I just needed to raise a topic regarding the ‘Highlighted theme’ sections eg… Weddings, gifts for gardens, gifts for children…
I noticed earlier that the Halloween highlight as appeared with 85 items for our customers to browse. I’m completely gutted to once again not feature. What does it take!! There have been a few themes I’ve got excited about being featured on, and missed the boat. I was sure I would have a better chance for Halloween. I’ve been working so hard for the past month or so creating spooky things.
So my question is : Does anyone know what the secret formula is for being noticed around here when the odd promotional theme is put together lol???
I use folksy on twitter, folksy on Instagram, folksy on Google plus etc…
My halloween titles are clear enough I think a few pop up on the first few pages when searching Halloween (last time I looked)
Sorry if this post sounds in anyway negative…its not meant to be… I’m just feeling really deflated after promoting like crazy and not getting one teensy feature again.
I won’t even mention the FP (another kettle of fish)
In the folksy notes section it stresses that to be featured photographs are important, highlighting the fact they should be taken on a clear (preferably white) uncluttered background and yet if you look at the items featured on the FP this is rarely the case. This morning of the 20 odd items only 3 or 4 met that criteria so obviously that it not necessarily the way forward! Personally I think many of the FP items are featured for too long, a faster turnaround time would allow for more to be shown, but others may disagree. At the end of the day it seems to be down to luck!
I agree the front page is something of a mystery. I never hold up much hope of popping up on there.
However the seasonal themed collections/gift guides always fills me with hope that maybe just maybe. Especially this time with Halloween.
I think last night when I first posted I just felt down and quite disheartened when I glanced through the 85 Halloween items to discover again I’ve been over looked.
This morning though I feel differently. I can’t stay downbeat for long it gets in the way with my creativity lol
I know in my heart that if I ever want to get my little shop properly up and running and increase my sales to more than one a month (if I’m lucky) I need to do some serious homework. Could my relentless plugging trying to bring people to this site be better used at the dark side. Are my items more suited there???
Somethings not working so I need to fix it myself. Noones going to do it for me
Have a lovely day folks. I’m off to Alrewas war memorial with family today. X
I’ve been on Folksy for 3.5 years and never been featured on the front page. I agree with Rozcraft that the so called “clear, uncluttered photos” requirement is just not true.
The themes have never helped me, even though I have some very specific themed items which would have fitted into a number of featured themes.
To me the front page feels top heavy with shops doing really well, and we little shops are struggling to keep up alone.
Rant over!
Sorry you felta bit down in the dumps Karen - it can be really disheartening when you try your hardest and don’t seem to get any recognition for it I think your photos are really good - clear and bright and you have some fab halloween items.
I’ve been on the front page once properly, with a bracelet which stayed on there for a few days - the problem was it didn’t help it to sell, I still have it and have just reduced it in my summer sale section! So even being on the front page doesn’t always work! I managed to get in one of the gift guides last Christmas which was fab and totally unexpected but I always look out for my jewellery going in and it never does. I realise there is an awful lot of competition in the jewellery department but I was a bit disappointed to see at least four items from the same seller in one of them recently. I’m glad for them, I really am, it must be a great feeling but I can’t help think what chance do the rest of us have?
Sorry for all the doom and gloom, but I think a lot of us are in the same boat at the mo x x x
I personally think that Folksy have a “look” that they like. You can see the pattern looking through the Featured Shops list. I have long since given up trying to become something I am not and have to say that on the odd occasion I have made it to a Gift Guide it really hasn’t made any difference to either views or sales.
Interestingly Featured Shops often have very few sales so I reassure myself that I would rather have my tally of 320 sales than be on the FP!
Don’t be disheartened @karenscraftybitz and I have more sales a day on the Dark Side than a month on here! Worth a go maybe xx
I had a thought earlier lol. I don’t get many of those in a day @illydilly
It would be nice if Folksy sent us an email before the release of the gift guides to allow us to share with them an item from our shops relevant to the gift guide.
That way at least we would feel included even if we weren’t successful. I have noticed looking through a few gift guides that the same sellers appear a lot. Would be great to have more variation. As a customer here myself as well as a seller I’m not seeing enough of the talent I know exists here
I think they are going to be changing the front page this week, so be interesting to see how it turns out. I didn’t even know about the Halloween theme/gift guide until I seen this thread. Wasn’t sure where to find it so did a google search. I definitely think it could be more clearly signposted.
I have been on the front page once, and it resulted in 2 sales, albeit to the same customer! So I think it does help a bit. I like your idea @karenscraftybitz about sending off submissions as it were for the gift guides, I’m sure Folksy could still pick their own stuff out as well as take some from the submissions?
I have been on the FP a few times which I’m obviously happy about! Sadly it hasn’t meant sales but it does help with exposure and that is all the FP can do. It can’t make people buy.
I think being a bit different to the norm to capture the public imagination goes a long way, and not just on Folksy.
I just did a group shot of my ducks with my logo and simple background and it got a massive (for me) response on Twitter and FB (after quite a bit of networking). I titled it “Here they all are, looking for rehoming. Adoption fees apply (see below individual duck).” and I think it just captured the imagination for some out there. I’m going to be paying a bit more attention to how I engage with the public to see if I can capture it again.
@BigBirdLittleBird I love that photo!! Great idea. I have noticed something similar when I post about my phone covers, I always refer to them as little guys at home but hadn’t done so on-line, I thought I had to be super professional, but once I put up a picture of one of my little guys “heading off to a new home”, and I got a really good response!!
I think people respond to a little bit of quirkiness!
Unable to find it now but I know I read it somewhere, thought it was in seller handbook. It may have been quite a while ago so may well have been changed. If I was wrong and have provided incorrect information I can only apologise! Hanging head in shame…
Thanks Camilla @folksycontent
I know it doesn’t guarantee a sale being in the themes but Im really chuffed to be on there.
I hope I didn’t sound too much like Veruca Salt (Charlie & the choc factory ) in my original post
Thanks. It was only done because I hadn’t finished Horatio the moon gazing hare and I wanted to have something to share for #handmadehour on Twitter that evening! I’m pleased the group shot was received so well
I think your photos are really good - clear and bright and you have some fab halloween items.
So I think it does help a bit. I like your idea 
