Front Page of the Metropolitan D'etroit!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iKdB8kPisfSiz8qqShvePItwN4mfWvVIRNLu4Ldrz2jtYneDeyoy0ZnVn2YqEbPs7zkzinctVMDoTAHBncRI4H337SWgl-YWqlYM5GoR9D8TlUJNwpb8znOYkjMfn2MiTwwDh-og-5c/s1600/1950%2527s+shoot+Matthew+Richmond+1+%2528Medium%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iKdB8kPisfSiz8qqShvePItwN4mfWvVIRNLu4Ldrz2jtYneDeyoy0ZnVn2YqEbPs7zkzinctVMDoTAHBncRI4H337SWgl-YWqlYM5GoR9D8TlUJNwpb8znOYkjMfn2MiTwwDh-og-5c/s320/1950%2527s+shoot+Matthew+Richmond+1+%2528Medium%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I had a goal this year: do an editorial fashion spread for a publication. I hit that goal and did one better--landed the front page! Could I be any more excited? Pretty much no. I did a major happy dance when I found out! And there are more photos inside as well. It was such an incredible shoot and all that were involved were enthusiastic and so creative! I loved every minute of it. Matthew Richmond's dress made out of a past issue of Metropolitan D'etroit was exquisite and his art direction for the shoot was incredible. Jenna Belevender also was shooting and her photos are included in the spread as well.  You can pick up a copy around town (I saw a stack at Como's in Ferndale last week and I believe they are at Metro Airport) or you can view it online here: <a href="http://www.themetropolitandetroit.com/pdfs/Aug2011.pdf">http://www.themetropolitandetroit.com/pdfs/Aug2011.pdf</a><br /><br />Connect with me:<br /><a href="http://facebook.com/lilacpopphotography">Facebook</a><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/lilacpop">Twitter</a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24546607@N04/">Flickr</a><br /><a href="http://lilacpop.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a><br /><a href="http://jannabissett.wordpress.com/">Portfolio</a><br /><a href="http://lilacpopphotography.etsy.com/">Etsy</a><br /><a href="mailto:lilacpop@gmail.com">Email</a>

Front Page of the Metropolitan D'etroit!

I had a goal this year: do an editorial fashion spread for a publication. I hit that goal and did one better--landed the front page! Could I...

Read more »

