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

[Ivey Handcrafted]

What wonderful wonderful information. I really appreciate this and have added this to my favorite for future reference. XOXO!

[Patty]

You have offered a lot of good advice. Thanks for taking the time to share your 2-cents!

[Susy]

This was a great post! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this...it's really great to be able to get all this advice in one spot! It's a slow time of year...and this was a great reminder for me. xx Susy

[Quidnunc]

Great ideas for self-promotion but if I could just add one comment to your # 8. If your item is something that can be damaged if exposed to water (nearly everything), consider placing the item in a plastic bag before packaging it. Do this especially before wrapping your item in colored tissue paper because those colors run and the post office is not always as careful as we would like them to be. You can suck the air out of the bag so it will not add anything to your shipping size and it shows your customers that you care about the quality of the product they receive.

[Brooke]

Great post - I've been pretty successful on etsy but it's always good to read what others are doing to see how I can adjust and renew my efforts. Thanks for the post!

[Karin Grow]

Loved this article. I just started here a month ago and found the information to be very useful. Luckily, I do a lot of these tips already, so it's nice to know I'm on the right track. I love having my shop here on Etsy. It's so much more fun than the brick and mortar shop I own. If business picks up, maybe I can do this full time instead. Karin

[CC]

Thanks so much for sharing your great ideas and blog with us. I am always looking for new ways to promote (my least favorite activity). This is a valuable resource.

[Karin Grow]

oops, type-o in my URL . Karin Grow

[Diana]

I have finally decided to open an etsy store to sell my art prints. Now that I read your article, I am super excited and inspired to really focus on it. Thanks for the advice! :)

[auroramae]

Thank you for this post! It does get frustrating at times and you forget it is like any other business. I am so glad you wrote about Flickr, because I just erased my links that were on all my pictures. I read another blog tonight saying she just got in trouble for links. So you have now brightened my day by letting me know I can put links in my profile. Yeah!

[Di]

Much needed stuff that needs to be mentioned. I'm still working on my perfumery blog, but I am putting quite a bit of investment in an alternate blog that is friendly to indie plus size fashion: http://fatchic.dianarajchel.com

Blogging is pretty simple once you catch on, but it does take some commitment!

[Carmen]

Thank you so much for your great tips and for your generosity in sharing them with us who are still learning. Your artwork is absolutely adorable!!!!

[Kelley]

WOW, this is fantastic!! This is up and above the usual Etsy advice. I love it! Thanks so much for sharing.

[Stacy Alexander]

What a great article! Would you mind if I republished it on my art blog? There are a lot of artists out there who could really benefit from this information!

Thanks for the great advice and for your consideration!

Stacy Alexander

[Anandi]

Nice post - thanks for the great info and new things I hadn't thought of :)

[Lucy]

Hello Ellia,
I have found you via your friend Anastasia, and wanted to thank you for being so generous with your advice and tips on Etsy selling. I am about to set up an Etsy shop and your information is very much appreciated...thank you!
xx
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14350517@N02/

[Donna]

Great advice here! I especially like the part about not giving up!
http://donnapool.etsy.com

[Michele]

Thanks for the info! Have been considering an Etsy shop, but have been intimidated to do so.

[Net]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your tips and opinions. There is certainly some advice I will put to good use! By the way, your illustrations are just beautiful, I'm looking forward to spring when your shop will be back up!

[belle]

You are quite insiteful and inspiring, I greatly appreciate your pearls of wisdom. I am very much a shy lurker and rarely leave coments thanks for the shot of confidence.

[Jox]

thank you so much for this. I have been thinking about getting my shop up and running and this has given me the push I needed.
thanks again for the tips.

[Muriel]

Thanks for all the advice!
I'll take it up right away: I'm offering a little giveaway in my shop
http://www.doucepoints.etsy.com
You only have to be the first to send me a convo about it.
Thanks!

[Jenn]

Thank you thank you for this post. I've been tossing the idea of an Etsy shop around with my husband, and having these "insider tips" outlined for me really makes me feel like its possible. :)

[pipnstuff]

Thankyou so much for the info Ellia. I launched my etsy late January and your words are so encouraging (especially point 10 about not giving up!) - very helpful! Thankyou so much again.
My etsy: http://www.pipnstuff.co.uk
PS Loooove your illustrations!!

