Weekly Inspiration

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Snowflake Bow Gift Boxes , originally uploaded by la Naváa.

Submit your photos for consideration as a Weekly Inspiration by adding them to the Flickr Group.

When Do People Look at Your Shop?

What time of day people are viewing your shop can be a valuable bit of information to know. You could time new items to go up during the busiest time, and make changes during the slowest times. If you post frequently on twitter or facebook you might find the trend correlates heavily to when you are posting to those social media sites and make an effort to spread your posting out more to communicate with people who aren't online when you are usually posting.

So how do you find this out? Assuming you are using Google Analytics it's pretty easy though a bit hidden in the interface. Here's step by step how to do it:

Step 1: Log into Google Analytics.

Step 2: Click Visitors in the sidebar menu

Step 3: Click Visitor Trending

Step 4: Click Visits in the secondary menu under Visitor Trending

Step 5: Expand your date range. To get the best average you want to use a large date range. I used a year but if you haven't had Analytics collecting data that long you could do 6 months or since you installed Analytics. It's up to you but try to use at least several months worth of data to get the best picture.

Step 6: Click the Clock. Right over the visits graph on the right you will see some tiny icons, you want to click the one that looks like a clock face.

Step 7: Analyze the information. In my case my least views are at 6am and the most at 5pm for my time zone. Google uses a 24 hour clock not a 12 hour one which can be a bit confusing if you aren't used to it, just subtract 12 from times past 12:59 (14:00 is 2pm).

The Holidays and Branding

The holiday season (I'll save my defense of using that phrase for another post) is a time of rampant consumer joy in the US and most businesses want to take advantage of it. Many B&M stores deck the aisles with lights, trees, and Santas, and many online retailers do the same to their sites. Now I see nothing wrong with capitalizing on this to increase my business but I think you should do it in a way that preserves your brand imaging.

Here's an example from my shop this year. My usual banner:

My winter banner:

I kept the same blue background color, still the product images in overlapping circles, switched from a green cuttlefish in the logo to the same one in red, changed the text to white, replaced the watery swirls with snowflakes, and made sure to include one of my platypus ornaments prominently. When I changed my profile photo on Etsy I only made the minor change of adding some snowflakes and slightly reworking the cropping:

TO:

So while my shop now looks quite festive and wintery it's still quite clearly consistent with the visual branding my shop uses the rest of the year.

So go ahead and show off your seasonal items, change your banner, welcome Santa to your shop, but keep it clearly your shop not another random holiday site and stand out from the crowd.

Etsy Coupon Codes

Etsy has finally released the long awaited coupon codes. As of the time I'm writing this they haven't been rolled out to everyone but I was one of the lucky people who got it. This is also why I'm posting twice in one day, I already have posts for Monday and Wednesday next week and didn't want to wait to post this.  I did a quick test run of coupon code yesterday and it seems to work great.

There are a few additions to the coupon codes I hope Etsy makes in the future such as options to limit the code to one use only or to one use per user and to limit the coupon to just one section and not the whole shop. Right now a coupon can be used any number of times until you make it inactive and applies to the whole shop. It's a great start for the feature but I hope to see it expanded in the future.

Now on the the fun: How to promote your coupons! Here's a short list, please add your own suggestions in the comments I'd love to see them.

• Post on Twitter, your website, blog, or facebook fan page.
• Post in the Promotions section of Etsy's forum
• Post on coupon code sites like RetailMeNot
• Host a contest on your blog or social network of choice and email/message the winner with the coupon code. Personally I like trivia contests, I've done them before for giveaways as well.
• Include a Thank You note in orders with a coupon code for repeat customers
• Hand out your business cards with a code on them for new customers

Couple other thoughts: I'd put a short time limit on most coupon codes you advertise online, 3 days for example. This will help prevent someone turning up with a 15% off coupon when you already have your prices marked down for a sale.

Always include an expiration date for coupons you hand out or include with orders (even if you plan to use the code for a long time you should do this, change over your codes every 6 months or so) you never want an angry customer saying her code doesn't work because you've inactivated it with no warning.

Weekly Inspiration

Shopaholic Giraffe, originally uploaded by hobotariy.org.ua.

Submit your photos for consideration as a Weekly Inspiration by adding them to the Flickr Group.

Handmade Interview: ArtsiBitsi

Welcome to the very first interview for the Handmade Business Blog. I hope to run one interview every two weeks until I run out of them. If you would like to be featured go here to get more information.


This weeks interview is with ArtsiBitsi, you can find her work at ArtsiBitsi.com and ArtsiBitsi.etsy.com. Get in touch on Facebook and Twitter too.