Improve Your Shop

<a href="http://llilacpopphotography.etsy.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422180632156892850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJk5HsEYcn4xmd3dC1EYBYPznVe6TMsqdxxFnTaG0LeXguu7DDokClbVJamdEqT8PD1LAbndQqU-5jgvwI4O0CzK6Jf6KVtklQm6xkgf-l6v-e0x5k3FS4BmQ13NdtoGId5MPBBRRXIY/s320/Open+etsy.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Happy new year!</span></strong> </div><br /><br /><div align="left">I've decided to set a goal to make more sales this year and even *<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">ack</span>* pay for some advertising if I have to. So this morning I started reading a really great forum thread (<a href="http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6385275&page=5">here</a>) and came across some great ideas. Honestly, when the brainstorming starts I usually don't know how I ended up where I end up so I will try to keep track of everything here and share all the links.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Have you made the front page today?</strong></span></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>One thing that I do that does seem to help to get me into treasuries is to watch on <a href="http://craftopolis.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">craftopolis</span>.com</a> when the next treasury will open up. When it gets pretty close, within the hour, I make sure I renew a couple of items in my shop or list something new. It takes you to the top of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">category</span> list and when those treasury curators are looking for things to put into their treasuries your items are at the top of the list. It works!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>There is another useful website called <a href="http://statsy.org/featurator.php"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Statsy</span></a> which will email you if you make the front page. Pretty cool!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Another cool website is <a href="http://craftcult.com/heartomatic.php"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">CraftCult</span></a>. It tells you how many people and who hearted your shop or items. It also tells you how many views you've had. It's nice to have it all in one place to look at. It's also useful to take a look after you've either been in the forums or have listed new items to just see how many people actually looked at them.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Tedious</strong></span></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Something that I find so tedious on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">etsy</span> and I wish they would make it easier to list is entering your tags! You have to do each one individually--type, click, type, click. And this is especially tedious if you are listing something similar to other items (which usually you are within your shop) and only want to change a few of them. Enter <a href="http://www.etsyhacks.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Etsyhacks</span></a>. I wish I could use their <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greasemonkey</span> program but I do not use <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">firefox</span>. Hopefully he will get a version for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">internet</span> explorer up soon. But he does have bookmarks you can use, especially for tagging, which speeds things up. You can find all the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">bookmarklets</span> <a href="http://www.etsyhacks.com/bookmarklets/">here</a> and there is a super easy step by step guide on how to save and use them. This way you can enter all your tags with just comas in between and copy and paste them from other listings too. A real <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">timesaver</span>.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Full Time <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Etsy</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Crafters</span> Team Website</span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Another great resource I have found is on the above team's <a href="http://fulltimeetsycraftersteam.blogspot.com/search/label/etsy%20seller%20tips">website</a> where successful full time sellers share info. Most of them say to be active in the forums, renew listings often, take great photos of your products, and some of the tips I've listed above. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Etsy</span> is a community and I've noticed that if you network in the forums, create treasuries, feature people on your blog, other sellers will reciprocate. Feel the love people! There have been times that I have been in the virtual labs too and contacted someone I saw there and the next day ended up in one of their treasuries. I am never afraid to contact someone with questions either. If you see a successful seller and really admire what they are doing-contact them! It never hurts to ask questions.</div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">List!</span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Another theme that keeps popping up over and over again both in the forums and also on the Full Time <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Etsy</span> Team's website is to list everything you have and list often. Fill your shop up. I am on the fence about this one. As a shopper when I am browsing others' shops, if there are pages upon pages of items I don't usually get past page 2 or 3. On the other hand, if someone really likes your stuff and has decided to make an actual purchase it is better to give them a lot of options so you don't loose that sale. Sometimes I feel like I have too many photos to look at in my <a href="http://lilacpopphotography.etsy.com/">photography</a> shop...</span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Website</span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">This is something I have been thinking about doing for a while now. I want to have my own website to direct people to. But the cost has had me hesitating. In the above forum thread, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">etsy</span> seller <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">minipotterybyanita</span> said that she purchased a website domain that's sole purpose is to redirect to her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">etsy</span> site. This way she can not only have people type in <a href="http://www.anitaspottery.com/">http://www.anitaspottery.com/</a> and have it get redirected to her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">etsy</span> site but she also comes up double in google searches. She says it is $14.95 a month to do this so if that is in your budget she says to contact <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/minipotterybyanita">her</a> and she will let you know who her host is. This is a great <a href="http://fulltimeetsycraftersteam.blogspot.com/2009/11/your-own-domain-etsy.html">tutorial</a> and seems very easy to do (albeit complicated) and it only costs about $10 for the year. I am <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">definitely</span> going to try it out and will let you know the results.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">This is all that I have learned and I'm on only page 4 out of 53 pages in that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">etsy</span> forum thread! You can learn so much in the forums and the virtual labs. I will be sure to share more as it comes up too. If you have any tips or tricks please leave a comment and share!</span></div>

Improve Your Shop

Happy new year! I've decided to set a goal to make more sales this year and even * ack * pay for some advertising if I have to. So this...

Read more »

Front Page!

<p align="center"><a href="http://etsy.com/"><img src="http://team.etsy.com/images/downloads/buttons/thisitem125_b.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">I am going to shamelessly brag now! </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">I made it to the front page of etsy!!!</span> </div><br /><br /><div align="center">(Said like Joel McHale's "It's reality show clip time!")</div><br /><br />And guess whose treasury it was? <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6619884">Evrydiki</a>, who I just featured on this very blogitty blog. Karma, baby! Thanks again Evrydiki!<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313913057177079154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2As2DZ1edX7aV4jGRSEl7G4C0cBuVXFkaDpTFMTgpNMpMwbBm1NOJSieiQ51HgLK99XgeZOkrw6PKv4JZT1RmvxfkJqzNiZI0l6s-ljuZ3YuQrxtBs-O2nAlUJ_bL65sv_9yx7ImTtYFM/s200/bottles+square.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />

Front Page!

I am going to shamelessly brag now! I made it to the front page of etsy!!! (Said like Joel McHale's "It's reality show clip ti...

