Creating an Etsy Street Team – Fill a Networking Niche

Can’t find an Etsy Team that appeals to you, or think you have a great idea for a new Team?  Take action and start your own Etsy Team!

1. Get A Game Plan. Browse through different Teams currently listed on Etsy.com.  Get a feel for what the strongest teams are already doing from blogs and how they coordinate meetings to activities they have planned.  What can you learn from?  What’s missing that you can introduce to a new Street Team?  What’s your niche?
   
   
2. Recruit Some Players. Feel out the waters by seeing if any other sellers want to be on a Team with you.  There are a number of ways solicit other sellers, including sending them convos on Etsy, talking to artists in your local community, or creating a forum discussion on a number of off-Etsy websites (EtsyLove.ning.com, Yahoo, MSN, etc.)
   
3. Fill Out The Paperwork. Now that you’ve got your Team started with a few people, email your information to the Etsy Teams coordinator for Etsy.com, Danielle (User Name: daniellexo) at teams@etsy.com. The best way to make sure you are filling out the proper information is to check out the Etsy Team template, found under “Guides” on the “Etsy Team” homepage.
4. Decide On A “Second Quarter” Game Plan. Talk to your newly-formed Etsy Street Team about what your ideas are for the group.  What are your goals?  How will other members be added to the group?  What types of marketing and promotion are appealing to your Team?  Our HandmadeMarketing.org team suggests creating a website or blog for the Street Team.  We also suggest utilizing social networking websites like Facebook.com and Twitter.com.
5. Do Your Research. Check out how other Teams accomplish their goals.  What websites are their utilizing?  What are they doing on Etsy.com to get their name out to other potential Team members?  Although you want to see what other Teams are doing, don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
6. Finish The Game Out Strong. Plan events and encourage members to participate on a comfortable level.  Running a Team shouldn’t be overwhelming.  Remember to delegate the workload of maintaining the Team to other members.  They will feel they have an important role and you will be able to take a breather!
7. Don’t Forget Who Keeps You In Business. Keep the Etsy.com staff updated with how Team is doing by emailing teams@etsy.com.  If your newly-formed Team is adding new members or having events frequently, email Etsy.com with updates.  Stay up to date on the Etsy.com guidelines regarding Teams and membership.