Advice for Newbies

[DesignsByPictureThis]

First let me say ... I still consider my self a newbie. I'm just coming up on my first year of selling on Etsy.

This morning I woke up to my first convo from another seller asking me for advice. She was wondering how my shop was so "successful". I was more than happy to take the time to answer her convo. Other sellers on Etsy have always been so kind and helpful to me, I figured the least I could do was "pay it forward".

Again, I'm no expert but if anybody can benefit from my experience then I am happy to share some of what I have learned so far. My best advice would be:

1. Make your shop look as professional as possible. Complete the policies section, create a shop announcement, shop sections, banner, avatar, etc.

2. Work on taking the best product photos that you can. This was a frustrating one for me. It took me a while to learn to work around shadows and glare, etc. I learned that for me, I didn't need a fancy camera and that natural light worked the best. I'm always working on trying to improve my photos. Oh, and use all five photos that you are allowed per listing.

3. Use all of your tags! You have 13, use them all. That's how customers find you. Also work on your product titles to make them as descriptive as possible. Imagine what you would type in as a customer if you were searching for your product.

4. For me, I found that the more products I had listed ... the more sales I got. It's just more exposure.

5. Share your items on Facebook, Pinterest, Wanelo, Instagram, etc. Again ... more exposure.

6. Join Etsy teams and check out discussions regarding concerns or questions that you have. Tons of valuable information there.

7. Treasury lists. When I first started and things were slow I worked on treasury lists just to sort of get my name out there. It was fun putting them together and I liked helping other sellers get exposure.

8. Try to be patient. There are a few other sellers that I would consider my competition and they do much higher volume sales than I do and haven't been around much longer than I have. I try to keep an eye on their shops and study what they're doing right. I'm careful not to copy ... I think that being original is what sets you apart.

I wish you all much luck! If this is something that you really want to make successful you can and will do it.

Debbie
DesignsByPictureThis

[DesignsByPictureThis]

Oh my gosh that's so funny .... nobody cares ... LOL!

[rusticcraftdesign]

Great list =) Thanks for putting it together ...I ♥ advice

[vw53]

I do! I think my pictures are my biggest problem. Still working on tags and titles too!

[DesignsByPictureThis]

Thanks Sam and Vicky! I was starting to feel a little invisible = )

[Former_Member]

Everything on your list is great!!! :) am coming to my first year also pretty soon..

[WebAndRock]

I care! Thanks for sharing; interested in all the info I can get.

[StudioAvai]

Thank you for sharing that is great advice.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the tips! :)

[Former_Member]

Geat advice!! :D

[JudysLittleShop]

I liked your list Debbie. I just tried to make a banner... I'd give it a "D" grade, but no time to try to create a better one tonight since I turn into a pumpkin at midnight. Will have to figure out how to get photos of my ties in a 760x100 banner. So technically challenged :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the tips! You have some good advice here. ^^

[SadiSweetShop]

Thanks for the tips. It's going to take awhile to figure out how all this works.

[Former_Member]

I consider myself a newbie too... your list lelp me so much! thank you!!!

[Former_Member]

Debbie,
Thanks so much for taking your time and sharing your knowledge. I have a lot of work to do. What is wanelo? My plan is to really work on tags and photos today but hoping to check back with you later to see if you will look at my shop and let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Margie

[Former_Member]

Great advice. Thanks!

[Former_Member]

Debbie,
Thanks for the tips! I'm really trying to get better photos and use up all of my tags. Most of the time, I run out of tags after about 9 or 10. I'll be referring to your list a lot as I go along :)

[DesignsByPictureThis]

Judy Mitchels from JudysLittleShop says:

I liked your list Debbie. I just tried to make a banner... I'd give it a "D" grade, but no time to try to create a better one tonight.
___

Thanks Judy! I just took a quick peek and your banner looks nice. I don't know if you've heard of bannerfans.com but it really helped me with my banners and avatar when I first started. It's free and pretty easy to use.

Have a great weekend!

Debbie

[Former_Member]

Thanks for sharing! it's really kind of you. :)

[DesignsByPictureThis]

Margie Rose from Jewelrybyssd says:

Thanks so much for taking your time and sharing your knowledge. I have a lot of work to do. What is wanelo?
___

Thanks Margie! Wanelo.com is a site that is similar to Pinterest. I've posted many of my items and have had a fair number of views as a result.

I took a quick peek at your shop. I LOVE your avatar and your banner! Your jewelry is very nice. I know that there is A LOT of competition on Etsy with jewelry and accessories so you really have to help buyers find your items with more descriptive titles ... and use all 13 of your tags. I would for sure include "unique" in both your title and tags.

When you have a chance peek around and see how other successful jewelry shops are listing their items to get some ideas.

Good luck!
Debbie

[DesignsByPictureThis]

Norma Steel from JoliesCutesies says:

Everything on your list is great!!! :) am coming to my first year also pretty soon.
_____

Congratulations Norma! And thank you = )

I took a quick peek at your shop and you have some really cool items! I love the photos that you took of some of your items against this background! https://www.etsy.com/listing/109476383/vintage-weed-puller-vintage-scissors

Really cool! For some reason I was more drawn to all of your merchandise that was photographed like that.

Wishing you continued success!

[DesignsByPictureThis]

Elizabeth from WebAndRock says:

I care! Thanks for sharing; interested in all the info I can get.
____

Thanks Elizabeth = )
Looks like you're off to a great start! What FUN jewelry! I really like your banner ... what would you think about pulling some close up shots of the beading to use as your avatar? Just a thought. The avatar you have now is nice but I love the bright colors of the beading!

Wishing you a great weekend and continued success!!

[DesignsByPictureThis]

Kathryn from iCharming
____

Thanks Kathryn! Your charms are so sweet! Your photography is fun too (loved the shark charm photographed over the water = )

My favorites were the penguin, shark and starfish. Wishing you continued success! Oh and BTW loved the cool gift boxes that your items come in also!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/87288350/starfish-necklace-in-sterling-silver

[Former_Member]

Thanks Debbie,

Three times this week my computer has been in for repairs. Thankfully quick fixes. Hopefully, finally getting down to business.
Margie

[SweetThymes]

Thanks so much! You have great advice! Pictures are the hardest part, but it is worth it.