Blogging from Flickr

In the last several blog posts you learned some easy ways to start using SEO to get more traffic to your blog. I wanted to take a moment and tell you just a little more about using Flickr with this technique.

In the last blog post, I said that if you have a Flickr account, you can set up your blog(s) from your account page. You can also set your own copyright preferences for your own photos. For more information on this, visit http://creativecommons.org/choose/ Based on how other photographers set their own copyright preferences, you can blog about some photos directly from Flickr to your blog.

Yes, Flickr accounts are free and very easy to set up. No, Flickr doesn't pay me to promote them; I just use Flickr for most of my online photo management and love how it works.

Once your Flickr account is set up and your blog(s) are set up, do a keyword search. I did a search in Flickr for "Ceramic Paint Pens" (quotes make sure the exact phrase is searched, not single words in the phrase.) If you see a picture you want to blog about and the copyright settings allow others to blog it, just hit the "Blog This" button and blog it from there.

 

Easy peasy.

Here's how my blog post looks:

Soup tureens with ladle., originally uploaded by Terry Wallis.

In this Flickr picture, photographer Terry Wallis mentioned how he bought ladles separately and used ceramic paint pens to paint them to match the tureen set.

I posted this directly from Flickr. If you click on the picture it will take you to the Flickr page where this photo is located.

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

One more super easy SEO trick to boost your blog

In my last two blog posts I shared some tips on using basic SEO to get more traffic to your blog. I hope you've had some nice results from these tips. Today I've got one more thing you can do to build on the last post.

In the last post I suggested using Google Analytics to find out what keywords people were using to get to your site, and then blogging about these keywords. Using that trick, let's go one step further.

1. Go to Google Alerts and type in your keyword. Select what kinds of sites/blogs you want to search, how often you want to be alerted, and where the alert should be sent. In my case, I set up a Google Alert for "ceramic paint pens" (in quotes so Google searches that exact phrase.)

2. Like in the last blog post, you'll need to give it a week or so for the results to show up. When they do, browse through the links and see if anything would be of interest to your readers. I found this intriguing and related blog post at Re-nest. (The tea set shown there is amazing, isn't it?)

3. When you've found something interesting, blog about it, using your keyword three to five times. Write your own content with your own opinion and viewpoint. Be sure to get permission to re-post any relevant pictures found on the other website. Include a link to that site - partly as a courtesy to your readers if they want more info, party to add credibility to your own post, and mostly to give credit to the owner of the original content.

Your loyal readers will appreciate you sharing some interesting and related info and you'll have something fresh for your new readers. Don't be surprised if you get a mention at the other website for sharing their info with your readers.

Where else can you use this SEO trick? It depends on what your keyword is. Instead of just setting up a Google Alert, I have also found great content to blog about with a keyword search at the following sites.

Crafts, handmade goods, art - Etsy or Artfire

Food - try recipe sharing sites such as Recipezaar

Local stuff, travel, scenery, misc - Flickr

(If you have a Flickr account, you can set up your blog(s) from your account page. Then, if you see a picture you want to blog about and the picture owner has chosen to allow others to blog it, just hit the "Blog This" button and blog it from there. Easy peasy.)

If you try this on your blog, comment here and let me know how you liked it.  Don't forget to get permission before using any photos - and let the owners of the original content know that you've posted about them whenever possible.

Cheers!

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

Another trick to get more traffic to your blog

In the last post I shared a tip that uses basic SEO to get more traffic to your blog.

Here's another very easy way to get more traffic to your blog - capitalize on your own keywords. Ok, it takes a little work and a lot of patience to get it started, but once you have it up and running, it's very very easy.

The screenshot below is from a Google Analytics report on my Pass It On Plates blog.

As you can see, the most popular keyword search that brings people to that blog is Ceramic Paint Pens.

So try this on your own blog.

1. Get a Google Analytics account. You'll need a Google account - if you have a Blogger blog, you already have a Google account. This is easy to set up if you know how to insert code into your blog. If you are not comfortable fiddling with the HTML of your blog, ask a tech-y friend for help. We don't want you to lose or damage your blog.

2. Once your analytics code is installed, you'll have to be patient and wait a week or so to see the results.

3. When you've had sufficient time for analytics to gather data on your blog, take a look at the keywords people are using to find you. Click Traffic Sources and then click Keywords. You can also change the timeline at the top of the page, if you want to see more than the past month.

4. What's the most popular keyword? Use it when writing your blog posts. Repeat the keyword three to five times (this tells the search engine spiders that this is a focal point of your blog post) and blog about this keyword more frequently than other topics. There's no rule that says you have to write every other post about this keyword, but as long as 30-50% of your posts focus on this keyword, you'll drive traffic to your site looking for information about this keyword.

In my case, since Ceramic Paint Pens is my top keyword (and in the picture you can see that my top 5 keywords bring in mostly new visitors, not repeat visitors - so my readership is growing) I try to blog about these more often than any other topic.

Give it a try and let me know how it works for you!

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

Here's an easy way to get more traffic to your blog

No matter what you blog about, this easy trick will boost your traffic each time you do it. Make this a consistent habit and you could see a steady and regular increase in your blog's traffic. This tip makes use of basic SEO (Search Engine Optimization.)

