Tips for Successful Giveaways

Seasonal Trees Motif

The Etsy forums are packed full of amazing information.  Etsy Forum Rewind brings these buried posts back to life so more people from the community can benefit from the information.  Here is the Original Etsy thread.
cicadastudio says:
These were my suggestions for running a successful giveaway ! I’m into my round 4 of giveaways with steady growth and I’ve learned a bit from the experiences and would like to share my findings.
My tips:
1/ Choose something popular in your shop or something that’s been creating a buzz for you already in your blog.
2/ It doesn’t have to be (shouldn’t be) your most expensive item, but it’s appealing to others to know they are getting something of value.
3/ Do it regularly, and pre-promote it as the time draws near for that initial post. People will check in from time to time to see if you’ve posted it yet.
4/ Tell people who enter your shop about it… put it in your banner and your profile. I even change my listing name to say “WIN THIS ITEM” and marked it as a featured item. This works particularly well if it’s something you can make more than one of… otherwise you’re listing it to give it away…
5/ Post in the daily Blog Love thread in Etc. and tell us you’re doing a giveaway.
6/ Put a little image on your sidebar that links to that particular blog post, and a title that says “May Giveaway- Enter to Win”, for example, so people can easily find it and casual browsers can stumble upon it.
7/ Use the word “giveaway” or “enter to win” in the post title. It will draw people in if you’re part of the blogging communities such as Blog Rush.
8/ Tell your friends and family- open it to all. It’s not quite seeding since it’s legit, but it does look very impressive when there’s a bunch of entries- people tend to want in to a popular thing.
9/ Also open it up globally especially if the item is not too heavy.
10/ You can ask people to leave creative comments- I’ve seen poetry contests and “give me a name for this item”. Maybe you want to get a pulse on your shop- ask people to comment on their favorite item in your shop (this can be very educational!)
11/ Be sure to ask people to leave some sort of contact info.
12/ Write an interesting post to announce the winner and make mention to check in again (per pt #3)
13/ Contact the winner asap and send the item out straight away.
14/ Have fun with it! It’s really nice to see the excitement that brews.
It will be a little investment, but as far as promotion goes, it’s really not much, so give it a try!

Winter Fox - Sticky Notes

New Giveaway

My friend Cindy over at Thimbleprims Studio is giving away this lovely Spring gal.....here is a link to try your chances at winning her


http://thimbleprimsstudio.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-blog-giveaway.html

Hoppin Down the Bunny Trail Swap

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Hear ye! Hear ye! A Rabbit Hollow Prims Hoppin Down the Bunny Trail Swap!!

Love spring, Easter, vintage and bunnies?  Well this swap is combining the all of them together. You come up with an extraordinary piece of art that displays all or some LOL. Sign ups will be until midnight on Feb 14th.
Dolls to be mailed to partners on or before March 21st, so you will have plenty of time to get your dollies done. All packages must get a tracking number or delivery confirmation (if possible), this cuts down on lost packages or people saying they have not received them.
Size range for dolls: Anywhere between approximately 9"-25". You and your partner can decide or you can surprise each other.
Each person will have one swap partner for this swap. The dolls can be any style, and you can use any materials-cloth, clay-but it has to be a doll no paper dolls this time please. You can use any pattern or design you want.
This is going to be so much fun!

The key aspect to remember is: we are all going to have lots and lots of fun!
Communication is really important in swaps. Email back and forth with your partner and email me, Sue, when you can to let me know if you're going to be on time with your doll, etc.
Please make a wonderful spring bunny doll creation for your partner, one you would love to own yourself. I'll try to match partners who work in certain styles, i.e. primitives with primitives, etc.
Before mailing your doll, please take a picture/pictures of it and forward them to me so I can post them on the Rabbit Hollow Prims blog once the swap has ended. All Participants must be willing to take a picture and post pics and a post on your blog once they receive their gift thanking and linking to their exchange partner.
If, at any time, you cannot hold up your end of the swap, PLEASE LET ME KNOW as soon as you know! I am going to need some elves as backup in case someone cannot complete a doll to make more than one. Please try not to let your partner down. I know I have been in many swaps where I sent and never received and it is a big bummer. Communication is key.
Swap Badge is at top of post. I would love it if everyone could put it on their blogs, too and make it clickable if you know how. Spread the word regardless, okay? This is going to be a fun swap and the more the merrier! Please email me and tell me the following:

Your actual name:


Your mailing address (including country):


Your preferred email address:



Your blog address/flickr address/ etsy shop, anything that shows what kinds of things you make:



Do you have a specific style, i.e. primitives, traditional, whimsical, etc.? Do you want me to try to match you with a partner who does the same style of dolls or it doesn't matter? (I can't guarantee I'll be able to match styles up, but I'll try).

Your favorite colors. Are there any colors you really dislike?


Do you mind swapping with an international partner or do you want to stay stateside (please note I may have to give you an international partner if they outnumber the stateside participants so keep this in mind)?


Do you have any allergies: (smoke, pets, certain foods, perfumes, etc.)?

Please comment below if you want to participate and leave me you email addy. I will Post participants on the sidebar when we get some sign ups.....

Monday Marketplace Feature OFG Artist Wilma's Whimsies

So Here's the Questions:
1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?
Willmaswimzees, it is the name of my pattern line. 

Although I made a mistake and used two L’s

in Wilma, but it’s after my grandma.
2. How long have you been on Etsy?
Since February 2008
3. What type of items do you offer?
Mostly prim dolls and e patterns. 

I have started making sweaters for small dogs.
4. How long have you been crafting?
About 12 years.
5. Who or What inspires you?
If I can’t find a pattern for what I am looking for,

for a reasonable price, I design one myself.
6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
Oh that’s tough.  I love the snowballs, 

they don’t melt.  But I like the Santa with his list too.  
7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)
        www.wilmaswimzees.com
        http://wilmaswimzees.blogspot.com/

Latest Banner

Here is my latest!

Primitive Wilhemina Flytrap Witch With Pumpkin

Ok she is just the cutest thing ever! Meet Wilhemina Flytrap. She is roughly 12 inches tall. She is made from muslin that has been painted for the look of olde. She has hand-painted eyes, sculpted mouth, separate eyelids attached on by hand and the cutest outfit ever. She is weighted on the bottom for sitting. her arms are made from wire and are poseable. Her dress is an awesome Moda fabric black with gray ravens all over it and the bodice is gray with black crackle through it. her hat is made from matching raven's fabric. In her arms she holds a big pumpkin...Great for a prim home this holiday season.......Oh and she has a vintage military button sewn to the front of the bodice....Pattern by Soft in the Head.......

SOLD THANK YOU!

2 More Newbies Up for Sale On Etsy

New Dolls Up NOW on LPS

I decided to add the new dolls today what with being so busy so here ya go:

http://www.lemonpoppyseeds.com/shoppes/psrabbithollowprims/

Come See

my friend Heather of Witch Hollow Primitives new blog. It is going to be awesome and she already has some neat items up like Witch electric lamps ......Can't wait to see more :)

http://witchhollowprimitives.blogspot.com/

New Updated Website

Just updated my website. I added a new slideshow of winter dolls to my gallery and also added a new FARMHOUSE tab to my website. On this tab, you will find farmhouse primitives such as prairie dolls, church dolls, animals such as pigs, sheep, geese, etc..... When you get a chance come and see for yourself :)