The Shop Files

for shop owners, makers, and etsy sellers

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  • Brainstorming a little something fun (and sorta top secret? and also totally off the cuff like I just decided right now) but anyyyyway.⠀ If you could ask a fellow shop owner or maker anything you wanted... what would you ask? like ANY-THING.⠀ ⠀ • liiiike how long it took to make their first sale? when did they decide to expand their product line? are they making the same thing as when they started? but seriously, what's the best shipping option? how do you....? let's hear it below (and if you wanna chime in with an answer too, feel free!!)⠀
  • the best part of running your own business? writing your own story.⠀ ⠀ you get to decide how to present your products, the way you talk with your audience, and how you share the things that matter to you. ⠀ ⠀ and while much of your brand is also determined by what your customers think, you do have control over the initial narrative. ⠀ the things you continually put out and do consistently will become your calling cards. so what do you want to be known for? ⠀ ⠀ what makes you stand apart from your competition? how do you make your customers feel part of your story? ⠀ ⠀ i'd love to hear what you stand for in your shop + something you admire of a fellow shop owner! amazingly gorgeous stock photos from @skyladesign! go check her out!!
  • simple shifts sometimes make all the difference.⠀ build it and they will come is as outdated as it gets... but when you change it slightly, it perfectly supports the kind of business we all want to run = a happy and healthy community of babes that get excited for you, want to support you, and can't wait to buy what you create next!⠀ ⠀ So today let's talk about letting GO of the stress on growth.⠀ ⠀ For the next week, just focus on pouring everything you can into your current community + followers. (and because stats are fun, did you know it costs 5x more to sell to new customers than it does to earn a repeat customer? so focusing on your community literally pays off!)⠀ ⠀ On Instagram:⠀ That may mean spending extra time responding to comments or questions left. And I mean REALLY responding - with intention, with care, as if that person was really standing right there sharing their thoughts with you.⠀ Or it could mean spending some time checking out your followers feeds' and leaving a thoughtful or supportive comment (that of course has no plug to your business, just genuine conversation!)⠀ ⠀ For your email list:⠀ That may be coming up with a fun freebie or printable for them to kick off the summer months ahead! 💌 ⠀ For past customers:⠀ What can you offer them to show your appreciation - early access to new items? an exclusive discount? a free shipping offer?⠀ ⠀ Instead of chasing new followers or finding new customers, how can you give back to the ones that already choose to join you?⠀ ⠀ *Build it and they will stay* is your new mantra. Repeat it. Think of creative ways to give back. Focus on giving and be happily surprised what you get back.⠀ ⠀ Tell me below - what are some ways you give back to your audience/customers? ❤️ ⠀ (and pssst. there's a new Instagram freebie for anyone interested in getting clear on the basics. 30 tips to improve your Instagram, starting with the basics and working up to growth strategies! Link in bio to grab today!) 👆🏻
  • happy happy monday!! i'm actually feeling ready to tackle this week and really excited about my to do list (whhhhat?) if you've been waiting on an email back from me, get ready! cause i'm feeling chatty 😜⠀ Using just emojis, how would you describe your to-do list this week? ⠀ mine are 💇🏼💌💻📸🛍📦🏃🏼‍♀️⠀ #thecreativegrid⠀ ⠀ ⠀ gorgeous home space and 📷 by @almostmakesperfect
  • Guyyyyyys. You all are the most wonderful squad that ever was. Thank you thank you for all the kind thoughts sent my way (and to others!) over my last post. I think we hear it a lot that "working for yourself can be isolating" and while I'm not sure why I thought I'd be above that, feeling that for yourself the first time can be crushing. ⠀ If I can share only one amazing thing that came from sharing that it's that truly truly you are not alone -- reach out to someone, maybe even today before that feeling happens, so you have someone to lean on in the future. I always thought "I like doing this on my own", but mannn was that silly. Scroll through a hashtag feed (ahhem #thecreativegrid) and pick a few accounts to say hi, leave a nice compliment, or ask how they're doing. We'll all go farther together + I'm so grateful for each and every one of you!!!⠀ ⠀ To keep on my love fest, I'd love to continue learning more about your business and how and where I can help. This was a big reminder that I feel most fulfilled and happy when I focus on others and help you achieve your dreams... so I wanna know, what's your big cray cray business dream?!⠀ ⠀ Spill 'em below!