1. Go to a popular homepage type of website like Yahoo and look up that day's popular searches. You can see this day's popular searches in the box on the upper right (shown in the picture above.) Today's top 5 popular searches are: Sandra Bullock, Amanda Knox, Jayson Williams, the Health Care Bill, and New Moon Reviews.

2. Incorporate one of these top search subjects into your blog post. Each of these subjects is a keyword, so for today's example, using the name Sandra Bullock is a keyword.

3. Make the post relevant and interesting to read, and repeat your keyword a few times. (Three times is good, five times is better.)

This may take a little creative thinking, but works like a charm if you do it right. 

When people surfing the internet type in your keyword, your blog post will come up in the listings. Actual mileage may vary depending on the keyword you chose, where in the listings it landed, and how interesting your text is, but you should see a bump in traffic.

Try it out and comment here with your results!

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

I'm back - and have all kinds of stuff to share

Hello - I've missed you! The past few months have been filled with all kinds of interesting things and I'm learning some amazing things that I can't wait to share with you.

While my posting here won't be as regular as it had been, I do hope to be able to share neat stuff with you a couple times a month. That might be just right, anyway... it'll give you time to tweak my marketing tips to meet your specific needs and see how they work.

I'm still crazy for your comments, so please let me know how you used these tips and/or what kinds of results you got from them.







Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

Announcement!

Dear Loyal Readers,

I have some changes on the horizon to share with all of you.

Starting Tuesday, I will begin a new day job which will take up a lot more time and energy than my present job. While learning my new job, I will be posting less frequently than my usual two posts a week.

Once I get up and running with my new job, I'll be returning to college to complete my business degree in Marketing - and actually looking at a double major: Marketing and Advertising, since I have almost all the credits for an advertising degree right now.

So the downside right now is that I'll be extremely busy and won't have the time to devote to writing two posts a week. The upside is that when I do make an infrequent post, it will be really great information you can use. (Not that it wasn't before, but now it'll be really great info!)

If you don't want to miss a post, I encourage you to subscribe to this blog - there's a little box in the sidebar.

Thank you everyone!



Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

PS: The series I started on creating great viral blog posts is still saved in my "finish writing" folder and will be continued as time permits.

Viral Blog Posts: Controversy

Another tip on how to create a good viral blog post: Controversy

Like it or not, controversy sells. Remember Burger King using Sponge Bob's big butt to sell burgers? As parents objected, more and more people sought out the ad to see what all the fuss was about.

I'm sure that was Burger King's plan in the first place.

An unintentional controversy - which worked to the product's benefit - was when the first Harry Potter books came out. Some parents objected with claims of witchcraft, which drew more people to the books to see what they were complaining about. Of course, the books would most likely have been as popular without the controversy, but the news of these parents wanting the books banned backfired created a lot of extra buzz.

Can you create any kind of controversy to help your blog or business?

There is an ongoing controversy on Etsy over who was the first artist to come up with a certain kind of item (such as scrabble tile pendants); do you dare to boldly announce that you started the trend with the "original" version of your craft?

If you have a restaurant, how about inviting your competition to a good-natured challenge to a blind taste test on a similar item? Invite the press and the public. Gutsy, but sure to create controversy. And local buzz.

Is there any way you can "push the envelope" so to speak in your line of work?

A local coffee drive-thru here in Salem, is appropriately named Bikini Coffee Co: The female baristas wear bikini tops year round.
You can imagine this created some controversy - and a lot of publicity.

And a lot of business.

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

Matchbook Notebook Promo Cards

I love it when businesses use visuals or hand-held things for advertising. I'm not talking business cards or coupons, but nifty little creative things really get my attention.

A couple of weeks ago I was cruising through my blog reader and clicked a link to Aurora's Garden, where she re-posted a link to Bluegrass Etsy where Etsy seller Kellibeans posted a tutorial slideshow. Ok, that was kind of a sister's friends' third cousin's aunt's best friend's mother kind of story, but I wanted to give credits where they're due.

Nevertheless, Kellibeans posted a GREAT tutorial. You could make these while watching tv, waiting in the car to pick up the kiddos from school, on public transportation, over your lunch break, or pretty much anywhere. Prep the materials ahead of time and keep them in your purse or bag and assemble them whenever you have a spare 10 minutes.

And how can you use these? Put some of those 151 Guerrilla Marketing techniques to use on your Matchbooks!

Here's the tutorial: Matchbook Notebook Promo Cards

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

Viral Blog Posts: Humor + Picture

Last Wednesday I shared a blogging formula with you on how to create a good viral post.

Today we'll explore the first item on the list:
Humor + Picture

Of all my blogs (I author or contribute to 8,) the one post that has received (and continues to receive) the most traffic is this:

True Redneck Tube Top!!!!
Originally uploaded by Pam's Inbox

True Redneck Tube Top!!!!

This was taken in front of the Gardendale, Alabama, Walmart while she was going to the Flea market.
This is hysterical! Look at it closely.