Introduce Yourself:

Bits and Blanche, hard at work

Hi.  I'm Artsi Bitsi.  'Bits' to my friends.  That's you, right?

So, I see monsters everywhere. It's like I'm like the Monster Whisperer.

The monsters in my head tell me what to make, but it's me that always makes sure that it is both fun and functional.  I have an old 1970s White model 999 sewing machine that I call Blanche. Some days she doesn't want to work, but then I remind her that the Social Security Administration doesn't pay benefits for unemployed sewing machines.

Sometimes I dance with scissors.

Q #1: When did you start your handmade business and what inspired you to do so?

I discovered Etsy and opened my shop in the summer of 2008.  I loved the idea that I could have complete control over my inventory and prices and promotion.   In consignment, the artist is so dependent on
the shop owner.  So being in charge of my own success was really attractive.

The immediate feedback of the online marketplace is also very appealing.  For example, I started out selling these lovely little watercolor paintings -- very serious, but not at all distinctive. After a few weeks of that, I started listing some of my purse designs.  Again, it was the sound of crickets.

After two months of experimentation, I designed my first monster bag. As soon as I listed it, it got a very positive response, so I made another.  If it had not been for Etsy, I would probably still be painting watercolors that nobody wanted.

every package is sent with extra happiness

Q #2: Do you have to balance your business with work, children, both? How do you do it?

I'm pretty lucky to have a job teaching computer science classes at the university, which gives me a lot of flexibility.  When I'm not teaching, I'm pretty free to organize my time however I want.  When things are slow at work, I do sketches or cut out pieces of felt for my next project.

My only daughter is grown up and living in Chicago, but she is still very interested in my ArtsiBitsi store.  I often ask her for feedback on my new designs.

Q #3: What is your usual work day like?

It varies, depending on my teaching schedule.  But most mornings, I start in my office, reading email, promoting, listing and printing shipping labels for any orders.  By mid morning I can drift over to my
studio (across the hall) and tinker around for a hour or two with felt and buttons and such.

In the afternoon, I'm at the university teaching my courses and meeting with students.

I like the fact that my days are broken up this way.  Computer Science is a very logical discipline, and it contrasts well with my artistic pursuits.  And I feel like my students benefit from the fact that I'm
not completely mentally immersed in machinery all the time.

Q #4: What is your favorite thing about running your business?

I love the autonomy and flexibility.  Being able to sell my designs means that I can create lots more.   Its really hard to rationalize making one more monster when your spare bedroom is already full of monsters.  But if I sell a monster, I've got room to make another!

some Happy Monster card designs

Q #5: What is your biggest challenge?

Even though I have an MBA, its been a challenge translating all of that book-learning into practical action.  But it's a wonderful puzzle, and I really enjoy tinkering with my designs and my site and discovering what people like about shopping for handcrafts online.

Q #6: How do you market your business?

I know that social media is in fashion now, but honestly most of my site traffic comes from Etsy and Google searches.  So I spend a lot of time looking at what search terms people use, and tailoring my listings and tags accordingly.  I really love Google Analytics and the Tag Report tool from Craftopolis.  http://www.craftopolis.com/#com=tr

Another strategy that is starting to pay off for me has been curating treasuries.  Its great how Etsy has opened up the treasury application so that everyone can make one, whenever inspiration hits.  I think that treasuries are going to revolutionize how people shop on Etsy, particularly since the introduction of tags.  There are lots of gift guides going up now and they've just been a fantastic way to see undiscovered and original work.  I've also been participating in treasury contests and recently I've been seeing more site visitors coming from those.

Q #7: What is one mistake you've made in your business that you've learned from?

Just one?  Seriously, its a slow month if I haven't goofed it up a couple times.

For example, I have introduced dozens of designs that have just completely flopped.  Want some iPhone pouches shaped like Marilyn Monroe's Lips?  I have them in pink and red.  Cheap.

For another example, I sent a bunch of stock to a consignment shop in another state... only to see my stock, and the shop, completely disappear.  Lesson learned: for non-local stores, its wholesale only.

And then there are the kinds of mistakes that come from just not paying attention.  Like the buyer whose address was slightly different on her PayPal account from her Etsy invoice.  I didn't see the difference, and her package spent several weeks in USPS limbo trying to find her.  Lesson learned: double-check everything and use delivery confirmation.

Q #8: What has been your biggest success and why do you think it's been so successful?

You probably mean what product has been the most successful, but when I read this my first thought was, 'still being here is my biggest success.'  That is to say, my backpacks have done well and I've gotten some pretty big wholesale orders for them.  And the journals are popular.  And sales of the pouches are steady, so that's good too.

