MONDAY CHALLENGE: Tweak, Tweak, Tweak

Let's All Dance

While We Sing (to the tune of "Shake Your Booty"):

Tweak Your Ti-tles

Tweak Your Ta-ags

Tweak, Tweak, Tweak

Tweak, Tweak, Tweak

Tweak Your Ti-tles

Tweak Your Ta-ags....

Dancing Pear Keyrings from CoolTricks

Etsy search is a joke challenge, to say the least. And as Sylvie has indicated, it can make your head explode trying to figure it out. But if you have been in our forum this past week, you may have read the informative posts about how to tag and title for relevancy in search. Because of the importance of this subject, I am repeating here, in part, the shared tips and experience of some of our members:

Stephanie of SquishyCouture:  I've tweaked my tags in the past few weeks and my views have drastically improved. Quite a few of my items are now in the first or second page for multiple searches. Plus I made two sales this week. This is exactly what I did: I threw all the rules out the window. Ok, not entirely true, but I just can't remember all the rules at the same time.

I just experimented. And really, it wasn't as bad as I thought. Once you do the first few and test to see that it works, the rest come much easier. Pick one listing. Do a search for it the way YOU would search. Then try it the way you think SHOPPERS will search. You can use www.statsy.org to make this process MUCH faster. It tells you what page a specific listing shows up on for a specified search. (Just make sure statsy searching by relevancy, since that's Etsy's default.) One of my items didn't even show up in the first 25 pages so I changed my title, description and tags to have my specific search phrase. Update, wait a few minutes and voila! I jumped to the first page. BUT, I tried doing another listing with extremely similar title, description and keyword, and while it did bump me up several pages, it's still probably 4 or 5 pages in. Try optimizing similar items for different searches. You also need to be mindful of how saturated that search is. "Newborn photo prop" brings up thousands of listings, so no matter what I've tried, I can't get to the front of that. So I optimize for slightly more specific phrases like "newborn girl photo prop." First page.

In relation to what Robin said regarding repeating words...it doesn't really work when you are optimizing a similar item for the same search. Etsy has some sort of formula for "spreading the wealth." I don't think it always works the way they intended because I often see one shop with a few listings per search page. I don't fight it, I just optimize similar items for different search phrases. (That's where backlinks are important!)

Also, Etsy search and Google search work differently. Google search DOES pull from the description, and it really dislikes repetition. So while you may bump your ranking in Google search, it might not make much of a difference on Etsy (though it shouldn't hurt either.) Optimizing for Google makes my brain hurt so I've focused on optimizing for Etsy.

Also, ADD BACKLINKS! That's where you include a link in your description back to your shop, or a specific section, or another item. This has helped me a lot! Look at it this way, you jumped the biggest hurdle of getting your item in front of them. Maybe they like your style, but it's not exactly what they want. Give them an easy way to find similar things. Or send them right to your shop so they can see everything you have to offer. People clicking on these links also helps your google standing. Supposedly it helps with relevancy too (along with hearts and treasuries) but to what extent, I don't know.

Sorry for the book, but that's the simplest way I can think to explain what I've done. By no means am I the hottest thing around, and there is much more to consider but I have seen a gigantic difference in my shop visibility. I figure I should start with the basics instead of not starting at all because I don't understand the rules. For those of you that have hundreds of listings...I know it's got to be ridiculously time consuming, but you can use craftopolis.com (free) to batch edit your listings. Makes it much quicker.

  

Sylvie of AlbinaRose: I have also thought that item descriptions had something to do with relevancy, but they really don't.

... titles and tags matching is the big difference to being relevant or not...

Two word tags are SO important. And if you have those two word tags in your title it will make all the difference in the world in relevancy.

But they also have to be words that would be searched by buyers. Keep that in mind when selecting your keywords.

It's great if you use certain key words in your titles and tags and then search for those specific keywords. You definitely will be relevant in that search. But are those words that shoppers will use to find the kind of item you sell? That's what really matters in relevancy. Not whether we are relevant in our own searches when using our specific key words. Rather if we're relevant in buyers' searches when they punch in the words searching for an item. Views and stats will tell you if you are being found by shoppers.

Regular activity in your shop helps too. So listing, tweaking titles and tags, freshening up your policies, your profile, renewing...all help to keep you relevant.

Robin of WolfiesBindery:  Search engines weight the first two words in a title more heavily. This is universal, the Google search works the same way.I don't know if repeating the same two words in a title and tag will get you anywhere. Example: I can list 2 journals, use the exact same title, and tags and one will wind up on the first page of the relevant search the 2nd not anywhere to be found. Etsy's search engine is not capable of searching the entire listing... 

...If you use RED SQUIRREL in your tile you need to repeat RED SQUIRREL as one of your tags...

...an experiment.

I went through some of my listings and simplified the Titles. Then I repeated combinations of words from the title, in the tags.

Example:

Title: Journal Lined Paper Large

Tags: Journal, Journal Lined, Journal Large, Large Journal, Lined Journal etc.

1-2 word tags seem to work best

Sounds too stupidly simple, but it seems to have worked. I went from "where is my stuff" to listings in first 15 pages.

