The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin

Author:Kari Chapin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC
Published: 2010-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

Make the Most of Your Blog and Website

You have friends on the Internet. Like-minded crafters whose work you enjoy and support are the people who enjoy and support your work in turn. These folks are your community, and you need to help each other grow and expand. When it comes to creative advertising, Internet friends are a wonderful cost-effective resource.

As you have probably noticed from spending time on blogs in general, whether or not they are related to your handmade passions, they usually have a designated place where other websites or blogs they like are listed. Sometimes links are “swapped,” as in “if you link to me, I’ll link to you”; sometimes people just link to sites they personally love, even if they have no other connection.

Make sure that you are linking to other blogs and Web shops that have a well-matched audience. Write to the owners of these blogs and offer a link exchange, but don’t stop with just your Web address. Investigate making banners or badges or blinking buttons — whatever appeals to you — and offer to swap with other sites you like. As long as you know the size dimensions the other website can handle, you can make your own standout ad that will lead people from other websites back to you and your product.

Don’t think you have the skills to make a flashing badge yourself? Not to worry. Lots of creative people out there will do it for you. A simple search for badges or banners on the many online craft marketplaces will turn up affordable services, and you can hire another creative person to make a custom ad just for you.

COMMENTING ON OTHER BLOGS AND WEBSITES

Leaving comments on websites can be intimidating sometimes, I know. But if a design blog editor recently did a big roundup of beautiful handmade chairs, and you create chair cushions, this is a good time to take off your shy shoes and leave a great comment. Perhaps you have some inside industry commentary you can provide, or maybe you just want to compliment the chairs. No matter, figure out something nonspammy and clever to say, make sure you work your cushions into the comment, and make doubly sure your contact information has been left behind.

It goes without saying, but I’m going to do so anyway: you should never spam a blog or website with your advertising information. However, when you leave a comment on an online post, make sure your signature line is included, and that can usually include a link back to your store or website.

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