Etsy created a 15-member Seller Advisory Board to provide feedback about the challenges sellers face and, in its words, "to play a key role in shaping the way future decisions are made." We spoke to Robert Brunson, Etsy's Community Outreach Program Manager about how the program will work - you can read more in Wednesday's
Newsflash article.
The program reminds me of eBay's Voices program, but with many differences. Voices was a secretive program - participants felt they were unable to even disclose they were members due to non-disclosure agreements they signed, even when talking to journalists.
eBay Voices participants, who were able to remain members for many, many years, benefited tremendously from the program:
- They received advance warning of what changes were coming down the pike.
- They could also reach out to people at eBay to get any problems with their accounts fixed (and frequently did so, from what we could see).
Ultimately the eBay Voices program appeared to become more of a sounding board for eBay to help it package unpopular changes by knowing in advance what objections sellers would have.
Etsy's program is different in several key ways. The company is encouraging all sellers to reach out to advisory board members - it can be as simple as using the company's Convo messaging system to provide their feedback, which they will pass along to the company.
While members of the board will have to sign non-disclosure agreements, Brunson said Etsy wants participants to discuss their experiences, while keeping quiet only about such things as products Etsy may be working on. Etsy will also share videos and be open about the board meetings.
Each SAB member will oversee one of 15 subcommittees, each made up of about 15 members, drawing more voices into the program.
And the term for Etsy Seller Advisory Board members is 10 months (through the end of 2016).
What do you think of the program? Will the transparency that Etsy is trying to bring to the board help it avoid some of the problems other such programs have encountered? Will you feel comfortable providing Etsy with your feedback through the program?
The AuctionBytes Blog has been giving a voice to online merchants since its launch in 2005. Named one of the world's top 30 blogs in 2008 by "Blogging Heroes." Weigh in with your thoughts on the joys and pitfalls of selling online.
Will Seller Advisory Board Help Etsy Hear Sellers Voices?
by: NiciArt 
by: White Rabbit