Now I ask you...
Who but a redneck... stands and looks at a pair of men's briefs and
says hummmm...I can make a nice summer top from these!!

On the other hand...$6 for a three pack is a good price!!

Unless you're in a unique niche market, showing off upside down underwear with the crotch cut out (and technically this is a tank top, not a tube top) probably won't do squat to help you market your business. BUT - would you like some ideas on how to tweak this so it works for you?

Most of my traffic to the above blog post finds it on the keyword "Redneck tube top" or "True redneck tube top." What keywords are most commonly used to find your site? This is SEO in its most basic form and you can easily use it to your advantage.

With carefully selected keywords in mind, can you think of something business related that is just as funny? Is there a picture that goes with it? Blog about it.

Have you surfed around funny blogs like ebaumsworld, dribbleglass.com, or fail blog? Is there anything there that relates to what you do? Blog about it. (Be careful with your use of images and respect any copyrights that may apply.)

Have you received a viral email related to what you do? Post it to your blog. (That's where the above email came from.)

Try looking through Digg.com or other similar sites to see what's popular in humor right now. Blog about the blog post that's getting all the attention. (Even if you don't use a picture.)

Next Wednesday we'll explore the next viral blog post idea on the list.

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

Create your own blog template

Are you bored with the existing blog templates available? Do you have a vision in your head that you want to create yourself?


Just wanted to take a quick moment to tell you about a blog post over at Sweet 'n' Sassy Girls about how to make your own blog design. If you feel so inclined to do so.

Here's the link!

http://www.sweetnsassygirls.com/2009/02/how-to-make-your-own-blog-design.html

I have put it in my sidebar under Blog Bling for future reference.

Cheers!

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

++ Breaking News ++

According to BlogBadly.com (and re-posted by one of my mentors, BradBlogging.com) you get more traffic with viral blog posts.

What makes a good viral blog post? According to Max at BlogBadly.com you should try one of these formulas:

• Humor + Image
• Controversy
• Breaking news
• Info + Lists
• Funny Cats
• Cool Trick + Video
• Fun Game
• Outrageous Claims
• Ron Paul

Oooooookay, not sure about Ron Paul, but if you think about any blog post (or email for that matter) that nearly everyone knows about, chances are it uses this formula.

How can you use this as a marketing tool for your business?
We'll explore this every Wednesday over the next month.

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

Put Your Shop in Your Pocket

Today I'd like to show you how to put your shop in your pocket for about $11.

No, I'm not kidding.
Yes, I said you can put it in your pocket.

Just upload your pictures to a digital key chain or digital photo frame.

Digital key chains have a picture area of about 1.5" and run from about $8 to about $20.

Put on your thinking cap and imagine the places where this could come in handy...

• In line at the grocery store or post office
• While getting your hair or nails done
• When buying business supplies
• Out with your friends or family - show them what's new
• Any time you're doing some business networking
• Picking up kids from daycare (or school)
• On an airplane
• At a sporting event
• Social Events
• Church

This is useful for any business who relies on visuals.
Can you imagine these kinds of small businesses showing their digital pictures to prospective customers?

• Etsy Shops


• Restauranteurs


• Realtors


• Travel agents/Vacation Planners


• Hairdressers and salons (how about showing off bridal hairstyles)


• Bridal Boutiques


• Retail shops - fashion, home decor, jewelry...


• Antique shops


• Florists


• Interior Decorators


• Faux Painters and Mural Painters


• Auto Dealers


• Auto Detailers


• Dentists - teeth whitening and orthodontia


• Tattoo artists


• Professional Home Stagers


• Landscape Professionals

Another similar idea is to put your images in a digital picture frame. You could set this anywhere, but it may have the biggest impact in these locations:

• Craft Shows
• Waiting rooms
• Home Shows
• In a lobby
• Work out an arrangement with a complimentary business, for example, you could show your bridal floral creations in the bridal gown boutique down the street.

Digital picture frames vary in size, starting at about 7" and their prices start at about $50 and go up from there.

So now I'm sure you're thinking of places where one of these could help you showcase your work. Please comment here with your own ideas!

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

OK, I lied.

Over the past two months, I just posted all kinds of guerrilla marketing ideas in a series called 151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas You Can Use.

I'm sorry to have mislead you with the title. That was not 151 ideas.

The grand total came to 193 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas You Can Use.

Whoops!

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Wholesale

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Selling Wholesale.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. As far as some of my larger orders - I actually approached people I know who use large quantities of canes or beads on my own online and bead shops offline. Most of them at least heard me out and I got enough orders written that it's made it profitable over the years. Neither of those are quick fixes though - six months to a year before they start showing results.
   
