Driving traffic to your Etsy store is the toughest problem most sellers face. A good product won’t sell itself without marketing.
Luckily, Instagram makes it easier for Etsy sellers to showcase their wares and get more sales from Instagram.
Catchy Name
The first step is to pick a catchy name that somehow references your Etsy store.
It will make it much easier for people to realize that you have products for sale because Instagram is an indirect form of marketing.
You’ll want your name to be short enough to be memorable so people can share your name with others.
If your name was Amy, try EtsyAmy or EtsyScarvesByAmy.
In your profile, you can put a link to your Etsy store. Nowhere else on Instagram are you allowed to put an actual clickable link.
I recommend using bit.ly to shorten the URL to your store and put a call to action before it like BUY CUTE SCARVES HERE -> (Bit.Ly Link)
Learn the Hashtag #
The app is very simple to use and allows you to tag a photo with a caption along with #.
These are descriptors that put your image into a group of images that are easily searchable.
If you’re selling scarves, you could put #cute, #etsy, #scarves, #teens, and any other keywords that apply to the demographic you are trying to sell to.
You’re allowed to use up to 30 different hashtags in the original post, but don’t spam the post with hashtags.
Make the original post simple and then follow up in the comments with other relevant keywords.
If you have different products, it’s also suggested that you create multiple accounts, one catered to each different product.
You can also crosslink and share your posts and create your own network effect.
Link Out To Your Site
Because Instagram doesn’t allow links on individual posts to outside URLs, you will want to put in the comments on the photo that it’s available on Etsy along with the title.
When you take a picture of your product, you could include a sign that shows a link to your store so people know where to buy your merchandise.
You can also use #etsy #yourstoresname to give people an idea on where to look.
In addition to this, you can put a hyperlink to your Etsy store in your profile.
Tell them to check your profile for a link on where to buy their own scarf and encourage other people to share pictures of your products (free advertising is the best!)
Post At The Right Time
It’s also important for you to understand where your audience lives.
It won’t help you if you post at 4 am when everyone else is sleeping.
Understanding your demographic is the final key to achieving success with Instagram and Etsy.
If your fans are in Europe, you’ll want to be posting when they are actually awake.
You can use programs to automatically post and repost your images at the appropriate times like Hootsuite and Buffer.
Care About Your Audience
The last piece of advice is to engage with your audience.
Ask them how you can improve your products and what other products they would like for you to make for them.
They will do your product research for you by letting you know what they want.
Take criticism as a way for you to improve your business and do better.
Direct message your followers and thank them personally for their comments and show that you really care.
You’re not a big business and you shouldn’t act like it.
Speak from the heart and treat people with love and compassion.
Sometimes, you messaging them will make their day.
Conclusion
Pay attention to everything that you do and your efforts will be rewarded.
There are tons more information on our site for you to study and remember that the learning process is never done.
