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8.18.2008

Are Adorable Kittens the Answer?



So after some advice from both etsy personnel and other sellers, I changed my avatar to a product on July 31st.

Views were....meh
Hearts were....meh.

But it's summer, No Big Deal.

That's what happens in the summer, I say to myself.

The Olympics are on, and kids are going back to school.
Folks are just busy. Too busy to look at shineys.

I switched back to adorable kitten last night, at the gently pushing of a fellow etsy seller that she missed the cute kittens. I was planning to switch back to a product shot tonight.

My overall item views increased some by 10 to 20 views (even on the LAST pages)
and my shop got 7 new shop hearts, and 6 new items hearts.
OVERNIGHT!

so,
Kittens STAY!

Moral of the story?

Just because EVERYONE thinks it's "better" to do something a certain way, doesn't mean it is.

Do what has proven itself BEST for your business, even if it's not what is the "textbook" thing to do.

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5 comments:

Moonchild Dancing! said...

Awesome advice! I have my kitty Toe Matar on my avatar and I'm very happy with him and I get more views then not having a kitty. It's not just about what's in your shop.. I think it's about the first impressions and your avatar is the first impression.. so if it makes them smile (ie:a cute kitten) they are going to check you out. More people like a cute kitten then they like earrings (as an example). Okay.. this rant went on a little long.. but you started it! :D Peace!

Tia Colleen said...

I click on anything with a kitten. Its true.

Anonymous said...

Those are the cutest kittens! I saw your thread in the Etsy forums, and have to admit, I clicked on it because I was curious of the answer!

Follow your heart!

3DCranes said...

Such cute kitties! And trust me, that's high praise coming from a dog person ;-)

I know I've seen you around the forums and I've always associated your username with a cat/kitten of some type. Maybe people in the forums are recognizing that it really is "you" again? Could that be a part of it?

Paw and Claw Designs said...

I was talking to my boss abotu this yesterday at work.

i kind screwed myself with the shop name, it is 100% non descriptive of what i sell. you have NO idea from my name.

which is unfortunate.

but if you told a space alien you where going to "old navy" he might wonder why you're looking at vintage battleships ;)

sure a product avatar helps some, but it seems like for me, the kittens are the bestest.

:)