All about eSMArts

The eSMArts team encompasses a band of talented artisans. I'd like to invite you to visit our team store on Etsy. Here you will find an array of items that are made and donated by our gifted team members- proceeds to go to charity. Check out unique and one-of-a-kind items from necklaces to earrings to raw materials used for creating jewelry among other exceptional items! The spotlight listed above is a taste of the items you will find!

Lois of “A beaded Affair” deserves a nod here. She has the duty of maintaining our team shop and has done a superb job of it!! Lois, we really appreciate your dedication to this project!!

Unlike most other Esty teams, we are a unique lot. We are spread all over the globe using the internet and social marketing venues to connect and sell our wares. We support each other in an assortment of ways; sharing marketing and sales education and information- for both on line and in person selling, blogging support and propagation, shop banners and photography hints and tricks… right down to our weekly chats on Etsy which really build a sense of camaraderie and friendship. We aren’t able to meet face-to-face but we have quite a global network that continues to grow.

We promote each other on a one-to-one level by the institution of a “Blog Buddy Feature” that changes each month. This allows each teammate to focus on one other member and actually get to know that person by featuring a blog post dedicated to that artisan. It is strictly up to the author to decide what items they feature but an artist “Bio” is a must. This helps to promote the art and the artist. The beauty is that it is reciprocated- the author is featured on the artist’s blog! What a fun way to get to know one another!

We have The eSMArts Team Blog that is dedicated to featuring members and their art and accomplishments. I’d like to invite you to visit and learn more about the team.

One last item of importance is our Team Leader, Anna Lee Husband. She is the exceptional artist behind GaHooleTree Jewelry, director, manager and friend. Without her we would not have this wonderful association of trans-global artists finding friendship, solidarity and unity in both learning and teaching each other social marketing of our art and God given talents. Thank you Anna Lee for all you do!! You are a VIP!!

Social Marketing- for those of us selling on line!!

In the most simplistic terms Social Marketing is very much like going out and making friends. You visit different venues and make contacts (friends) and interact with them… talk (chat, email, leave comments etc.), find common interests and truly get to know them. During this process you introduce them to your business. This is also referred to a “soft sell”. You mention the new piece you are designing or the new order you received and before you know it you are discussing your business! Sounds easy right? Well, it is and it isn’t. We need to dedicate time each day to building these relationships just like “real life”. We can’t have friends and not spend time with them; right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t call them friends!

Here are a variety of ways to accomplish social interaction on the web:
Blogging or mini-blogs: We write about ourselves and our business usually on a set schedule… our readers begin to expect to see something new on a regular basis. We develop a following of readers who get to know us through this process and hopefully we build and cultivate a rapport with them. These new friends become a source for sales. This is done through commenting on the different posts. Sites like Blogger and Wordpress make it easy for us to establish a blog. Sites like “Ning” are set up for mini-blogs arranged in communities. There are sites that we can join that are communities for blogs and attract specific types of readers.

Writing “expert” pieces on topics relating to our business is another way to social market our stores. There are sites established to help us do just this. Squidoo, Hubpages, OpenZine are just a few. Each is set up a bit differently but they all have help along the way. With a little effort we can be published and searchable on the web! Searches are based on the key tag words we use and the content we post. Another way to get published is to write articles for a favorite magazine or websites. Write and submit them on a regular basis. I’m testing out being a volunteer Editor for a woman’s site called BellaOnline where I write articles on Jewelry Collecting and interact with readers through a forum there. There are many ways to become published.

Join social sites like MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, & Flickr. Each has it’s own benefit but the idea is the same… it is an interface we can use to meet new people on a personal or professional level and share information about ourselves including pictures, video, writing, chatting and yes even having fun all the while turning those new friendships into a source for sales.

Esmarts Team members I have posted additional information to the Yahoo forum in a document called “Social Marketing Portfolio”. Please take sometime and review it to find links to all the sites I have listed here and more. I’m available to answer questions and help you along your social marketing journey.

Diane Geisel
Social Marketing Director for eSMArts

The new bracelet at the top of this post is for SPRING...soon to be added to my Etsy store!!

What a colorful time in Rhode Island..New to Etsy...and Marketing tips~

This is what I have been waking up to each morning for the past week. We live right on Georgaville Pond, Smithfield in a modest five room bungalow. But as they say...location, location, location!! As I wake each morning and enjoy a coffee before starting my hectic day...I can find peace in this breathtaking view. I'm not sure which of the four seasons are my most favorite because each is beautiful in its own way. What a display of lovely colors! Sure to give me inspiration~

Here is what I have new on Etsy today....Mother and baby cameo pendant




Cat's eye cameo, salmon, 40x30mm. Cameo is ultrasonically carved in relief from a solid piece of fiberoptic glass, the raised carvings appear an ethereal white against a contrasting background. I have taken this cameo and wrapped it in gold and sterling silver wire. It can be worn on any chain or even a string of pearls...I made the pendant removable.
More pictures here!


