They also have to do the ridiculous whole workaround thing, it's crazy. And infuriating! I only use my phone at this point, so I don't do the workaround, but what a huge pain.

And yup, if so many people are just using their DSLRs and the workaround, then what is the dang point of requiring smart phone uploads only? So dumb.

People can search using hashtags...so use words or short phrases that you'd use to search if you were looking for it. If you want a particular person or account to SEE your post specifically, then use the @ symbol w/ their user name after it. For example, let's say you wanted Maximo to see something, you'd put @wfieldsforpets in post.

I also only use my phone too. I don't have the time to take professional shots on a camera (don't even have a camera now :D) and then transfer onto this app. Waay too time consuming, as if it's not time consuming enough already with all the photos to look at! ;)

I don't get those who use their DLSRs either! Kind of silly...they're just trying so hard, it's kind of lame :p Unless, I guess they're trying to sell stuff - but then, maybe that's what Etsy is for?

When I first started using I.G, I read about hashtagging. Many articles suggested having 10-15 hashtags, but then I stopped caring and hashtag whatever comes to mind. The more the merrier!

Usually, I get sucked into looking at ppl's photos for a long time after I post my photo and then I click on the tags I've used and see what others have posted. On the top, there's also related tags and then you can keep looking at more and more - so I think that's where the random likings come from.

Ok girls thanks for the tips. Yea I use an actual camera bc my cell camera is crap. It's an older HTC phone and it has what people are calling "purple haze". It's a hardware problem that the camera overheats and burns the lens, so everything is purple unless you are in bright direct daytime sunlight. It's sucks. It used to be pretty good in semi dark areas when new. So I have to use my actual camera. And since none of the cell companies are doing the 2 year contract thing with new free phones, I don't see either of us getting new phones any time in the near future. Bf's phone is even older! They are both the smaller smartphones from about 4-5 years ago.

@canana, I was only selling etsy for a long time, but there are so many things I don't like about etsy anymore. So many people selling things that aren't really handmade. But bc those sellers make etsy a lot of money they get away with it. It's totally unfair. then etsy started this "shop update" thing recently. I kept seeing other people's shops on my homepage and wondered how they did that. You have to upload through their app on phone only, so more workarounds. Then you can share with IG so that's when I started getting a bit more active on IG but still have to learn all the tricks. I keep getting tagged by bots with the whole "free followers" spam. It's so annoying. What is the point of fake followers if they aren't actually going to buy your stuff? Pointless!

Ahh.. I see. I once considered making stuff and selling on Etsy. Then I realized I wouldn't be making much and competition is too crazy fierce. Dropped that idea pretty quickly! I heard about changes on it too, that makes it even harder to succeed on it. Oh well.. best wishes to your business though :)

In regards to the spam. I hate it! I always always always report the account! And then I block the account. It's in the 3-dot option thing on the top right. All the spam violates I.G. policies.

How does everyone take nice photos with their smart phones? Mine is only an iPhone 4, not the latest and greatest camera, but still should be decent. I think maybe I don't hold the phone steady enough when taking pictures.

I find that pictures taken outdoors result in the nicest photos! Otherwise, yea, you'll need to develop steady hands.

Or get one of these nifty tripods: Flexible Portable Tripods | GorillaPod Tripods | JOBY.com I have the magnetic one and I love it. It's really cool because it can cling onto anything metal and then otherwise you can use the legs to wrap around stuff. They sell a clip for cellphones or you can use it for your camera.

I like that tripod! I use one sometimes for my point and shoot camera and the pictures come out better. Must be my shaky hands. It's really hard wrangling 2 Yorkies and holding the phone steady at the same time when we are outdoors. The extra light definitely helps.

UGH, I'm just so confused about the Shop Udpates thing, and how it all works and whether I should use it. I don't really understand it all to be honest. Where does this stuff post that you upload thru the app...like on social media or something...?

I think good pics via the phone are hard! I have the iphone 5 and it's not the greatest camera at all. I find that the lighting really does need to be GOOD for the picture to even be just okay. And yup, super steady hands needed. I really do not like using the flash, ever, as the pics then look terrible.

Do you follow or "favorite" any shops on Etsy? Those are the ones that will show up on your home page under the shop updates. The more updates you do, the more often people who follow you will see it. Usually I have been doing "sneak peek" or work in progress pics to post as the updates. Some other shops I've been following use pics of customers or internet famous people wearing their items. Then you have to tag the pic to an existing listing you have in your shop. After it's posted, you can share it on IG, FB, whatever.

Attachment 409410

What's your etsy shop name? I will follow you and favorite your items.

I also have two gorilla pods. Make sure you buy the one for your camera. I have one for my point and shoot, and one for my Sony Nex. It even can handle it when the zoom lens is on and extended all the way out. Of course you have to adjust it so it balances. I've found them for cheaper on ebay but make SURE you buy the authentic one from Joby. The cheap knockoffs are just that. Cheap!

This is where I'm confused...when you say "after it's posted" -- where do you mean...? You mean like if I posted a picture on Instagram or somewhere..? Or posted it to my shop somehow...? I just don't understand where I'm supposed to be posting these "updates". Ugh.

This is my shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnnLangloi...tion_leftnav_2

Smile. As a direct result of this thread I am now on Instagram!! MajesticMrMonty. Now I get to figure it out ... sometime more to squeeze in. Exciting!

When you click on the hashtag you can see everyone who's used it.;)

Ahh, ok. So that's how random people are finding me!

Ok first things first, do you already have the "sell on etsy" app on your phone or ipad? It's different than the regular etsy app. :rolleyes: Yeah I know. If you have any pics of your work from clients who have bought your art, that's perfect. Like how the painting looks in their space. Use that as your "shop update" pic. So you go into the Sell on Etsy app, and go to menu on the left, and click Update your shop. After that it's pretty self explanitory. After you're done, it will post on all your followers' home page on the Etsy actual website (like the pic I attached earlier). On your phone, it will also give you an option to share on IG, FB, etc. Hope that helps. I'm not the best at explaining stuff, but once you download the app you will get it. It's easy. I'm probably making it way more complicated than it is.