Social Networking

There are about as many websites on the internet as there are people surfing it everyday. At least, that's how it might as well feel. I know I am personally surprised to always find new bead supply websites when I go searching about the web. It isn't that these websites are new to existing, but only that I am just now finding them. I find myself wondering, how many more competitors do I have for my small, fledgling jewelry supply shop?

In order to be able to swim in the sea of continuing competition, which ranges from other Etsy shops to large companies, you have to use all the tools that are at your disposal. The biggest difference between where I am with my Etsy shop today and where I was when I first opened in the Spring really comes down to my use of selling tools.

One of the most essential tools an Etsy shop can utilize - and often doesn't in the beginning - is all the social networking sites on the internet. At first glance it might be hard to see how twitter, facebook, stumbleupon and any other number of social networking sites could do anything for you besides kill an hour. Yet, these websites are a mecca of free marketing and advertising. When used appropriately, social networking sites can expose you to a new set of potential customers, generate traffic, and eventually bring sales.

For example, a look at my shop stats for views in October so far showed that 67% of my total sales came from Etsy searches, listings, favorites, etc. But stumbleupon and facebook accounted for a total of 15% of my shop views. That is 15% of potential business that wouldn't even exist without social networking websites. If I had 10,000 views of my Etsy shop 15% would be 1,500 people being filtered to me through social networking sites. I have also found that on days when I have nearly 50% of my views being directed from off of Etsy that my actual sales and orders are higher, even if my overall view count is lower.

The bottom line is that by not taking advantage of the vast number of social networking sites when promoting your Etsy shop, you are limiting yourself. There is a very large percentage of the internet surfing population who might be interested in your item - but not even know about Etsy. Or, maybe they never saw something on Etsy they wanted to buy before your shop. By relying on Etsy directed traffic you are stuck in a vacuum with all your competitors, vying for the same limited pool of customers. In order to sustain a business, social networking is essential.

www.stumbleupon.com
www.pinterest.com
www.facebook.com