Critique My Shop is a resource for tips, guidelines, and best practices for your online business.
I am Jennifer M Payson, a marketer, who happens to also be a work-at-home mom. In 2007, when I decided to leave my full time events and marketing position to work from home and have more time with my daughter, I realized I also wanted something else to subsidize some of the other things in the house. I started my Etsy shop, Whimsidoodle. I certainly don't compete with some of the Etsy power sellers (stay tuned - we will be interviewing some of these folks and getting their favorite tips), however, I have set up my shop and learned over time a model that works for me. I couldn't handle that much more business than I am currently getting with my current set up. If sales were to pick up dramatically I would have to change things (and would I? yes, but currently it works).
So what's a better way to marry my trade (marketing) with something I know a lot about? For the past two years many friends with Etsy shops have come to me asking for critiques of their shops. I scour their shop and look at different things they could be doing to increase business, better aesthetics and more, but I also look at an entire branding package. How does everything you present work together?
Whether you have an online shop or not, anything that you are presenting online sends a message. Your website, facebook, shops (etsy, ebay etc), flickr, linked in, twitter, etc etc etc all send a message. What are yours saying?
This blog will features tips and tricks regularly. I am also now offering a service to critique your shop, website, facebook - overall marketing. Learn more about this service...
