Apologies in advance for the moan but I’m feeling despondant, I’ve spent so many hours transferring everything from Etsy; I’ve been paying for the Plus since December and have only sold one thing, to someone I used to work with. I’m still open on Etsy and have sold a fair amount over there. I’m constantly talking about Folksy and link to it from my website.
I’m finding editing, really frustrating- it just takes so long and there are no short cuts. I’ve just spent 90 minutes making everything free postage but have to go in to each listing to alter the prices. I’ve still not done it. Any advice would be really appreciated x
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I’ll be ending my Folksy plus in May as it seems to me that this place is not moving forwards in helping it’s sellers and seems complacent in relying on us to do all the marketing and exposure. We have no buying app. No video facility. No advertising. And now the search facility on here is worse than useless. I really don’t understand why Folky is stuck in a rut. But I do understand how you feel. All you can do is hang on in there and hope for better things, keep slogging away on your social media etc. But do keep your eggs in more than one basket. You seem to have sold 55 items not 1. So that’s not bad if the timeline is short.
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Can you not bulk edit your listings by going into your dashboard, find the bulk edit listings tab on the left hand menu and then press the button that says “set postage costs”?
As for whether you should give up with Folksy, only you really know if you want to keep on with it if you are not making many sales. I find the Folksy plus account one of the cheapest ways to keep any online shop stocked and for the price of a few coffees per month, it’s a whole shopfront for people to discover.
I personally do find it hard to promote more than one online marketplace at once. So even when I fill up other shops, one always takes precedence over the others somehow. I have my work in three places online but this is the only one that holds my full range of stock.
Your work is absolutely stunning by the way and deserves to be seen by as many people as possible.
Do you join in with any of the Folksy promotions such as Folksy Friday? Why not come and join us in the daily listing thread?
I hope you do stay x
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Thank you- I’m sorry about the moan, I’m normally so upbeat but really wnat this to work. Thank you for the compliment and advice- I will do that, before doing anything drastic 
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Sorry you feel like this Jennie. It is hard selling. Your creations are wonderful. Just a tip may be worth making some cheaper items if you can that way customers may buy 2 or 3 and would keep you ticking over more.
Sarah does a lot of smaller items and has sold well thus month. I often sell something small, then customers come back for higher ticket items once they have seen your work and trust you as a seller.
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Thanks for the reply, I had the shop a few years ago and let it sleep for a while so the numbers are from then (sadly!) When I say Folksy to people they haven’t heard of it, so that concerns me. I did ask about editing improvements and was told it wasn’t a priority for them at the moment. I do think an app would be a huge improvement, I totally agree. Am going to engage more with Folksy Friday and cross promoting and see what that does.
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Before Christmas, I was listening to a sports radio station based in the UK and an ad for ‘the other side’ from the US came on! How odd! I would think that Folksy would be heard there…I wonder what their marketing plan is? Maybe a team could be hired to focus on marketing? I don’t know…but something has to change!
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Really good advice, thank you- I’ve been thinking about this as I’m doing open studios in June and think this would be a good plan x
Are you a member of Anglian Potters? They are really good and supportive with events and exhibitions in your area which you could take part in alongside your Folksy presence. Speaking from a financial and personal point of view I find the Folksy Basic account suits my needs better than Plus, particularly as I am not a social media user and most of the Plus promotional activity is geared to that. I too think your work is lovely - do keep going!
I tried to start a showcase thread to support fellow ceramics makers on here, but there was little interest I’m afraid, and I didn’t want to flood it with my own work. You’re welcome to post images there if you would like to!
PS Just bought one of your bags…
I am a member thank you- I’m doing a local Open Studios too- I am such an introvert, I find it all absolutely daunting! Thank you for replying and the encouragement too! I’m feeling altogether more optimistic Will check out the showcase now
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Thank you! I just saw the bag purchase Really appreciate it!
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Thank you for posting as id never have found your work - it is gorgeous! Ive favourited a few pieces to come back to when im needing pressies. Your photos are lovely, and your shop’s overall presentation is really attractive too.
Im a plus member but thats really due to my stock level and my rapidly shifting workshop schedule.
My advice would be to play to your strengths. You say youre introverted - me too. Markets are hell on earth for me, they absolutely kill me.
Could you do stuff over video? On instagram, facebook and maybe even youtube? You dont need to show your face or even speak - a video of your hands glazing or throwing a pot, with a gentle soundtrack or, even better, just the sounds of your studio, might work.
Folksy isnt really anything other than a shop hosting space. Functionality isnt what it used to be, and our trading situation isnt being helped by all the new regulations and rules etc. If you drive your traffic via social media to your own shop, thats probably the best you can do. Its tough. It has to build over time and yes, definitely involves a little bit of luck. Keep trying different things, something will be your “key moment”. Mine was a crochet snowflake class.
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I’ve already cancelled my Plus account and I’m letting my listings run out.
I’ll see how I feel when my listings have expired, but right now as it stands, Folksy is dead in the water.
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The world needs more clay people Jennie. And more introverts.
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Thank you- I think I need to, markets are just awful for me too I will try, it’s not something I;m naturally drawn to if Im honest!
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I think you’re right on both counts!
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I think that not having the plus account takes the pressure off a bit, see how it goes without it? Sorry you’re feeling like this x
update
I’ve been reading all or most of the comments about the new search and the problem’s associated with it…but after having headaches and lots of soul searching I’ve decided to stay and I’ve signed back up for plus account… I intend to stay here on folksy for the foreseeable future..I’m currently working on new stuff…
Hi jenny, I feel the same as you to be honest,I’ve been backwards and forwards to folksy over the last few years… and got the plus membership and imported all my listings…just to leave again…
The good thing about folksy is the handmade products by everyone here as you can’t find like folksy that’s full of wonderful artists…but very few people know of folksy because of no advertising or very little, if you don’t promote yourself you have no chance…
Folksy could be a very good place to be if things changed. I’d even be willing to pay extra if it was advertised more and got our products seen…i know most of the sellers have been here a very long time and feel comfortable which I can understand..but in this modern day folksy needs to be known very much more than it is…
I’ve cancelled my plus membership as I’m not sure whether to stay or not..good luck in whatever you decide to do..
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I agree, i would also be happy to pay more if it meant Folksy became a household name and I’m sure plenty of other would as well.
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Me too- I was determined to get away from Etsy, but people do know what it is and like shopping there. I’m not happy that other people feel the same way as I do, but it’s something Folksy should be aware of.
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