Showing posts with label 716Buffalos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 716Buffalos. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Treasury Love

Welcome to Treasury Love!
In upcoming issues, I'll go more in-depth on different aspects of treasuries. Today we'll talk about the most basic to-do's. But first, a story...


Once upon a time, a handsome prince from Italy, Giulio, curated a treasury that included a necklace from a wee shop (mine) in a distant land. His glorious treasury scaled mountains and crossed rivers to arrive, in a burst of glory, in the Land of Handpicked Items (also known as the front page of Etsy). Lo and behold!  My wee shop had five sales that day, thanks to Prince Giulio's magnificent treasury and its glorious front page positioning! A joyous celebration commenced, the wine flowed, maidens with flowers in their hair danced...


THE NECKLACE IN THE FRONT PAGE TREASURY (SHAMELESS PLUG)... ONE OF 5 SALES ON DEC. 5, 2012.



OK, the fairy tale is over.

You might be thinking, "Five sales in one day? Big whoop." Fair enough. But that front page treasury meant a record-breaking day for me, and gobs of exposure or sales for 15 other shop owners!

A lot of Etsians go to the trouble of making treasuries, but are unaware of some basics that prevent their treasuries from getting exposure. Honestly, I've seen FPTs (front page treasuries) that have only 30 views initially. From the front page, if you click "see more" http://www.etsy.com/treasury/?ref=fp_treasury_more next to "Handpicked items," you'll see a list of treasuries that have hundreds of views. The Etsy merchs may or may not use numbers when choosing the FPT, but promoting your treasury means more views for the shops you've featured --- and for you.

Since you're already making treasuries, I'm skipping the "how to" mechanics. If you don't know how, visit https://www.etsy.com/help/article/82

BASICS TIPS WHEN CREATING A TREASURY LIST
For starters, here are a few basics that, surprisingly, get overlooked when creating a treasury list. These may seem painfully obvious, but we've all seen treasuries with whoopsies.

1. Don't use your own shop items

2. Use all 16 spaces

3. The 16 spaces are for different shops, don't duplicate

4. Use a trending theme and make it pretty, like Mary's!

CURATED BY MARY (CHARMED BY WINE) https://www.etsy.com/shop/CharmedByWine?ref=ss_profile


5. Use descriptive tags, just like you tag items in your shop. 
(Be sure to use Buffalo NY and/or Buffalo Etsy Team if you're creating a team treasury.)

6. Use the curator's comment space to describe your treasury. 
Also a good place to tell viewers it's been promoted on Facebook, Pinterest, wherever. There is a character limit, so choose your words and links wisely.



6. PROMOTE your treasury!
Details to come in next week's issue of Treasury Love.



IF YOU'VE BEEN TREASURED: MIND YOUR MANNERS
1. "Favorite" the treasury.  
Yep, there's a heart up at the top right that will turn red when you click it. So click it.

2. Leave a comment on the treasury.
Don't bother sending a convo to say thank you; that won't increase the treasury's (or your) views.

If you don't favorite and comment, the curator probably won't include one of your items in future treasuries. Just sayin.'

3. PROMOTE the treasury!
Details to come in next week's issue of Treasury Love.


NEXT ISSUE
Promoting your treasury, and promoting a treasury you're in!
While you're waiting, make a pretty treasury, and maybe YOURS will be featured, like Mary's!

Thanks for reading. See you next week!

 
 

Monday, March 18, 2013

Monday interview with Carla from 716 Buffalos

Carla, one of our fearless leaders, from 716 Buffalos took a little time out of her schedule to share a little more about herself.


Please tell us a bit about yourself?
-Proud mama of a May 2013 masters degree-holder!
-Professional graphic designer for over 30 (yikes!) years. I'm especially proud of the candy and popcorn labels I designed for the Hard Rock in Vegas.
-Collector of vintage stuff (Beatles memorabilia, art deco, '50s kitsch, mid-century modern and everything in between) for over 40 (yikes!) years.
I left Buffalo in 1982, lived in Washington, DC and Florida before coming home in 2001. My Etsy shop was 4 days old when I made my first sale.

What do you create? How long have you been working on your craft/art?
I make Buffalo-centric jewelry with vintage found objects and broken jewelry bits'n'bobs, all bought locally. Each piece is One of a kind and is inspired by the people, culture, architecture and events in Buffalo's history. I started making found-objects jewelry one year ago, but it was Beatles songs-inspired (and then I worried about copyright infringement, so those items are just for me).



How does Buffalo influence your work?
I didn't love this city until I moved back, and now I'm obsessed with it! I read and research constantly, and bug one of my BFFs for info (she's a docent for the walking tours). I love the people, events, history, architecture and rebirth. I love how many Buffalonians are as geeked as I am about our city ... I'm talkin' proud!

How did you come up with your store name?

I actually changed the name and then got freaked out when they said it could be changed only once --- so 716 Buffalos was a last-minute decision. And it's seven hundred and sixteen, not seven-one-six. Have you noticed my prices end in 716? It's marketing, baby :)

What is the best thing about having an Etsy shop?
I love the creative outlet and everything I learn while I'm researching Buffalo. I love meeting other Etsians and customers. I love making a few extra bucks.




How do you promote your work to the world?
I talk a lot! :) And I spend an obscene amount of time online posting on Etsy, Facebook and Pinterest. It helps to have friends and family who talk me up.

What is the hardest part about selling online?
Making it real! Virtual shopping has its drawbacks --- a customer can't hold your whatever in their hands to inspect it, so descriptions have to be thorough AND interesting, and the pictures have to be crisp and clear. I shoot at least 40 pictures of each item to get five that I think are usable.

Where can your work be found locally?

Only in my studio (OK, it's a corner of my bedroom!)


Do you have any up and coming art shows/craft shows that you would like us to know about?
I do not, but I will happily attend the shows my fellow Etsians are participating in. I've been known to buy from y'all.




Do you have any advice or suggestions for new sellers to etsy?

I'm still a new seller (my anniversary is May 28), but I know you can't just hang the "open" sign and expect your shop to be found. At a minimum, join teams, participate on the boards and curate treasuries.
Open a Facebook shop page, but don't simply post your shop items---make it interesting! I got the most views and comments when I posted a pic of Johnny Depp in all his layered-necklaces glory!
Don't be selfish: Promote other Etsians and they'll do the same for you!
We can't be experts on everything, so do your homework: research Etsy like crazy (help topics, forum searches, etc.). I lean on our own team geniuses for tips on social media and the icky taxes and business details.
Where can you be found online?
www.etsy.com/shop/716buffalos
www.facebook.com/pages/716-buffalos
www.pinterest.com/carlalucia
www.buffaloetsyteam.blogspot.com/




*next week we will learn a little bit about Alison Kurek from Silent Mylo Studios