Helllllooooo!
Hope your 4th of July was safe and beautiful!
We finally have an FAQ page up! Hopefully some of your questions will be answered, saving you some wait time. If there are any questions you think should be addressed, leave it in the comments!
Now I need some input from my lovely readers in regards to our blog and etsy store :)
Do you think an "about me" page would be appropriate? Are you at all interested as to how Boojiboo came to be? (no offense if the answer's 'no')
What would you like to see more posts about?
Do you think the giveaways take away from our business?
Do you prefer communication between us and the public to be friendly and casual or strictly professional (no happy faces, exclamation points, etc...)?
Do you like how our apron pictures are taken? Would a solid light background be better?
How exactly did you find out about Boojiboo? Facebook, twitter, google, friend, etc...?
To make things interesting, we are offering ONE clutch from our other store Boojibootique ! All you have to do is answer one or more of my questions and leave the answer(s) in a comment. On July 10th (day after my daughter's birthday), I will announce the winner. The winner will be the one who provided the MOST helpful/interesting answer.
Happy 4th of July!!!!
-boojiboo :)
PS: become a fan on facebook!
11 comments:
I think an about me page is a great idea! Something fun to post about is maybe a tutorial of how you make your aprons or what inspired you to make a certain design, etc. I love your writing style and think professional is boring. I am a big giveaway fan, but I do think you should only do them if they are bringing you more customers and success to your shop. Good luck! -Megan
I would love to see an About Me page. I like reading about the shoppes I love buying from.
I want to see more of those adorable puppies. :) However, I know they have nothing to do with the aprons so... I would like to see some of the custom creations you make for people!
I love entering giveaways, so I would say they are a great thing. But, they are only worth it if they are actually driving traffic to your site and leading to purchases. If you aren't getting any business from the giveaways, I would say stop doing them.
I feel like a blog is a place where you can be yourself, so write like you are talking to someone. Use smileys and exclamation - it makes you seem more real. I hate it when people are too professional as well; it's a turn-off for their products to me. JMO though.
I really enjoy the way your pics are taken; they are fun and cute.
I stumbled upon you on Etsy and am still addicted and stalking your aprons. I'm plotting my next purchase as I type.
Have a great day!
An "about me" page would be GREAT!! Related, Yes, I'd like to hear more about how you got started.
No, I don't think the giveaways detract from your business. In fact, I wanted to ask if you would be willing to do a giveaway on my site. :)
I think friendly and casual communication is fine. You're building relationships! Stoic, cold demeanors may build businesses, but you must think about your target market: women. Women prefer relationships.
Your pictures are fine. A white background would be nice, too, but I don't think you need to go crazy changing stuff around if you don't want to.
I'm not exactly sure how I found out about you, but I LOVE your stuff. I've bought 3 aprons in the last month and tell everyone about you. I'm a boojiboo evangelist. ;)
I think an About Me page would be brilliant! I'd love to know how Boojiboo got started.
I would love to see pictures of custom creations or a work in progress. I like to see hwta other people are asking you to create for them, and I'd love to see the creative process you go through for each piece.
As long as the giveaways are benefitting your brand and allowing you to continue to sell, then by all means, keep them up. And if you wanted to throw an apron my way, I wouldn't be angry ;)
And I guess that little wink says it all. There's no reason to be completely professional. I'd rather do business with someone who seems like they could be a firned than someone who only cares about one thing. I realize it's your livelihood, but I'm also more willing to be a repeat customer if I think you're nice (which I do!).
I love the apron pictures! I wear my apron in the kitchen so it's nice to see it in the proper setting before making the purchase.
I found you through The Give-Away Dive, and I've never looked back.
I think an "About Us" page is both appropriate and called for. Many professional companies have one- why shouldn't you? :)
I think the giveaways help your business- I personally would not have found you guys without seeing your giveaways on a few of my fav blogs. I haven't yet purchased an apron, but that's not for lack of wanting (it's for lack of money...sadly).
I think, in terms of communication, emails and blog posts should be casual and fun (smiley faces and all that). A storefront webpage might do better if it's more professional, but it certainly doesn't need to be dry or humorless.
As for the apron pics- YES, a solid background would work much better (and diffused lighting, if possible, as well), and would help to give a clearer indication of color tones and patterns on the aprons.
As for how I found Boojiboo, it was through my friend Sasha at Last Blog on Earth, who pointed me toward your giveaways. She shares my obsession with cute and functional feminine things. :)
I think you have a very good bio/about me section on your Etsy store so maybe it would be nice to have it on your blog too for those people who find you first via the blog.
Regarding your posts, I love reading about your upcoming events, but I would like to see more about your new projects and where your get your ideas. And, please keep up the photos and notes about the dogs! They are so cute!
The give-aways are a fun thing to offer your customers and it's also a good way to promote your business. I'd continue the give-aways.
The blogs I enjoy reading the most are the ones that are casual and friendly. If they are too formal and stiff sounding then it doesn't sound like the blogger is talking directly to me.
I think your pictures are great just the way they are. I love the many different views and the close-ups of the fabrics. Too often crafters don't put enough pictures of their crafts on their sites to get a true feel for the merchandise.
I found you on Etsy and then linked to your blog. Your Etsy site stands out from all the rest and I find myself coming back time and again to see what's new.
Hope this answered all your questions. It was nice to be able to contribute.
Thanks, and Happy Birthday!
