Hi Eureka, I really appreciate this open forum. One question I have is about Etsy prohibiting contacting our customers through email (spam) unless they have opted in to do so. So email is considered spam and I agree with their policy, but if I send actual mail, like postcards with promotion coupons or samples to my previous customers, is that also prohibited? I'm going to ask this in the main forums also.
I currently create upcycled mosaics - sometimes using jewelry and beads. This has also led me to develop an interest in vintage/preloved jewelry. Some of the stuff I pick is just too good to break up - so I want to try my hand at selling it. Should I have a section in my current shop or open a new one?
Hi Ganev! First of all, I really love your shop. It is very fluid and original; also, I really like the fact that it is all tied together through mosaic.
As for selling vintage jewelry, I think that's a great idea! In my opinion, if I were you I would simply list the jewelry in a section of your shop rather than open an entirely new store. Now that your shop is established, your current followers and admirers can see your new items. See how that works for a while and if you find it is too confusing then you can always try opening a second store. Keep in mind that one Etsy shop is challenging enough (at least for me anyway). : )
Adding jewellery to your shop could work if they have a clear theme across them. For example I know a glass artist that sells ornaments and jewellery as they are all made from glass. I know another lady that does a similar range in clay.
If as you say you are using beads in your upcycled mosaics it will have a theme that you can build on.
Thank you Sandra for your lovely kind words about my shop - really, really appreciate them.
I think you are completely right - I will just have a section in the current shop because this jewelry thing has come about because of themosaics anyway! Also, you are so right about one store being challenging enough - I'm still only learnng the ropes with this one!
Thanks Sandra - you have helped me to make my mind up! If you ever you need any advice from a novice like me - just let me know!
Thank you too Dayz - there is a sort of theme that I go for - because I buy them to use in mosaics, they are usually beads - large and small of many colours.
I will also put something in my about section explaining why I'm including jewelry too - how it came about.
Thank you very much for your input - much appreciated.
@River Pebble, personally, as a shopper, that would irritate me. If I am a good customer then why would you spam me? The only way that it would be acceptable is if you do offer a special promotion. I would not just send publicity without the customer getting something in return.
@Ganev, sorry but I don't agree. Clearly focussed stores with clearly defined USPs (Unique Selling Points) do best. You need to be really carefuly that you do not begin to be too diverse so that people can keep connecting with you.
Branding or having a USP is vital and increases the value of your store. For example, if two companies are selling exactly the same product but one has a clearly defined brand, the one with the brand will be able to charge much more for their products. It will also be much easier to remember the branded company.
Adding different products to your store would need to be done with very careful considering because you run the risk of diluting your brand which currently is your handmade mosaics.
You may make one or two sales of your new products but it could be to the detriment of your existing product line.
I just received the Paypal instructions to add a banner for their new option to pay later............the instructions don't really apply to Etsy sites.......does anyone know how to do this with our sites?
Eureka - thank you for your input. I take your point - this needs a little more thought on my part - I think I'll just wait and see how it works out for the time being with the mosaics - thanks again to all for your contributions:)
@Donna, no, sorry, I don't know anything about that. Would be interested to find out if anyone knows though.
@Marlene, not sure what you're asking. There are two treasury threads, one for team treasuries and one for general treasuries. There are separate threads for the Craftori Pinterest Board invites and also a general pinterest thread to leave your links.
Maybe I've misread, but when I went to look for the uplink lead to pinterest, i could not find it, so I had to get in through google. that's ll I asked. - Marlene.
So I've changed my mind on how I'm going to list the variations on my ready made square stickers.
Instead of 3 designs in one listing I am having 1 design in each listing with 2 sizes. This seems to be simpler.
**Just for information you can then go on to give them different prices and the listing will show the lowest price with a + next to it. For example:
If they are £4.00 and £4.50 depending on the size it will show:
£4.00+
I think this is too confusing right now so am showing a set price and then how many of each size you can have for that price. Fingers crossed this is straight forward. :)
I am trying to understand the fluctuation of traffic on the shop. It suddenly seems to have slowed down. Please could you suggest ways and tools to sustain or rather increase the traffic.
Vaishali - everyone has huge fluctuations, even the top sellers. Traffic to Etsy itself varies by season, etc. There is no way to stabilize traffic except by increasing it substantially. Doing that is the secret everyone wants. Success on Etsy requires a unique product niche, low prices, relisting products as often as you can afford, and listing new ones to get as many items in your shop as possible. These are some of the "secrets" that most people agree on.
@Vaishali, Murray is right, traffic will fluctuate and you'll get to understand this as your experience online grows. One thing is sure and that you can never ever sit back and expect it to come to you. When selling online, you need to constantly be pro-active in driving traffic to your store. You also need to understand how to set up your shop for the best SEO results and ensure that all the most important keywords relating to your products are in the right places in your listings.
In the UK we always have a very quiet spell during the school summer holidays. When the kids go back to school in September things start to pick up for the run up to Christmas.
Over time you will spot these cycles and know you have lots more time to make new items for the coming season.
Thank you Dayz, Eureka and Murray......as far as i am getting to understand somewhat is that a unique / niche product line is priority and then attractive prices. Dayz - thank you for the input of selling season / cycle.
Though i must admit, Etsy keeps you on your feet...it keeps you busy figuring out ways and means to extend your market. thanks again :)
lots of good info on pricing. it is quite difficult. I have a happy medium but feel I should get more, however I sell more on outside Etsy custom orders. I'm not ready to give up tho....