Read more »

How To Make Your Photos Front Page Worthy

I have this goal: get one of my items on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Etsy's</span> front page. I have set this goal and I have read scores of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">etsy</span> articles and blogs to help me get there. I finally made it with one of my photos! I figured I should share some of the information I've learned along the way. When browsing through the many shops belonging to people posting in the critiques forum I see over and over again awesome products but poor photos. You can never get featured or on the front page that way. And I really believe that to be really successful on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">etsy</span> you need to get featured in treasuries. Besides, when you go to a job interview you wear your best outfit right? It's the same way with your shop. Your shop is getting interviewed by the possible buyer.<br /><br />First things first: do not photograph your item on your bed, your hardwood floors, your favorite blanket, or worse, on a messy table. If someone sees your messy workspace, chances are they won't want to <em>buy</em> something that came from a messy house! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ew</span>. Analyze your photos and think, "Would I buy this from someone else based on these photos?"<br /><br />The easiest thing to do is to buy a piece of foam-core from the store. You can buy it at an office supply store, a drugstore, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Walmart</span>, Target, just about anywhere they sell office supplies. It provides a blank background so that your item will be featured. Then, try to use natural light. Sometimes it works to use full sun, but usually just indirect sunlight works best. Set your camera to "flash off" and possibly even use a tripod if you have to. If you have nice color on your walls, you can use that as a background if it fits with what you are selling. Think of using unusual props, like an antique book, the edge of a teacup for earrings. The best way to come up with ideas is to see what other sellers are doing that do make it to the front page. Browse through the treasuries too. Add the item to your favorites and look through them for inspiration when you are ready to start taking pictures. And the most important thing is to get a few shots really close! If it's hard to see any detail on the item, chances are no one is going to buy it. Think of tilting the camera to make it more interesting. Look at your object and close in on the most interesting part of it. If your camera won't get up close, buy a magnification filter for it. If you are using an automatic camera rather than an SLR (the kind you can change the lenses with) then you can still buy a filter and just hold it up in front of the lens. You may have to switch your camera to manual focus for this. You can buy these filters on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ebay</span> or a camera store. They are not that expensive and will make a world of difference with your product. If you are selling clothing, buy a mannequin from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ebay</span>. You can get partial ones that hang on the back of a door for about $20 on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ebay</span>. (I love <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">ebay</span> by the way. I have sold almost 2,000 items there!)<br /><br />After you take your photos, you really need to edit them to make the colors pop and spiffy them up a bit. I strongly suggest using <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">picnik</span>.com!! It is the coolest site. It is free with no strings attached. It lets you upload up to 5 photos at a time (or you can upgrade your account for $24.95 and upload as many as you like). Then you can go to 'edit' and either use the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">autofix</span> or click on 'exposure' and brighten it up a bit and give it more contrast. Then you can go into 'create' and have some real fun with it. You don't want to go too crazy with it though--the item needs to be true to life. But here you can boost the color a bit (use the sliders to turn it down because the first setting it does is way too boosted!), add a vignette (my favorite feature), or even make your background black and white and leave the object in color. Saving it is a breeze and you can even <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">resize</span> it to 1000 pixels when you do it. Did I mention how much I LOVE this site?!<br /><br />Another way to analyze your photos is by creating a treasury mock up and seeing how your item fits in and looks right. You can copy the treasury that is on the front page and just replace one of the items with your own photos. Does it look good? Here is the link to the treasury poster sketch to get you started: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/poster_sketch.php">http://www.etsy.com/poster_sketch.php</a><br /><br />Basically, keep learning by looking at what other's do. Read the articles in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">storque</span>--they are great! Here are some helpful links:<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/shop-makeover-series-feature-friendly-photos-3222/">http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/shop-makeover-series-feature-friendly-photos-3222/</a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/shop-makeover-series-are-your-photos-frontpage-worthy-3178/">http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/shop-makeover-series-are-your-photos-frontpage-worthy-3178/</a> This one is my favorite and where I learned the most!<br /><br />Coming soon--ways to get your shop noticed!

How To Make Your Photos Front Page Worthy

I have this goal: get one of my items on Etsy's front page. I have set this goal and I have read scores of etsy articles and blogs to ...

Read more »