A P.S. to my earlier comment. I saw in your photos all the packages waiting to go to the Post Office. Did you know the Post Office will come to you and pick up your pacakges? Just a thought......
Do you think an "about me" page would be appropriate? Are you at all interested as to how Boojiboo came to be? (no offense if the answer's 'no') Yes and yes... the stories that draw you in, making you feel like you really know someone, increase the likelihood of people purchasing.
Do you think the giveaways take away from our business? Absolutely not! This is the worm.
Do you prefer communication between us and the public to be friendly and casual or strictly professional (no happy faces, exclamation points, etc...)? refer to answer one. When you get friendly, you form bonds. Personally, I'd rather purchase from someone I "know" than a complete stranger.
Do you like how our apron pictures are taken? Would a solid light background be better? Your apron pictures really caught my eye. Part of the apron dream is to be "that woman" in the beautiful kitchen. I'd keep the setting!
How exactly did you find out about Boojiboo? Facebook, twitter, google, friend, etc...? search for aprons on etsy.
I would love to see an about me page. I always read people's profiles and about me information. I like to see how much we have in common and it is cool to be able to have a mental picture of the person(s) in my head. It helps me to feel more like I "know" them. You know - bloggy friends :)
As far as the giveaways. I struggle with the question constantly. First of all, giveaways are fun. Second of all I believe in paying it forward. I love to enter giveaways, so I have my own. Third, giveaways definitely give your product more exposure. However, is it profitable exposure?? Finally, what I think is that giveaways are something you must do from your heart. Maybe it will earn you some more sales, maybe not. Do it anyway, if that is what you want. If you feel pressured to do giveaways, but don't enjoy them. Don't do it.
Whew! Sorry that was kinda long winded. Hope it helps.
Trish
About Me:
I think the About Me page is a great idea. In doing features on my site for Etsy designers, I find the people behind the products are even more unique and interesting than their crafty creations. I'd love to learn more!
What would you like to see more posts about?
Share the love by posting 'coordinating pieces' from other Etsy designers (ie: embellished rubber gloves or foodie jewelry) that will enhance but not directly compete with your items. Ask your partner sites to do the same with you.
Do you think the giveaways take away from our business?
That depends. This particular contest was a great idea to gather feedback from your readers.
From a person who enters giveaways on a somewhat regular basis, I find that many sites post tons of unrelated items just for the sake of giving things away, so depending on which site you choose to do giveaways on, you may not be reaching your best 'target audience'.
Although you will undoubtedly expose your product to more people, most sites give entries via comments, which is very time consuming. Once I've spent so much time commenting to enter, I find that I don't have an opportunity to browse as much as I'd like.
When I decided to launch giveaways on my site, I was able to make some changes taking these things into consideration to maximize the advertising benefit for the people I work with, as well as the value of my site to the readers so they aren't overloaded with info.
For example: I feature two giveaways max on my site weekly, with a bi-weekly giveaway on my beauty products channel on Examiner.com. I make a pledge to the Etsy designers I work with not to feature a directly competing product during your 2 week giveaway run (ie: only one apron seller). Additionally, I create a google form for each giveaway so it takes seconds to enter the giveaway, allowing the reader more chance to read about you on my site, or browse your products--which makes more sense for both of us than a potential buyer leaving one comment after the next on my site.
See if the sites you are working with offer any added value or exposure beyond your short-lived giveaway.
Do you prefer communication between us and the public to be friendly and casual or strictly professional (no happy faces, exclamation points, etc...)?
I think a little of both is fine in moderation!
Do you like how our apron pictures are taken? Would a solid light background be better?
I think your aprons are very noticeable in the Etsy searches. I think it adds to them to see them in a 'real kitchen setting'. As a pet-lover and owner of 2 dogs, I'm not part of this group, but some people are very turned off by animals and sticklers for "pet free homes"--I think the occasional pups in the pics may turn away some business.
How exactly did you find out about Boojiboo? Facebook, twitter, google, friend, etc...?
Apron search on Etsy (you guys are always at the top)
Please stop by my site for my weekly giveaways:
http://triciachaves.blogspot.com/search/label/Giveaways
Dish Beauty giveaways every other Friday on my Examiner channel:
http://www.examiner.com/x-7351-Exploring-Cleveland-Examiner
To be featured on my site, learn more here:
http://triciachaves.blogspot.com/2009/02/insightful-article-from-fellow-ac.html
If I were to win, I'd pick the red and white polka-dot clutch. It reminds me of Minnie Mouse!
Do you think an "about me" page would be appropriate? Are you at all interested as to how Boojiboo came to be? (no offense if the answer's 'no')
I think this is a great idea!! I always love reading how my favorite people developed their ideas, shops, etc!
What would you like to see more posts about?
Of course... cupcake designs!! I see lots of the same cupcake prints, I like more variety!
Do you think the giveaways take away from our business?
No... I think giveaways add excitement for your brand!!! Makes me want more!
Do you prefer communication between us and the public to be friendly and casual or strictly professional (no happy faces, exclamation points, etc...)?
Friendly and professional can coexist.. they aren't strictly exclusive!
Do you like how our apron pictures are taken? Would a solid light background be better?
I'd like to see them on a real live model... especially the plus sizes ones!! I'd like to know how they look on someone who looks like me! :)
How exactly did you find out about Boojiboo? Facebook, twitter, google, friend, etc...?
I believe it was Twitter... :)
Post a Comment