Wow, these were some AWESOME finds today! Hope you enjoyed them as much as I did!
~Lori
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Craft Juice, Fresh Squeezed Tuesday, 10/26/10
Monday, October 25, 2010
3 Things Etsy Could Do to Make My Shop Run Smoother - Etsy Forum
Posted in Etsy's Idea Forum today... my pipe dreams:
1. I would just about give my right arm for a little more functionality on the backside of my shop. The combination of doing 90% custom/personalized work coupled with the 40% chance that a buyer will give me all required info in notes to seller is making me cuck0_0.
Etsy, I would kill for a little fly out box or note ability by each order so that I can keep up with who I'm waiting on, who I've contacted about payment, and extra details that need to be attached to the order.
2. A listing section that can be bulk edited to add timely promotion info, custom order lead time, instructions, etc. Since we can do a bulk edit on shipping profiles, could we add this?
3. A customizable intro to Conversations so I can remind customers (existing and new) what info I need when they're inquiring. I get so many vague convos that could be converted into sales if I could give the customer some info up front like:
I need to know what you want, what size, what time frame, where I'm shipping to, etc...
(Yes, I know there's Alchmey, but Alchemy is too cumbersome for my needs.)
Thank you for listening!
~Lori
1. I would just about give my right arm for a little more functionality on the backside of my shop. The combination of doing 90% custom/personalized work coupled with the 40% chance that a buyer will give me all required info in notes to seller is making me cuck0_0.
Etsy, I would kill for a little fly out box or note ability by each order so that I can keep up with who I'm waiting on, who I've contacted about payment, and extra details that need to be attached to the order.
2. A listing section that can be bulk edited to add timely promotion info, custom order lead time, instructions, etc. Since we can do a bulk edit on shipping profiles, could we add this?
3. A customizable intro to Conversations so I can remind customers (existing and new) what info I need when they're inquiring. I get so many vague convos that could be converted into sales if I could give the customer some info up front like:
I need to know what you want, what size, what time frame, where I'm shipping to, etc...
(Yes, I know there's Alchmey, but Alchemy is too cumbersome for my needs.)
Thank you for listening!
~Lori
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Hostess Gifts Under $50 - A Treasury
Don't be caught empty handed this holiday season! Enjoy this Treasury. Click to visit and comment. BOGO Clearance sale still in progress through 10/24 in my Etsy shop. Details here!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
BOGO Clearance SALE at Risky Beads - How it Works
I'm having a BOGO Clearance SALE in my Etsy shop right now, and here's how it works:
Purchase ANY item in my shop. Choose a free item from the BOGO Clearance section here:
Price of free item must be of equal or lesser value than purchased items. Free items don't go in your cart; they are added to your order when you request them in notes to seller. No limit on the number of free items you can get. If you decide, for example, to purchase 2 necklaces for $24.90 each... you can choose a free items totaling $49.80. I don't care how you get to that number, they just have to be from the BOGO Clearance section linked above.
Thanks so much!
Lori
Price of free item must be of equal or lesser value than purchased items. Free items don't go in your cart; they are added to your order when you request them in notes to seller. No limit on the number of free items you can get. If you decide, for example, to purchase 2 necklaces for $24.90 each... you can choose a free items totaling $49.80. I don't care how you get to that number, they just have to be from the BOGO Clearance section linked above.
Thanks so much!
Lori
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Wordless Wednesday-Autumn Art Inspired
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Craft Juice Tuesday, Fresh Squeezed 10/19/10
Hope you enjoyed! Tomorrow is Wordless Wednesday... finds that leave me speechless! Stay tuned!
~Lori
Sunday, October 17, 2010
10 Ways to Make the Most Out of Every Sale
I wrote this up the other day and started threads on both Etsy and ArtFire about it. Putting it here for archival purposes, etc.
While we all wait for the much-anticipated holiday rush to descend on us in our sleep, I put together a few ideas for making the most out of the customer you have TODAY. You can do 1 or all of these together or separately...
1. Send a freebie along with each order. Make sure it's something that people would want. Perhaps a scaled down version of another product or a sustainable marketing item like a magnet, etc. A thank you card goes a long way as well!
2. Invite customers to join your mailing list. (I've been using the PayPal Customer Service option, and I've added about 20 people since I started it. To do this, log into PayPal and go to: My Account/Profile/Selling Preferences/Custom Payment Pages/Option tab --> scroll down to see mailing list option.)
3. Send a coupon for their next purchase. You can do this by getting cheap biz cards printed as coupons or just put a label or paper coupon in the package. I often use labels because it allows me to customize my marketing materials. Most of the coupons I get from other sellers offer 5-10% off. I offer 15% off an order of $50 or more. Remember, not everyone will use their coupon, so there's no need to stress about what you offer. Send more than 1 coupon to encourage sharing and/or offer a referral discount. I offer my customers 15% off any item of their choice if they refer a new custom to me!
4. Send a brochure with FANTASTIC pictures of other products you sell. Perhaps offer a discount or coupon as part of the brochure. Using a brochure or postcard works nicely because people can easily show your products to folks who aren't online... co-workers in the lunch room, etc. You can keep it relative. If a person buys Lavender Body Butter from you, maybe send a brochure with pics/info on your other lavender products.
5. Invite your customer to a future secret sale--not too far in the future, say 2-3 weeks max AND/OR unveil a secret product and offer it early to your existing custom base.
6. Send along your Twitter and Facebook links...either on a card or via a convo/email when notifying about shipping.
7. If you have a significant customer base, send out a customer service/product survey and offer a nice coupon for customers that complete it.
