how to run a successful etsy shop...

many of us like to create in some form, right?! and wouldn't it be wonderful if we could bring in oodles of dollars for making what we love?! well, while i am not an expert in this matter,  i DO have a few opinions and ideas on how to run a successful etsy shop... [side note: yes, my own shop is empty for now but it's for a very good reason... and it will be back up by spring]

1. show off your work....

flickr is a wonderful spot to display your work and let others see the goods you offer... while you cannot put prices on your stuff within flickr or have a link on your photo page to your shop , you CAN have that link in your profile... there are TONS of groups in flickr that you can join and this will help you get your goods seen by many others... groups range from specific crafts to illustrations to specific colors to general topics [including an etsy group]

of course, you also have your blog for advertising... before you even put items in your shop, you can show what you're offering... especially if  you are going to sell one of those items [like a unique handmade skirt]... in fact, my big suggestion is making a specific date for adding a ton of goodies in your shop.... this will allow people to get their funds together and anticipate that date you will put it up... even if you have an etsy shop already up, you can do a "grand re-opening" and advertise a month in advance... everyone always enjoys going to  a store on opening day and it's no different than online...

2. but, what if you don't get much feedback or hits on your blog or flickr photos?! how will people even see your advertisement?

if you don't visit other blogs or check out photos of others, no one will know your blog exists... so that means, checking out people's links... go to popular blogs, go to average blogs, and find blogs by others who don't get much hits either... you may find some good online buddies who will inspire you and also give you a bit of confidence... after all, let's be honest- who likes keeping up with a personal blog if no one visits?! may sound superficial but it IS disappointing to find no one interested in what you do...

3.find other spots to advertise...
melissa garrett has a special spot on her blog that supports entrepreneurs... her prices are so reasonable! the first 3 months are free and after that, it's only $5 for an additional 3 months... it's a good start to advertise and it won't break your piggy bank... [note: i am sure there are other blogs and sites that small fees to advertise]

4. for those who do illustrations and like to sell them, try out illustration friday...

now, let's be respectful... if this week's theme is tales and legends, make sure whatever you are submitting really fits into the theme... by entering into such websites, you are advertising... people will discover your blog, your site, and may be interested in buying some of your works...

5. for those who do crafts or other handmade goods, you can submit your work too!
there are many contests out there that you can enter... you can submit your work if it fits... whip up has info on their submission guidelines... they also have whiplash, which is a contest... while you cannot use it to sell your work, it is A GOOD WAY TO JUST GET PEOPLE TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN MAKE... [again, its all about getting your work out there for others to see]... there is also craftzine, which does reviews of work... you can even suggest your site...

6. have a variety of prices and items...

pricing is always tricky when it comes to selling your handmade work... often you don't get the amount you deserve and rarely do you get paid for your time... but of course, you ARE selling to customers and NOT to big magazine clients or agencies... these are people who want your goods for personal enjoyment and not for resale or for advertising... so it's good to have a variety of items with prices ranging from high to low... you can sell your big items quite pricey... and you can have lil doo-dads for small dollar amounts...

here's my theory: there are people who are tight on cash but would love to enjoy handmade work SOMEHOW... for instance, they like my work... while, they may not be able to enjoy a custom illustration, they could afford and enjoy a mini illustrated notebook...  once they SEE how good my work is, they will WANT to save money to buy something more expensive later on... even for those  NOT tight on cash, allowing them a chance to buy something small and inexpensive will give them a chance to review your work... they see how well crafted your item is, and they WILL come back...

7. be willing to adjust your prices for a period of time...

yes,you DO deserve BIG BUCKS for your work but many people don't have extra money to buy unnecessary goods... for instance, people don't NEED a greenbeanbaby illustration... people don't NEED a handknit scarf... these are items that people use, enjoy, want, but CAN live without... however, you can ENTICE people to want your items by having a sale... you can have a one day sale where your prices are slashed by 30% or higher... you can have a buy one get one half off sale.... you can do free shipping for one weekend only... by being willing to adjust your prices momentarily, you WELCOME people of all financial status, into your shop... personally, i cannot afford to buy a $200 coat but if that coat is on sale for $10 [haha], i'll feel like a hotshot for being able to afford such a luxury and will rave about it to EVERYONE... while you don't have to have THAT extreme of a sale, a person can still feel like "wow, i got a good deal! next paycheck, i am gonna splurge at that shop"...

hint: sometimes if you start your shop with lower prices at first, it lures more people in... again, it gives people a chance to buy your work and review it [and rave about it]... you can slowly raise your prices and most people won't even complain... in fact, some may tell you "your work is worth WAY MORE than you charge!!!" and right there, it proves that people will be willing to pay the real price in time... but you have to give people a chance to know your stuff...

