So I did it, I started an Etsy shop. Now, don't get too excited yet. There's nothing in it...
I have so many ideas in my head for things to list that I can't quite gather my thoughts. I've been working on things for the past few weeks and hope to have items up soon.
I'd love to get your feedback. For those of you who have an Etsy shop, what's one thing you wish you knew/were told before you got started??
Pictures matter. Make a lightbox if you have to. Get familiar with your camera. Your first picture doesn't have to be a pic of the whole thing. A great tease of a picture will get people to click on your listing.
ReplyDeleteUse all 14 tags!! If you use a word in your title, you don't have to use it again in the tags.
Find a team. Network, network, network.
I am sure I will think of more,lol.
I LOVE Etsy!!! Congratulations on taking the plunge!!
Everything! Ha ha! Oh my golly I did not know what I was doing when I started. After a while of not really selling I started lurking in the "critiques" forum on etsy - learning what people were saying most about things and that helped me a lot.
ReplyDeleteIf you go into the forums and type in "tips" to the search box at the top, you're going to get a lot of great info. It can be a lot of reading, but if you're serious about your business then I think it's worth it.
Also found this very helpful:
http://papernstitchblog.com/2010/06/21/top-ten-tips-for-better-product-photography/
My big thing is communication - let the buyer know you got their order and when it will ship - building a relationship with buyers will go such a long way for your business.
I wish I could help! I chose Big Cartel to sell my items.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I'm thinking about opening a shop in the future so thank you for posting this. I'm reading all the comments and taking in the advice as well. Good luck with everything.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your venture...I can't wait to see how it goes. I must admit, I'm very curious to how it all works...so glad you posted on it. Please summarize all the good advice you get and add another post later!
ReplyDeletesmiles!
www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com
I opened mine recently too, but also have not posted anything yet. My main issue is figuring out the best way to ship & developing shipping policies.
ReplyDeleteBudget fro relisting. You will relist a lot before you make a sale. Also You can try Zibbet for free with coupon code MONTHOFF http://www.zibbet.com/madeonfifthstreet/sell This saves a lot on the relisting fees and is a great venue to get your handmade items out there.
ReplyDeleteChoose your username VERY carefully! You cannot change it. I couldn't commit to a store name, so I just used my name, and now I so wish I would've just gone for it.
ReplyDeleteUse indirect lighting for your pictures. Find a good location, use morning light, and keep small props nearby for interest.
Make a treasury every so often, and then message each person to let them know you featured them. It's a win/win/win. I did that yesterday and had 600+ shop views, and lots of ♥'s. Plus, the more views & comments on your treasury, the more people will look at it, etc. It's a nice cycle. :)
Use all of your tags.
Put your shop name into your tags.
Use Craftopolis & Google analytics to track your stats.
Geeez, maybe I should do a post on this!
:)
that once you pick your shop name, you're stuck with it unless you want to start over with a new shop.
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased you posted this. I am thinking of setting up a shop too. Really need the inspiration to take the plunge. Reading these replies though it sounds rather complicated!!! Good luck with your shop. I am sure you'll do really well.
ReplyDeleteHi! Congrats! I started my shop in June and it's been quite the learning experience. I think the one thing I have learned so far is that the networking and promoting is important but the number one most important thing is putting passion into what you create. I actually took a break from being online constantly in forums and blogs and just got refreshed and found it so inspiring. If you don't have a great product nothing else matters!
ReplyDeleteAlso, the Etsy forums can be a nasty place. I've joined some teams and found some great support that way! Good luck!