2. http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2006/01/wholesale_retai.html
   
3. I priced my products with wholesale in mind from the start and think it's really important to figure out how to do that if you want to make a living from your work
   
4. Also, several customers found me at craft shows
   
5. have made for you custom POS fixtures, and offering a discount when they buy a whole fixture's worth, can be real money makers. Buyers like to get in and out easy, and If you have on display a whole filled fixture, with a price list for the exact items on the fixture, they tend to just buy twice as much
   
6. Wholesale trade shows and trade magazines such as The Gift Shop magazine
   
7. http://qbranchltd.blogspot.com/2008/02/selling-wholesale-part-i.html
   
8. http://www.designspongeonline.com/bizladies
   
9. I found that directly targeting stores myself is too time consuming. That just did not work for me.
   
10. When I first started looking for wholesale accounts, I definitely did some soliciting. I created some line sheets (there are lots of examples out there if you google it) and attached them with a brief note of introduction. It worked surprisingly well, and really got my foot in the door
    
11. Get sales reps! You pay them 15% of the sales, you sit back and listen to the fax ring in your orders, pay them commissions on a monthly basis, on PAID SALES ONLY!
    
12. The first thing you should do is post that you wholesale in your shop announcement. That is the easiest way to start. Most people are looking for a catalog, if you convo me, I'll send you the link to my catalog.

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Video

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Video.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. how about making a video/ commercial on youtube, with the right tags you're guaranteed to get views and visits
   
2. Sell more than handmade items. Use video to sell your story.
   
3. I am actually planning to vlog some craft tutorials to attract some traffic
   
4. If the way your create or sell your product would be at all interesting to watch - create and post Youtube videos about it. Humorous commercials will get you attention here too!
   
5. I've also thought about selling video beadweaving tuts for download.
   
6. You can show people your products and services by posting videos to your website, blog, social networking sites, etc
   
7. There is a website call animoto.com that allows you to upload images to their site, and they have some software that creates the video for you.
   
8. I have done a couple of videos of the things that I make.

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Tell A Friend

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Tell A Friend aka Word of Mouth.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. Make up some business cards to be your "Tell A Friend" cards. You can use these to create a referral discount program, where each customer is assigned a unique referral # that is printed on their tell a friend cards. If this # is mentioned in future orders, the original customer receives an X% discount on their next purchase from your store.
   
2. If you are selling multiples of the same item and sell one, you can include a few "tell a friend" business cards with the order - that include a photo of the item they purchased. Customers will sometimes share these with people who ask them about your item.
   
3. When a customer refers a friend to my shop and that friend buys something, I offer the first customer 10% of their friend's purchase as a store credit. So if the friend buys a $20 item, the first customer gets a $2 credit on their next purchase. They can save up their credits and use it for their entire purchase (They still pay shipping.) Your customers would be really working hard to get people to buy from you. The new person would need to give the first person's name and convo you to say 'So and so referred me to your shop'
   
4. I would put a 10 referral limit on the referrals and only offer it to a person that actually buys something from you.
   
5. Assign everyone a code that they must pass on to whomever they refer. Referee must put code in notes to get discount. It could be something as simple as the person's name with letters or numbers or something like that. If you keep a little chart, it'd be pretty easy to keep track of.....
   
6. I made a purse for a friend of mine that lives far away from me. Anyway she had sent me a message on MySpace telling me that all her friends LOVE her purse....and one of her friends saw that comment and found me....now she's interested in getting something from me!
   
7. An unknown customer (that is one with no previous knowledge of you) who has a positive experience will tell 5 people. That same customer - if they have a negative experience - will tell twice as many people
   
8. When I first opened my shop, I sent an email to my friends and family. My brother- in -law forwarded it to a friend who was remodeling their house and they bought a painting.
   
9. I remember from the guerilla marketing book was that I should be spending half my marketing efforts on my current/previous customers
   
10. http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/935-Ecommerce-Know-How-Start-a-Buzz-with-Word-of-Mouth-Marketing

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Contests & Giveaways

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Contests & Giveaways.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

I want to preface today's list with a link to this post in Etsy's Storque regarding contests. By sharing these contest ideas I am not advocating contests, but just relaying info about what other people have said or done.

That said, here is today's list of ideas:

CONTESTS

1. Enter your crafts into contests...such as the county fair. Winning competitions and contests is a good way to get your name out there and win some money or recognition to boot!

GIVEAWAYS - Do they help?

1. I just recently ran my first blog giveaway. I had put an announcement in my shop announcements. I had over 400 views that weeks and over 100 people register for the contest. I would say that was pretty successful, and it was a ton of fun. ;-)
   
2. It is pretty easy, and it does get you traffic
   
3. I know that it generates a lot of views, some hearts, and we've got our fingers crossed about more sales :)
   
4. I participated in a blog giveaway earlier this week on another seller's blog that gets a TON of traffic and someone who read that blog found my site via that blog and purchased $80 worth of prints from me

GIVEAWAYS - Great Ideas

1. EcoEtsy Team did a scavenger hunt through participating Etsy team shops - http://ecoetsy.blogspot.com/2008/02/st-patties-day-team-scavenger-hunt.html
   
2. You could have a contest to post a picture of yourself in one of the ugliest fads you've ever owned. E.g. slouch socks with rolled up stonewashed jeans. And then vote on which one you think is the ugliest and they win something.
   
3. Do a monthly giveaway for those who sign up for your blog/newsletter.
   
4. I have a mailing list that I ask people to join, and I pick monthly from that list. I am also having a blog give away right now, and to have a chance to win, you just have to comment to that post.
   
