You’ve claimed your Etsy name and built up your inventory, but how do you make sure anybody knows you exist? It’s like that high school crush all over again!
Don’t fret, my pet.
We can snag the Jake Ryan of the online retailer world.
Here are some handy-dandy online marketing tips for your fledgling (or totally veteran) Etsy business.
Photos are half the battle
You know that old saying in retail and real estate, “location, location, location?” In online sales it’s all about photos, photos, photos. With the rise of Pinterest, WeHeartIt, and Juxtapost, buyers are consuming media via images a lot of the time. So your website and Etsy store needs to maximize that. Spend a little bit of money and research time on either a decent camera and setup, or a good photographer. Depending on your product, you may even need to hire a model. But don’t neglect the first impression your product makes.
Have marketing questions for us? Want to get started with low-cost advertising on Offbeat Empire? Get in touch!
Consider your backdrop. Does an aged wooden table or burlap fabric make your rustic jewelry stand out? Would a forest backdrop and outdoor lighting make your antique lace dresses look perfect for a forest wedding? Consider your market and stage it accordingly.
Use the photo slots Etsy and other retail outlets give you to show multiple angles and lighting to maximize the likelihood that someone will like and share that photo.
Optimizing your Etsy store for search engines
Did you know places like your Etsy store and Facebook have their own SEO rank? I know, I know… you can’t escape SEO. Keep keywords in mind when you’re naming files and listings. You could list your product like this: “Handmade wooden necklace.” But that’s a missed opportunity. Cater the words to what someone might be looking for via the Etsy search and in search engines. “Handmade wooden lace beaded necklace for weddings” (or something like that!) could bring in a much larger audience. Here’s more information on keywords and URLs. But when it comes to descriptions, write naturally (as opposed to a string of keywords) so that it’s understandable to a customer.
Add new items as often as you can
[related-post align=”right”]Listing new items often is a great way to get your listings featured in treasuries, show up in “recently listed” areas, and let the customer know that you have lots of options. This is one of those times when quantity AND quality are both important.
Use your chosen social media platforms to share your work
You don’t have to blanket all of them, but do utilize the ones you like to keep your items top of mind with your regular followers. And if you have a blog, even better! Blogs with quality content can drive TONS of people over to your store. Make sure you’re linking to it often within your blog content and in your navigation.
Reaffirm your branding in your packaging
This isn’t exactly “online” marketing, but it’s definitely useful. Make sure to re-engage your customer with your brand when they receive your package. Include something: a business card, a thank-you card, a magnet, a letter, etc. that will remind them that you’re totally cool to work with (and who the hell you are)! In our case, Offbeat Brides are often sourcing from multiple Etsy sellers and you’ll want to make sure they remember you as a vendor when submitting their wedding.
Ask them to help you share your wares
If things went well with your transaction, ask for testimonials and referrals. You’d be surprised how often customers want to rave about you. If you really made a connection, ask them to possibly share their experience on review sites and the Offbeat Bride Tribe.
Start small with your advertising budget
Some smaller blogs will totally be down for reviewing your products if you give them a free sample or by allowing you to write relevant guest posts. But eventually, you’ll want to graduate to larger blogs and their lower-cost advertising options. For instance (shameless self-promotion incoming), Offbeat Bride has banner ads that start at $20. If your products are a match with a blog, reach out and see if they can get you started with a lower budget. Then you can consider entering the big realm of search engine marketing with Google… but we’ll save that for another day. The point is that re-investing in your business is how things get BIG!
Etsy Sellers (and other online retailers): what marketing tips do you have to share?