[Roxy]

I loved this article, it was just what I was looking for, my new Etsy shop needs a kick-start. Thank you so much for the advice. I'm gonna have me a sale right off.

http://www.roxyjewelry.etsy.com

[Kat]

Thanks for the great article!

[Lisa Clarke]

Thanks for the tips - lots of good stuff in there!

[Ruby Re-Usable]

Thanks for the tips! I have been making and sometimes selling art all my life, as well as teaching classes and workshops, blogging since July 2006 (Olympia Dumpster Divers), but only just started an Etsy shop and a flickr page this past January, so I really appreciate any suggestions on how to make a go of it. Other suggestions: persistence, perspiration, inspiration ... and a little luck! love, etc Ruby Re-Usable

[Corinna LyonsRevello]

Thank you so much for writing this article! I have an empty etsy shop and needed some insight. I haven't seen your shop, but will definitely be visiting it when you reopen.

Corinna
my blog www.myscrapbooklife.com

[designsbyjenean]

great and helpful advise. Thanks for sharing.

[Adam]

Fantastic article! My older sister has been interested in doing this, but didn't know where to start. I will certainly be sending a link to your blog her way!

http://www.livingwithanerd.com

[Rebecca]

Thank you so much for the advice, I have already contacted Melissa Garrett and she awesome. Thank you again :)
Becca

[Dana]

Wow, thanks for the great tips! I have just created a shop after being fed up with eBay all the fees & recent changes. The good news is it has encouraged many of my fellow eBayers to set up shop too! Your blog is a definite help :)

[Sheila]

Thank you Ellia for the great advice! I just opened the door to my shop a few days ago and your article has given me some great ideas and will hopefully help me in selling on etsy. Thank you so much for sharing!!

[Christina]

I stumbled across this link from Craftzine and must say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! I am in the process of getting a shop set up now (I'm in the crafting things to sell stage)! http://www.dayswithoutlines.etsy.com -- Stop by when things are up and running!

[shalana (a.k.a the funky felter)]

What a wonderful article! I feel that at this point I'm doing most of your suggested tips, but I do need to work on my blog. Thank you for the help :)

[Robyn D]

Your extremely generous and informative article came at just the right time. I commenced my shop, HotFudge, last month and after one immediate sale, was left wondering what I had done wrong. I read your piece over breakfast this morning and realise that I will have to work a little harder to improve my profile. Thank you so much for all your helpful tips.

Robyn Dixon

[Erinn Johnson]

I just decided to try and start selling my on etsy (clearpink). I am in the process of designing a site and am toying with the idea of doing a blog.
I just wanted to thank you for the information. I think that it will be very helpful.
erinn

[Sammie]

hey a BIG thanks, i feeling quite low at the moment and needed this. also your work is great. love it

[Julie B.]

GREAT, GREAT advise! Thank you for the woderful suggestions. I am working on a new blog as we speak...cross your fingers!

[Sabrina]

Wow what fantabulous info! Thank You!
I am new to Etsy...so I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedddd HELP!!!

Ilove your artwork, it is so cute!!very creative!!

[CateHolst]

Great information...thanks.

[Indiscretion]

Excellent tutorial! I wish this information was a permanent fixture on Etsy, thanks!

[Kari]

Thank you for taking the time to write out this great advice - not only applicable to etsy shops, but craft businesses in general!

[meagz]

excellent advice, thankyou for sharing with us :)

[kelly]

Thanks for writing such an informative and helpful article, you rock and I love your etsy store.

[Kelly]

Thank you so much for this article. It was reaffirming in a lot of ways as I am doing all the above *smiles* One thing I need to work on more is advertising -- I mean paying to advertise. I really appreciate that you took the time to put so much specific information in here.

Since I started listing on etsy, I make sure to update my blog nightly. I am going to consider your advice and update my blog just as frequently, but have possibly a weekly listing.

I think I may also take your advice and do some sort of promotion. I do have a mailing list and they ALWAYS get some sort of discount, but I am considering doing a promotion for those not on my list. I would have never thought to do that were it not for this article *smiles*

Thanks again! Sorry I am wordy!!

[jes anthonis]

thanks green bean!

[Lis Garrett]

Ellia! I have had about 1000 (and still counting) hits to my "Support Entrepreneurs" page over the last few days thanks to this article. WOW!!!

[JoAnna]

I too have found this information to be very helpful. Thanks so much for sharing what you know and good luck to all of you who have created a shop on Etsy!