5. I have people enter my giveaway by sending me photos of things made with beads from my store. I let them know I'll use the photos to create product pages that are inspiring and creative instead of the same drab photos.
   
6. Every blogger that featured us during the month of April, would be entered in the drawing to win.
   
7. I often like product testers for some of my items before I launch them for sale. I was thinking of doing a giveaway for a beta product, so it could be something small or big, with the expectation that the winner(s)would use it, abuse it and answer a few questions in a month's time.
   
8. OneWorld One Heart - an annual worldwide giveaway every January
   
9. I have a giveaway at the beginning of every month.
   
10. How about a "free flair" giveaway where I would send people a free button and then I would ask them to send me a picture of their "flair" in action--- wearing the button on a jacket or purse or whatever--- that I would post on my blog with their link.

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Memorable Business Cards

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on making and using Memorable Business Cards.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. I always make and send out bookmarks with my orders. That way, you never know where they'll end up, not just in my city, but all over the world to people I sell to. Mainly I just do it because it's a nice 'extra' for my customers.
   
2. I once found an old theater ticket from England from 1943 in a book I got from a used book store and it was like a treasure. If I were to advertise in library books I think I would make special advertising bookmarks with a nice ribbon and such so that the person feels more like it's a treasure than an invasion.
   
3. When I was 12 I found a very unique and mysterious business card taped to a bus stop window and I still have it because it was so interesting to me.
   
4. i make matchbook style Post It holders with my shop info printed all over the outside cover.
   
5. bookmarks are cool too. i just bought a bunch recently when Overnightprints.com had a special where you get 100 booksmarks free with the payment of shipping.
   
6. I like the idea of making Etsy bookmarks and leaving them in books. I am always looking for a bookmark and usually resort to old bill envelopes or scraps of paper when I'm desperate. Finding a nicely done bookmark in a library book would be like finding buried treasure. (I am a school librarian, by the way.)
   
7. my business cards are actually bookmarks. figure when i send it out with my items it kills 2 birds with 1 stone
   
8. We have MixedSpecies temporary tattoos that we give and apply for free! You'd be amazed at the fun those things create. We also are working on sets of "leave behind" coasters to drop off at bars with a drunken dot to dot game! Just a couple ideas!
   made my banner and my business card into key chains and make sure and show them off every chance I get...I love people at the grocery store asking me about them.
   
9. I make coupons using etsy mini and send then out as postcards and hand them out at craft shows.
   
10. I got pens with my Etsy url and tag line on them. Every time I have to sign something - at the bank, the pharmacy, the doctor's office, etc., I "accidentally" leave the pen behind. I've also left them in public restrooms, at restaurants, pretty much everywhere I go. also, at places that have cups of pens, like my chiropractor or the vet, I put a couple of my pens in there for their clients to use. Sneak marketing.
    
11. I make postcards out of etsy mini with my website on them and send them out and hand them out (with little coupons or discounts on them).
    
12. I got talking with the librarian and told her what I do. I asked her if I was to make up some book marks would she put some up at the front desk.
    
13. Perhaps if you know the item is going to be a gift, offer free gift wrapping and use Kraft brown paper, and then stamp your logo on it nicely?
    
14. Refrigerator and bumper magnets are fairly inexpensive to make yourself now, especially if you are using custom wooden stamps.
    
15. Temporary tattoos of our logo.
    
16. I bought these teeny tiny hardcover composition books (4 in a pack for a dollar) and glued my business card to the front. Once I found a ton of boxes of purple ink Bic pens at the dollar store. Since purple is my colour, I scooped them up! People can always use a little pen & notebook for their purse/backpack.
    
17. gave these out for halloween, along with candy of course! my son takes them to school, too.

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Samples

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Samples.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. You could also try giving out samples at various events. Even at family or work events...you could supply the give-aways or doorprizes and then place your business card or a tag with you Etsy info on them.
   
2. I leave soap samples and business cards in public restrooms.
   
3. I've got a purse full of soap samples....just let them ask me a single question even remotely related to soap, and they wind up with a free sample to try.
   
4. Have sent sample santas to stores in the past, and ended up with an order for 40 santas!
   
5. I made up some little bags with mints and some other candies and a business card in them and had friends put them in the lunch room where they worked! everyone needs and after dinner mint!
   
6. I have also sent "promo packages" to everyone in my family....The instructions are funny... "This is not for you! Give this to a friend or someone you know! If they buy from me you will get something extra special in your christmas card!"
   
7. I contacted by local community welcome wagon (they introduce all newbies to the city) and have asked them to include my sample package in their basket.
   
8. If you include any samples in orders, try including an extra "Tell a friend" sample that includes your store name and url.
   
9. showing my paintings in a local cafe has been my most successful marketing yet!
   
10. Most hospitals have volunteers that put together packets for new parents.
    
11. When I make a new soap that I want tested or critiqued, I'll bring mini-bars to work. Word has spread like wildfire and my colleagues are my best customers.
    
12. send out lip balm samples to local dentist's
    
13. If you include any samples in orders, try including an extra "Tell a friend" sample that includes your store name and url.

