Connect With Handmade Sellers – Etsy Forums

Johanna, from Etsy’s EverImprovingMe, thinks visiting the Etsy.com forums is the best way to sell on the site and network with Etsy sellers.  She thinks getting involved with the Etsy community online is vital.  “You meet some really cool people that way and people get to know you and what you do,” she tells HandmadeMarketing.org.

Although some Etsy sellers think there is a “golden” time to jump onto the site’s forums, Johanna told us there really is no best time to go to the forums.  “They are going on and off all day long. You just post and read up on other posts while someone replies,” Johanna says.  However, she thinks early morning and early evening seem to be popular times for forum use.

“My favorite sections for posting would have to be the “Etsy Teams” section and the Etsy promotions forums,” Johanna told us.  “The sneak attack threads are always fun and so are the threads started by eclecticasia.  Everyone is very friendly and it’s a great way to promote on Etsy.”

Our team at HandmadeMarketing.org looked further into “sneak attack threads” and found they are a unique and interesting way to promote Etsy shops!  According to HandmadeMovement, three days a week at an appointed time, an Etsy.com shop with few or no sales is announced on the HandmadeMovement website.  “As many people as possible then buy items from that shop, resulting in a frenzy of surprise business to the unsuspecting shop!” the site explains.  The website has a current “Sneak Attack” schedule for Etsy forum lovers to keep up with.

How does a seller get involved with a sneak attack?  “To participate, show up on this site at or soon after the time of the next attack,” the site reads, “and you’ll see the chosen Etsy shop name in the box above. Then go to that shop and purchase an item, making sure to include the words “Sneak Attack” in the message to seller.”  The site also coordinates with the current sneak attack thread on Etsy to talk about happenings with other “attackers”.

Johanna thinks this is an easy and fun way to get involved with the community at Etsy.com.  “Come to a sneak attack where its always a blast and you make someone’s day,” she suggests.

Still nervous about going into the forums on Etsy.com or the selling platform you are currently using?  “Just go on in,” Johanna says, “Browse through some of them and read a few. Find something that looks interesting and just say hi! Don’t go to a forum where you think you might feel nervous or uncomfortable. Find a forum thread that you can connect with.  You can even start your own. Be nice though, and if someone treats you unkind, don’t get into an insult battle. It takes everyone down.”

Johanna also has tips for time management while on the forums.  She says it can be hard sometimes to keep track of your time spent, especially when trying to promote a new Etsy shop.  “I tend to limit my days more than my time. I go to the forums mainly on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday because those are the days for the Sneak Attacks. I enjoy getting into forum conversations on days when there is really nothing going on. On days I have stuff to do I usually play some music and when its over my time is up. I would say pick the system that works for you because its really easy to sit down for 5 minutes and look up 3 hours later.”

Johanna suggests utilizing the forums on Etsy.com because they create a community.  Plus, the interaction with other sellers, and essentially the free Etsy advertising, can lead to sales for your shop.

“I was chatting in the Sneak Attack Forums and it was the pre-attack chatting, so we were all looking into each others shops,” she explained.  “My reusable sandwich bags got brought up and I was asked how I make them. I was asked could I do freezer bags? I did some experimentation and I ended up doing 2 different custom orders. One for sandwich bags and one for snack bags and a freezer bag.”

“I have had sales from chatting in the chat rooms and the forums,” Johanna continued.  “I have also purchased out of the forums. You get a chance to know people so you feel good about your purchase. It becomes more personal, like the virtual market place that it is. I can tell you most of my sales have come from the forums and the chat rooms. I have had people want one thing and then chat with me a bit and decide to buy more. I have also had people buy one thing and then order again. I have done the same thing.”

Thank you for sharing your experiences with the Etsy forums Johanna!  You can connect with Johanna on Twitter or stop by her Etsy shop.

How do you increase sales using the selling handmade site tools provided by your selling platform?  Have you had any sales result from interactions with other handmade sellers?

Johanna shared her tips about how to sell on Etsy by submitting information to the HandmadeMarketing.org “Join” tab.  When readers submit their tips, our editors use the ideas to create articles for the site.  A big thanks to Johanna forsharing her insight – you could be next!  HandmadeMarketing.org links to your site or blog when we feature your ideas.  Consider your thoughts being published as free advertising for your shop!