Etsy Says: Track it, baby!

I applied to the Providence Open Markets for three slots in early Autumn.  While before I was secretly hoping I wouldn't get accepted, I'm now hoping that I will, just to move all these necklaces, rings, and earrings off my studio table! It seems, however, that they don't check their email as often as I would like. Bummer, POM, bummer.
So, if anyone sees any opportunities for jewelry vendors in the future let me know!
In other news, I have once again started opening Etsy's emails.  As boring or overly-ambitious as many of them may be, I gave one of their more recent suggestions a shot.
Google Analytics.
Yup, that means I can sort of, somewhat, somehow, maybe be able to see how many people view my site.
I know, I know, it's nothing super groundbreaking. But I'll give it a go. I mean, if Etsy says...

Etsy Says: Take better photos

Well hello, friendly friends!  

You may remember last week's Etsy Says, where I failed miserably at all but 1 of the ideas. And, in case you have been holding your breath since then... No, I haven't had any success joining an Etsy team.  So, I guess I actually failed at ALL of the ideas. Let's see what I can do with this week's suggestions!

So, Etsy has sent me three tips for "Quick and Easy Photos."

1.  The Right Camera.  

The first thing you learn is that you do not need a trillion dollar camera to take good pictures. Great! Because I didn't want to go and buy another camera... cause I don't have the money.

Then, we learn about lighting. Natural is the way to go! Some of the photos I took for my Etsy shop were at night, and you can definitely see the difference. They're really grainy... 

vs 

Alright, point taken. I will re-shoot those later. You know... when there's daylight!

2.  Photo tips!  

These were pretty interesting, and reminded me that I need to take a little bit more care with my photos. I just get all anxious and want to shoot, so I don't care too much about whether the light is going down... That, and better composition.   Okay, I'll wrap that up with the one above.

3. Take photos that are worthy of the front page.

Yep.  See above.

Okay. So I have learned that I need to re-shoot and take more care with composition and light. Great! So umm... I can't really do that right now. But if anyone has good thoughts on what would be appropriate to shoot my jewelry on... let me know!

Etsy Says: Increase Your Reach

Got another email from Etsy today. She (we'll refer to Etsy as female) gives four methods of increasing my outreach. Okay, I'll give it a shot.

1. Use Your Connections
Etsy says that I should ask my fellow bloggy friends to post something "non-spammy" about The Mighty Sprout.
Umm... connections? I don't have any. And friends with blogs? Certainly nothing relevant. Okay, maybe I just don't feel like begging friends to write some shameless plug about my jewelry. Whatever, Etsy, let's try #2.

2. Team Up
So, now she wants me to join Etsy teams. Etsy says this will increase traffic to my page. Okay, so I checked out the teams that I can join. First shot, the RI team. Wellll... Apparently I don't qualify because you need a minimum of 10 positive feedback. I have 0. Not because I suck, but because who really leaves feedback these days?
Then I found an "Etsy Designs" team. Graphic designers. Okay, I applied, we'll see how that goes. Just so you know, all team seem to require some sort of proof of how awesome you are. Darn, I was kind of hoping for instant gratification. I'll come back to this.
[Fun fact: there's an Etsy team for Menstruation. Sweeeet.]

3. Make A Statement
Etsy says to get funky. Make something pretty outlandish. Something where everyone is like "woah, that's nuts." So, what, they want me to make a vagina necklace? Or thong earrings? Not my style. My rule of thumb is if I would wear it, I'll make it. I don't make things that I don't find attractive. Forget #3. Move on.

4. Be a guest blogger.
Etsy! Woah! Move back to #1! Remember that part about me not having connections? Yeaaaaah. Didn't think so. Screw you, #4.

Okay, WASTE OF TIME. I'll work on #2, but that's all you've got, Etsy.

Etsy Says

Good morning, it's Saturday! If your week was anything like mine, you're probably still curled up in the fetal position on your couch, muttering incoherent nonsense to yourself. But relax! Let go of your knees, grab a cup of coffee and start your day with a smile. Why? Why not?!

So, I have this new idea and I want to see what you think... I'm going to start a weekly section called Etsy Says, where I take the weekly advice of Etsy and actually do it.

Why the hell is that interesting to you? For starters, you'll get to vicariously live through me reaching outside of my comfort zone. Together we'll learn what works and doesn't. And, by the end of it all, we'll have some real qualitative answers to the question everyone asks: does anyone really sell stuff on Etsy?