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Conversation Starters

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Conversation Starters.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. Oh, and standing in line at the Post Office is another good way to network. We meet lots of Etsy and eBay sellers there who swap info with us. Have a bag with your ETSY url on it to take your packages to the post office.
   
2. I'm a knitter. So, I work on my items in public (coffee shops, city busses, standing in the check-out lane at the grocery store). People always ask about it.
   
3. Use friends as models. The more people you involve in the process, the more they want to know how THEY did, and they'll tell their friends and family. I've asked friends to model, and they get all excited to let their other friends now "Hey, I'm on a website!" It's mostly unintentional advertising, but hey, you get the word out and get to involve buddies!
   
4. A good one I do is I make stuff during my lunch break in the office break room. Lots of people stop and ask about it (men and women!) and I hand them my card.
   
5. Also, be sure to inform your alumni newsletter about your shop/website/blog
   
6. You can wear a painting!!! hahahaha!!! i have tee shirts made with my artwork on them. Seriously, print off your work at http://www.cafepress.com/ or http://www.spreadshirt.com/ and wear it! You can print your art on all kinds of other things, too.
   
7. I also work on a lot of my designs on a bus and noticed people watching me while I did it (what else is there to look at on a bus?) so I made a sticker with my URL and stuck it (upside down) on the lid of the little wooden box I carry around my most recent project so people can check it out if they want to see what I was making.
   
8. I dress blatantly and outrageously punk rock all the time. It doesn't matter how small the outing. If I'm just going to pick up some NyQuil from the drugstore, I will still get all decked out. Then I hand out business cards like crazy when people ask about my outfit.
   
9. I'm planning on taking some paintings and working on them in the park. People love to watch an artist at work and if you can put up with the interruptions and people's kids hanging on you, you can drum up a lot of business.

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Your Identity

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Your Identity.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. I recently ordered personal checks with four of my paintings as the designs for them.
   
2. You can also design your credit card with your own picture on it. If you choose an interesting picture of one of your items, every time you hand it to a clerk it's an opportunity to talk about what you do.
   
3. I play regularly on a game site and changed my player name to my postcardlady.etsy.com
   
4. I put Etsy on my resume as my current job!
   
5. if you wear hats a lot, wear an an "etsy" hat

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Craft Shows & Home Parties

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Craft Shows & Home Parties.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. Whenever we go to craft shows, farmer's markets, or festivals, we have handouts, flyers, business cards, and postcards to give to interested people. We also walk around the markets and offer them to other sellers at the various other booths and tell them that we will give them a fellow seller's discount at our booth and online. We usually get one in return, so it works out!
   
2. I make coupons using etsy mini and send then out as postcards and hand them out at craft shows.
   
3. Having a home show has been the best thing for me so far. Invite all your friends. Plan WELL in advance and talk it up for a while! Send email invite, mail some and make a facebook event. Perhaps you'll have to draw crowds by inviting a friend or two to take part with you (I recommend about two other people...don't let it get too big). This way their friends will see/buy your stuff and the other way around! It's great fun. I've had wonderful turn-outs! :)
   
4. Since I do jewelry Parties, and they Are probably the Fastest way to earn the Most Money in the Shortest Time That I have Ever Found. I also pay the host a percentage of whatever I sell in order to entice them. Usually between 5% - 15%. It depends on the situation. If you make $2,000. they get $200.00 and are happy with that.
   
5. So my best promotions still remain craft fairs and classes taught offline. If you can make those regular, your name, cards and face are out there all the time and you make contacts that come back.
   
6. Have an Etsy Boutique Sale in your home - if you have the space. It's what I'm doing the end of this month.
   
7. I've invited 10 other Etsy Sellers to bring their goods to my home to setup shop. Each seller had to pay in a very small amount of money to cover the cost of postcards that I had another Etsian design. Each seller has to invite 30-50 people to the sale and hopefully we'll get 200-500 customers coming through.
   
8. I'm clearing out all my large furniture, knick-knacks, etc to make our Etsy shop. I'm offering treats and beverages and hopefully we'll be able to build a local customer base.
   
9. I'm also going to offer free shipping coupons good through the end of the year to all the customers as they leave.
   
10. my local art business that supports me, not my online business! i sell more cards in a week locally than i have sold in two years on etsy....
    

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

25 Places to get Promotional Products

Today I was reading this article about how to market a business effectively by using promotional products.

Have you used promotional products to market your business? If you're wondering where to find them, here's a big list of places where you can order promotional products. I have used the first two myself, but there are a ton of them out there.

1. http://www.vistaprint.com/
2. Oriental Trading Company
3. http://www.promopeddler.com/
4. http://ocs.landsend.com/corpsales
5. http://www.herodecks.com/
6. http://www.top-brands.com/
7. http://www.zagwear.com/
8. http://www.e-corporategifts.com/
9. http://www.branders.com/
10. http://www.pensrus.com/?s=gaw&kw=promotional+pen
11. 4imprint
12. Empire Promotional Products
13. Silver Star Promotions
14. Superior Promos Inc
15. http://www.logosoftwear.com/
16. http://www.gimmees.com/
17. http://sweetpromos.com/
18. http://www.compleat.com/category.i?catid=1
19. http://www.promogeek.com/
20. http://www.companycasuals.com/cs/CustomBrowser?customer=adco
21. http://www.epromos.com/browse/Ne1-N11618.html
22. http://www.embroiderysuperstore.com/designs/stock_design_search.aspx
23. http://www.apromotionaloutlet.com/apparel.html
24. http://www.empirepromos.com/
25. http://www.rushimprint.com/

Don't forget your own creative efforts! If you can create a cost-effective promo item for yourself that ties into your business and fits your brand, go for it!

