PamHawk.com

Announcement!

2009-07-30T16:13:00.000-07:00

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!

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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

2009-07-29T16:31:00.000-07:00

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.

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Matchbook Notebook Promo Cards

2009-07-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

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

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Viral Blog Posts: Humor + Picture

2009-07-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

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.

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Create your own blog template

2009-07-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

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!

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++ Breaking News ++

2009-07-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

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.

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Put Your Shop in Your Pocket

2009-07-13T10:28:00.000-07:00

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!

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OK, I lied.

2009-07-08T04:48:00.000-07:00

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!

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Wholesale

2009-07-06T11:18:00.000-07:00

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.

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.
http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2006/01/wholesale_retai.html
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
Also, several customers found me at craft shows
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
Wholesale trade shows and trade magazines such as The Gift Shop magazine
http://qbranchltd.blogspot.com/2008/02/selling-wholesale-part-i.html
http://www.designspongeonline.com/bizladies
I found that directly targeting stores myself is too time consuming. That just did not work for me.
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
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!
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?

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Video

2009-07-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

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

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

how about making a video/ commercial on youtube, with the right tags you're guaranteed to get views and visits
Sell more than handmade items. Use video to sell your story.
I am actually planning to vlog some craft tutorials to attract some traffic
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!
I've also thought about selling video beadweaving tuts for download.
You can show people your products and services by posting videos to your website, blog, social networking sites, etc
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.
I have done a couple of videos of the things that I make.

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Tell A Friend

2009-06-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

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.

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.
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.
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'
I would put a 10 referral limit on the referrals and only offer it to a person that actually buys something from you.
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.....
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!
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
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.
I remember from the guerilla marketing book was that I should be spending half my marketing efforts on my current/previous customers
http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/935-Ecommerce-Know-How-Start-a-Buzz-with-Word-of-Mouth-Marketing

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Contests & Giveaways

2009-06-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

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

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?

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. ;-)
It is pretty easy, and it does get you traffic
I know that it generates a lot of views, some hearts, and we've got our fingers crossed about more sales :)
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

EcoEtsy Team did a scavenger hunt through participating Etsy team shops - http://ecoetsy.blogspot.com/2008/02/st-patties-day-team-scavenger-hunt.html
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.
Do a monthly giveaway for those who sign up for your blog/newsletter.
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.
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.
Every blogger that featured us during the month of April, would be entered in the drawing to win.
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.
OneWorld One Heart - an annual worldwide giveaway every January
I have a giveaway at the beginning of every month.
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.

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Memorable Business Cards

2009-06-22T04:03:00.000-07:00

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.

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.
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.
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.
i make matchbook style Post It holders with my shop info printed all over the outside cover.
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.
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.)
my business cards are actually bookmarks. figure when i send it out with my items it kills 2 birds with 1 stone
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.
I make coupons using etsy mini and send then out as postcards and hand them out at craft shows.
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.
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).
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.
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?
Refrigerator and bumper magnets are fairly inexpensive to make yourself now, especially if you are using custom wooden stamps.
Temporary tattoos of our logo.
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.
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?

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Samples

2009-06-17T08:52:00.000-07:00

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

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

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.
I leave soap samples and business cards in public restrooms.
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.
Have sent sample santas to stores in the past, and ended up with an order for 40 santas!
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!
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!"
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.
If you include any samples in orders, try including an extra "Tell a friend" sample that includes your store name and url.
showing my paintings in a local cafe has been my most successful marketing yet!
Most hospitals have volunteers that put together packets for new parents.
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.
send out lip balm samples to local dentist's
If you include any samples in orders, try including an extra "Tell a friend" sample that includes your store name and url.

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Conversation Starters

2009-06-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

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.

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.
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.
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!
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.
Also, be sure to inform your alumni newsletter about your shop/website/blog
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.
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.
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.
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.

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Your Identity

2009-06-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

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.

I recently ordered personal checks with four of my paintings as the designs for them.
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.
I play regularly on a game site and changed my player name to my postcardlady.etsy.com
I put Etsy on my resume as my current job!
if you wear hats a lot, wear an an "etsy" hat

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Craft Shows & Home Parties

2009-06-08T07:41:00.000-07:00

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.

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!
I make coupons using etsy mini and send then out as postcards and hand them out at craft shows.
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! :)
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.
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.
Have an Etsy Boutique Sale in your home - if you have the space. It's what I'm doing the end of this month.
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.
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.
I'm also going to offer free shipping coupons good through the end of the year to all the customers as they leave.
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....

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Magazine Submission & Article Writing

2009-06-03T09:37:00.000-07:00

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.

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.
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!
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!
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
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.

