Monday, October 26, 2009

Advertising

I can hardly believe it, but I started this blog over two years ago. For the longest time, there were only 10 to 20 visitors a day, if I was lucky. It really didn't matter that much, because the blog was about my quilts and whatever crafty thing I was up to at the time. That all changed when I was laid off last March. That's when I started my Etsy shop, something I had wanted to do for the longest time.
Of course the shop was going nowhere and I was in need of some advertising. I joined Entrecard which brings a bunch of traffic to my blog. I also joined Adgitize which has brought some but not much traffic to my blog. But the point was to bring traffic to the etsy shop not the blog, so I have also signed up for CMF ads and Project Wonderful. Neither of them have brought much traffic at all. I have ad space for sale on this blog which as of this writing, still remains blank.
I bought some advertising on Found Handmade and that has brought some traffic so I think I will continue to advertise there. I have joined etsy teams, as advised by Etsy, along with Facebook and Twitter.
I really have to wonder if any of this advertising is doing me any good. Do you advertise? Who brings in the most visitors for you?

5 comments:

Aimee said...

I have been doing EntreCard for a little over a week now and that has brought quite a bit of traffic to my blog. However, I wonder if anyone is actually reading my blog or just dropping and running?
I wish you luck in your Etsy shop and advertising.

Ann said...

I don't sell anything so no need to advertise. I do know though that since Entrecard there are a ton more people that actually read my blog.

Erika said...

There are mixed messages about EC. Many people just drop and run and do not bother reading the blog. But I believe that there is always the potential that one person will be motivated to check it out.

I like to interview people for my blog and many saw that Facebook has been great.

Split Rock Ranch said...

I used to use Entrecard heavily but have backed way off after all the recent changes. I advertise on Facebook, I use Twitter to advertise new listings and sales, and my Project Wonderful boxes are always full (they filled up in one day). I suggest dropping your advertising price to $.01 on your Project Wonderful ad spaces and see if they fill up. I have yet to place an ad on Project Wonderful - I'm waiting for my earnings to build up so I have some money to spend on my own ads. Good luck!

Lisa said...

I started my business a year ago. I have a full-time job so it is very part time. I have not yet advertised... word of mouth. I try to let people know I do this w/o being obnoxious and making them feel I am trying to get them to buy things. Not sure where to start advertising that would be effective on a very limited budget. I am going to buy a business-sized ad for $30 in my daughter's elementary school newsletter next month & see what comes of it. I've had a few sales through Facebook - coincidentally to old friends I've re-connected with. I've had I think only about 3 sales total to complete "strangers".