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

[530Lemurian]

10% OFF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE
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https://www.etsy.com/listing/494944075/libyan-gold-tektite-sterling-silver?ref=shop_home_active_29

[Moideplus]

I have been on Etsy about 3 weeks. There have been lots of views but so far no sales, which makes me wonder what ingredient is missing that gets the customer to look but not buy.
I have so much to learn and I it takes energy and self belief to stick with it, something i hear from many other sellers. Though sometimes I look at the map of the world and how many people are selling and then I think about my tiny, microscopic little shop and wonder if I am not mad to even try and sell something.
There is lots of support here which is great. I know the sale will happen and I will be just over the moon then hunting for the next sale. Patience is not one of my strongest points so Etsy is also a place to practice the art of waiting.

[Moideplus]

I have been on Etsy about 3 weeks. There have been lots of views but so far no sales, which makes me wonder what ingredient is missing that gets the customer to look but not buy.
I have so much to learn and I it takes energy and self belief to stick with it, something i hear from many other sellers. Though sometimes I look at the map of the world and how many people are selling and then I think about my tiny, microscopic little shop and wonder if I am not mad to even try and sell something.
There is lots of support here which is great. I know the sale will happen and I will be just over the moon then hunting for the next sale. Patience is not one of my strongest points so Etsy is also a place to practice the art of waiting.

[AristoKrown]

Hi to All, I opened my shop little bit over a year ago and had my first sale in a month.
I noticed that it's very important TO HAVE GOOD after sale. I only had 10 sales on Etsy in whole year and 5 good reviews. However I had probably about over 100 sales outside of Easy and I'm wondering why it's so difficult to be discovered here.

[ASweetFragranceart]

I made a very good friend on Etsy and my first sale came from her not long after I opened my shop.

[CreationsbySweet]

My first sale was a jungle themed baby mini album, 2014 Someone bought it for a baby shower. I didn't realize what packing and shipping would entail . . . it was received just in time for the baby shower. The buyer gave me a nice 5 star review. I've learned and grown since that first sale, and I realize that I can do this. =) I just need people to get those photos out of those phones and put them back into scrapbooks LOL

[VictoriaSilkDesigns]

https://img0.etsystatic.com/161/0/10583131/il_570xN.1145101480_i8n1.jpg

[Former_Member]

I made my first sale a couple days after my store opened, but it was because I promoted it heavily on Facebook! I had several friends who already followed and appreciated my paintings, so they were the ones who gave me my first sales. I also ran a "Buy 1, Get 1 Free" promotion to try and get some extra traffic through my shop.

I still haven't had a sale from a stranger, however - I'd love to hear peoples' advertising tips. I have a Facebook page for my shop, but most of the traffic is still from my friends and family.

Thanks to everyone for sharing!
Meg

[MotiBazak]

https://www.etsy.com/il-en/listing/493711760/wood-picture-inspirational-wall-art-gift?ref=shop_home_...

[PomFlore]

I just joined Etsy and we are selling French Children's clothing.

We have not sold anything yet but we are active on social media outlets (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest ..)

We have 33 SKUs listed for our Spring Summer selection (sizes vary from 6months to 10 yrs - depending on the model).

If anyone has time to look over our shop and share some advice with us - we would be most grateful!

We hope to sell soon!

Pom'Flore
Pomflore.etsy.com
@pomflore

[JulieDeeleyJewellery]

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/513110867/antique-gold-colour-glass-tile
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/513114015/funky-pink-contemporary-glitter-heart
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/499610708/sewing-machine-earrings-for-pierced-ears

[Former_Member]

Please visit my shop...Thanks...:))
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChenChic
https://www.etsy.com/listing/496015356/simple-but-elegant-bodycon-dress-evening?ref=shop_home_feat_4

[NataschaSood]

I've been reading some of your stories and I'm thinking what am I doing wrong. I opened my shop long time ago. Listed some items, forgot about it. Two years back I started to update my shop, working on it every day. Still learning about seo, networking, titles.... But in these 2 years, only 10 sales.. Nothing seems to work, posting every day on G+, insta, etsy teams, fb, pinterest. Doing sales, coupons.... I'm at a loss, hope to get some good tips from fellow members, who are doing better than me...
In my Etsy shop I sell a large variety of items. Beaded jewelry, crocheted and knitted accessories, toys, home decor, paintings, customized mandalas etc etc.

