177 - Growing An Offline Business Into An Online Business w/Shah of Lil Spaces | Etsy | Arts & Crafts | DIY | Ecommerce | Handmade | Crafting | Online Shopping | Entrepreneur Interviews | Internet Business | Online Business

Shah is an online friend that I was fortunate to meet through and because of the podcast. It feels like we've known each other for quite a while now but this was our very first IRL (in real life) conversation. She runs the Etsy shop which, unlike most Etsy shops, started off first as an offline pop-up shop then migrated to an ecommerce website and then finally to Etsy! I like the evolution of her business and how she eventually found her way onto Etsy and you'll get to hear the unique story of exactly how it happened in our convo this week. Have you longed to get media exposure and have the positive "fallout" that follows that? Well listen in to hear how Shah's business received a great deal of press and how you can replicate a similar process for your own business. But there's a caveat... You'll have to listen in to hear what it is :) We had a nice long conversation and here are some highlights of what you'll hear us discuss in-depth: Working with a business partner & going it alone Product line development Running an independent website - pros, cons, and tips for doing it well Balancing an Etsy shop vs ecommerce website Shah's D.E.B.R.A system for keeping up with business tasks Etsy Resolution and why you might want to participate the next time it rolls around From Buzz Feed to Interiors Addict to Babyology... Getting media attention and how to capitalize on it and keep the momentum going Shah's experience being a finalist of the 2015 Etsy Design Awards Shah's Etsy Shop ShoutOut - Phoenix is the cool lady behind this Etsy shop where she sells whimsical greeting cards, mugs, and gifts. Hi Phoenix!! :) - Lauren Munn set up this group for moms who sell on Etsy and want to connect. Lauren has been a valuable member of the Etsy Conversations community for a long time and I highly recommend that if you;re a mom and you sell on Etsy you strongly consider joining Lauren's Facebook group Resources Mentioned Freelancers: -find people of all skill levels and price ranges to do website (and other technical and non-technical) tasks for you Search Engine Optimization tools: - SEO plugin for WordPress websites; - website by Brian Dean with information about using link-building for website traffic and SEO Getting media exposure: (Help A Reporter Out), (similar to HARO) Recommended Reading: this article by Lauren Munn is a refereshing and honest piece on why her Etsy shop failed but there's a really great message in the piece - Contact Shah Etsy Convo: on Etsy Email: Shah [at] LilSpaces [dot] com Social media: , Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com For more help growing your Etsy-based business, check out these resources: