June 9, 2009
Hello fellow Etsy Sellers,
It's me, Ryan, from littleputbooks. If you are anything like me, you like to stay creative. Adding new lines and new bodies of work to your Etsy shop can keep your business fresh and help build your customer base. Here are a few pointers for a strong launch of a new product .
1. Be an Early Bird
Start talking about your new line well in advance. If you blog, let people know you are working on an exciting new product. Post tidbits to your twitter, Facebook and other social media pages. "I am so excited about this new idea I am working on. . ."
Recommended reading: Broaden Your Target Audience with Tiered Product LInes
2. Create a Teaser
Take photos of new materials, your desk mess as you work out new ideas, vague shots of your "coming soon" items and post them to Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, your blog and so on.
Or how about a video? For a great example, check out Creating Ofelia: Making a Jewel with Masaoms.
3. Set a Date
Pick a date for your launch (market research says Tuesdays are great for this) and post an announcement in your shop. "Check back on the 19th for my newest line. . ."
4. Create a Contest
Once your product is ready, have a contest. Let your customer base compete to name your line or pick their favorite color or pattern. The promotions section in the forum is great for this, as is a blog, Twitter or mailing list.
Editor's note: Speaking of contests, do you want to win some cash to fund your new product line? Check out A Handmade Moment contest on Etsy.tv!
5. Make it a Big Deal
Create a promotion plan for the date of the launch of your new line. Send out a press release to your favorite blogs, a newsletter to your mailing list subscribers, post about it in the Promotions Forum, Twitter, Facebook and any other social media outlet you use. Even have a real life party with friends and family and share pics with your online fans!
6. Have a Sale
A sale makes a great start to any new product. I often use a "Buy two get one free" or "Buy from the new line and get this free" format. Piddix has a lot of success by offering "first week sales" on her newest designs; they entice her customers to come back for more and ensures the success of her new line.
Perhaps the upcoming Yart Sale would tie in well with the launch of your new line?
7. Get Excited
Enthusiasm is contagious, be loud, proud and thrilled about your new line and others will be too.
Check out the Pimp Your Shop article on Etsy's blog, The Storque for some ideas on social networking and grassroots marketing.
Good luck,
Ryan
P.S. I'll be launching my new line with a sale in the next few weeks, to see promoting in action be sure to visit my blog http://littleput.typepad.com.
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