Any Tips for Back from Extended Vacation

[TerriesStudio]

Hubby had a heart attack on the 4th (he's okay now!) so I extended my vacation from the 9th to today (19th). My shop wasn't very successful before this break and now I'm wondering what team members tricks are to jump start a lagging shop. Is there something I can do in the next couple of days to get traffic started again? I have started a couple of projects so will have new products within the week.

I'd appreciate any tips and I imagine other rookies would like to learn a few tricks, too! Thanks in advance for any help.

[Former_Member]

Glad to hear hubby is doing well.

Whenever I've been on an extended vacation I simply reopen the shop and the sales start up again, usually within the hour.

But then I am constantly marketing my shop outside of Etsy

[hooknsaw]

I'm glad your husband is doing okay! I will renew 3 or 4 items a day for a couple of days when we reopen from vacation mode. Adding new items also helps.

We are always back to business as usual within a day or two.

You don't have very many items in your shop, so adding more should help.

[Former_Member]

I'm so sorry about your husband! Yikes! I hope he has a smooth recovery.

Whenever I have slow periods, I try to list more items. If you aren't ready for that, I would start promoting your shop, both on and off Etsy with your current items.

It wouldn't hurt to promote off Etsy such as social media, improve photos on your current items and maybe research blogs that you might be able to buy ad space or something.

I wish you guys luck!

[DreamyPatternsShop]

I'm sorry to hear about your hubby!! Happy to hear he's doing better!

In May I had an extended break for getting married, and indeed the traffic was very slow when I opened shop again. As already mentioned, try adding new items (tip: when adding items, don't publish them all at once, but spread it out over a few days) I try to promote my items in teams and also promote outside Etsy. Pinterest, Iheartit, Wanelo etc.

I've also played those games within teams to get 24views for your shop, I'm not sure it actually helps, but I don't think it can hurt!

Good luck and take care!

[TerriesStudio]

Thank you to all! I need photograph my new items. Writing the descriptions is nerve racking, even though I'm a writer! I can write about other people's stuff easier than I can my own. LOL!

@LilyRazz I will take your advice and publish the things one or two at a time. I've heard others say that, but tend to publish all at once.

@GalleryTwelve I promote once or twice on Facebook and once on Twitter. I figure my FB friends don't want to be badgered but I wonder if I should post each item once a month?

[fishcouple]

I hope your hubby have a good recovery!

I would re-list some of the expired items if I don't have time to make any new designs.

During my 2-week vacation, I didn't close my shop (did post an vacation announcement though). I checked on my etsy whenever possible (usually at night) and let the clients know that I won't be able to process the orders until a certain day. Most of my works are made to order, so they usually expect that they won't receive it right away. I was able to complete all the orders except one that was cancelled due to the time rush.