Day 6.

Branding is very important when it come to your business.  Having a "look" helps  online buyers feel secure and confident in purchasing from your shop. When visitors view your Etsy shop you want them to feel like they have entered the world of your work. You want to carry an aesthetic online, in your packaging, photography and in person.

Here are some questions to ask when creating your brand:

• What do you sell? How is it different from others?
• Who is your target market? Who are your buyers and who are they buying for?
• Does your shop have a mission? Do you have a cause and what does it mean to you?
• Do you have one thing people could identify your shop with?

Ask your self these question. Make a list. Do you have a reoccurring theme in your answers?

Now that you have an idea on how to create your brand, you will use this tool to build a cohesive, professional looking shop.

Some ways to execute your brand include:

1. Graphics. Use your shop banner, use certain fonts and colors to evoke your brand. Stay consistent and simple, but involve your shops personality.
2. Photography. This is a big part of how I brand my shop. I take my photos in the same spot. I  use the same background and take my shots in the same angle. They have the same exposure of lighting and when you view my page it looks clean and simple. 
3. Cohesiveness. Use the same graphics you use in your Etsy shop throughout you presence on the web. Use it for your facebook page, your shop blog, & twitter. Use your graphics and colors for your business cards, packaging, and put your logo on EVERYTHING. You can even do little freebies like pocket mirrors or magnets with your name. 
4. Descriptions. Use your shop voice in your descriptions. Reflect the personality of your brand with your words. Tell customers how your product is unique to just your shop. Something I do is use my shop name to name my product. I.E. Honey Bunnies or The oh honey child fox.
5. Customer Service. Use customer service to seal the deal. Being from the Oklahoma we all know how to treat folks. We know how to lay on the sugar and when folks receive a product from you, you want them to feel like they have also received a little piece of Oklahoma. I use words like folks, honey, darlin', friend, y'all, peach etc. to really convey my shop personality and my  personality. It's quirky and fits me. It may not be the bit  for everyone one, but you can keep in mind how your mommas and grand-mommas raised you :).

There is no end to how you can brand your shop. If you don't know much about designing graphics or where to begin, research it. Learn how to do these things, they are very important to the success of your business. If you don't want to learn or just can't get the hang of it HIRE someone. There are many talented and local designers out there. They can give you what you want.

Now I am off to make a new shop banner and design some new business cards.

-britt-

Day Three.

Day three is all about taking care of business, and folks I have to say I am knocking my list down fast. Today I designed two new patterns, finished prototypes, and stitched some pillows. I have been listening to Pandora, enjoying the rain and crossing things of my list.

Here is just a sample of my progress

Day Two.

Hey folks! Day two of the 2 week challenge. Today I will be talking about time management. To get the most out of my day I try to make a schedule to follow by. For my challenge I am  scheduling everything including house chores and errands. This way I know what I can accomplish and I can meet deadlines.

I am looking at these next couple of weeks like I am scheduled at a job. I will be in my  office by 10:00. Take an hour lunch. Then work until 5:00.

This Saturday I am going to make a trip to pick up supplies, but to make up for that I will do some over time on Sunday ;).

I know most folks don't have the time like I do. With day jobs and kids its hard to find time to do it all,  but I promise if you sit down and make even one hour everyday you will see an improvement.

Recap from yesterday's post I can already cross one thing of my list. I finished all my nerdy bears today :).

-britt

Day One.

Setting Goals.

I am a list person. I make list for everything. List are a major component when it comes to my productivity level. I love the satisfaction of crossing off item by item, finalizing the completion of my tasks.

Day One of the 2 week challenge will be making a goal.

Make your goals realistic.

My goal list:

• Make 5 Nerdy Bears.
• Finish Unicorn Pillows (2).
• Finish Beard Pillows (2).
• Make at least 5 new Owls.
• Photograph all above.
• Photograph foxes.

I am giving myself until February 15th to finish these task. I want to have at least 30 items in my shop by the end of my 2 week challenge.

So folks get to it, start making goals and crossing them off the list.