we talked a while back about broadening our horizons, and today we’re going to talk about how to put all those creative thoughts into action, and luanch a new product line!

cow no. 2 7×8 fine art print

back in january of 2008, etsy published this article about launching a new line, let’s dive into it, ok? one of the easiest ways to freshen up your shop (and you routine) is by introducing a new product line.  if you get tired of the same ol’ same ol’ or just have an idea that you really want to put out there, i encourage you to go for it!

tea and honey 8×12 photo

maybe the easiest way to launch a new line and keep cohesion with your shop is to categorize your shop sections smartly.  try to visit your shop from an outsider’s perspective, can you find what you’re looking for via the sections?  if you offer candles, paintings and jewelry- it’s probably not the best idea to categorize by price.  i would rather be able to look for what specific item i want like ‘candles’.  if you’ve got tons of items you could break it down even further by using ‘candles – $5-$15′ and ‘candles $15-$30′, see what i mean?

barnwood frame – you are my sunshine

if you only offer photographs, then it might be a good idea to categorize by the price, or maybe the size.  it just depends on the makeup of your shop and how you think most people will prefer to browse.  if you struggle viewing your own shop like a consumer, grab someone else to do it for you, or better yet, leave us a comment and we’ll give you feedback!

retro kitchen set

if you know using your sections will help consumers navigate your shop, make them standout!  by using **characters**, CApItaL lEtTeRS and S P A C E S, you can really bring your customer’s attention to them.

for more on shop sections make sure to read this article on guiding buyers through sections.

upcycled farm organizer

introducing something new or just changing things up once in a while will keep your customers intrigued and coming back to see what’s new.  you could offer a totally new concept or even old items in new colors or packages, but something new is always exciting for your consumers.

cloverleaf dairy–antique replica porcelain milk bottles

when you’re thinking of a new line, try to vary your price points.  it’s nice to have a tiered system, so as to offer something for everyone’s price range.  if you only offer high end items or say everything in your shop is the same price, you’ll attract more customers if you give them some price options.

for more on pricing:  the art of pricing: tiered pricing

six yellow rim cups w/ saucers

finally, make sure to spread the word when you launch something new!  blogs (like me!) always love giving new lines coverage.  and, if you’ve been everywhere in the blogosphere already, a new line will keep you a relevant topic for blogs to write about. just send us a note about your line and your launching date!

for more on how to approach bloggers: promote your work

quack pillow

so, are you itching to get started? i happen to be working on a new product line myself! i’ll share that with you on friday. ;)

what’s you advice or experience?

wrap up: {etsy shop help} {launch} {new line} {product}

we talked about our blog’s new year’s resolutions- but it’s time to also consider our etsy shop’s resolutions.  have you had time to reflect upon last year? did you meet your goals? are you happy with what your shop accomplished?  what are your goals for 2010?  all of this brings up many thoughts, goals, pride, disappointment and maybe some confusion too.

this post could go any number of ways.  we could probably talk all year about what we wanted to accomplish and what our last year’s performance means.  but, i recently ran across this article about stretching your boundaries.  it took me by surprise how ‘into it’ i was and how i didn’t know how i had never thought of that.  it’s so easy to get caught up in your shop and the particular line you’re offering.  but, today, i want us to step outside of our shop and take a peek- from the outside looking in!

our hideout

yoola talks about how many etsy sellers have successful designs in terms of high views, many hearts, appearance in treasuries and even front pages, but somehow…low sales.  she then tackles the reason why this may be the case, and how to go about broadening your horizon.  she came up with 3 assumptions on why she may be having low sales. 1. people may love the picture and visual impact- and the factor of ‘usability’ of the image (i.e. looks great on the homepage or a blog). 2. people may just love what the product represents. 3. people may be interested in the item and how it was made.

vintage camera sculpture

your shop’s assumptions may be the same or different, but after you decide on them- you can gather options for more directions your shop could take.  yoola came up with these: 1. she could develop a line of prints, greeting cards, or postcards using her photos. 2. she could develop more items that would resemble the original, but would be more affordable. 3. she could write tutorials on how to make her item.

gigi

she decided to start with number 2 and created similar, less expensive items to go along with the more expensive items.  creating a series of price points helps reach as many consumers as possible.  the next step she considered was #3.  there are many pros and cons to publishing you method or design (read them here). but, after much debate, she decided to not only post tutorials on how she made her items, but also sell a pdf pattern on how to make them.  her pdf patterns led to seling kits- and gave an option to all those do-it-yourselfers out there.  i super love the idea of making kits for your item- i’ve often thought that it’s a slight disadvantage to be marketing to a craft-savvy audience, because many items people can just make themselves. offering a kit is an easy way to supply the materials for them, and still make a sale.