I wanted to thank 3D fiber artist Donna Ziegler DZFANTASY ...she is displaying my Etsy minin on her blog -http://dzfantasy.blogspot.com/ Right column, under the heading ETSY MINIS FOR THE PERIOD OF .....she rotates the minis throughout the 4 weeks so that everyone gets a chance to be on top of the list, etc.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR FREE PROMO!! You are a dear Donna!!

Marketing tip:
Communicate through e-mail and direct-mail channels---ie. a Newsletter. Informing customers about promotions, new products or other news gives you an excuse to keep your business top-of-mind. And contrary to popular opinion, e-mail doesn't require deep pockets or a technical staff. There are companies that will handle both e-mail design and mailing for pennies per customer, and many more for free depending upon how large your list is.

Personal Milestone and more Marketing tips!

This week I broke into the 200’s…. hearts that is….in my Etsy store. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Etsy, it is a system set up to show your approval or liking of a certain shop or item within the shop. Does it mean more sales? Not necessarily, but it is nice to know there are more than 200 people that have visited my shop and have liked what they see!

Marketing tip:
On occasion, I have received letters from charitable organizations asking for auction item donations for a worthy cause. Your donation can be written off as a tax deduction plus you will get FREE Advertising & Business Exposure for participating! Or, donate a Product to your local area Radio Station, they have numerous contests and they are always looking for sponsors!

Needles aren't always bad....

Especially when they are in Rutilated Quartz...how interesting and intriguing! While most varieties of transparent quartz are valued most when they show no inclusions, some are valued chiefly because of them! The most popular of these is known as rutilated quartz. Rutilated quartz is transparent rock crystal with golden needles of rutile arrayed in patterns inside it. Each pattern is different and some are breathtakingly beautiful. The inclusions are sometimes called Venus hair. This is soon to be a new edition on my Etsy site! It is gorgeous!

Today's marketing tip:
Time to think about back to school...more specifically ~College Campuses.
Dorms & Housing Students are always looking to spend money. A lot of college students are also looking for an extra income so target them with the Business Opt too! Drop off fliers and business cards to the College Student Center. Most colleges usually have bulletin boards, tables and other things where you can leave your information at for FREE. Plan ahead!

I've Got The World On a String...and more marketing tips!

Lapis Lazuli....what a beautiful gem. With the gold flecks throughout it reminds me of seeing the earth from outer space. Lapis is said to evoke knowledge, wisdom, perfection, protection, and creative expression. This was my new edition today on Etsy. Just a reminder...my "Catch the wave bracelet" will be going on sale soon! Be on the lookout!

Today's marketing tip:
Small Home Town Newspapers- we have a few called "The Bargain Buyer" and "The Valley Breeze". Be sure to inquire about getting your ads on specific pages in the newspaper or flyer that target the group of people most likely to buy from you. If you sell bridal jewelry, ask for the section announcing weddings and engagements. If you sell animal related jewelry ask to be printed on the pages selling pets or livestock. Big newspaper city ads are usually more expensive and most times the payback is not as great.

Marketing Your Jewelry~ tips & ideas

I've decided to start posting a daily marketing tip for my friends at eSMArts. I think that we will more than due justice to the ecommerce side of marketing but if you are like most of us, we go beyond just the internet. I hope these are helpful and get you thinking of other things you can do to "get yourself out there". Now, I have not tried all of these yet myself, but if you have I'd be interested in hearing about it.

Contact local area pizza shops, breakfast diners, coffee bagel shops and deli's to ask them about advertising on their paper place mats! Customers do read those ads!

I posted a new pretty today....come take a look!

Squid School Checklist

Here is a list of information that you should gather together when you decide to put a lens together. One step at a time. You'll see that many of you will already have this info available and some of this may not apply to you.

1) Begin thinking of an introduction.
A good place to start is you profile on Etsy....doesn't have to be long. You can do what you like.

2) A picture to represent you.... your Etsy avatar can be used here as well.

3) Have your Etsy address handy

4) Have your blog address handy

5) If you have a Flickr account, have that address available

6) If you have a twitter address, we can use that too

7) Have our team blog address

8) If you subscribe to Del.icio.us...have your user name available

9) If you want to add a Poll to your lens you can begin to think about what the topic might be.... this will increase interest an may bring visitors back again. For example I've used :
What metal is your favorite jewelry made from?
Gold
Silver
Copper
All of the above
If you think of a good topic that would apply to your work, you can get some useful information that you can act on!

All for now!

Social Marketing eSMARts with Squidoo

I've put together another Squidoo lens to give you an idea of how the lens can be adapted to marketing your site(s) and the team too. http://www.squidoo.com/MyGemStoneBoxbyDianeI'd like to see how many of you are interested in learning how to make these lenses and create a plan of walking through the steps to building one with all those interested. I'm thinking a combination of written instructions that you all could look over and play with and then maybe schedule the chat room to facilitate questions and answers regarding what issues you may have encountered. Gladly welcome any ideas you may have on the topic. So far I have two people that have voiced interest ellenwheels2001 and jewelryelegance.... Anyone else??

News on my store: this piece that will be going on sale in my Etsy store in the next few days. It's called "Catch the Wave". The bracelet is made from dichroic glass and cane glass with sterling silver wire that forms a "wave" on the wrist. Be on the lookout for a great new price!