Etsy Conversations Podcast

My guest this week is Michelle and she just recently made her very first sale on Etsy... Exciting times! Special shout out to Tina St. John of Etsy shop Tina St. John Jewelry (you'll hear why in our convo)  :) Michelle runs the Etsy shop which was borne out of her photography hobby. Michelle jumped right into Etsy so we talk about the pros and cons of having started that way and what she has learned along the way and what things she would have done differently were she to do it over. There's some great info there for anyone looking to start selling on Etsy. We talk about how she improves her craft and grows and expands her skills, how she promotes her Etsy shop, , and her plans for her Etsy business in 2015. There's lots of talk about the Etsy community and teams and just how much of a difference it has made for Michelle once she got connected and involved in the Etsy community. Oh yes... If you've ever considered running Facebook ads to help drive traffic to your Etsy shop, then you'll want to hear how Michelle did it and what her results were with it. Enjoy! Best ways to reach Michelle: Etsy shop: Website: Social media: , , , and Pinterest Other special mentions: (and here's a link to ) T (and here's a link to about Etsy teams) Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos & Etsy shop promos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

Marisa is a veterinary school student in the making and in the meantime she's running her Etsy shop . She makes bead sprites of old (and new) school video games, and the inspiration for this came from her love of gaming. She's a gamer and a crafter! In addition to talking about her craft and Etsy business, Marisa shares honestly about the rigors and realities of applying to veterinary school. We talk about her motivation behind launching her Etsy shop and what she has learned along the way by just jumping in and working her way through "life on Etsy". In addition to selling on Etsy she also tutors locally so we get to talk about how she manages her time and makes it all work. Being in a niche on Etsy with some competition, Marisa shares how she distinguishes herself and her Etsy shop - - from others selling similar items. Her approach to customer service, for her, makes all the difference, she says. In our convo, Marisa also shares areas of improvement that she working on as well which is so crucial for all Etsy sellers i.e. always work on getting better and better. Best way to reach Marisa: Etsy shop convo - Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos & Etsy shop promos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

Mark runs the Etsy shop where he sells vintage typewriters. I was happy to finally have on an Etsy seller that sells vintage items and I had a LOT of questions for him about what he sells. There was lots to discuss with Mark, I was curious about how and why he ended up selling vintage items on Etsy as opposed to say eBay and he explains exactly why... We talk about ways he offers additional help and assistance to his customers who need an extra had with the typewriters he sells and I think there's a lesson to learn here for all sellers who are looking to really deliver full-package services to their buyers. Mark is also a freelancer so he shares some tips of time management and bookkeeping for his businesses and I think what he said is very valuable for anyone who runs a business because, as we discuss, you have to know your numbers if you hope to run a highly profitable business. He also explains how his background in writing helps him with his Etsy business, in particular, writing good descriptions and proper SEO. B est of all, we talk about typewriters... I didn't realize how intrigued I would be about these old-time machines but they're absolutely fascinating and even more so when learning about them from someone who truly has a passion for them and the knowledge to back it up. Mark uses some unique methods to promote his Etsy shop, ,  and in our convo he shares those as well. CORRECTION: in our conversation Mark mentioned that there were about 7 million Royal KMMs made, but that number should be 3 million. I had already uploaded the original audio file and was unable to change it in our convo. Best way to reach Mark: Etsy shop: Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos & Etsy shop promos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

I'm thrilled to have on another international Etsy seller as my guest this week. Cinzia (pronounced "chin-zee-ya") is based in Italy and she runs the Etsy shop . I always enjoy having on international Etsy sellers on the podcast because it's a nice reminder that easy is truly a global marketplace and it's a nice way for Etsy sellers across the world to hear how others are making it all work. We discuss why Cinzia selected Etsy as her selling platform of choice and what her experience with it has been thus far. She's a busy mom of two kids and embarked on turning her hobby into a source of full-time income and she shares with me how she manages her time and works her business around her family schedule and obligations. Did you know there are lots of international Etsy teams? Cinzia shares how she has benefited from various Etsy teams including the Etsy Italian team. Cinzia just started a new children's line of products (inspired by her two little ones) so take a look at her treasury below for a small sampling or hop over to her Etsy shop to check them all out. Best ways to reach Cinzia: Etsy shop: Website: Social media: , , , , Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos & Etsy shop promos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

Sally Schriner is the president of Sociagram, the parent company of and this week she's my guest on the podcast and she'e here to dish all about this new service being offered. So what is ? It's a service that let's consumers record and send custom video gift messages to accompany online purchases. So how does it work and how does it relate to selling on Etsy? Well, that's exactly what I invited Sally on to discuss. Amongst other things, we discussed how Etsy sellers can use this service, what recipients can expect, how the whole process works, and the potential advantages to an Etsy seller of using the service. An added feature of the program is that your buyers can get an immediate response to their from the recipient as they will also have the opportunity to instantly record and send their thank you messages right back to the sender. Sally describes it best and in lots more detail so I encourage you to listen to our convo. If you're looking for ways to offer an additional service to your buyers to help them make their gift purchases stand out from the rest then take a look at and see if it's something that resonates with you. Best way to reach Sally: Email: Sally [at] GiftGram [dot] com Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos & Etsy shop promos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

