Breaking into business

[Former_Member]

I'm really struggling to get my business off the ground. I have reached out to some local Etsy sellers and others that have similar businesses just to try to form a network (face to face) where we could share business ideas and what has been successful in our shops and what hasn't. I have never been able to connect with other sellers (except one dear Etsy friend!) I have so much to learn about selling and growing a business but I feel so invisible in this huge craft world.

How did you get your business/blog/fb page running? Where did you find your help and encouragement? I have always said, "If this business ever takes off, I'm going to help others along the way because it has been a long, hard road with not a lot of direction." This team has encouraged me, though! Thanks so much! What are your thoughts?

Randi

[Former_Member]

Mostly, it just takes time and a lot of hard work. This is way more work than I ever thought it would be. :D I love it, though.

Sometimes I still struggle - this shop is doing great, but my other two, older shops feel like they're falling off the map. I've got some custom orders in right now for my purse shop, and I can't add anything new right now. Because I'm sewing, I really can't add new jewelry either, although I'm trying to sneak some of that in.

Just hang in there, keep blogging, tweeting, FBing, and whatever else you're doing, and it'll start to click. :D Try some craft shows, too - those are supposed to be great.

[Former_Member]

Hi Randi,
I just opened in January (6 months ago, yesterday!) and you ask some good questions. I've only made 11 sales, but here's what I've learned, in answer to your questions:

My business was started on the day I made a cat toy for my own can. I made a few more, and decided to list them on Etsy. As for Facebook, I have a personal page that I go on, so adding a Page for my shop was pretty seamless (and I put the link in my Etsy profile, so there is crossover). My blog is a work in progress - I have a non-shop-related blog, so started a new blog for the shop on the same blog service, since I already know how to navigate around.

This team has been particularly helpful to me from the very beginning. I make sure to read through all the posts every day, if possible. It is a good way to learn valuable tips from people 'in the know'. No need to re-invent the wheel, when you can just read through and learn from other Etsy sellers! I've met some great people through this team, and appreciate everything that I learn!

Common things I hear in the team threads: practice patience, and list list list! Two key points I think!

Your shop is great, and I wish you continued success as you move forward in Etsyland!

[LeNidDeFleurs]

Totally off topic, but that cat in your display picture Kelly, is soooo cute!

[Former_Member]

Hi Randi,

Your question was how we got started on FB, blog, Twitter, etc.

Have you joined a Blog or Facebook team yet? Try that and ask for followers. When I started promoting, I did a Facebook Ad, and then I did a giveaway on my blog through FB. Tweet something from your shop everyday, and post a product on your facebook at least twice a week when you first start out.

I've been very slacked in doing that myself lately, but I've been overwhelmed with other things for awhile.

Hang in there..

[Former_Member]

How I got started: selling locally at my home town...
Bringing my items to online selling: ETSY, Twitter, Wanelo, Pinterest, etc.

I would suggest involving yourself to more teams on ETSY...growing your circle.. I see you only have 21 circles...alot of people that sell on here are in a hundred or more circles...try not to just ADD and that's it, you have to get involved in the teams, chat with people on the team, in the process you add them in circles, etc etc.

Always get the most out of relevancy so you can start selling too! :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks, everyone! I don't feel so alone when I hear from you all! Pandi, I don't get the circles thing...I'm so overwhelmed with all the activity that those in my circle are involved in and I REALLY need to read up on circles anyway because I don't understand all about them. I'm guessing that would be in Seller Handbook?