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1000 Markets – Indie Haven & Heaven

2 March 2009 16 Comments

Launched by Matthew Trifiro just a few months ago, 1000markets.com (it’s still in sneak preview, aka beta mode) is already attracting the attention of hundreds of artisan merchants and indie-minded shoppers.

I would liken Matthew to a “marketplace anthropologist” as he has attentively studied and observed marketplaces in the real and the online world to develop his model. He explains that, without the proper support, opening a website is akin to setting up a stand in your own backyard… where there is no – foot – traffic and where no one but your immediate neighbors will know you exist. If you’ve had any eCommerce experience, you know how challenging it is to get noticed. And, that’s where 1000 Markets comes in.

When establishing its new marketplace concept, 1000Markets decided to focus on the merchants needs first, giving them all the necessary tools to market and distinguish themselves, at very little cost and with minimum tech drudgery. Merchants may present their wares through various marketplaces, but only once they have gone through an unofficial but rigorous filtering process. This makes for a better experience for the buyer, who can easily see that this is an environment where the best quality merchants get the maximum visibility and hence are easier to find. The cream rises to the top, so to speak.

The market is built in a way that, like a real live marketplace (the “original” social network, as Matthew remarks) artisan merchants can express themselves through the built-in social tools. This tells their stories and humanizes the shops.

You will be tempted to compare 1000Markets to Etsy. But don’t. The experience is vastly different from both, the merchant’s and the buyer’s perspective. Merchants (artists & designers) are easily lost in the Etsy marketplace and thus, so are buyers. 1000Markets shops are intuitively organized in marketplaces by theme (i.e. “The Boardwalk” where all things related to the beach and the sea), by location (“Handcrafted in Seattle”), by medium or technique (“Papercraft”) or by category (jewelry, eco-friendly, garden, etc…). The 1000markets seems more approachable, emulating the synergy or a brick & mortar marketplace.

I have already bookmarked way more treasures than my budget permits… But, please, do tempt me further by letting me know what you have found through this delicious markeplace experience.

16 Comments »

Matt on 2 March 2009 at 1:01 pm

Great article for your terrific blog. Thank your for sharing us with the world!

Matt
CEO, 1000 Markets

Bella Tu Jewelry on 2 March 2009 at 1:51 pm

I’ve been a merchant at 1000 Markets since December, and I have been consistently struck by how very different and special a place it is. So glad that you wrote this great piece to spotlight it!

http://www.bellatujewelry.1000markets.com

Delight Worthyn on 2 March 2009 at 2:00 pm

I am a seller on 1000markets and it has been a wonderful experience,the community is amazing.And now that I have also been a buyer I can say that the experience was seamless.Thanks for the positive write up!

http://delightworthyn.1000markets.com

BeachyRustica on 2 March 2009 at 2:53 pm

Thanks so much for the mention! The Boardwalk offers a wonderful collection of coastal art, sea glass jewelry, and everything coastal; and 1000markets is the perfect home for a coastal boutique. Come to 1000markets to find your favorite market!

http://boardwalk.1000markets.com

Sue Choppers-Wife/ninedragons on 2 March 2009 at 3:27 pm

I adore 1000 Markets, the merchants that are members and the team behind it’s creation. It’s highly professional, support is over the top and have you seen the products throughout? Thanks for featuring this great venue!

ARTRUSSELL on 2 March 2009 at 4:16 pm

Thanks for a wonderful article! 1000 Markets administrators, merchants and customers are developing that magical component called friendship.

http://www.artrussell.1000markets.com

Sea Glass Things on 2 March 2009 at 4:32 pm

I have to say – I am a seller on 1000 Markets an LOVE this new venue for selling handmade. Not only is it beautifully laid out – it attracts high quality work from very talented artisans. It also has such a wonderful feel… everyone is so supportive and welcoming. I am so excited to be part of the 1000 Markets future!

~ Marla
Sea Glass Things
http://seaglassthings.1000markets.com

Sapna Mehra on 3 March 2009 at 10:29 am

I recently joined 1000 Markets and it’s a wonderful place to be. I am new to selling online and the interface is clean and beautifully designed and extremely easy to use. I love browsing the site and discovering merchants that create many unique and diverse products. Thank you for featuring the site here!

http://sapnamehra.1000markets.com

Betty Gibson on 4 March 2009 at 1:43 pm

Thanks for the great article on 1000markets.

Mary Ellen Golden on 5 March 2009 at 10:10 pm

Thank you for discerning the quality of 1000markets and helping tell interested shoppers about us. Please come and visit again. We are growing every day with new shops, new markets, and new products.

Deb Blazer on 6 March 2009 at 4:39 pm

What a great article! Thanks for promoting 1000 Markets. It really is a great place to be!
http://www.blazerarts.1000markets.com

DreamWoven on 7 March 2009 at 1:45 pm

Clear and concise article. Thank you for taking the time to do it. As a merchant there, I am thrilled with the presentation, the professionalism and the thought of what the future will bring on this site. A unique buying AND selling experience!
http://DreamWoven.1000Markets.com

Victoria Webb/furiousdreams on 8 March 2009 at 8:42 am

I recently joined 1000 Markets and what impresses me is the founders’ expertise in interactivity and community building. I’m not sure that Etsy ‘gets’ the idea quite as well, as evidenced from the ability to blog on 1kM, and the Market venues.

I also love the interface and the fact that it’s easier to be noticed on 1kM. My hunch is that it’s going to take off in a big way!
Thanks for your great article.

http://www.1000markets.com/users/furiousdreams

Double Brush on 17 March 2009 at 5:38 am

Thanks for the info. I have my own blog, websites, etsy site and am considering artfire and 1000 markets for our handmade soy candles and natural soap.