Keys to Success: Resources for the On-line Handmade Seller

To be a successful handmade seller running an on-line Internet business, it's important to know some basics about marketing, customer service, the world of search engines and more!

Researching and educating yourself to these issues is often time consuming. I love finding lists of resources all in one place and I bet you do too. So, here are three websites that I recommend for the on-line handmade seller.

Handmade Marketing is a great resource for handmade sellers. Its information is organized by topic. There is a section for New Sellers where newbies to handmade selling will benefit from articles on setting up an Etsy shop and providing good customer service. If you are a blogger, the section on Blogging gives advice from how to keep your blog from being boring to how to organize give aways. There is an interesting section exploring the use of Social Media to market your handmade business. Users of Twitter and Facebook or those contemplating these avenues of marketing should pay a visit.

Another site of note is Handmade News. Although it is published by Artfire, Handmade News' advice applies to any handmade seller irrespective of where they choose to set up shop. I appreciated the overview of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) or how to make it easier for search engines like Google and Yahoo to find you on the Internet, so buyers can find you on the Internet. Their marketing section offers advice on creating a business plan, branding and advertising.

Try Handmade is a blog by Erika Jurney promoting buying handmade as opposed to buying mass produced. On this site, you can join a forum where buyers and can meet and chat with the makers of handmade goods. If you are looking to connect with other handmade sellers via their blogs, Erika features blogs of handmade sellers. I particularly like the gallery. Here, you can upload a photograph of your handmade item into one of the appropriate gallery categories subject to approval. Visitors to Try Handmade may view and vote on their favorite items leaving comments if they wish. You can link your picture to your online shop which might provide you with more exposure. Finally, the promotion section has a good list of resources and a comparison chart for the various venues to choose from when setting up your shop.

These resources should keep you busy. Happy researching!

Musings on Etsy: A Newbie's Tips

I've been on Etsy as Dominant Hands since late April. I still consider myself a newbie as I've got much to learn. From forums to storques to blogs, sometimes the mass of information available on how to be a successful seller can be overwhelming and a distraction from creating for your Etsy shop.

After sitting back and considering my experience thus far, the bottom line of getting off to a good start on Etsy is to:

1. Make quality items. Put each item through a quality control check. Inspect. Inspect. Inspect. Get a third party (hubby, friend, your mom) to give your item the once over and point out possible flaws or problems. Remember that a stranger will get this item and they will not forgive poor quality.

2. Write great descriptions and tag items well. This is your opportunity to use your creativity in writing to sell your item. Use lots of adjectives that describe color, texture, mood, style, size and shape. How will your prospective buyer use it, wear it or display it? Tell them and then show them in your photography.

3. Take good pictures. For me as an amateur, I find this the most frustrating. I don't have a fancy photo editing "suite", but I think my photos show off my items fairly well. I am always reshooting and reediting my photos. I have to learn not to be hypercritical of my photography or that is all I would do! Here is a great Etsy post on taking good pictures.

4. Don't feel pressured to be on every social networking site A.S.A.P.! Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, My Space, Blogger, the list seems endless. You are only human. You need time to create! You are not the only one not twittering or blogging or whatever! Take your time. Social networking is important, but pace yourself. Set goals for social networking you can accomplish over time.

5. Join an Etsy Team. I am a member of the Etsy Fiber Arts Street Team, Etsyfast Team for short. Joining a team gives you an instant Etsy community of individuals who share a common interest. Get your questions answered, give advice, promote as a group and get to know other people from all over, it's worth the effort.