Have a look in my shop
https://www.etsy.com/in-en/shop/NataschaSood?ref=hdr_shop_menu

[NataschaSood]

I've been reading some of your stories and I'm thinking what am I doing wrong. I opened my shop long time ago. Listed some items, forgot about it. Two years back I started to update my shop, working on it every day. Still learning about seo, networking, titles.... But in these 2 years, only 10 sales.. Nothing seems to work, posting every day on G+, insta, etsy teams, fb, pinterest. Doing sales, coupons.... I'm at a loss, hope to get some good tips from fellow members, who are doing better than me...

[NataschaSood]

I've been reading some of your stories and I'm thinking what am I doing wrong. I opened my shop long time ago. Listed some items, forgot about it. Two years back I started to update my shop, working on it every day. Still learning about seo, networking, titles.... But in these 2 years, only 10 sales.. Nothing seems to work, posting every day on G+, insta, etsy teams, fb, pinterest. Doing sales, coupons.... I'm at a loss, hope to get some good tips from fellow members, who are doing better than me...

[FineSilverStudio]

www.etsy.com/listing/231150291/rose-quartz-silver-stud-earring-round?
www.etsy.com/listing/225296883/smoky-quartz-sterling-silver-post-stud
www.etsy.com/listing/281716618/blue-labradorite-stud-earrings-in-925
www.etsy.com/listing/231102520/natural-rainbow-moonstone-stud-earrings
www.etsy.com/listing/281714208/sky-blue-chalcedony-round-stud-earring

[FineSilverStudio]

www.etsy.com/listing/247697000/bold-stud-earrin
www.etsy.com/listing/225293908/sterling-silver-
www.etsy.com/listing/231151179/round-amethyst-stud
www.etsy.com/listing/225298637/smoky-quartz-studs-
www.etsy.com/listing/281714208/sky-blue-chalcedony

[Former_Member]

I just made my first sale yesterday! I am not sure how I got the sale. ARE WE ALLOWED to ask our customers how they found us? I just opened my shop in January. I have advertised in Esty teams, facebook groups, my facebook group and page, and Pinterest. Could have gotten the sale one of these ways.

[RUGSWORLDD]

Hello All.
I made mu first sale with a chance because of l met to a great lady.
She was looking for a runner so she favorited one my rug...
I wrote her message saying l can help you if there is something you are looking for..!
She said that she is looking for a pastel color runner rug which wasnn.t in my shop.
I said ok pleas give me chance to find it
She did and l found the runner by attaching many rugs for her
Everything wasn.t finished for me
I did.t have paypal or any other payment metods
I said her give me your adress by buying it
And l posted the rug saying receive the rug and send my money by western union
İt took about 20 days from begining to end
She got her rug and love it

Send my money and after she gave me a wondeful REVİEW

Thanks to all who have great HEARTS

[Former_Member]

https://www.etsy.com/in-en/listing/513848961/pietersite-fancy-cabochon-pietersite?ref=shop_home_acti...
https://www.etsy.com/in-en/listing/500361410/pietersite-fancy-cabochon-pietersite?ref=shop_home_acti...
https://www.etsy.com/in-en/listing/513848289/pietersite-fancy-cabochon-pietersite?ref=shop_home_acti...
https://www.etsy.com/in-en/listing/513848271/pietersite-marquise-cabochon-pietersite?ref=shop_home_a...
https://www.etsy.com/in-en/listing/513847401/pietersite-round-cabochon-pietersite?ref=shop_home_acti...