I'd love to see what interesting promo ideas you have come up with for your own business!

Will you comment here with your ideas or links to a blog post about what you've done?














Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Magazine Submission & Article Writing

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Magazine Submission & Article Writing.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. I've been entering contests for publication and other such opportunities. Art Jewelry Magazine has a gallery section and one of my necklaces will be featured in the July issue which I'm excited about.
   
2. I usually just check out the magazines I like and follow their submission requirements - I'm new to this type of promotion but it's fun and it really only takes a moment to fill out the submission info. They had my necklace for several months, but it's back safely and it's pretty neat to be in print - I recommend trying it out!
   
3. Another idea is to enter your crafts into contests...such as the county fair. Winning competitions and contests is a good way to get your name out there and win some money or recognition to boot!
   
4. Write a book review. This one is even shorter, only about 200 words. The book should be something somehow connected to creativity. So that will probably be non fiction. I'm obviously not saying that this should be the book where you get all your ideas/instructions from (if you do get ideas/instructions from books) Like at Amazon.com
   
5. Write an article for a 'zine. Write about something you're interested in, not about your shop. It shouldn't be too stressful, try thinking about it like a blog entry. The byline would have your name and a link to your site.

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Media

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Media.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. I am starting to Advertise in our Local Parenting magazine. First I called some current advertisers and asked how good their results were, and they all said business was great from the magazine. So Now I am starting a small ad.
   
2. I emailed our local TV station - with information about ETSY - maybe will get some adv. out there for all of us. Will let anyone know if this works and possibly others in other areas might try.
   
3. If you have a day job and they have a staff newsletter, with a 'social' section, get yourself in it. Especially if you're at a local craft fair or taking part in charity events.
   
4. Start writing a regular newsletter and invite blog readers to opt in to your newsletter mailing list
   
5. I used to be my hometown's photographer and our editor was always desperate for stories. I remember she sent me out to photograph a man making balloon animals for kids in the park, a kids' lemonade stand that made over $20 one hot day, and a family pitching a tent in the local campground. Check with your newspaper. They might be hungry for feel-good stories that include a photo or two. Anything with a local spin is even better because it helps to sell papers.
   
6. I did an article about our farm and my creations for Storque, and that sent my sales through the roof
   
7. Why not contact your local radio station and arrange for them to include your creations in a station giveaway or contest.
   
8. What about writing an article for your local paper about Etsy and how it is helping people earn a living at home in these hard economic times? And there's so much more than the local paper....newsletters, community organizations, etc.
   
9. One Etsy seller called the local newspaper about a large commission she had created. They sent out a reporter and photographer and she had a big write-up in the local paper with color pictures of her work, her studio, and everything.

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?

151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Business Card Advertising

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Business Card Advertising.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. drop cards at hairdressing salons, cafes
   
2. drop posters on bulletin boards at work
   
3. drop flyers in kitchenettes at work
   
4. I did have an intranet classifieds listing at work- unfortunately they're onto me and it's gone now :(
   
5. make gifts for children of friends- with card included for Mum!
   
6. Print your business card on a pen and leave them everywhere - when you sign the check at a restaurant, when you sign in at the doctor, when you write a check at the grocery store, when you sign your kids out early from school...
   
7. tape your business card to the inside of a bathroom stall
   
8. What about cards left in taxis? And pockets of clothing you try on (those that aren't sewn up that is!) Or giving a bunch of stuff to a thrift store with tags attached?
   
9. Whole Foods has a bulletin board in their front entrance and they let people put things up their all the time.
   
10. Coffee shops are great for leaving cards.
    
11. i put flyers up at "public" places; laundromats, the community building, the library, the park, the beach etc.
    
12. a cafe owner had wrote "free coffee with this card" on the back of all his cards, that way the card finder has to come into the cafe to get some coffee, it's working and FAR less expensive than "advertising"
    
13. On a side note, another good place to advertise is at your daycare. Lots of mom's picking up their kids would probably really love a free goodie bag & some business cards to boot!
    
14. I carry a large Ziploc bag with half sheet sized flyers I made on PS and copied onto brightly colored paper at Kinko's in my van, with a roll of Scotch tape and a pack of thumb tacks. You never know where you'll end up that'll need some Etsy love. :)
    
15. I leave my business cards with the tip in restaurants, and I hand them out to the staff at doctors offices Of course the key is to leave a good tip!!!!!!!
    