But what is amazing to me is that after 2 and a half years, I am still selling monsters and having fun doing it.  From the beginning I promised myself that I would only do this as long as it was interesting and enjoyable.  Which is a pretty big expectation to satisfy for any endeavor.  So every day, I challenge myself to find
some way of making the business more entertaining -- for me. Sometimes that means coming up with a new design, and sometimes that means mastering some new technique, or finding a creative way to promote myself.  Everything I do has to make me happy first, or else it won't make my customer happy.

Q #9: What is the one thing you'd most like to tell someone just getting started?

First, find a team and join it.  Heck, join a couple.  Having a support group is really helpful, particularly having a support group of people who can help you find resources and give you feedback.

Second, find someone to emulate.  Notice how they organize their listing descriptions and compose their item photos.  What kinds of things are they doing to promote themselves?  Role models and mentors are very important.

Third, read everything.  There are tons of useful articles on Etsy's Storque.  But there are also thousands of bloggers posting great advice and motivation every week.  Read and reflect and let yourself be inspired.

Q #10: What goals do you have for the future of your business?

Well, my first goal is to keep having fun, so that I can pass that fun along to my customers.

But I would also like to diversify my product line to include monster prints and cards over the next year.  That's kind of a scary transition to make because it would mean having to find a completely new audience and market.  Also it will take a lot more upfront time and effort to do the artwork.  Hopefully I will figure it out before next Christmas, otherwise I will be giving everyone in my family cardstock gift packs.  lol.

Q #11: Anything else you would like to tell the readers?

Being a professional artist means something different to everyone. Some people are trying to make a living, and some people are trying to get a message out there, and some people are just trying to share their hobby.  Figure out what this business means to you, and what you have to offer that is unique, and don't get pulled in some other direction just to go along with the crowd.

Fill every day with art and adventure and you'll always be a success.

Happy customer with one of the first Happy Monster Backpacks

New Etsy Team

I just created the Handmade Business Team on Etsy. It's a place for Etsy sellers to discuss business topics in a place other than the Etsy forums which have a tendency to get a bit off topic.

Video: Wholesaling and PR

This is another video from I ♥ Art Portland. Amanda Siska from Bread and Badger talks about wholesaling your products. It's an hour and twenty-four minutes long.


Level Up! Wholesale and PR from I Heart Art: Portland on Vimeo.

Weekly Inspiration

Fox die cuts, originally uploaded by tiffzippy.

Submit your photos for consideration as a Weekly Inspiration by adding them to the Flickr Group.

Social Marketing for Handmade Business

Sister Diane from Craftypod leads a class on Social Marketing. It's almost 2 hours long so grab a cup of coffee or cocoa and sit back to watch, it's full of great information on using social media tools like Twitter, blogs, and Facebook. She explains it in pretty straightforward non-technical language.


Social Marketing for Handmade Businesses by Sister Diane from I Heart Art: Portland on Vimeo.

Note: The video is pretty high quality so run it fullscreen if you can to see the presentation screen better.

Get Interviewed

I'm looking for volunteers to be interviewed for the blog about how you run your business and advice you would give to other handmade business owners. Please contact me if you're interested. I hope to make this a regular feature every couple weeks.

Quick Tip #28 - Edit Express

6.Here's another great new tool using Etsy's API from Craftopolis. It lets you do a number of bulk editing tasks like change prices or titles.

Weekly Inspiration

Autumn Delight!, originally uploaded by la Naváa.

Submit your photos for consideration as a Weekly Inspiration by adding them to the Flickr Group.

Holiday Shipping Deadlines

It's that time of year, holiday shopping season. Here are the holiday shipping deadlines for the 3 major US shipping companies:

• USPS Holiday Calendar
• FedEx Last Days to Ship
• UPS Holiday Calendar (.PDF)

Holiday Photo Props

As the holidays approach it's worthwhile to take some seasonal photos of your products. Whether it's holiday items like ornaments or cards or just your usual items a few props can make your product listings or advertising a little more fitting for the season. Here are a few ideas for simple props you can get at your local dollar store this time of year.

• Mini artificial tree, those between 6-12 inches would work well for draping jewelry on.
• Artificial wreath. The image for this post is of one of my platypus ornaments displayed with a 6 inch wreath laying on it's side.
• Silk poinsettas as a backdrop.
• Plain glass ball ornaments. I'd stay away from too many colors and highly decorated ones, solid colors will distract less from your own items.
• Wide metallic ribbon.
• Gift boxes.

And a few natural items that you might be able to find for free out on a walk:

• Pine cones
• Branches
• Evergreen boughs (be careful of pitch getting on your items or your backdrop if it needs to be reused)

Do you have any ideas? Go ahead and share them in the comments.