[KarsJewellery]

I opened my shop in May 2014 & I got my first sale in July but in total since have only had 14 last sale was in November - nothing since. I contacted a fellow Etsy shop that had had a lot of sales & she very kindly looked at my shop told me my photos were to dark - good photos really does count. Also my descriptions were not relevant the way I had them. So I went back through all my listings & got a few sales as I said 14 in total over last 2 years. I was working but since October am now part time & spend more time promoting thru Etsy teams. I also have web site/pininterest/instagram/twitter & facebook page. I sell quite a bit through Jewellery parties & have sold about 150 pieces thru that. Not sure how to get more I used to do a lot of treasuries - but am not sure if anyone does these anymore. I think the more you promote & get favourited the better is it. Was thinking of trying Amazon Handmade as I was invited to join - has anyone else sold through them?
Would also welcome any tips - especially as I have over 100 pieces of jewellery for sale, all handmade by me

[KarsJewellery]

Although I agree never give up as I have felt like giving up a few times. But have read stories in Jewellery magazines & the advice is keep going and believing.

[Former_Member]

I had been spending several days making my ribbon paperclips and elastic planner bands so I'd have lots to listings when I actually opened shop. My mom came over while I was in the middle of doing this and my table was COVERED in supplies. She told me my house was a mess (Thanks, Mom) and I told her it was because I was opening an Etsy store. She looked at my stuff and thought it was really cute! A couple days later, she came back over and asked where my basket of ribbon paperclips were. I told her I had put them away. She told me to get them out because she was mailing a Valentine's Day package to my sister and thought she'd love some of the music/band themed clips (my sister is a middle school band director). Since I hadn't had any sales yet, I told her she needed to create an Etsy account and buy them through there. She complied. Haha.

Then a couple days later, I actually sold an elastic headband to someone I DIDN'T KNOW! And then a few days after that, I sold to someone in a DIFFERENT COUNTRY!

I started sharing my listings on my Facebook page and some ladies from my church saw them and ordered several. One of them was able to figure out the Etsy app, but another just asked if I'd sell to her directly so I obliged. :)

Good luck everyone!

[OAKandSHIELDco]

- What things did you try to make that first sale? Share your hustle!
We couldn't believe it but we had our first sale on DAY ONE! Woot! We had posted all our poster hangers on instagram, launched FB and twitter, and put a grand opening promo code online. A nice woman found us through instagram and bought one of our posters for $50. We were filled with so much joy and hope, it was incredible. We sent her a nice thank you note with the purchase.

- What effort do you think ultimately triggered it?
SOCIAL MEDIA for the win

- How much time passed between opening your shop and making that sale?
A bit over 4 hours. Incredible!

- What lessons did you learn from making that first sale?
Social Media can be a powerful thing.

- If you could do it all over, what would you do differently?
We really need to work on our photography. I want to make photos look more "editorialized" instead of iphone quality.

- What is your best piece of advice for new shop owners?
Get out there and be proactive with instagram and social media. Promote your shop on your personal pages too... doesn't hurt!

- What do you think is the best path to follow in order to get that first sale?
Don't give up!

This was our first sale! https://www.etsy.com/listing/511781753/

[Former_Member]

- What things did you try to make that first sale? Share your hustle!
* I took the pictures in sunny day.
- What effort do you think ultimately triggered it?
* I have 15 different style knitted slippers , just list them all same time.
- How much time passed between opening your shop and making that sale?
* In 1 day made it. but second sale passed 15 days.
- What lessons did you learn from making that first sale?
* You need to make your shop to active.
- If you could do it all over, what would you do differently?
* Differently I showed the items on a live model
- What is your best piece of advice for new shop owners?
* keep your shop active, and create different design and list more items.
- What do you think is the best path to follow in order to get that first sale?
* keep active.