How to...Branding

How to Tuesday is taking on a challenge.  For the next three Tuesday's we are going to discuss marketing.  The definition of marketing is "the total of activities involved in the transfer of goods from the producer or seller to the consumer or buyer, including advertising, shipping, storing, and selling."  We are going to tackle marketing in three parts.  Branding, advertising and shipping as they are all crucial to the success of your business.

This week's focus is branding.  What is a brand?  Wikipedia posts, “A brand often includes a logo, fonts, color schemes, symbols, and sound, which may be developed to represent implicit values, ideas, and even personality.”  How does this apply to your shop?  Take a look at you shop name, avatar (picture) and banner.  Do they represent you?  Are they promoting what your shop has to offer?  Buyers appreciate the time and effort we spend ensuring our Etsy shop is cohesive. 

Does your shop name reflect your business?  Is it you official business name?  Are buyers going to remember it?  These are all valid questions to answer.  Be original, as your shop name is a reflection of you.  Karen21 says nothing about your business.  Karen's Kites for Kids is catchy and also informs the buyer of your business.  I came up with that name in a matter of seconds, don't judge!!!

Now what about your avatar?  No, not the movie!  Your avatar is the thumbnail photo that appears beside your shop name.  Why is it important?  That picture shows whenever you comment, heart something, place a bid in alchemy, etc.  Choose your picture wisely.  Do you really want a picture of your child grinning ear to ear to be the picture everyone on Etsy recognizes your shop by.  We all love our children, but that photo is a way for buyer to know you.  Post a picture of yourself or at the very least a clear item that is available in your shop.  Remember your avatar is what reminds people of you and your shop.  Pick something and stick with it!

Your shop banner is the large title that displays at the top of your shop's page.  This is where we get to have fun.  Have pictures of your designs in the background.  Use the font that is on your business cards.  Change you banner to suit the time of year or show off new items.  Be creative and showcase your designs.  If you are unsure how to make a shop banner Etsy provides wonderful tutorials. 

http://community.etsy.com/resources/banner-generator

So what have we learned today?  Branding your business is one of the keys to marketing.  Buyers want to know who you are and what you sell.  So fellow shop owner's lets pull up our socks and show them what we've got!