LaDeDaCreations

In August of 2008 I started my first online business on Etsy. I had no idea what I was getting myself into or what it would take to make it work! My thinking was "If I like what I make other people will too so this should be easy!" Since then I have learned it is not easy!


Online selling has opened up a whole new world that I did not know existed! I had no clue how many artists and craft people were in the virtual world creating all these communities. There are ning sites, fan pages, forums, and even a radio station committed to indie artists of all kinds! Blockheadradio.com


Every site offers something different for it's sellers and buyers, but for me the most important thing is community. I want to know that I am an important part of the system that is in place that I call my online home. If I don't get that, there is no need for me to stay.


I'm happy to say I have found that place at artfire.com. The Administration there has set a respectful tone for us as sellers there. That same tone can be found in the forums and this allows us to get to know each other not only as artists but allows an atmosphere where friendships are born.


Friendship has been the key to my success at ArtFire. Just like in our own communities where we live, to be successful and have good word of mouth spread about you, you have to build relationships and trust before people will buy from you. You get to know them as people and not just other sellers or buyers. While this may only be one aspect of online selling it has been the one that has worked best for me!

If any of you have been keeping up with all the trauma Etsy has caused to people's shops there you will know it all has to do with SEO's. SEO's= search engine optimizers.
This is how you are found in the huge virtual world we all live, work, sell, network and socialize.
Artfire has introduced us to the new team that is working hard so our shops come out on top every time, driving more traffic to our individual shops and to ArtFire as a whole.
They have given us our first guide to help walk us through this process. Most of us are not techie so these guides they give us will be very valuable! They also have told us if we have any questions to email them or start a thread in the "Help" section of the forums. I can tell you first hand they are more than willing to help! I sent Caleb and email and he responded very fast!
As far as making changes to your listings, I was told it would be best until the other guides came out so I don't have to keep changing them.


So if you are tired of Etsy using and abusing you as a customer of theirs, Come on over to ArtFire where you are free to be you! Customizable shops, widgets, slide shows, live video feed, rapid cart for your your other sites, and customers can buy without signing up for an account. That's just to name a few things!
If you have any questions about any of this feel free to contact me through my shop,
LaDeDaCreations.

3zArt has such a cool shop on Artfire! She has a great selection of items for your home. She also helped start Artfire Sneakers which is an awesome group that ambushes one shop a week that has little or no sales but has a good attitude and is optimistic about their future selling online. Be sure to check out 3zArt and Artfire Sneakers! You never know, your shop might be our next ambush!!

PiratePixieCrew is one of the many great shops on ArtFire! Her creations are unique and very cool! As you can see from the pics above, her art form speaks for itself!