30 April 2012

How to Create a Successful Craft Blog

Like many of you, etsy was the main reason I started blogging. What seemed to be a mandatory step to get the word about my shop out formed a life of its own and turned, thanks to you, into a living and breathing organism that keeps on inspiring me to grow.

Illustration by Anna Emilia

Before I continue, I feel compelled to forewarn you that this post is not going to be bulleted, numbered or colored for ease of skimming. I doubt you will get the quick fix for your a successful blog if you don't have the time or the patience to read between the lines. So, just to test your devotion, today there will be a few lines to read between. 

I have to admit though that the reason why the Kanelstrand blog grew so fast is closely connected to my etsy shop - a totally unsuccessful venture at the time (not so much now, I hope). Yes, you read that right and I am ashamed of that fact but it's the truth.

I was offering unique felted bracelets that took days to make (you can follow the process here) and which, if I had to price accordingly would have been impossible to sell to anyone except the Sultan of Brunei perhaps.

Thankfully, the lack of interest to my heartfelt and arms-hurting felted jewelry let me concentrate on the blog. After the initial emotional and creative surge of setting up an online shop followed by an incomprehensible (to me) lack of sales, I needed to put my inspiration to action. I joined the best team on etsy, team EcoEtsy, and became a staff writer for a great green site called Green Living Ideas. I kept on writing every weekday for my blog but I had made a decision to not turn it into a personal blog. Instead, I wanted to share knowledge. I wanted to give.

Illustration by Anabel Bouza


Talking about giving, the first time I was asked to organize a giveaway was by a wonderful crafter, who has ever since been an inspiration to me - Julia of Whispering Willow - right after a very successful interview on the pages of Kanelstrand, and after reading the extremely positive feedback to their amazing handmade hygiene products. 

From then on, almost no Wednesday has passed without a giveaway on Kanelstrand. Unlike many bloggers I don't charge to organize giveaways. I simply want to give back to as many hard working eco-conscious souls out there as I can.

And, talking about giving back,  in the autumn of 2011 I organized a massive campaign for Team EcoEtsy members, offering them 1 month of free advertising. Starting last month, I have one ad space booked for a different EcoEtsy member each month.

In other words, it's all about YOU giving. Your readers don't come to your blog to give, they come to take from you. And the more you have to offer, the better. Don't worry that you will be left without. There is enough of everything for everybody. What we are missing though, is love, and I suggest YOU start giving it!

Good luck!    



14 comments:

  1. Your love and generosity are evident in everything you do! Thanks so much Sonya!

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    1. Laurie, they are provoked by you! Nothing is worth without having friends to support you as you do!

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  2. thank you for you words of wisdom again! :)

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    1. Maša, thank YOU for and commenting! Wisdom on its own is pointless. The company is way more important, and you are a great company.

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  3. The illustrations you chose are charming. It's true, people read blogs for what they can learn or for a laugh or inspiration. You have many followers, so obviously people feel they are receiving something of value from your blog.

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    1. The illustrations are great, thank you for noticing! I adore both ladies who drew them!

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  4. Thank you for sharing! Your blog is wonderful and I look forward to reading it often. I agree with you about blogging, once I changed my format to sharing inspiring and creative ideas (two thing I am very passionate about), blogging became more enjoyable and a big part of my business.
    Valerie
    Everyday Inspired

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  5. Sonya your writing is so encouraging and i do love these illustrations ! Such an amazing journey you are on ...happy to be here to see it unfold !!

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  6. I think offering free ad space to your teammates is a great idea! And I completely understand your dilemma with your felted pieces and pricing; I'm in a similar boat and have had on my to do list to add prints to my shop for oh-I-don't-know, a year maybe? Time to get on that! I'm brainstorming less time-consuming handmade things to sell as well. A lot of people who make things from felt also sell felt and supplies, but I don't think I want to go down that route right now. Lots of decisions. Oh, by the way, I love those illustrations! :)

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    1. Mary, I love your felt accessories! But I also understand you so well about looking for a less time-consuming handmade possibilities. I went exactly down this road. Especially after I started having physical problems out of too much work...

      The thing about prints is that... well, the market is over-saturated with them too. I guess it is a matter of great advertising and luck too!

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  7. Ahhh, this was a great post. As the recipient of one of your gorgeous bracelets I can attest to the fact that they're lovely. And having done a bit of needle felting I can only imagine the time involved! However, the 'failure' (and I don't really believe we fail, ever) of the business launched this blog, which has in turn led to your magazine, which will in turn lead to a new adventure. The secret is learning to go with the flow of life, not resisting change and growth. I think you're doing pretty amazing at figuring that out! For the record though I learn tons and tons from personal blogs everyday, perhaps not about running a business, but more about love, live and learning. Can't wait to see what you'll pop out with next... :)

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  8. This was touching! So glad to have found your blog! ♥

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  9. Always loved reading your blog, Sonya--and I like how you point out the evolution of it from when you started to how it is now. And double also--I do love your felt bracelets, and feel the pain on pricing handmade art online (where ppl don't generally shell out the deserved 50 bucks for what is actually worth 75 bucks) but I again I love your needlework talent. I wish more ppl knew how to do needlework like that, it's a dying art.

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    1. Thank you Rachel. I miss your presence around here! You've come up with a great portfolio website :)

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