In My Studio: Adding Value

In the last few months I have been working on bringing more value to my Etsy shop. Adding value can increase your sales, increase your chances for return customers, increase your exposure and your chances of being featured on an Etsy blog or on Etsy Finds.

Through my research I have come across some great ways to bring extra value to your shop:

1) Offer customizable products. This one has recently featured alot on Etsy and is a great way for customers to receive truly one off, handmade and unique products.



Secret Message Bracelet by Charms of Faith

2) Step up your packaging game: Great packaging can really add value to your products and inspire return customers. Using photos of your packaging in your listings or in your shop updates can show potential customers exactly what they will be receiving and who wouldn't love to receive a beautifully packaged parcel such as this from Mira's Naturals:



Wonderful packaging on this lip care set by Mira's Naturals

3) In the same way offering a gift wrap option at the checkout can inspire sales that can ship direct to the intended recipient. Again showing the finished gift wrapped parcel in your product photos or in your shop updates:



Gift Wrap option available for my kids products at SO Handmade

4) Adding value through 'extras'. Listening to a periscope the other day from the Merriweather Council, Danielle was talking about discounts. To summarize she advised not to give discounts but rather offer added value to the order- so instead of offering a discount if someone orders 4 of your products, give them an extra one free. This means you do not lose any money at the end of the day but you might secure a nice order and a follower in the process. 

5) Responsible Materials: Another way to increase the value of your products by using responsibly made and/or local suppliers. This could be done by sourcing American-made materials or locally grown/ made materials near to you. Another way is to go the organic route, ensuring supplies are made using non-harmful processes and good working conditions for the manufacturers.  

This can add greatly to your shops story and inspire customers to choose your product over your competitors. Not to mention the impact it will have on the environment and working conditions for the companies you are sourcing from. 

Read this great Etsy blog post for some more information about this.

Good Luck and Good Making!

Sarah

So Handmade

In My Studio: Instagram 2.0

Recently our very own Hudson Valley Etsy started an Instagram account. I wrote a blog post introducing our new account and how to get started with your own Instagram account (click this link to view the original blog post)

When writing it I realized I had only touched on the tip of the iceberg and there was so much more to discuss. In this follow-up blog I hope to give some more tips and suggestions on how to get the most out of this uber popular social media platform.

To curate the best possible Instagram feed, create a cohesive look. By making sure your photos are of great quality and similar themes it will encourage people to follow you when they look at your profile. 

Think carefully about your posts content, don't be too "salesy." Bring your followers closer to you by showing them behind the scenes photos, your techniques and tips, your studio and inspiration and most importantly your personality.



Mira's Naturals have great continuity in their Instagram feed

Apps and Programs to enhance your feed:

1) If you generally do most of your craft business on a PC or laptop it is still possible to post to your Instagram feed without using your device. Download Gramblr a free program enabling you to select photos from your desktop and download them straight to your feed.

2) Also a useful program for your PC or laptop is Fotor. In this free program it is possible to manipulate, edit or collage your photos. Alternatively from your device you can use the Overgram app to add text to your pictures or Pic Stitch to make a collages and add frames.

Collage I put together using Fotor

3) To help understand your audience look at Iconosquare. This is a free service to keep track of your statistics, who follows/ unfollows you, which of your posts is the most liked, comments on your posts and successful hashtags

Iconosquare summary of the Hudson Valley Etsys Most Liked Instagram Posts

A bit about Hashtaging:

Using hashtags in Instagram as a way to help you grow your business is really important. The right hashtags will help you get more likes, followers and comments. Hashtags dramatically increase the reach of your post which means more Instagram followers. Hashtags can also help you find people on Instagram with similar businesses, interests as you.

When deciding which hashtags to use after a post the simpler the better and try to be specific. Hashtag what your product is, its color, who its for, where it is for sale, where it was make- anything that will foster interest.  Here are afew good generic ones:

#etsy

#handmade

#shopsmall

#crafts

and of course if you are a member of the Hudson Valley Etsy don't forget:

#makersonhudson

#hudsonvalleyetsy

Linking with your other social media platforms:

Don't forget to share your instagram posts across your other social media accounts. It is very easy to link Instagram with your business facebook page, twitter, tumblr, flickr and foursquare.

1) From instagram go to your profile page (the person icon at the bottom)
2) Click the gears icon at the top of the page.
3) Scroll down to settings and click on 'Linked Accounts'
4) There should be a list of different social media platforms. Tap on the one you want to link.

For example linking to your facebook page: After tapping on the facebook link it will say Share to. Tap on this and the pages you manage will pop up. Mark the correct page.

5) Next time you post on instagram the last page will have all the social media platforms listed. Tap on the ones you want to share your post with before you tap the 'share' icon.



For a reminder here are all the team instagrams:

Elena Rosenburg is  @elena_knitsandbits

Pulp Sushi is @pulpsushi

The Pudgy Rabbit is @thepudgyrabbit

Quarter Life Luck is @quarterlifeluck

So Handmade is @sohandmade1

Hudson Naturals is @4crispycorncakes

Melissa Anna Designs is @madcat03

Cynla is @cynlastudio

Twisted Thread and Hook is @twistedtah

Beyond the Picket Fence is @beyondthepicketfence

Lollypups is @lollypupspetwear

Hesters Studio is @hesterkeith79

Charms of Faith is @Jackie_charmsoffaith
Karmabee is @karmabeekaren
Miras Naturals is @mirasnaturals
Pve Shop is @pvedesign
Pergamena NY is @pergamenany
Harp & Thistle is @harpandthistlestitchery

Good Luck and Good making!

Sarah

SO Handmade