How did you make your first sale?

[#1]

Hi there Daily Etsy Sellers!

Browsing through the members list of our team and looking at all your lovely shops, I started noticing we are a very diverse group of shop owners. Some of us have been on Etsy for years, others are just starting off and have yet to make their first sale.

Let's start a discussion on making that first sale. We all know it's that one magical moment, just that one sale, we're all eagerly waiting for when just starting out on Etsy.

So let's share!

It doesn't matter whether you only had a couple of sales or hundreds: please share your 'first sale' experience so new shop owners can be inspired.

Here are some questions that could help share your story with us.

- What things did you try to make that first sale? Share your hustle!
- What effort do you think ultimately triggered it?
- How much time passed between opening your shop and making that sale?
- What lessons did you learn from making that first sale?
- If you could do it all over, what would you do differently?
- What is your best piece of advice for new shop owners?
- What do you think is the best path to follow in order to get that first sale?

I can't wait to hear about it!

- Deb

[Former_Member]

Hello,
I'm new to etsy, and I have no sales, which does not worry me much because I understand it takes time. What if I worry is that the new stores do not have anything easy to be seen. This seems a bit unfair to me. What we have to do to appear in the search (apart from the key words, tags, description) .... having the same as the stores of the first pages, at least I can not see myself.

[Former_Member]

I have yet to make a sale and I would love some advice! I spent about a month researching before beginning to list items, I have been promoting on teams in Etsy and on Instagram and Facebook. I would love some advice!

Should I change the way I take the photos? Spend some money to promote my items? What do you think will work?

[Former_Member]

I joined Etsy in 2006 but didn't really get the shop going right away. I posted items here and there and let them expire. Wasn't quite sure what I was doing and didn't put much effort into it. Didn't make my fist sale until 2008. And it just kinda happened; I wasn't doing any promoting anywhere. Didn't make next few sales until the next year. Once again, I wasn't doing much promotion besides posting on my my already existing blog (now pretty much defunct). Then in 2010 I got a little more serious and ramped things up a bit. I made better pieces, nicer photos, and clearer descriptions. I joined teams and became more active in Etsy forums. I also promoted via Facebook then Twitter and whatever other social media platforms that popped up after. Since then, things have been sometimes slow, but generally steady.

[Maginternational]

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[Maginternational]

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[Former_Member]

https://www.etsy.com/ru/listing/180774100/love-cards-wood-anniversary-card?ref=shop_home_active_5
https://www.etsy.com/ru/listing/180805117/i-love-you-card-valentine-card-him-love?ref=shop_home_acti...
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[Emtizee]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/497314978/cute-panda-face-funny-animal-lover-bear?ref=shop_home_active_...

[bonniescollectibles]

Made my first sale in about a week of opening. I have found that the more you list the better you can do here. It seems like a sale will never come but them cha ching i have made a sale. I need to devote more time to my shop but time for me is a problem. Keep selling....

[artfulofexpression]

I made my first sale about 4months after I opened. It was to a family member she gave me a great review. I remember I was so excited when that first sale happened Yea I have my own business it was so exciting. I have sold art paintings before but wasn't very successful on the web. I still have a long way to go it takes lots of hard work and dedication. Lots of trial and error. I am enjoying hearing all these neat stories. Good Luck everyone.

[NewportRIPhotography]

I actually made my first sales once I joined a few Etsy teams and started participating. The games that get members involved, hearting each other's listings etc, really seems to work!

[Former_Member]

My first 2 sales happened through Instagram 2 people who had been following me had asked to buy something before the shop was actuallly open. To one of them I sold not using Etsy, the other one bought when I opened my shop. So I had a relatively good start, but waiting if anyone else will buy anything is still making me a bit nervous!

[Former_Member]

My first sale took me exactly one month to the day. It actually happened a few days ago. For a valentine's day wreath I made. It was a random purchase. I felt completely shocked because I was checking my etsy every morning as I usually do and there it was my first purchase! Now my goal is to reach my first 10 sales.

