Tips and Techniques Discussion - July

[rhodyart]

Most retailers in the brick and mortar world are already finished or in the process of finishing their orders and preparations for the Christmas holiday season even though it's only July. What are you doing to prepare for the Christmas season?

[GraceEarrings]

Good morning

Xmas ? !?!?
I honestly dunno since google ranking / traffic has completely dropped off
I really dunno how much items / inventory i need to stock up or prepare for.

Nov/dec can get hectic so
I will be using the slower time to test run a new idea , a new product etc.
I don't do any major photo editing/ products re-do / etc in nov/dec
I think i will use those times only for making the customers order.

[Former_Member]

Mostly just trying to build up shop inventory, which I need to be doing as a new shop anyway. I am tempted to do some more of the wintery things that I love to do anyway now that I'm thinking of the big X in December.

[LunaJunction]

I just opened a third shop with vintage Christmas in it. In time for CIJ and to be renewed for the holidays.
....yes, i'm crazy....

[rhodyart]

Sunny, I won't say you're crazy. If you think you can promote and run all 3, more power to you!

I just analyzed my Christmas cards and pulled down the ones that I really dislike (lol), and I'm going to be making a bunch of new ones.
This year I hope to offer the handmade calendars that I always give as gifts, and I know it'll be a quandary as to what to charge for them.
And I'm thinking about ornaments. Not so much Christmas oriented but ornaments for year round.
I would love it if someone decided to buy one of my larger works as a Christmas present but I don't expect that so I'm really going to push my smaller stuff as stocking stuffers and last minute gifts

Etsy is running a Christmas in July promotion--I don't know off hand if it's going to be just Christmas oriented but I decided to offer a 20% off everything sale if people use the CIJ coupon code at checkout.

[rhodyart]

What are other people doing in regards to preparing for Christmas? Do other long time sellers have tips and advice? How about marketing your shop--what are you going to do?

[barbsheartstrokes]

I pretty much do Christmas all year. I am amazed when right after Christmas or Valentine's day or Thanksgiving one of those items sell! I guess I try to stock everything. You never know. I had a gal who bought Halloween gifts for birthdays in July and August.

I also try to participate in the Etsy site Christmas in July promotion. This year putting everything in my shop on sale. This will help me think more fall and winter items during the HOT July and August months!

[Former_Member]

I am honestly building up my shop, working on adding necklaces and on new techniques. Besides that I am looking at packaging, those are my main two things right now.

Karina

[LaGlasSea]

Ugh I have to get through the craft show scene first. But I will just finished making Halloween night lights and jewelry for my shows. I will start on Christmas items this summer before school starts. This is my first year with my business so I am learning to stay a head of the holidays.

[Former_Member]

Christmas? When is that? ;)
I'm beginning to make new things and build up my inventory.

[rhodyart]

I seem to be obsessed with Christmas and my Christmas cards are coming up for renewal again. I am planning to move my old Christmas cards into a clearance section once I get the new cards up for sale

[Former_Member]

It takes time for me to knit my items so I start on building my inventory immediately after Christmas ends. My shop used to be slow during the summer so that was when I really was able to create stock. This year, though, I have continued to sell my sports team related inventory which is keeping me pretty busy. During the summer I continually try to replicate Christmas related designs that sold in the past and try out new ideas that are Christmas themed. I post them to my shop as I finish them but put them on the second page so that I can keep my summer stock up front - but they are still available in case it gets picked up in a search.

[SkySpiritStudios]

I almost 'missed the boat' last year by not watching my stats on my trending items and tag phrases. I had to really hustle to meet orders. One of my items was getting hits from a dot com sight that I had never heard of; in going into Google Analytics, it turned out to be a leisure community that was posting my turtle wines to their community discussion board! I am taking notice early this year! Watch your stats, although I do not do seasonal items, people are window shopping for gifts:)

[Former_Member]

I have read a couple of threads about sales picking up as the weather cools, and I sure hope that happens for me to! I am continuing to build up my jewelry stock to gain more attention hopefully, and starting to crochet winter items- hats mostly.

[alisonblairstudio]

I do trade shows and am gearing up for the NY NOW show (formerly NYIGF). It is in mid August and is the target show for holiday orders. So I would say that buying has not been done in July. Many retailers will place orders at the August show, but delivery dates are October and November. So yes, the holiday season is on buyers' minds, but they are just in the midst of their buying season. I hope this helps.