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Media

2009-06-01T07:55:00.000-07:00

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

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

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.
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.
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.
Start writing a regular newsletter and invite blog readers to opt in to your newsletter mailing list
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.
I did an article about our farm and my creations for Storque, and that sent my sales through the roof
Why not contact your local radio station and arrange for them to include your creations in a station giveaway or contest.
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.
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.

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Business Card Advertising

2009-05-27T07:14:00.000-07:00

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.

drop cards at hairdressing salons, cafes
drop posters on bulletin boards at work
drop flyers in kitchenettes at work
I did have an intranet classifieds listing at work- unfortunately they're onto me and it's gone now :(
make gifts for children of friends- with card included for Mum!
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...
tape your business card to the inside of a bathroom stall
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?
Whole Foods has a bulletin board in their front entrance and they let people put things up their all the time.
Coffee shops are great for leaving cards.
i put flyers up at "public" places; laundromats, the community building, the library, the park, the beach etc.
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"
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!
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. :)
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!!!!!!!
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
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.
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
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
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.
Everytime I use an ATM machine, I leave a business card on the little ledge beside it or on the keypad.
Another good place is at fabric stores. The one that I go to has a board where others leave their business cards and flyers.
I leave biz cards in my shopping cart/basket after I check out at the grocery store
I've tucked mine inside those Sky Mall magazines tucked behind the seats in airplanes!
i leave aceos in tip jars
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whenever I take a flight I leave cards in the seat pocket and/or the magazines.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Cross Promotion

2009-05-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Cross Promotion (aka Joint Ventures).

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

After getting the OK from the other seller to do some cross-promotional listings, you could look at some of her items and find the ones you think would "match up" most successfully with yours. Then at the bottom of your description, write a gift hint along the lines of, "If you like this item, be sure to take a look at *seller name*'s *item name* as well." Then post the URL of the item. Etsy will automatically convert the URL to a link if it's placed on a line by itself.
I carry cards with me Everywhere, and put some at each business i stop at that will let me. if it's a local shop i love, i take some of theirs to pass along, they scratch my back, i scratch theirs
If I use something of theirs in my pictures to display my items, I put a link to their shop right in the listing.
One of the things I like to do with my customers is include a little packet of samples from other Etsy shops. By samples, I mean SMALL samples of things that are sold: little slices of soap, tea candles, etc
I also like to make a note about how many other sellers items were used to make that item. Most of my products use at least one seller item, sometimes 2 or 3. people keep buying that piece, I keep getting that supply :)
I mention other sellers if they choose colors or inspire an item.
trade business cards and promo items with other etsyians
some people put Etsy mini of their favorites on their blog
When I find something I love I email it to all my friends. And of course all of my friends love to fw fw fw fw ....

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Marketing Tips from the Etsy Forums

2009-05-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

Have you had enough great marketing ideas to set your business on fire?

No?

Ok. Today I'd like to take a little break from the huge list of ideas and share a few links with you to check out:

Etsy's ChristianHaylie created this post:
25 Marketing tips to get your products moving!
and also
More Marketing tips to get your products moving!

FluffyFlowers shares:
1 little tiny Marketing tip

soapdeli says:
Are you new to selling online? Marketing tips to get you started.

mrsdstahl tells a great story about her advertising experience to help you understand where to focus your marketing energy and advertising dollars:
More Great Marketing Tips Revealed

FlyingButtons make a very good point with this forum post:
Just hit my 100th sale in 8 weeks, thought I'd pass on my key marketing tip

You have to check this one out... so easy.
contrariwise says:
Marketing Tip: how to drive more people to your Etsy shop from your blog
Here's a link to the blog post she mentions in the forum. Great tutorial.
And please observe how she has her blog laid out. She doesn't mention it, but basically her blog posts are nestled between two columns of her own creations so you can't help but be amazed at her items. And yes - they're all clickable links to the Etsy listing.
Smart.

Designsbyreese says:
BLOG LOCAL!

DBlankPrints brings up the topic of URL tagging:
(Don't overlook this simple trick.)
Have a simple marketing tip? I'll suggest the first one...

saratams gets into the nuts and bolts of creating and establishing an online presence:
Marketing Tips

Because outdoor market season is upon us, Neogami talks about her experience:
First time selling at market ends in 100's...want tips?

On Monday 5/25/09 I'll post the next category from the huge list of marketing ideas...

