Though the online arts marketplace of Etsy.com provides an excellent way for artists to sell their wares, one can easily become lost amongst the hoards of shops on the site. Find ways to stand out from the crowd and get noticed by buyers. Increase visibility and sales with some simple marketing tips.
Web Promotion Marketing with Blogs and Facebook
Create a large web presence to promote products to a wider audience of potential customers. Start by blogging. Blogging allows customers to gain insight into a business and it helps to build and define a brand. Blogger.com and Wordpress.com offer free blogging platforms. Simply sign up and begin writing.
Write about any topics associated with the business. This could include information on art events, promotions, art tutorials, travels, music and daily life. Just try to keep the information apolitical and positive. No one wants to read angry rants or preachy political ravings.
As another web promotion, start a Facebook.com fan page to promote a shop and increase customers. Fan pages easily keep fans connected with new products, event listings and promotional information. Sellers can post photos, invite fans to an event, create announcements and even link to a Twitter.com account. By linking to Twitter, any posts made to the fan page will also simultaneously post to Twitter, instantly doubling web presence.
Cross Promotions with Other Online Businesses
Find mutually-beneficial marketing opportunities with other business people and cross promote products. This works best with businesses that offer different products or services. For instance, a jeweler might work with a soap-maker to create a cross promotion. The jeweler might announce that any customers during a specific month will be entered to win a gift basket of soap. The soap maker could make a similar offer to customers, providing a pair of earrings to customers who bought soap during a specific month.
This type of marketing allows sellers to reach a completely new audience. They gain visibility and also provide an extra motivation for buyers to purchase their product during the month of the promotion. Cross promotions provide an easy way for business people to work together to increase sales and gain a larger customer base.
Real-World Marketing Opportunities at Art Shows and Social Events
No business exists 100% online. Find opportunities to promote online stores in the real world to reap maximum sales. Start by keeping promotional materials handy at social events. Hand out business cards or flyers at social gatherings to increase the customer base. Tack business cards or flyers to community bulletin boards for even further exposure. Just make sure to keep address information private for safety reasons.
Art shows provide another wonderful marketing opportunity. Participate in an art show and make sure to bring ample business cards. Alert art show patrons to upcoming online promotions and specials. Encourage art show patrons to become fans on Facebook and follow the business blog. Each of these activities helps to increase customer loyalty and expand the customer base.
Marketing Opportunities Create Business Success
Use marketing strategies like the ones above to increase the success of any online Etsy shop. Promote and market in various places and using different methods to create a high-selling Etsy store. With a clear promotional plan and a little hard work, anyone can increase sales and see more money rolling into an online shop.
Related Articles:
- Selling Art Online with a Virtual Art Gallery – Information on the art marketplaces of Etsy.com, Artfire.com and DaWanda.com.
- Garden Craft Ideas – Information on how to create decorative garden artwork.
Elizabeth Beeson - Elizabeth spends most of her time wielding a torch and creating original wearable art for her jewelry line: Quite Clever Jewelry. She also ...
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