16. I went to my OBGYN today for that oh so fun check up... DR asks me what I have been doing lately (of course I am sitting there in just a paper napkin and he wants to chat) anywho- I tell him about my new little biz adventure and he suggested I bring by some fliers and stuff and he will let me advertise there (perfect for me, baby items at the OBGYN office!) talk about multi tasking! LOL
    
17. What if those of you who screenprint, had a little onesie, or burpcloth printed out with something like "I love Dr. so and so" or "Delivered with love by Dr. so and so". Something cute, but also giving a little promo to the Doc. I bet some obgyn's would love to purchase some of those to give out to new moms, and if I were a new mom who loved my obgyn, I'd have my baby wear it.
    
18. For those who do animal-themed work, like I do, finding out if any of your local vets would be okay with you posting a card on their bulletin board
    
19. Then, you could work out a deal, either by putting your etsy address on the item itself, or having the doctor include your business cards, or having a little tag on the item that says that the item was made by you, a local artist and mom who has more items available at *****.etsy.com
    
20. When I leave business card or my booksmarks someplace. I mark them in a corner with the first two letters of the name of the place that I left then. Like I added 60 booksmarks to my son's goodie bag party and on the back I put the letter LE. LE stands for Long Elementary. I I go to the library I put DL, stands for Downtown Library, SD Supermarket Davidsons, SS Supermarket Safeway. This way I can ask them what letter are on the back this way I know where they pick up the bookmarks. Also I give them 10% off if they buy using the code: "Please mention the code on the card and you get 10% 0ff." This way I can see which place is working out for me.
    
21. Everytime I use an ATM machine, I leave a business card on the little ledge beside it or on the keypad.
    
22. Another good place is at fabric stores. The one that I go to has a board where others leave their business cards and flyers.
    
23. I leave biz cards in my shopping cart/basket after I check out at the grocery store
    
24. I've tucked mine inside those Sky Mall magazines tucked behind the seats in airplanes!
    
25. i leave aceos in tip jars
    
26. What places are you thinking of putting your cards? For my cooking class I teach at the city's rec center, I put flyers at the library, the Whole-Foods-ish grocery store, and a Starbucks or two. For my Etsy shop I'm thinking of putting cards/flyers at places moms and babies go but am having a hard time thinking of mom-places that have billboards
    
27. Try asking any friends or family that work in office buildings to take some of your cards and leave them in the break rooms and cafeterias. I see them a lot in the building where I work, usually on bulletin boards or stacked by napkin dispensers.
    
28. If you are selling multiples of the same item and sell one, you can include a few "tell a friend" business cards with the order - that include a photo of the item they purchased. Customers will sometimes share these with people who ask them about your item.
    
29. I have been selling some items on ebay. When I package up my item for shipment, I include a small card that reads "thank you for your purchase - be sure to check out my other items on etsy" and have my etsy address at the bottom. I also include my (etsy) business card.
    
30. Last night I gave the property manager a stack of my cards and he is going to put one in each of the new tenants(homeowners) welcome package! I also went around and hit up every bulletin board in the apartment complex.
    
31. Whenever I take a flight I leave cards in the seat pocket and/or the magazines.
    
32. I leave free buttons with my biz card attached pretty much anywhere I can without being caught. Mostly bathrooms etc.. Its my PIF with a motive I guess...I dont know if Ive gotten any looks but what the heck... I usually use my Canadian Girls Rock! buttons....I cant wait till that day Im standing in line at a coffee shop and see one of my buttons on the napsack of the girl in front of me...I might cry! LOL
    
33. Got business cards. They have a description of what I sell, my name, my email address, my store address and the line "Come see what I made today!" I hand out two to each friend I see during the day, the babysitter's mom, and enclose two in every letter and package I send out.
    
34. I got some great results by leaving fliers in stores around town, any store I went to that would allow it got a nice little stack of my fliers. I would also put them on the bus and subway seats. I had a few people report they found out about my business that way.
    
35. I would only put on your business card, your name, your etsy store name, your etsy web address and your e-mail address. I don't have my address or phone number on there. If people want to contact me they can get to an e-mail address with a computer or they can come and leave a message by going to etsy.
    
36. I live in a college town and the students are back so I grabbed a pal and hit the high-rise dorms. They have bulletin boards by all the elevators usually covered in weight loss or work from home ad's. I did 4 different dorms each with 25 floors! My feet hurt.
    
37. Whenever there's one of those raffle boxes for a prize or to enter your info to be on someone else's mailing list--instead of filling out the little form (and hunting down a pen) I just drop my business card in the box instead--it's a lot quicker for me, and all my contact info is already on there.
    

With all of these great business card ideas, there are also some safety concerns to think about.
BUSINESS CARD SAFETY

• I would only put on your business card, your name, your etsy store name, your etsy web address and your e-mail address. I don't have my address or phone number on there. If people want to contact me they can get to an e-mail address with a computer or they can come and leave a message by going to etsy.
  
• Archdiva said: There was another discussion here in the (Etsy) forums about putting a phone number on business cards. Several no cost or low cost options for voicemail were discussed which would allow you to have a contact number on your cards without giving out your home or personal number.
  
• I wouldn't put my home address on business cards that I drop here and there. Instead I use a PO Box so creepy people can't locate me so easily.

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

Did you like this post? How about subscribing in a reader or by Email?