  • Vulnerable real talk tuesday... is that a thing? ⠀ guys it's been almost 2 weeks since I last posted... and I wanted to come back and either act like that never happened, or have a really good reason. After all, I'm up here most days talking about being consistent! showing up every day! plan ahead!⠀ ⠀ .... and yet I totally failed at all of that...⠀ ⠀ and frankly when I stopped posting there was no thought or plan behind it, I just stopped one day. And couldn't get myself back into it.⠀ ⠀ I didn't realize how much I needed to take a break - not because of what you might assume like I'm overwhelmed with work - but because I was feeling so down and blahh on everything. (and please this is not sympathy fishing ;)⠀ I worked tirelessly on The Shop Files for over a year before making a single cent. I poured time and energy into it because I'm passionate about retail and content strategy and social media and felt I had something to share with all of you ridiculously wonderful creatives out there who have such talent, and I wanted to match up my talents in order to skyrocket yours to new levels.⠀ ⠀ What I didn't expect was to start kind of disliking what I created... can anyone else relate to this?? Am I crazy?⠀ ⠀ Like many of you with a full-time job, I have limited time to work on this and I'd love to work on this ALL THE TIME. So I started to resent it. It started to be painful to work on it because I couldn't do all.the.things I wanted to do. I started to ask myself if I should just stop because it won't ever be "the perfect vision" of what I want it to be.⠀ ⠀ So I wanted to say, I'm coming back. I've re-worked my priorities and where I really want to focus so I can move faster towards a revised idea of that "perfect vision" and be more accepting and grateful of just how far I've come up until now! I hope if you've ever felt this way, you take a moment today to also accept and be excited about the point you're at right now- today.⠀ ⠀ I'm literally sweating posting this. Have you ever felt this way with your business? Is it okay I put it in the dog house for a few weeks? Thanks for your understanding squad photo from @inhonorofdesign #tuesdaystogether
  • it's been awhile since we all said hello here and since i WISH today was Friday 🍷, I guess we'll just celebrate #fridayintroductions on a wednesday (hellllo rebels) So share a little about your business or yourself- I'll go first! 🙋🏼 I'm Kate- a taco loving, diet coke drinking maniac who lives to laugh and be ridiculous. I'm rarely serious, even when when talking about serious topics, I like to think I can always see the good - or strange hilariousness - in any moment. And I'm a recent dog convert- on a scale of "0-never getting a dog" to "10-melissa mccarthy in bridesmaids" I went from a zero to a solid 7 after fostering two wonderful snuggle bugs over the past couple months. So DO NOT be alarmed when you see me add a CBO (chief bark officer) to The Shop Files someday soon 😝 If we were sitting down for drinks tonight, would would I learn about you?! 🍻 #winewednesday #capturemycraft
  • "provide value. provide value. provide value." I know you've heard that before, whether it was from me here or on another site. We all talk about providing value to your customer as the way to earn their trust and increase sales. ⠀ But I know what many of you may think... I'm selling accessories or pretty clothes, there's only so much VALUE I can really provide.⠀ ⠀ So here's the good news... think simpler!⠀ ⠀ The value doesn't need to be over and above life changing advice. It can be as simple as what @popupgreens did here, which was to add "stack em for added height" referring to their planters. Simple + valuable! I've certainly never thought to do that before, but it's such a dead easy design tweak, plus it looks amazing, PLUS it makes you wanna double your order (which let's be real - is really a win-win-win!) ⠀ ⠀ What simple bit of value can you share with your customer this week? #thecreativegrid ⠀ ⠀ Image from @popupgreens

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