[Former_Member]

I made my first sale within 5 hours of starting the shop... It was pretty luck I think haha. But then we had 7 in the first week so it turned out well! Now we're taking a little break to build some inventory before we jump into a lot of sales. I think pictures and really hitting your category is key.

[Former_Member]

Honestly my first sell was a friend wanting to buy a pen. I asked if he'd buy through Etsy to see how the process went, to make sure I had all bases covered. First legit sale, not really sure. Just some random person bought a pen from me. I sent him a message saying thanks and asking how he heard about Plane and Proud but got no response. Only one more sale after that went the same way. www.etsy.com/shop/planeandproud. I'd love some feedback if there's some way to improve my shops appearance. There's a few obvious things I need to do and working on, but I'm no salesman and I'm sure there's a ton I should know.

Mitch

[Former_Member]

https://www.etsy.com/in-en/listing/266797447/35-percent-discount-faceted-crystal?ref=pr_shop
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[Former_Member]

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MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE.....

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Thank You

[Former_Member]

I've made my first sale some days ago.
It was a custom order for Valentine's Day.

I'm really happy and hope more requests would come. Anyway we offer also ready to print art.

This is new
https://www.etsy.com/it/listing/498699452/scarica-subito-il-pdf-per-stampa-rana

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone!

I made my first sale a couple weeks after I opened shop. The customer was a friend of a friend. The next few customers were in my personal network as well. It took me months and a lot of work before I made my first sale to a stranger. I noticed that as soon as I started working on my product photography and brand, I began to get sales from strangers. Now if only they came consistently!

[HopesDesignsJW]

I made my first sale on my Etsy shop about a month after I opened my shop - it was very exciting. It's been a slow start, especially since I am not very experienced with social media, but I am enjoying the experience. Making jewelry is new for me and I really like it. I'm hoping that 2017 is a great year in sales for all of us!

[purelyhandcrafted]

My first sale (and only so far) was to a friend that I work for. Sure I have had a few favorites and one review, but I am still working on photos and inventory. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Former_Member]

Hi! I just opened my shop late December 2016. And i haven't make any sales yet 😟 first time I just put my items in Etsy, but it doesn't work well. I learned through youtube that you must have bunch of listings to make people believe in your shop ( some said min. 20 items). I sell hand made jewelry...so I need time to make it and promoting it. I build my followers trough instagram too. Maybe i should start joining facebook 🤔
If anyone have any specific suggestions for new jeweller like me, would bee greatly appreciated 😊

[Mythcreants]

Hi everyone. My shop has been open for several months now and the only sale I've made was actually a trade with another shop. I'm having some trouble figuring out how to get my products seen. Everyone seems to be mentioning Pinterest but I'm not sure how it works!
Please, if anyone has some pointers for me, I'd love to chat.
Thanks,
Em

[Former_Member]

Welcome to our shop
https://www.etsy.com/ru/shop/UzShopHandMade


Uzbek national ceramic souvenir of baked clay
https://www.etsy.com/ru/listing/495751250/uzbek-national-ceramic-souvenir-of-baked


Sleeveless jacket for girl 2-3 years in the national Uzbek style
https://www.etsy.com/ru/listing/495993836/sleeveless-jacket-for-girl-2-3-years-in


Clutch in the national Uzbek style
https://www.etsy.com/ru/listing/509475781/clutch-in-the-national-uzbek-style

[Former_Member]

My first sale!!! Thank You Lori! By the way. In my store all buyers of a perpetual 3% discount on all subsequent purchases! Can share it with family and friends!
https://www.etsy.com/ru/listing/495351057/the-casket-with-the-lodgment-and?ref=shop_home_active_1

[Former_Member]

All your words are very encouriging. I am new here and still have no sales. I am looking around and see what work i have to do in my shop. This team really inspires not to give up. Thank you!