8. Send samples of a new product and ask for feedback. This can be a great way to try out a new scent/flavor/color of something.
9. Offer an instant entry into a giveaway for their purchase. Advertise this in your shop announcement and be sure to give all details including if it's open to ALL customers regardless of location and what the opening and closing dates are for the draw. You could set up a giveaway each month for something small and automatically enter your customer in it when they purchase. Be sure to have a way that non-customers can enter as well.
10. Network with other ArtFire sellers who sell complimentary products to yours, not direct competition. Offer to trade freebies for each seller's customers. The more ties a customer has to ArtFire, the more likely they are to buy from you again!
These ideas were the result of a brain-storming session I had with myself today, lol. Hope they help. Have other ideas? Please share!
Happy Sales,
Lori
:)
While we all wait for the much-anticipated holiday rush to descend on us in our sleep, I put together a few ideas for making the most out of the customer you have TODAY. You can do 1 or all of these together or separately...
1. Send a freebie along with each order. Make sure it's something that people would want. Perhaps a scaled down version of another product or a sustainable marketing item like a magnet, etc. A thank you card goes a long way as well!
2. Invite customers to join your mailing list. (I've been using the PayPal Customer Service option, and I've added about 20 people since I started it. To do this, log into PayPal and go to: My Account/Profile/Selling Preferences/Custom Payment Pages/Option tab --> scroll down to see mailing list option.)
3. Send a coupon for their next purchase. You can do this by getting cheap biz cards printed as coupons or just put a label or paper coupon in the package. I often use labels because it allows me to customize my marketing materials. Most of the coupons I get from other sellers offer 5-10% off. I offer 15% off an order of $50 or more. Remember, not everyone will use their coupon, so there's no need to stress about what you offer. Send more than 1 coupon to encourage sharing and/or offer a referral discount. I offer my customers 15% off any item of their choice if they refer a new custom to me!
4. Send a brochure with FANTASTIC pictures of other products you sell. Perhaps offer a discount or coupon as part of the brochure. Using a brochure or postcard works nicely because people can easily show your products to folks who aren't online... co-workers in the lunch room, etc. You can keep it relative. If a person buys Lavender Body Butter from you, maybe send a brochure with pics/info on your other lavender products.
5. Invite your customer to a future secret sale--not too far in the future, say 2-3 weeks max AND/OR unveil a secret product and offer it early to your existing custom base.
6. Send along your Twitter and Facebook links...either on a card or via a convo/email when notifying about shipping.
7. If you have a significant customer base, send out a customer service/product survey and offer a nice coupon for customers that complete it.
8. Send samples of a new product and ask for feedback. This can be a great way to try out a new scent/flavor/color of something.
9. Offer an instant entry into a giveaway for their purchase. Advertise this in your shop announcement and be sure to give all details including if it's open to ALL customers regardless of location and what the opening and closing dates are for the draw. You could set up a giveaway each month for something small and automatically enter your customer in it when they purchase. Be sure to have a way that non-customers can enter as well.
10. Network with other ArtFire sellers who sell complimentary products to yours, not direct competition. Offer to trade freebies for each seller's customers. The more ties a customer has to ArtFire, the more likely they are to buy from you again!
These ideas were the result of a brain-storming session I had with myself today, lol. Hope they help. Have other ideas? Please share!
Happy Sales,
Lori
:)
Friday, October 15, 2010
Rain and Chaos - Recent Treasuries
Different inspirations.. a whole lotta fun! Inspired by the Eurthymics song, Here Comes the Rain Again:
And a little chaos thrown in the mix:
Enjoy! Click to visit each one!
~Lori
And a little chaos thrown in the mix:
Enjoy! Click to visit each one!
~Lori
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wordless Wednesday-Today I'm Entertaining Myself
Sometimes when I'm editing the photos for my shop, I accidentally hit the wrong button and get something crazy. Half the time, I actually really LIKE the crazy versions. They make me see my work in a new way. Thought I'd share a couple of these cuckoo versions today! (I realize this should be Wordless Wednesday...but I had to explain it, lol!)
I hope you liked these! I'm thoroughly entertained for today. :)
~Lori
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Craft Juice Fresh Squeezed for Tues., October 12, 2010
It's Craft Juice Tuesday again and time to pick some cool finds! If you like these goodies, be sure to visit Craft Juice and vote them up!
Hope you enjoyed!!
~Lori
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Teach Tony Danza - A&E's Very Real Reality Show
Aside from my personal experiences, if you have kids, you should really watch this show. It makes you confront the truly sad shape our public schools are in and helps you truly value the heroes, both child and adult, that make it work anyway. Danza is having a challenging time with these kids; this is no easy feat for him. Just seeing what he's up against keeps my eyes glued to the screen and truly sad when each episode ends. It airs every Friday night at 10pm on A&E. Check your local listings or watch it online. You can even follow the show on Facebook!Be nosy and see what else I watch!
~Lori
Murderous Cheesecake - A Treasury
My latest Treasury is a little bit Halloween and a little bit hungry. LOL. Click to visit if you dare...
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Trick or Treating and Some Real Good Eating
One of my best friends has a birthday on Halloween (Oct. 31st). I thought I'd take a spin around Etsy and see what nifty Halloween party finds I could discover!
All righty then! I hope you enjoyed this boo-tiful collection and are officially ready to party!
~Lori
Friday, October 8, 2010
Last Chance Designs at Risky Beads
Most of my designs are made to order, but there are a few in my shop that are either one of a kind or I'm down to my last one... here's a little preview of some of them:
All of these pieces are available in my Etsy and ArtFire shops. Today I just chose to showcase them from ArtFire. Hope you enjoyed!
~Lori
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