8. when you ship items from your etsy shop off to a customer, add on...

write a thank you note... throw in a bit of extra goodies... if you check out that person's shop or profile and see they like buttons, send them a few... or send them a wee bit of pretty ribbon... and of course, wrap your item elegantly!!!! you can buy color tissue paper at the dollar store, so it's not expensive to do this! wrap your items nicely and throw a bow on it... people love getting a chance to open up a gift [even one they bought for themselves]... the beautiful presentation will leave an imprint in their mind... they will see the time and effort you took to send out an item they paid for [and may have slightly regretted if they didn't even have the money to buy it in the first place but was enticed :)]

9. have a giveaway...
you can host your own giveaway or contest, which will help you in a number of ways... one, it brings people to your blog... it will give them a chance to view your site and take a look into your shop... it motivates people to check out your blog more frequently [especially to see if they won]... and for that person who wins, not only will they get a chance to review your work for FREE, they will [hopefully] rave about the win and tell others..

10. lastly, don't get too discouraged if you don't make many sales at first...

give yourself time... give your shop time... etsy is a big site full of thousands of crafters and their goods... while yours is unique and beautiful, it CAN get lost in the site... that is why advertising is important...  that is why it's so important to do something unique with your goodies when they are shipped off... if it takes awhile for a small business shop to succeed and get a profit, online shops are not much different... you put time, effort, sweat, and sometimes tears into your shop and having few customers CAN BE DISAPPOINTING... but don't give up... talk to other etsy sellers and ask them questions... find out what they do that makes their shop successful... again, be willing to adjust prices... be willing to take the time to meet other crafters... and when people compliment you, thank them! thank them for stopping by your blog...thank them for commenting on your flickr... if they inspire you, thank them for being an inspiration... all this will  give you and your goods a good reputation... and in time, it will give you a successful etsy shop...

note: please know that this post is NOT a 100% guarantee of 100% success in the etsy world... these are my opinions based off my experiences as a seller and as a buyer... i took the time to post this in hopes that some of this WOULD be of help :)

Comments

[Nina]

This is really great Ellia!! I am sure there are those that do appreciate the time you took to write this:)

[Anastasia]

wow!! oodles of great information...thanks for being so generous with your experience and advise!! it helps - greatly appreciated sweetie!

[Heather Price]

Thanks for all the great information! My shop is pretty new and I can use all the help I can get....

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5329225

[Wendy]

This was great! Thanks for all the time that you put into this:) I think that OMSH (www.ohmystinkinheck.com) offers FREE advertising on her blog!!

[amy]

This is really good information thanks! I started off trying to see what other people were selling under the sold items. Then I tried to "fit in" with what other people were buying. I realized that the only way to succeed is yes to be yourself and make your own unique items that no one else will have. I think this is the most important tip!

[Kate]

Thank you so much for this very insightful post! All your experience and advice is much appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to write this - it's certainly given me a few things to think about!

[tracey]

Thanks Ellia - great information here. Thank you for taking the time to share with us. One day I'll find my niche craft product and get it out there, one day.....!

[Rosa]

Amazing things! I can't believe you get so much done with too under-the-weather babies. You rock!

[Margaret]

Great advice!! Thank you.

[Karen]

Fantastic post Ellia. Good sound advice, I'm on it!!

[Alina]

This is such great info, sometimes I do get discouraged. This post just gave me so much more knowledge and inspired me.

[Simone Whipp]

Very informative and useful information Ellia. I am looking forward to your shop opening again in the spring. Any chance of a peek at the spring collection before then? :-)

[kiwi]

Hey! I'm actually doing some of those steps. Weee! I'll be successful in no time :)
Great list, Ellia.

[Kristen Mary]

I also found this post very encouraging. I do go a while without a sale but it takes me forever to get things made to post too. It is funny you mentioned advertising when you put several things in your shop at once because I'm a total sucker for that!! There are so many times that a crafter will announce that their shop will be restocked on such and such a day and I even put a note in my yahoo calendar so it alerts me right away on that day. (especially when you restock your shop!!) :-)

[Sharon]

This is good advice, and will prove very helpful to me in the near future, Thank You.

[Ester]

I just loved this post, it's amazing how your advices can be so correct!! ;)
tkx sweetie for your kindness in charing these "secrets"!!
xoxo**

[Anne]

Thank you so much for writing this!!!! Very helpful! Fingers crossed for all of you (and myself!) who begin a Etsy store!!!!!

[Chrisi]

Thank you so much for sharing. I have an Etsy shop, but don't have anything up right now........you have inspired me, I need to get busy.

[Nyx]

Thanks for the write up :) You are write about not getting replies, though thankfully I use my blog to remind me what I have been doing and have a few friends who check it as our scheduals don't match too much :)

[Jen M]

Very practical. The networking part is SO important, as crafty peeps are planet-wide these days. As an antipodian, I need to remember that Etsy is there for everyone... and get on to putting some things up for sale, waving a great big red flag.

[Jhoanna]

Fantastic tips Ellia!

[Deborah]

Thanks for this. My SIL and I are talking about opening an Etsy shop; this has been very helpful.

[cindy k]

thanks so much for the tips! i've been thinking about opening an etsy shop and this information is very helpful. best ... cindy

[amy]

This post could not have come at a better time, I just registered my shop and am working hard to get some items listed! It is a bit daunting so I really appreciate your advice, it is great :)

[Peg Grady]

Thank you! Your article gave me the kick in the butt I desperately needed. Off to do some work on my shop...

http://www.peggradyart.etsy.com