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: URL Tagging

2009-05-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

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

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

I like to post my URL only in weird places so people go out of curiousity. I do most of my advertising (for my own webpage, my etsy shop is not up yet) on Public Transit. I have a rubber stamp with my URL and I will warm it in my hand for a few minutes, then stamp with no ink onto the frosted or icy walls of the bus shelter. It "etches" the URL in and it stays there until the next thaw and people come out of curiousity. I live in Canada, so I can easily do the ice stamp and it will stay there for a few months. I guess it won't work for some of you guys down there. Maybe you could write your URL in the sand at the beach?, so the ice stamp can stay there for 5 months sometimes.
Put your shop url on any form you have to fill out at the doctor's, credit card applications, etc. Also enclose with bill payments.
I've got my etsy site address on the back window of my car
Magnetic car stickers & bumper stickers = http://www.vistaprint.com/car-magnets/car-door-magnets.aspx?GP=4%2f25%2f2009+6%3a01%3a46+PM&xnav=top&rd=21
I have a decal on my car windows with my etsy username, shop address and tagline. I have the same info on a tote bag that I basically use for a purse
Temporary tattoos
my myspace name is my actual website
Put a link to my store and "Come see what I made!" in my email signature.
If you have an actual physical location, or are at a craft fair with sidewalks, use sidewalk chalk. "Awesome cool Whatever It Is You Make" and an arrow works amazingly well.
I write my web address and add a graphic using a stencil with chalk on the sidewalks wherever me and the kids go
I remember someone saying they go to Best Buy and put all the internet linked computers on her Etsy shop. Ditto for the Mac store
Put stickers or get a stamp made with your web url/shop name etc. and stick them on and stamp anything :)
When paying bills, sending mail, even send them to school with the kids on notes to the teacher, hand one to the door greeter at wal-mart
in chat rooms i tell people not to look in my shop
Oh yeah, I have my url on my envelope labels too.
I also have my URL on the back of my car, super big! The sticker only cost me $20 and you can read it from a few car lengths away!
I have a return address label that has my return address on it and 2 spaces below has my Etsy website. I asked my Postmaster if that was OK & he said "fine".

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Gifts

2009-05-13T07:41:00.000-07:00

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

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

Rebekah commented on this post with a great idea:
Give a gift to a blogger and let them write a review! :)
my USPS clerks love getting custom stuff at xmas
nice little gifts for all the teachers, they work so hard with our children all day.
just giving my stuff as gifts has resulted in a lot of requests for my work.
i have my paintings on greeting cards and i use them for all sorts of occasions
send them as gifts, and "What do you think? How could I make this better?" It's not pushy so long as you are truly giving it as a gift.
and the most shameless of all: at a baby shower I made a blanket for the newcomer...she held it up and told everyone I made it and I sell them.. I was passing around business cards for the rest of the party ;)

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Community Involvement

2009-05-11T07:32:00.000-07:00

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

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

You could donate to a fundraiser, chamber of commerce mixer, or grand opening of a local business. Where we live, there always chambers and small businesses who clamour for freebies to giveaway as prizes at local events, put in their silent auction or prize package -- and this usually gets your logo in whatever advertising they have!
Most public libraries are so community oriented that they would probably be willing to have a poster for your shop or even a display case to show your wares.
Speaking of libraries, ask them if you can display your items there. My local library has a display. When I first started I asked if I could put some of my prints in their display window. I offered them a commision as an incentive. They let me keep my work in there for a little over a month. That worked for me.
Teaching & demos. I have had the best luck in reaching folks in the community this way. First, you get free advertising (if you are doing it at a gallery, local arts center, or as part of a group of community ed classes). At the class/demo, I usually have a mailing list sign up sheet, business cards, etc. I just finished an outdoor show last week, two thirds of my last class from a couple of weeks before came to the show. One person actually bought something, had 2 other orders, and some wore their piece they made. If you do this, the show and classes and promote each other. Advertise your classes to people visiting you at the show, then when you have the class/demo, invite them to the show. You can offer discounts for them to attend the other venue.
I go to little one-woman vintage B&Ms that are struggling, and tell the owners about Etsy. I'd like them to stay in business, too, and what goes around comes around. Someday when I have my B&M I hope someone is so kind to me. Last week I saw a place with $2 aprons. Instead of snatching them up and making a profit off her, I did the "teach a man to fish thing" and asked her if she could use a computer, and yes, and then all about how to set up on Etsy, and how to convo me if she needed help. She's got kids to feed, and I know she can get $8-10 for those on Etsy, and help bring in new customers, too!
Your local chamber of commerce or local chapter of BNI holds monthly meet and greet meetings and that has probably helped my business more than any other single thing i've done over the years. join in on community projects, etc. to become known in your community....
I always advertise in local concert playbills, use the "local artist angle" and it brings a lot of business.
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.
I am also active in my community. It truly helps to develop relationships with people - they may not purchase from you but they may know someone who will.
I donated a blanket to my mother's family reunion.

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