Aria is my guest this week and she runs the Etsy shop . Just a few years ago she watched her mother run her own hugely successful Etsy shop, , and she knew she wanted to follow in her footsteps. You'll love hearing how this young lady was very intentional about setting up her business and how she really set herself up for success on Etsy, I know I was! We talk about time management and some of the specific steps she took including focusing on building her crafting skills first, educating herself through the use of available tutorials, and goal-setting. I really enjoyed hearing from Aria that one of the ways she generates excitement about her products and around her Etsy shop is through her product descriptions and telling stories. That's exactly what I was talking about in the blog post so I was happy that she reiterated this very point. I hope lots of other young people who want to start their own businesses will find hope, inspiration and motivation to go for it in Aria's Etsy story. Enjoy! Best ways to reach Aria Etsy shop: Facebook: , , and Other social media: , , , Email: AkasaKreations [at] gmail [dot] com Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos & Etsy shop promos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

I'd like to say a big thank you to Etsy seller and former Etsy Conversations Podcast guest Alisha who runs the Etsy shop for introducing me to both and ... Thank you Alisha! :) After a series of Twitter exchanges with Neil Gladstone, Director of Content at , introduced me to Lisa Fulmer, Senior Editor at and marketing consultant. Lisa is my guest this week and she's introducing the CraftFoxes site and platform to the EtsyConvo audience. In our conversation I learned that there's so much more to than just another commerce selling platform, it's actually a well-developed, self-described "social network for crafty people who love knitting , scrapbooking, baking, jewelry, sewing, vintage finds, weddings, home decor, and more!" Lisa explains all the different facets of the site and community and we discuss why it might be worth it for Etsy sellers to take a gander at. Then there's - an annual award ceremony/event for crafters... It's like the Grammys for crafters. Keep your eyes and ears open for the 2015 ceremonies and when you can start sending in your creations for the event. Who knows... Maybe you could be a recipient of one of the awards...? ;) We also get to discuss Lisa’s work as a marketing consultant. Based on her years spent in marketing for a craft book publisher Lisa brings a lot to the table for creative entrepreneurs and shares a lot of tips for Etsy sellers and pretty much anyone who runs a creative business. Lisa also just recently published a new book - - and she shares the fresh and innovative methods of promotion she used for the book, promotional activities that Etsy sellers can also use to promote their own products as well. Giveaway The best part… Lisa has offered to give a free 2-hour marketing consult to one lucky Etsy Conversations Podcast listener. Lisa explains in more detail exactly what you’ll get in consultation session, so be sure to listen in… The winner will be selected by random drawing and entries will be accepted until January 8th, 2015. You may submit multiple entries by by using the various methods of entry to increase your chances of winning. Websites Mentioned: (Margot Potter’s site) For more information about CraftFoxes you may also email: info [at] CraftFoxes [dot] com Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos & Etsy shop promos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

My guest this week is Amanda and she's standing in for Sofia Encinas who runs the Etsy shop of the same name - . There's some good education in here as we discuss the idea of upcycling versus recycling. Sofia is very well-travelled and her designs reflect that eclecticism. She also has a very unique business structure and I think it will be of interest as it presents ways to be more efficient as an Etsy seller. We talk about time management and the inspiration behind her designs as well as how she's leveraging social media to help promote her and drive more traffic to it. Best ways to reach Sofia: Etsy shop: Blog: Social media: , Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos & Etsy shop promos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

One of the main reasons I absolutely LOVE hosting the Etsy Conversations Podcast is because it is my "not-so-secret" source of new friends. Yes, it's true, I guess one of the advantages of the podcast is that it helps me make new friends and for a reserved person like me (yes, I know, I don't sound like it on the show), that is HUGE! Angie runs the Etsy shop and she's my guest this week. We first started "talking" about 3 months ago when she sent me an email with some very kind feedback about the podcast (I know it seems kind of self-centered but I just eat those up... they really do fuel me). She had downloaded Stitcher to her phone and found the podcast by accident! So she and I developed a rapport until the inevitable happened... She became my guest on the podcast! My convo with Angie felt like having a conversation with a friend I've known for a long time so I have to give fair warning, I had a hard time keeping this one under an hour... Angie does local markets and organizes an annual handmade selling event and she shares how she grew that from an event in her home to one that is now held at a commercial venue. She also does one-on-one and group "How to Sell on Etsy" classes in her home for people who want to start selling on Etsy... This Etsy seller is on fire! Have you ever considered doing a giveaway with a blogger to get more exposure to your Etsy shop and for shop promotion? If so, you'll want to listen in to how Angie says she vets and does her due diligence on which blogs and bloggers to align her Etsy shop with for giveaways. Note: there's a lot more to it than just sending them a product and hoping for the best. Sites mentioned: blog Etsy shop - (for unique baby slings - Ring Slings) Best ways to reach Angie: Etsy shop: Website: Social media: , , , Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos & Etsy shop promos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

I thoroughly enjoyed my EtsyConvo with with Karen and I'm pretty sure you will too. Karen runs the Etsy shop where she sells custom Converse, Vans, and Toms shoes. We "met" on Twitter (which is where, by the way, I meet a LOT of interesting Etsy shop owners who end up becoming my guests on the podcast) and soon after I knew she just had to come on the podcast. In our convo, Karen shares how she leverages her educational background in business to boost her real-life business while passing on that knowledge to her students. Best of all, she also shares some of the most unique ways she promotes her Etsy shop - - that I have ever discussed on the podcast. One of them is actually a service I plan to offer right here so you'll hear me get very excited when she mentions it... ;) She goes way beyond social media marketing and all the usual outlets and I couldn't help but be reminded about the importance of adding a physical marketing strategy to one's ecommerce business. Best ways to reach Karen: Etsy shop - Email - karen [at] intellexual-design [dot] com Social media - , , , and Websites - and Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show.