Summary: Storefront is a start-up that's changing the way online sellers like Etsy sellers do business in the offline brick and mortar world. I know, I know... You started selling on Etsy to take advantage of the international marketplace and global traffic that selling on Etsy provides but Storefront is offering a unique service that doesn't detract from your online selling pursuits, but instead aims to balance it with a physical presence...on an "as needed" basis. Experiential retail... Sound intriguing? Well it did to me, and that's just part of what I talk about with Tristan Pollock, co-founder of Storefront, a San Francisco-based company whose mission is to get people who have something to sell connected with a place (offline) to sell it, be that retail stores, community events and/or conferences, etc. I first connected with Tristan on Twitter and found the whole idea quite interesting at a time when everyone seems to be looking to get into the online arena. After exchanging a few emails and talking on the phone, I decided it would be nice to introduce their service to you and have Tristan explain it in his own words since I didn't trust myself to write up a blog post that would do it justice. As with all service providers, Storefront offers a paid service and I want to point out that I have absolutely no financial relationship with the company. I am not a paid affiliate of theirs and I get no money or other incentive for promoting their service. This is truly an "I think you should at least take a look at what these folks are offering" kinda deal. :) Since this not a major holiday shopping season Storefront might be good to re-visit during the busy selling season if you're thinking about having more selling venues for your handmade crafts and looking to expand your crafting business during that season. After listening this time around, you can simply bookmark this post and the podcast interview and come back to it when you think the time is right for you. If you'd like to learn more about what Storefront has to offer you as an Etsy seller, they've put together a handy pop-up guide that teaches you how to open up shop in your city, it's called the Ultimate Guide to Opening a Pop-Up Shop and there's even a section solely dedicated to Etsy sellers. The guide is free but you'll have to provide them with your email address to get it. If you're looking for ideas and inspiration for taking your crafts offline (in addition to still selling on Etsy of course) then check out the Storefront blog and read about how others have done it and what their experiences were like. PS: please take a minute to leave a review of the podcast in iTunes and/or Stitcher. That really helps to get the word out about the show :)
