Advertising: Love It or Hate It?

Image above from Thompsondesigns

Today I figured I would talk about advertising a bit and share some links with you. This is an area that I am not the best with and am pretty picky about where I advertise. In the past, I have used Project Wonderful, CraftCult, and soon will be advertising with Etsy Item of the Day.

I have found the most success with CraftCult, but keep in mind that this site is pretty much seen by only sellers on Etsy. I found that I got a pretty nice increase in traffic and hearts the two times that I have used CraftCult. The site operators are very quick to respond and the pricing is fair in my opinion. I usually purchase the $15 for 7 days. I have found that when I see new ads, I click on them, but when it is a shop that has purchased the 4 week ads and I see them over and over, my eye tends to skip over the ad. Have you used CraftCult before? What do you think?

I just sent my payment to advertise on Etsy Item of the Day. Jackie, who operates this site and is responsible for finding all the awesome items and features, has been wonderful to work with in the past when I was featured (check out the sidebar box to the right of this post)! I will update when I hopefully start to see some traffic coming in! Have you been featured on Etsy Item of the Day before? Have you advertised on this site?

Project Wonderful is a great site as well. Sometimes it works for you, sometimes it does not. I personally have not tried full force to advertise using PW, but I have PW space available on my blog in two spots that people seem to get a great response from (at least those who have advertised with me and shared).

ADVERTISE WITH ART 2 THE EXTREME

In addition to offering Project Wonderful advertising, I am starting to use Etsy minis to advertise on my other blog, Art Lessons and Parties by Nicole. I set up this blog to begin offering art lessons, workshops, and birthday art parties.

If you are interested in advertising on my other blog, spots are $5 for 30 days. You get your Etsy mini on the sidebar (1x1 thumbnail) and then on the "Shop Handmade" tab (1x1 Large Gallery Etsy Mini). The first three people to sign up for a space will get an additional month FREE! You can e-mail me at art2theextreme@yahoo.com if you are interested in supporting my new blog.

Post your comments and suggestions below! We would love to know who you advertise with and what has or has not worked for you in the past!

The Craft Cult Ad is Up!

Here is a first look at my new Craft Cult Ad! Thanks to all who gave me feedback about the design! Does anyone else have an ad on Craft Cult? 

Let me know what you think of it or how the Ad has worked for you if you have used it!

11 Days until the wedding! EEK!

My Etsy Purchase and Current Favorites

I wanted to share my most recent Etsy purchase with you. After several revisions, comments, and votes. I have decided to go with this for my CraftCult AD. Yes, it might not spell out in words what I sell, but then again, it is along the other lines of the other Ads currently up. It is such a small space as it is and many other sellers just put up a pretty picture of their product. I click... but maybe that is just me. 

This AD was created for Craft Cult (Heart-o-Matic) by Etsian bubblegumgardengraphics. This seller was so quick to respond to my questions and had the first draft of the ad created in less than an hour. I think I confused them at first with what I wanted, but they do one revision for you. They were very understanding and worked with me to get the Ad looking how I wanted it to. My advertising will start on Tuesday at craftcult.com!  I highly suggest visiting this Etsian's store because I had a great experience!

I am sure I will be blogging more than once today, but I wanted to share some of my current favorites from Etsy! Happy viewing!

Cover for the Fall Edition of Create. Collect. Trade. (An ACEO Book)

Hello everyone!

I am back on my feet again and in desperate need of updating everyone and everything. Several people know some of the things that have been happening lately, but I am doing much better now. Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers.

I wanted to update you with the cover of the book and some sample pages to follow. For those of you who have been keeping up to date in the forums, the book has been pushed back to the end of December/start of January. We had a few artists go A-wall and was wanting everyone to get a fair shot.

I have heard so many wonderful things about many of you being featured in shops, galleries, articles and that is SOOOO AWESOME to hear. I would like to update and link those bits of good news (on my to do list), as well as post some photos from the conference and students using the book from the Spring.

I hope everyone is doing well and that the holiday season is treating you well. It is a busy, but welcomed time of year as things are "settling down" a bit more for me. Please do not hesitate to contact me. The best way is though my e-mail art2theextreme@yahoo.com or an Etsy convo (but those can get buried fast since I receive so many a day).

For those Etsians who purchased and AD space, here is the layout of the page!

I GOT A SPOT IN THE VENUS ZINE!

I have always wanted to try for a spot in one of the Etsy Cooperative Advertising Programs where Etsy buys a page or two in a magazine and features Etsy sellers with a picture and their shop name. 

Today I finally had my chance since I was available at 1PM EST and was very speedy with the mouse. I literally clicked on the button to purchase the $25 space, GOT THE VENUS ZINE AD, and was sold out a microsecond later. I think it said 19  out of 30 sports left when I purchased the space. 

Here is their online site (I have it linked to a fellow Etsian who was featured)....

Can you imagine thousands of Etsians all refreshing and trying for the same space with only 30 spots open? What a rush and very lucky of me. 

Congrats to all who got one and I hope those of you who did not get a spot on the next round!

Above is a sample of an ad Etsy put together for BUST magazine so you can get an idea...

Has anyone purchased a spot before or got this month's? Share here!

Move Mouse Over Cup!

Before you read anything else today... you must CLICK ON THIS! Talk about creative and interactive advertising!

Student ACEO card of the day (which can be found in the book.... only 1 pre-sale copy left).

This card is created by Garett, Age 9. The title is "Wizard." If you cannot read what it says (I think it is so funny), it says, "My wise senses tell me, It's a Mom!"

In other news, my first donorschoose.org grant was fully funded!!!!!!!! With this grant, I will be able to buy supplies for the Family Art Night where families will be creating ACEOs/ATCs. I have to smart small on the site before the site allows me to tackle bigger projects such as buying copies of the book for students.

I am also very excited because today was a half day for me, it is 71 degrees in Indianapolis right now, it is almost 8pm and still sunny, and I AM GOING ON A CRUISE! 

I absolutely LOVE cruises and have been on three in the past 2 years. I only cruise with Royal Caribbean, because they ROCK!  Anyone else cruise with them?

Anyways, it is not official, but soon will be hopefully. Now Eric (my boyfriend) just needs to get a Soc. Studies Job! If anyone knows of any job openings in the Indianapolis or surrounding areas, give me a heads up! It is a tough time to find a teaching job... 

Spring Break is Almost Here.... BEACH TREASURY!

My latest treasury is a beach theme since tomorrow at noon starts my spring break (I am a teacher)! Here are some really fun items for you to enjoy and think of warm thoughts. Too bad I am not going anywhere....

A DAY AT THE BEACH TREASURY LINK

I have also opened up Project Wonderful Ad Space if anyone would like to advertise on my blog, which is slowly, but surely gaining viewers! Let me know if you have any questions!