2nd Stall out of the year... Waiting for an ice breaker.

[Former_Member]

Seems like my sales were SO HOT in August then September turned cold! And October has been even worse - I haven't had a SINGLE sale since August 25...

I've done everything I can think to help break the ice that's grown over my shop.

I've tweaked listings, descriptions, titles, keywords. I've listed new items and renewed old ones. I've made treasuries, posted on my active teams. I'm active on Twitter, Facebook, Wanelo and Pinterest. I've messed with photos and thumbnails to make sure my shop looks perfect... and YET...

Nothing! No dice! What gives? People come and favorite but never buy. I've got over 400 admirers total, and about 10-20 item favorites PER DAY! I get featured in Treasuries almost every day, yet still, no one bites!

I'm at a loss! Tell me, Etsy Success: What do you do to break a LONG cold streak? or What do you do to keep busy and stay positive while you wait for your next sale?

[Former_Member]

Hi Maggie, i'd personally be grateful getting so many favorites everyday even if I don't sell a single item. This show that people appreciate your work and that they are truly interested in what you have to offer. Sale periods comes and go , no matter what you shouldn't give up. Many things are going on right now, there's halloween (people are busy getting ready, attending parties etc) not to mention the hurricane sally... Don't lose hope, keep working on ways to improve your store and visibility. Good luck and cheer up!!! :D

[CatherineMarissa]

The only thing that ever worked for me was stepping away from it. By that, I don't mean shutting down my shop and saying screw it. But I stopped watching stats, stopped stressing over what I could change, and enjoyed life outside of Etsy.

If you're giving it your all, you've improved your listings until they're awesome, marketed your pants off and still don't see sales ... how can taking a break and enjoying yourself elsewhere hurt?

If I decide to stay focused on Etsy, I keep busy designing new products.

Good luck! Dry spells are tough.

[IbolyaTaligasArt]

I can see that this is an old post but still relevant in 2021 as my sales keep stalling from time to time.  I also think that stepping away from it is the best policy. I also noticed this on other platforms where I sell prints. When I don't post or do anything on them for a while people start buying again. Strangely. Perhaps Etsy is giving a push to those shops that appear inactive or quiet.  

[Former_Member]

That is a long time I can feel your Frustration. I would maybe work on some new projects and get them listed and maybe that will drive some sales. I would do something that is not already made something different your animals are really cute maybe do a different animal or with the cold weather Leg warmers for little girls with some cute bows I know when I go to the store to get my niece some they are always sold out of the cute black ones with colorful bows.

[Former_Member]

Great advice so far ladies. I have definitely been taking a step back from my shop and trying not to obsess... it's just that this is the sixth or seventh week in a row where I've stopped in to check sales and stats and it's dead as a doornail in my shop.

I try not to get disheartened, honestly I am not quick to discourage... it's just been SO LONG!

And yes - I am trying to work on some new projects, namely considering doing more wholesale and consignment and less here on Etsy. I've been keeping track on my Outright.com and my profits have been in the negative numbers for the past few months simply because I make no sales, but I keep paying out renewal fees to Etsy.

I am starting to wonder if my target audience would be better reached outside of this website, and in the real world? For now, it seems like all I am doing is feeding money to Etsy for renewal fees on items that never sell...

[Former_Member]

I make new stuff - I clean - I organize my stuff. It seems like that really works.

[CatherineMarissa]

I completely get why you're discouraged. At this point in my Etsy experience, I don't think I could handle two months without a sale. I know it was a quite frequent experience for me early on, but I must have had more optimism then. ;)

Do you have a particular product that was selling well before September? Is there a way to put a spin on it to make it "fresh"? Sometimes that helps.

I think looking offline is always wise. Some things sell better when people can touch them and try them on. Plus, those offline sales could lead to customers looking for you online.

[cushncovers]

Hi Maggie,

I can see why you get added to treasuries almost daily! WOW...your photos POP and the colors really stand out.

How about getting some live models (family members or friends) to actually wear some of your items. I like to see a necklace on and imagine how it would look on me or a bracelet or headband. That may help get sales.

What I have been doing from a tip I got on a thread I think that has helped my sales ..... or rather more activity (quotes for jobs, inquiring potential buyers) to my shop is one of two things:

1. I copy and paste my title to the first two lines in my item description. This helps for google searches I think. Tags are for Etsy searches. I also fixed my listing "sections".....I had a table runner listed in my "cushion" section and did not even have a table runner section.

2. I joined some teams that are more revelant to what I sell in my shop so people on those teams will be more likely to look and favor something, maybe add me to their circle, maybe send me a referal. I always try to stay ACTIVE on teams too by answering a thread, offering advice or giving someone help if they want it or posting a thread. I get many views from TEAM Activity.

Hope this helps. I agree with Meryhem about things going on to slow sales...Halloween, other upcoming holidays, an election and the news of the day in USA, but other things have been going on with the way Etsy is doing things that maybe we don't know of or have control over so just keep trying to change things up or do your research and experiment to see what works for you. Things are always changing and we need to change too.

Chin up!

[Former_Member]

Thanks so much for your feedback, everyone.

I live in an isolated area with very few people around, but I am hoping to go home for Christmas. Maybe my sister or her friends will model my headbands and bracelets for me! I know people have said to me before that I need models, it just is so hard for me to find people who are willing, and don't want paying!

My "Fresh" spin on my old items - combed cotton coasters, wrap bracelets and fiber necklaces - are my Christmas items. Maybe it's still too early to expect any results there, but I spent a few days recently cranking out the holiday stuff.

Maybe I need a new direction for my items... a whole new item to sell? Hmmm...

You've given me a lot to think on!