jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 23, 2016 6:56:16 GMT -5
I need to find the 90 second video. Basically it had you follow other people's shops that favor lots of items. Like you would favor 'John Doe's shop' because he favored 100,000 other items. People that favor a lot will also follow you back. When they favor you back it increases your circulation in the Etsy group. I need to find that video tutorial. Here was the results from sitting at computer favoring for about an hour in October. Sure seemed like my sales increased. # of favors/month on vertical axis  I believe you could only favor up to 900 shops. So he had you un-favor all those shops and find new shops to favor every month to maintain a high favor rate. No one pays attention to having an item un-favored. So no hurt feelings. It is a numbers game that sort of 'fools' the computer. Actually an accepted practice amongst experienced Etsy sellers. |
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Post by 1dave on Nov 23, 2016 7:57:43 GMT -5
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 23, 2016 11:51:31 GMT -5
I've heard of this before, but I have always wondered if it really works. Most sellers keep their favs private, so I wonder how much it would help.
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Nov 23, 2016 12:52:35 GMT -5
Sorry James I'm not familiar with the video at all. I doubt the effectiveness of a shotgun approach for those of us who sell cabochons because our target customer is such a narrow focus. For instance, every American homeowner with a backyard who lives where fires are allowed by ordinance is a potential customer for a fire pit dealer. Comparatively only a tiny percentage of those people create and sell jewelry on Etsy, and only a small percentage of those make jewelry that would incorporate stone cabochons like we make. What cracks me up is the amount of people who have found a niche within Etsy showing other Etsy sellers how to be successful on Etsy. I see this person running around the Etsy help forum all the time, responding almost robotically on MANY posts - obviously to keep her name in front of the people who are there asking for help ... talk about targeting your specific audience LOL. |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 23, 2016 13:47:13 GMT -5
A random page of the people that started following me just after I followed them. www.etsy.com/people/jamesprice1/circle?type=your&page=4They favor a lot of stuff. Video said to 'FOLLOW' those that favor a lot. And excuse me, NOT FAVOR BUT FOLLOW, sorry. If you click on some of the people they favored they have lists of followers that favor a lot of items. Follow only people that favor at least 10,000 items. I have no idea how this effects your particular product. I do know that it single handedly raised my favoriting rate 5:1 for 1 hour's effort. And can not help but think it would raise your exposure rate. Shoppers often buy on a whim. TommyI guess any exposure is good exposure. Even those darn 'help' people shedding light on themselves. Guessing they have a 'see my shop' attitudes(ulterior motive). Etsy jewelry category is huge, and I see what you are saying about reaching a specialty market. I expect to be bumped out of Etsy within a moment's time due to discounting copy cats. Etsy famous for such. No sense of security on that site. Hell, most people can not tell the difference between a Tommy or Tela made original and a China cab. Frustrating Shotgun approach probably not effective on specialty items. But you never know till you try. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 23, 2016 15:13:21 GMT -5
I used to like the treasuries. I had a lot of exposure and sales from them. But, they are pretty much gone.
There are 2 shops that favorite me constantly- to the point of being annoying. They just want me to click on their shop. They are Indian cab sellers and fav my jewelry shop. I really don't like that. Anyway- that was my off topic rant.
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Nov 23, 2016 15:52:54 GMT -5
There are 2 shops that favorite me constantly- to the point of being annoying. They just want me to click on their shop. They are Indian cab sellers and fav my jewelry shop. I really don't like that. Anyway- that was my off topic rant. Yeah I get that too - a Turkish agate dealer who I bought a slab from many moons ago favorites every single new piece I add - sometimes 50 in a row - just trying to get me to back on his page. ... annoying |
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Post by Pat on Nov 23, 2016 16:49:23 GMT -5
Interesting. I haven't done anything on Etsy all year. Planning a new line for the coming year. Typically I only follow shops I actually like. Now I hear that numbers is the goal. Will reconsider. jamesp thanks for bringing it up. |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 23, 2016 17:13:18 GMT -5
Interesting. I haven't done anything on Etsy all year. Planning a new line for the coming year. Typically I only follow shops I actually like. Now I hear that numbers is the goal. Will reconsider. jamesp thanks for bringing it up. I am not sure if it is politically correct but that process sure put favorites up. I remember the tutor mentioning it is no secret, apparently it helps some shops increase traffic. Good luck with the new venture. |
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Nov 23, 2016 17:24:45 GMT -5
There are 2 shops that favorite me constantly- to the point of being annoying. They just want me to click on their shop. They are Indian cab sellers and fav my jewelry shop. I really don't like that. Anyway- that was my off topic rant. Yeah I get that too - a Turkish agate dealer who I bought a slab from many moons ago favorites every single new piece I add - sometimes 50 in a row - just trying to get me to back on his page. ... annoying Interesting that these guys got under your skin. I see why though. Sounds almost like harrasement. I guess you guys have repeat customers or make repeat purchases from other Etsy shops. Developing relationships. Seems like a diverse assortment of flashy stones helps succeed in selling cabs on Etsy. |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 24, 2016 8:26:41 GMT -5
On occasion, a feature article would be posted that would feature a fire pit theme.
Man do I get bombarded when those article came up out of no where.
