9 Months Later, The Baby is Born

On July 11, 2009, my etsy store, BusyBeadLady, has been opened for 9 months.

Nine months ago, the seed was planted and fertilized by a brief encounter with the Martha Stewart show. The idea that there was a place to show and possibly sell my product, was romantic and irresistible.

As with anyone finding out that they are about to have a baby, I tried to find out as much as I could about the process. Oh the excitement of a new adventure! Of course my baby was going to be the most perfect, desirable baby ever born.

Over the last 9 months, my baby has grown in the belly of etsy. I give it the nutrition of listing, blogging and twittering. I brag to everyone about it on the forums and chat rooms. I check it's health with site optimizers and google analyst.

Being the proud mother has a set back. When nobody views my baby, it makes me sad. Am I a good mother? Where did I go wrong? Then I think of all there is left to do do to give my baby every chance in this cyber world, better pictures and descriptions. Perhaps remaking the item. Is the pricing right? Am I showing my baby in dirty diapers or giving it the scrubbed, baby powder look that will attract the attention it deserves.

As with any child, the more love and respect I give my store, the more I will receive back in the end.

As we embark on our life together, mother and child will grow. Hopefully my child will take care of me well into my old age.

MARKETING

Since opening a store on etsy, I have become one with my computer. Thankfully, my husband has a great disposition and a sense of humor. I get up in the morning, before my eyes are fully open or a cup of coffee, the computer is turned on. Between shifts at my real world job, I take the short time I have to click on and see if anything is happening. At night is when I have some real time. I am on the computer before my shoes are off!

I have my routine. First I check my etsy site, then it's off to my artfire. Next is usually Craftcult to see if I have any new hearts , or been featured anywhere (not yet), a new feature they've added. I then travel to either my blog (which hopefully is where you are), or on the etsy forums to visit. Once I have accomplished all of this, I kind of go surfing. My favorite's site is so filled with places I want to spend more time on! I wonder when my computer will go "Warning,
warning! I'm stuffed!"

Anyway, this brings me to a site I found last night. It is packed with tips by etsy sellers and for etsy sellers. I read most of the articles, but one really seemed tailored to me. It is written by AmyVanderVorste. (She owns avlor imprints, a lovely shop with banners, avatars, stationery and art prints.) The article is under the Shop Tips section, and is titled "eating a marketing elephant". Great title, Amy! It addresses the issue of scattering yourself around. She gives great tips that I intend to implement, especially the one about concentrating on one thing and perfecting it, then moving on to the next.

I don't suppose that I will give up surfing completely, but facebook, twitter etc. etc. will be on hold for a little longer. How will they survive without me! So much to do - so little time.