It’s probably not as easy as I have made it sound and I should think the lovely peeps at Folksy have already considered something down those lines.
There have been quite a few comments and uncertainties about Folksy promotion. Maybe it might provide some reassurance for us sellers if Folksy or @folksycontent could give us a reasonably detailed outline of what/where they are promoting and any future plans for promotion they may have in the pipeline? 
12 Likes
Totally agree with Bimblebird.
4 Likes
I totally agree with you Bimble Bird. I have been with Folksy for years but have sold very little, and last year just one item. I really like that Folksy is all about British crafts, and the helpful community spirit. But I really do feel that Folksy don’t do nearly enough to promote their website. I have never met anyone who has heard of it, whereas most people know Etsy and NOTHS. Secondly, telling sellers to promote their own Folksy shops is like renting space in a craft shop and being told to walk up and down the street wearing an advertising board! I expect the shop, or selling platform, to do their own promotion for themselves and on behalf of their sellers, without whom they would not have a business. I have no desire to engage with Facebook/Instagram/Twitter or any other form of social media. It’s boring and I would rather spend my time making things. I just want somewhere to sell them who can do it effectively. The changes made by Folksy before Christmas are just ‘sticking plasters’ they don’t address the real problem.
I opened an Etsy shop just before Christmas and made more sales there. So now that all my Folksy listings have expired I will not be relisting them, and I’ll close my shop. I’m sad to be leaving but I feel I’m wasting my time here now. If Folksy ever get their act together and drastically improve the way they operate, I may return. But for now: ‘Farewell’.
6 Likes
Before I finally leave I just wanted to add that I will still haunt Folksy as a buyer. I love the variety of British crafts here and especially the superb quality. So wishing everyone here the very best of luck for the future, and a Happy and Profitable New Year!
8 Likes
I used to sell supplies here on Folksy many years ago. I sold some but not as much as on my own website or on Etsy (probably only about 10% of my sales were on Folksy). If you are looking for a nice chat with like minded people, Folksy is a good site for that. If you want to make a business, I would not rely on it at all. I do not have to advertise myself on other sites yet get lots of sales there so my free time can be spent on ceramic, silver smithing or beading, not sitting at the screen promoting. And to be honest, if I have to spend time promoting and networking it makes more sense to promote my own website than direct people to Folksy. Yes, the fees are higher on sites like Etsy, but I can also set a proper price for my items and create a reasonable profit, so I find it worthy. I still have a few bits listed here as I forgot to cancel my subscription and renewed again, but once the subscription runs out I am not renewing. I hardly ever meet people who knows about Folksy. I tried to promote, talked about Folksy all the time for years, then I gave up as I did not see much effort from Folksy themselves. We have a similar site in my country, they started very small too, but promoted so sufficiently that today everybody knows about the site and they are more successfull than Etsy domestically and they managed to get on top within a year or two, so it is possible with proper marketing. Btw, on the site I am mentioning, I never had to promote it myself, still orders were flooding. I just feel Folksy is not much of a business, rather a community, chat rooms and art and craft gallery. Sellers show and promote items to each other here mostly. Luckily I do make living by selling supplies and handmade jewellery and ceramic on other sites and on my own website now, without much promoting. So it depends on what your are looking for. Community, yup, Folksy is okay. Business to live on, nope.
10 Likes
I knew someone is going to point out I am an immigrant. I have been a resident in United Kingdom for over 13 years. As far as I know I can list here on Folksy. My points are still valid regardless where I was born.
10 Likes
Your bead work is absolutely stunning Martina @PoMall! 
xx
1 Like
Would love to know the site from your home country you mention. Maybe there are some good ideas which could be put to use here ? xx
PS I agree with Natalie… these are stunning…just wish my ear still had a hole through it… can’t even wear the earrings i make myself 
Thank you very much ladies, much appreciated. The website is https://www.fler.cz, but it is all in my language only.
6 Likes
Anyone checking the analytics on the site today will wonder why there are so many hits from the UK
1 Like
And we can see the work and translation on the sites face book Page!
1 Like
love the name of your shop!