40% of my business comes from Etsy members near my home town area of Atlanta. Pick up at my home type business.
I accidentally named my shop 'firepitsatlanta'. Best move ever. Atlanta and surround is over 7 million.
To avoid $200 freight charge they ask to come pick up here.
Most of them are young families and good people. OK to have them at my home. i.e. safe
Not sure if naming your shop geographically would help with jewelry.
It would require a show room.
Interesting concept.
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Post by 1dave on Nov 24, 2016 10:28:05 GMT -5
Along with Location Location Location - is - Name Name Name!
I once named a business "Awareness Center" and had people knocking our door down trying to buy the name from me.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 24, 2016 20:24:42 GMT -5
Along with Location Location Location - is - Name Name Name! I once named a business "Awareness Center" and had people knocking our door down trying to buy the name from me. I copy cat started competing with me 50 miles out from the city. Heavy price cutting. People apparently don't want to make the drive. Or do they want to buy an original ? People start doing the word-of-mouth thing. Seems as if they are convinced to buy from where the word said to buy. I may be entering the 'artist' reputation. The reputation that people will pay for. hmmm I hope so. I have seen this 'buy reputation' phenomena. Picasso drags a paint brush across a canvas and sells it for a fortune ? Just because he is Picasso ? Thats bull crap, but it happens. Believe me, my product is in no way form or fashion art. It does have unique features my competitors don't have. I sold over 200 pits this year. Most of them big expensive ones. About every week 2 or 3 people stop by and purchase. Then Etsy orders that get shipped via freight. It is snowballing slowly. But the initial interest started on Etsy. Now the neighbors see it and want one. Local and cross state. |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 25, 2016 8:36:59 GMT -5
Another thing, the internet is a strange organism.
As everyone knows the key is to get seen.
Some markets are so glutted.
The demise of a new product that is trendy brings on so damn many competitors is that you become hidden in the stack.
Then you have computer savvy sellers that will flat put you down the list with their SEO/advertising skills.
Then you have to hire $5000 SEO expert to 'raise' your SEO exposure.
Recently 'mobile phone friendly websites' arrived. 70% of stuff is bought from a phone.
Most web sites like Etsy are very friendly to mobile phones thankfully.
Repetitive customers and word-of-mouth works for many products. Internet exposure is probably paramount.
More competition in SEO optimization than the product you sell.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
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Post by jamesp on Nov 27, 2016 15:33:44 GMT -5
Copy cats on Etsy. Will probably be my demise. LOL. Will see how the theory of originality works out. Can a complaint be filed ? That goes against free enterprise but... His. Opened a shop one month ago:  Mine:  |
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Post by captbob on Nov 27, 2016 15:57:58 GMT -5
You may consider doing some copying yourself. The option of a bowl painted in a high heat paint (I would only do the outside) may be appealing to some of your customers. Don't know if it's worth the hassle of doing a good (no runs) paint job.
I prefer the natural look, but ... does the rust (natural patina) rub off of your bowls? Wife types, or children of wife types, getting rust on clothing may lead to unwanted grief. Guess customer can always paint (ruin) it themselves if they care to.
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Post by HankRocks on Nov 27, 2016 17:08:04 GMT -5
If I were buying one, I would take the one with the Beer!!
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 27, 2016 17:08:15 GMT -5
You may consider doing some copying yourself. The option of a bowl painted in a high heat paint (I would only do the outside) may be appealing to some of your customers. Don't know if it's worth the hassle of doing a good (no runs) paint job. I prefer the natural look, but ... does the rust (natural patina) rub off of your bowls? Wife types, or children of wife types, getting rust on clothing may lead to unwanted grief. Guess customer can always paint (ruin) it themselves if they care to. He will be in for a surprise within a year Bob. Depending on the depth of the coals it will cook the paint after the first hot fire down at coal level. A really hot fire will damage the paint well above coal level. Then rust will slowly undermine the paint from the bottom up. He will get calls from complaining customers. Thermal expansion alone way reduces the bond of the paint. Better off leaving it in oxide patina. They usually end up black at the top 1/3 and rusted below. Not so handsome at that point. There is a myriad of acids based applications they can use to alter the look. One company makes one that coats steel in copper. Such chemicals becoming a fad on raw steel. Coat with acid and start all over again, no sanding scrubbing sand blasting. Get asked about paint regular. Loose a few sales telling people no. |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Nov 27, 2016 17:11:33 GMT -5
If I were buying one, I would take the one with the Beer!! SOLD !! With a whole case of beer. Name your brand. They get turned upside down to ship on a pallet. Can send lots of contraband under the bowl. |
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Post by radio on Nov 27, 2016 17:22:11 GMT -5
If I were buying one, I would take the one with the Beer!! SOLD !! With a whole case of beer. Name your brand. They get turned upside down to ship on a pallet. Can send lots of contraband under the bowl. I preferred the one with the pups in the pit  Yes, paint is the debbil to keep looking good. I have 4 smokers and even though my fires don't get as hot as a fire pit, the fire chamber will rust no matter what you do. A good coat of vegetable oil a couple times a year does help |
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Yes, paint is the debbil to keep looking good. I have 4 smokers and even though my fires don't get as hot as a fire pit, the fire chamber will rust no matter what you do.