There's no magic bullet, but this might help.

 

Sheri of SheriBeryl:  ...your tags need to mirror all of the keyword phrases in your titles...



 
Joy of thecraftfrog:  ...a couple of people suggested that Etsy takes the first 3 words of your title. If your title is Crochet Blue Dog Purse, then the relevant part of that is Crochet Blue Dog. When someone is looking for a purse, they are less likely to be looking for something crocheted specifically, and purse doesn't even register- which means that this is probably not going to be anywhere close to the top of the search. If, instead, you went with Blue Dog Purse Crochet, or Blue Purse Dog Crochet, or something else like that... You're going to be more likely to show up near the top as "relevant."

Also, I think this has been discussed here before, the Etsy's tags don't deal with partial terms for search. So if someone puts in "Ballet slippers" and you have "Ballet Slipper," they're not going to come up with your result. This may or may not bring up a "no results found, so we searched for this close thing instead," I spent some time playing around with it and the results were pretty mixed.


Thank you all for sharing!

Our challenge this week is to tweak your titles, tweak your tags.... and...

...shake your booty...

all the way to page one of search!

 

 Cap'n Kathi

Monday Challenge: The What Is It

Getting buyers into our shops is our number one priority. But as each Etsy category becomes overly saturated, it becomes more difficult to be found. It is a given that good photos entice buyers, but that is not enough. Good products and product photos abound - the competition is tough - so how do we get buyers into OUR shops as opposed to the competition's?


1) Every shop needs a What Is It

What IS a What Is It? When I first opened shop, getting views was difficult. After all, buyers had seen it all before; there were sooooo many shops filled with the same type items. And of course, the more items in a shop, the more views. At the time, I had about 10 items and was getting no views.  So, I added a What Is It, and the views started coming. They were curiosity views, but they accomplished their mission. Buyers were seeing my shop. And as a matter of fact, the first thing I sold was my What Is It? (thank you, Michele)

Here is my What Is It, in all its sad little glory:

My listing read:

What Is It?

In a nutshell, its a nutshell! These are black walnut shell halves. If you're not familiar with the walnut, it is almost impossible to crack the shell without running over the nuts with a car! But the squirrels crack them into perfect halves, remove the nut, and discard the shells. Look closely and you will see they have a perfect little heart shape in the middle. They also look like little owl faces to me. My son thinks they look like nostrils!!!

I pick these up from under the walnut trees and have used them for glass vase fillers, and have also put them in terrariums. I have about a dozen left.

Anyhoot, If you have some creative idea on how to use them, they are yours! This is probably the last of the walnuts until Fall.

And.... I will relist these again in the Fall!

So, I'm challenging you to create (or pick up out of the yard) a What Is It and list it in your shop. It should be something unique. Something that will arouse the buyer's interest and make them do a doubletake. Something that will get buyers into YOUR shop and not the competition's! While there, they will see the beautiful handmades you carry.


2) Cross Over Into Another Category

You make bags. All your listings go into the Bags category. So, only buyers searching for Bags will see your bags. Imagine if you could get all the buyers searching for jewelry to also see your Bags? And the buyers searching for bath items, baby goods, art? Because even though they are NOT specifically searching for bags doesn't mean they wouldn't buy a bag. Right?

So how do you do this?  Your interest and expertise lies in making bags - you don't do bath, baby, jewelry or art.  Ahhhh..... but maybe you do!  You could create a bath-related bag, a baby bag, an artsy bag, a jewelry bag. Then you have the benefit of listing in a different category. And all the buyers searching for bath, baby, jewelry and art WILL see your bags. By crossing over into another category, you increase your chances for views and finding new customers!


3) Be On-Trend

I don't know about you, but I am not one to follow trends. I don't care if something is trendy or not and trendiness does not influence my buying habits. But, a lot of people are trend-followers. And trend-followers spend a lot of money shopping. They have to  - to keep up with the latest got-to-have-it!

As much as it would pain some of us (me) to create something just because it is trendy, it could have a positive effect on shop views. We do not have to fill our shops with trendy items. We don't even have to sell the trendy item we create. But having a trendy item listed might bring in customers who would not otherwise shop with us.  Then, they would be introduced to our made-with-love items!

So, if you haven't already, add a chevron or feather (if these are still trendy) to your next bag. Next necklace. To your glass art or woodwork. Who knows? The trend-following crowd may bombard your shop with sales.

No offense meant to any trend-setter or trend-follower:)


Summing it up, our challenge for the week is to experiment with ways to increase shop views. I have presented you with my ideas, let's hear yours! Comments and discussion in this thread.

 

 Cap'n Kathi

Monday Challenge

We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
 
It is a little early for Christmas carols, but not too early to prepare your shop for the upcoming holiday season.

From The National Retail Federation:

Each year, about 40% of consumers begin their holiday shopping before Halloween. While most retailers do not begin holiday advertising until at least October or November, they recognize that many people like the idea of shopping early to spread out spending over a longer period of time. As a result, many retailers are putting holiday merchandise on the shelves in September – specifically decorations....

TheBakersDaughter

and greeting cards,...

