When you are suddenly thrust into the role of WRITER for your Etsy shop do you feel tongue-tied? “What will I say?” you ask, while your mind feels like an empty chasm.
Believe me, I’ve felt it, and I even compose ads and help businesses do marketing! So don’t think you are alone. But this article can help. First we’ll look at how shyness manifests itself on Etsy. And then we’ll think about ways to overcome it.
HOW ETSIANS SHOW THEY’RE SHY
Shyness often shows in the Shop Announcement spot. The Etsian isn’t sure what to talk about, so she ends up saying very little.
It can also manifest itself in her product Descriptions. They too, tend to be brief and sometimes sound stiff.
Her Public Profile is the hardest for her to write, so she often ignores it. Discussing herself feels so uncomfortable, she can’t bring herself to do so.
HELP TO OVERCOME THIS
Writing Listing Descriptions
There is a simple way to minimize the discomfort. Forget about yourself and think about your customer who has come to either your listing Description or your shop. What does this customer want? How can you help her?
She wants to find the perfect item to fill her need. So what can you say in your item Description to help her see that your item can work for her?
Make 2 lists: The first explains the neat features of your item. The second list states what each of those neat things DO for your customer.
Examples:
( 1) In List 1: “All seams in this apron have been finished with serging”
In List 2: “…so you don’t need to worry about any fraying of the fabric.”
(2) In List 1: “This art print has been created on acid-free paper with archival inks ”
In List 2: “…so it will last several hundred years!”
Always mention the benefit the customer receives from the particular feature of your product.
Shop Announcement
Feeling shy about what to say here? Again, think about your customer. Usually the first thing on her mind when she comes to your shop is, what does this seller have that I might want? So if your photos and shop name don’t make clear precisely what you sell, then this is a good place to clear up her confusion.
Also, you’d like to make her feel welcome, so she’ll trust you enough to buy. Be approachable and say that you are.
And if you have any special offers, free gifts, or other shops/blogs, this is a great place to say so.
Example
“Welcome to my antique-style mirror shop! Pretend you live in yesteryear, with my beautiful replicas of late 1800′s hand-mirrors for your boudoir!
I find vintage mirrors fascinating and strive to make my replicas as perfect as possible.
I’m a friendly person—feel free to convo me with any questions at all!
SPECIAL If you order 2 of any mirror at the same time, I give free shipping! A big deal because I package and ship them sparing no expense!
Feel free to visit my other Etsy shop BluMu.etsy.com”
Notice that this seller told the customer about her passion for replicating these vintage mirrors; the customer loves to hear about the seller’s passion. Now the customer is making a mental connection (& a heart connection) to the product!
Public Profile
But this one is the toughy! Here you are expected to actually talk about yourself…like you alone are in the spotlight! It’s true this makes many folks feel uncomfortable, but here again there is a way around it. Remember that your customer wants to hear about your product—she’s actually more interested in it than you. So tell how you got interested in your products and why you feel compelled to share them. You can talk a lot about the products and their history, but then glide smoothly into mentioning yourself in relation to them.
It can actually turn out that your Profile says more about your products than you…which doesn’t hurt sales at all! But be careful that you do say something about yourself, sharing a few personal details you feel comfortable to mention. Otherwise you lose the believable, personal touch, which can harm sales.
So see, it wasn’t that difficult was it? The secret to overcoming shyness really is forgetting yourself and thinking about the customer and what she wants. As soon as you focus on her, your shyness will disappear!
If you have a thought on how practical this advice is for you, comment here to let me know. Thanks! Bonnie I answer all comments asap, and those who comment are eligible to enter all contests/giveaways!
Filed under: Easy Wording Examples Tagged: | Etsy, practical examples, product descriptions, public profile, selling, selling success, shop announcement, shyness, writing
Thank you for this advice….I have definitely felt the need to re-do my profile, but wasn’t sure what to say. Now I am ready to give it a try.
Many thanks!
Rachel
Thank YOU for your kind words, Rachel! I think we’ve all felt shyness at one time or another.
An interesting experience I had in this regard: A friend that I’ve known many years tends to be somewhat shy, not preferring the limelight. Yet here she is now, teaching courses at a University! I asked her how she could stand there in front of the class (occasionally even being challenged) and she said, “I am dedicated to my field of study and truly believe in what I’m teaching. I just focus on how important I think the material is for the students and that takes precedence.”
So the secret really is to focus on the beauty of what we’re offering and in our Profile, show the connection between us and the art.
I’m sure you’ll succeed Rachel! All the best to you!!
Bonnie
Thank you Paula for your kind words!
You are certainly not alone; many Etsians find Public Profile to be one of the most difficult spots to write for.
Think long and hard about your favorite aspect of your products and why you get excited about them. That enthusiasm will help you feel less self-conscious. Then perhaps mention how you ended up making these products, with a wee bit of info about yourself. It’s enough to help the customer feel a bond with you, through your products. That’s really what Public Profile is all about–helping a bond grow. And of course, bonds grow where there’s communication.
Sounds like you are well on your way to success! Take care!
Bonnie
This is amazing, Bonnie! You have hit home to me, as I am one who actually has ignored the Profile page because I feel so shy, but your words are a real help. I’ll just think about my customers instead of myself. And it is easier to write about my products, so I’ll handle it like you said, lots abt the products and a little abt me. Thank you so much!
Paula