Goodbye 2013!

Today's Silver Price: $19.49/t.oz.

2013 has been interesting, but I'm looking forward to 2014. I hope to start selling paintings and entering some gallery shows in the next year. I have some new jewelry design ideas as well that will be coming to my Etsy shop very soon!

Sales in my Etsy shop have steadily increased in the last three years. I hope 2014 blows all of past years totals out of the water! Seeing as I only started using Twitter and Instagram over the summer, I think I can drastically increase my sales for 2014.

I believe 2014 will be an amazing year for me creatively. A new chapter begins tomorrow!

I hope everyone has a fun and safe New Year's Eve celebration, and I hope everyone has a joyful, successful and amazing 2014! 

Social Media Blitz

Today's Silver Price: $23.78/t.oz

I've recently started using Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest to promote my Etsy shop. It's probably been a few months now, and I've seen an incredible jump in views of my shop. And the results are immediately seen. When I post on Twitter or Instagram, I see an increase in views that same day. On days when I haven't posted anything new, my Etsy views are often zero. Even small blurbs on Twitter can lead to shop views. I believe the social media posts have led to purchases, however I cannot be sure as there is no way that I know of to track how a specific buyer came to my shop.

I've read that in order to use Twitter and other social media sites to successfully promote a webpage or business, you must post often. Regular posts keep people interested in your feed. This type of discipline is something I've struggled with in the past and will have to overcome. Even when I'm lazy and don't feel like posting, I need to post even a tiny snipet, inspirational quote or a photo to try and hold the attention of potential customers. This obviously applies to blogging as well, so I will do my best to post here regularly.

Today I updated my LinkedIn profile. I figured that promoting my Etsy shop through this outlet can't hurt. When I created the account, I didn't think I would use it much as it seems to be a site for business connections. However I've come to realize that if I want to pursue self-employment, I'd better start promoting myself as a creative entrepreneur. I've chosen to list myself as an artist. I have always shyed away from identifying myself with this term, but now I feel that I can embrace it and live it. I am a designer, I am a painter, and overall I am an artist.

I've become fed-up with my 9-5 office job, so I am now intent on developing my business and working towards self-employment. My very wise aunt says, if you throw enough mud at a wall, eventually some of it will stick. So I'm determined to throw as much social media mud on the internet wall as I can!

Below are some of the recent items I've listed in my shop, and at the bottom is a photo of my creative process!

Silver Plated Bracelet

Sterling Silver Ring

 

Double Strand Silver Plated Necklace

Forbes Gives A Shout Out To Crafters

Today's Silver Price: $31.35/t.oz.

Over the weekend I came across an article on Forbes.com which suggested that entrepreneurs look to the craft industry for guidance and direction. The article entitled "What Every Entrepreneur Can Learn from the Crafting Industry" discusses the surge in small business development amongst crafters and artisans and how these entrepreneurs have found success.

One of the major tools that an artist or crafter has is their creativity and ability to think outside of the box. Creative and inventive marketing strategies help to promote a new or expanding business. While creative people may not have great business sense, imagination and problem solving skills can go a long way in developing a business. One area where crafters are recognized in having an edge is social media marketing. Many crafters put a lot of time into Twitter posts, Facebook updates, Etsy pages, blogging and other social media outlets in order to grow their business. This is often how crafters and artisans establish a customer following.

The article cites a couple of craft-focused organizations that are aimed at assisting crafters and artisans grow their business and steering them towards success. One of the things I have learned in my internet surfing is that there is a tremendous community of creative minds out there that are eager to help one another. I am finding more and more blogs, forums and conferences that specifically discuss the business of crafting or art and how to be successful selling your creations.

It is very satisfying and validating to see that Forbes has recognized the craft industry as a source of knowledge and experience in the small business field. The article encourages anyone thinking about starting their own business to take a look at crafters for inspiration. Crafters and artisans are motivated by their imaginations and dreams and have envisioned lives lived on their own terms. Creativity and innovation are essential to any entrepreneur in any field so anyone pursuing self-employment should think about connecting with their inner-artist!