image credit: fantaisiee

We snagged these tips from Etsy Wiki a few years ago, and have found that most clients have a ton of success with a few of these easy steps. Many you’ve probably heard and seem like no-brainers, but sometimes we need a reminder, right? While not for everyone, there are a few goodies that we think you’ll love! Plus, even if your shop isn’t on Etsy, most of these will still apply:

1. Join forums and put your Etsy store URL in your signature, if the forum rules allow it.

2. Find people to link to your Etsy store, and do the same for them in return.

3. Put your Etsy URL in your e-mail signature.

4. Advertise in free bulletin boards.

5. Do business card swaps with other Etsy sellers.

6. Vistaprint.com – free business cards and give them away like crazy.

7. Give free samples & business cards to friends & family – even if you’re shy about promoting yourself, your mom will likely brag you up!

8. Craft shows, farmers markets, etc. are a great way to show your stuff & hand out cards & brochures.

9. Talk about Etsy at craft groups (such as Stitch ‘n’ Bitch gatherings) Even if these people join up as sellers, we all know that sellers also buy! (Sometimes we buy more than we sell!)

10. Make bookmarks with your Etsy URL on them and give them to libraries and schools.

11. Ask shops, libraries, and any business with windows to have your advert on their window.

12. Give presents that you’ve made and accidentally give your business card with it

13. When someone needs your name, address or phone number give ‘em your business card that has all your details as well as your Etsy store URL!

14. Always wear items that you’ve made and have your business cards on hand to give to people who comment on your stuff.

15. Make up coupons for your store and leave them everywhere (people are more likely to visit your shop knowing that there’s a discount, etc).

Let’s Talk! is a new column here on BAKERY, where we want to talk with YOU about an important or controversial issue facing small businesses, social media, online marketing/PR, or blogging.

The first topic we’ll be addressing here is sponsored blog posts. Sponsored blog posts are posts that are paid for by advertisers. They may feature a product, an announcement, or just be a regular article with link(s) to the advertiser’s website.

So…let’s talk!

- Bloggers: Do you have sponsored posts on your blog? Why or why not? If you do then what practices do you implement with your sponsored posts, e.g., do you mark the posts as sponsored?

- Blog readers: Do you mind sponsored posts? Why or why not?

- Advertisers: Have you paid for a sponsored post before? What was the result?

We haven’t had too many Dear BAKERY emails lately, so we’re asking YOU to submit your questions to us at thinkbakery@gmail.com and we’ll answer them right here on the BAKERY blog. We won’t post anything about you, so it’s completely confidential and anonymous, but we’ll answer your question so all of the BAKERY blog readers can benefit.

Be sure to use the subject line Dear BAKERY when you send in your questions.

image credit: lomokev

With spring right around the corner, it’s officially trade show season. Whether you’re an artisan, designer or blogger, chances are you’ve seen your fair share of trade show coverage already — and the best is yet to come!

There are billions of benefits to trade shows, but if you’re not prepared, they can feel seriously overwhelming. Here are BAKERY’s Trade Show Survival Tips, fresh from the oven!:

1. Plan
Seriously, do it. If you plan to showcase your wares at a trade show, you’d better have the show’s website bookmarked and frequent it often. Not only will you score some great information (hotel discounts, airfare rates and parking details), but you’ll get the inside scoop on the floor plan, booth regulations and your fellow attendees/participants. Familiarize yourself with as much as you can to avoid last minute surprises.

2. Think
Do your brainstorming months before your show, as procrastination is a recipe for disaster. If you’re showcasing products, do you want to offer giveaways, treats and/or product freebies? If you’re attending, which spots are must-have hits for you? Devise a plan early on and take the necessary actions to prepare for your plan.

3. Fuel
Give yourself the energy and focus to get through trade shows, as they can tend to be incredibly draining on the mind and body. Whether your choice vice is coffee, energy bars or yoga, be sure to arrive with plenty of it in tow.

4. Smile
Enjoy yourself, and be friendly. This is a no-brainer, but when dozens of people are crammed into tiny spaces, we tend to release our claws. Keep your attitude in check and stay calm — it will be over soon enough.

5. Follow Up
When all is said and done, retreat back to your hotel room (or home!) and debrief from the day immediately. You’ll pick up ideas for next year’s show, great blog coverage and exciting new contacts that may be lost in the mix if you wait days to put it to paper. Don’t forget to send follow-up emails to everyone who you make contacts with, just to say “it was nice to meet you.” Post-show networking is the best part of the show!

Above all, have fun. Trade shows are exciting (especially with coffee)!