AnneN

...which many people buy months in advance.

As this will be the first holiday season for my shop, I don't feel qualified to give advice or tips on how to prepare for the holidays. But I've found these articles to be most helpful in getting started:

Prep for the Holidays During the Seasonal Slowdown
Etsy Success: Stocking Up for the Holidays (2011)
Holiday Boot Camp: The Fast Track (2011)


Our challenge for the week is to start preparing our shops for the 2012 Holiday Season if you haven't already! Please share any ideas or tips you have in this thread.


fa la la la la.... la la la la

 

 Cap'n Kathi

Monday Challenge

Today's Monday Challenge is a continuation of our Falling for Fall Challenge. All entries have been posted and it is time to vote for your favorite Fall item!

Entries are posted in these two threads:

Thread One
Thread Two

Only one vote per member. Vote in this thread, or if you do not want to vote publicly, send me a convo with your vote. Votes will be tallied and the winner announced Tuesday morning!

Thanks for participating! Now, go vote:)

Monday Challenge

Today's Challenge is a reminder that the deadline for the team 

Falling for Fall Challenge 

is July 21st!!  

We have just kicked off the summer season, but already it is time to think about Fall for your shop. As a team, we will start promoting our Fall items in August so I'm putting forth this team challenge to get us started:






This challenge is "Falling for Fall." Give some thought to what you personally love about the Fall season, then create something from your medium of choice reflecting both your love of the season and the name of the challenge.





After you have created and listed the item in your shop, post it in this thread. We have until July 21st, 12:00 midnight EST to post. We will then have a team vote on our favorite item and the shop owner with the most votes will be featured on our blog and our Facebook page.

 

So, let's get going! Fall is just ahead! (no pun intended:)

 

 Cap'n Kathi 

Monday Challenge

Hope all of us were "touched" by last week's Team Challenge! This week we are working on photography with our:

 Click, Click Challenge

Nothing is more important to shop owners than the "Click." 

Every time someone clicks the "add to favorites" button in your shop, your shop listings become more visible, your shop door opens a little wider, and your shop is visited by more people. The more people who visit, the higher the chances of the all-important "Add to Cart" click.

"Click" equals visibility and "Click" equals sales, and the number one way to increase the clickability of a shop is through good photographs.

Repeat.

The number one way to increase the clickability of a shop is through good photographs.

Having the most unique, beautifully crafted products on Etsy will get you nowhere unless buyers can see what you have to offer through clear, crisp photographs. You can write top-notch SEO, you can tag, tag, tag - but without good photos - it is all for nothing. 

This week, our team challenge is to work on shop listing photos.  Here are some resources to get started, and as always, call on other members for help, suggestions, or photo critiques.

Keep in mind that the "click" of your camera leads to the "click" in your shop!

Resources:

 
"The Ultimate Photography Guide," written by Kouture Crochet is posted in this thread.  She covers how to improve product photos for less than $25.00.  If you haven't done so,  I recommend everyone read this very helpful guide.


 

Sylvie of Albina Rose started a team discussion on photography and presented good tips for item staging and backgrounds in this thread.  

  


Joy of The Craft Frog explains Fotofuze in this thread. If you are not familiar with Fotofuze, this is the place to start.


 

Other photography threads:

Seeking a better background
Making improvements

From the Etsy Blog:

Etsy's Guide to Photography
Mastering Depth of Field: Techniques for Dynamic Photos
Shop Makeover: Before and After With Photoshop
How to Take Photos Using Models


Go Team! Ready, Set, Click!

 

 Cap'n Kathi 

Monday Challenge

Hi Teamies! Hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day weekend! And hope your shop had lots of views and sales too!
 
The Monday Makeover Challenge has been changed to the Monday Challenge to accommodate a wider range of team challenges. So, to introduce you to our "new and improved" blog feature, here is this week's Challenge:

We are going to call this the "Reach Out and Touch" Challenge. And yes, for you old timers like me, it is based on the Diana Ross song.....

...which I will now sing for you: (music, maestro)

From Petals of Grace

Reach out and touch

Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can

(Just try)
Take a little time out of your busy day
To give encouragement
To someone who's lost the way
(Just try)
Or would I be talking to a stone
If I asked you
To share a problem that's not your own
We can change things if we start giving
Why don't you

Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can

(Just try)
If you see an old friend on the street
And he's down
Remember his shoes could fit your feet
(Just try)
Try a little kindness you'll see
It's something that comes very naturally
We can change things if we start giving

Why don't you
Reach out and touch
Why don't you (Why don't you)
Reach out and touch somebody's hand

Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can

We have so many wonderful people on our team and this song, for me, embodies a large part of what our team is about. And we want all of our members to embrace this! So, our challenge this week is to contact at least two team members you are not familiar with and just say hi. Or, invite them to participate in the forums, see if there is anything they might need help with, or encourage them to take part in our team activities.

As always, this is not mandatory, but I know many of you will participate! And....

...you never know...

                 ...this just might be the day...

                                          ...you put a song in someone's heart...

                                                                           ...or a smile on their face!

                                                                 from Catino Creations

 

 Cap'n Kathi ....<here....not here^