antique sportiere paris repousse opera glasses

yoola thought outside the box.  she started with a great item, then branched it out to reach more people.

from one great item, stemmed smaller items, patterns, tutorials and even kits!

see where i’m going with this?

night fern

can you take a moment to realize the potential of your shop, your line or even just one of your products?  reaching many layers of the potential consumer will increase your ‘buy-ability’.  so, it’s time to re-think your shop and it’s possibilities.

kangaroo rats and harvest mice

this article on broadening your target audience points out the importance of tiered product lines.  the article is definitely worthy of a full read- but to sum it up: offering items as gifts and at a target audience allows you to broaden your audience.  think ongoing celebrations like anniversaries, birthdays, wedding and baby showers.  seasonal lines that go with the weather or specific holidays like christmas and valentines day gives your audience an easy shop to go to for gift giving occasions.

finally, this article, outlines how to go about offering a new line in your shop! a new line for the new year- catchy, huh?

portsmouth island post office

so. i know this was a lengthy article, but hopefully it helped get us thinking.  what do you think about ways to broaden your horizons?  i’m thinking of pdf patterns and kits- would you be interested in making your own pillow or tea towel?  let’s talk about it in the comment section- i’ll meet you there!

wrap up: {broaden} {etsy shop help} {new line} {product line} {stretch}

do you have a new line of work coming out? celebrate it! rather than just start listing your new line that you’ve spent countless hours on, build up some suspense to it.  people will be just excited about your work as you are- so start making a fuss!

friendly forest bundle

it’s best to start talking about new items early on.  if you blog, give your readers some teasers to let them know that you’re working on something new.  and what about all those social networking sites? twitter, facebook, youtube, flickr- (you do use those, right?) start posting hints of what you’re working on, maybe some pictures of your work space or a video of your design process.  if you blog, you could even take a poll for some outsider advice.

goldsboro jacket

don’t give your line away, but post enough to get readers interested in your ‘coming soon’ line.  also, don’t forget about your shop announcement.  announcing big news and a check back on ‘this date’ will surely get your customers excited- you can believe they will be back on the date you specified (so, make sure to stick to it!).

floral coptic stitch journal

no time for a blog? etsy also has some great resources you can use.  their promotions area allow you to post any self-promoting material!  announce your new line, or maybe even a discount or sale.  their are lots of people scouring the forums all day long, so it’s important not to miss out on all these potential customers.

autumn dress up dolls :: fabric wall decal

remember us? bloggers? are you there?  put together a press release!  e-mail your favorite bloggers!  i think most of us love to hear from you and like to help promote the handmade world any way we can (why would we be doing this if we didn’t?)

triptych spring circles

would you like some guidelines? i remember when i first started out, i thought it was really nerve-racking to compose an email and approach a blogger- but as long as you know a little etiquette and approach honestly- it’s always going to be ok.  what’s the worse they’ll say? no? oh well- move on to the next one!

thank you card

would you like some guidelines? first of all, try to never mass email.  no one likes to be another blogger on a big long send list. we want to know you care, you read our blog, and you know our name (should be easy to find!).  so, try to take the time and email one blogger at a time. we like to feel that we have in-sider info- and we try to bring fresh new material every day.  if you don’t hear back, maybe send a second follow up e-mail the next week.  if still no response move on to the next blogger (i always try to respond!).  it might take a little while to land a feature, but when you do- it should be well worth the wait.  put together a quick, honest email about you, your shop, and your product.  don’t forget your release date, your shop url (yes, people forget!), and 3-4 small jpeg images.  just try to be yourself and everyone will see it come through. here’s a few more articles that should help you!

design sponge’s advice from bloggers

the ultimate press list from modish biz tips

weathered gray hook board

taking some of my own advice? check my shop on wednesday, sept. 16 for *lots of new items- including a brand new line of funky christmas aprons!

birds go green

extra reading :: {pimp your shop},{broaden your target audience} & {etsy promotion forums} from etsy and the storque :: {advice from bloggers} from design*sponge :: {build your own ultimate press list} from modish biz tips

wrap up: {advice} {bloggers} {etsy savoir faire} {etsy shop help} {new line} {promote} {shop}