the first shots on a model or mannequin.  Home decor items look great in their natural environment. Make each of your item photos show a different view, angle, setting, use.



 

4. Create imagery in your descriptions. Do your descriptions lack a spark of magic? Do you associate something special with your item and are you excited about it? Write about your inspiration! It doesn't have to be a lot, just a sentence or two. Help shoppers relate to you and your item. Share that experience of imagination with a little story and/or a hint of your passion for what you do. As Whoopie Goldberg said in Sister Act, "This is not just quacking..." 



5. Tag and title for maximum exposure! Use every one of your 14 tags for 14 chances to be found in a search on Etsy. Your title has an even wider reach, and should include what the item is and some descriptive key words. Not only will title key words be picked up in an Etsy search, but a Google search will show them as well. Currently, Google is picking up around 43 spaces (give or take a few) of our Etsy item titles, followed by your shop name. Think carefully. Make the most of those 43 spaces by using descriptive keywords that you think someone would search on to find your item. If you title your artwork and the title is not something someone would search on to find your product, use it in your description instead.  Google Ad Words is a tool you can use to find the most searched on words and phrases that describe your items.


Interested in applying to the Etsy Treasury Team? Visit these links and learn more about us. 

Friday, March 4, 2011

We have a Winner!!!

Thanks to everyone who entered our giveaway!  We had 96 entries.  I went to random.org and the randomizer chose entry number 95:


And that entry is:

Congratulations Caitlin!!  We'll give your email address to Jaci and she'll let you know how to redeem your gift certificate.

Thanks again to all who entered!!