Etsy Success Reading List: Newbie Edition - April 21

[Former_Member]

Today's recommended reading is perfect for those just starting out! (And any established sellers who are working on revamping their business.)

Etsy Success for Beginner Sellers
http://www.etsy.com/storque/seller-handbook/etsy-success-for-beginner-sellers-5142/

Running A Successful Online Business | Starting Out
http://www.lepapierstudioblog.com/2011/04/running-successful-online-business.html

Create. by ZenHabits
http://zenhabits.net/create/

Business Advice for Emerging Artisans from the Artisan Community
http://meylah.com/meylah/business-advice-for-emerging-artisans-from-the-artisan-community-1

5 Common Rookie Marketer Mistakes
http://www.craftmba.com/2011/04/06/common-marketing-mistakes/

What tip did you wish you were told you were just starting?

[Former_Member]

Thanks, this is great!

[Former_Member]

Thank you, thank you! I see a lot of reading in my future!! =)

[Former_Member]

Excellent list for both newbies and those who've been here a while. Thanks Danielle!

[EviesToolEmporium]

Let's keep this at the top! Fabulous reads!

[WISHsupplies]

thanks for sharing !!!

[Former_Member]

Danielle,
I truly love this listing, I look forward to reading it every Thursday!

pamela

by the way I just got my first 2 SALES with my supplies.

[SunshineJewls]

Wow AWESOME. Thanks for posting this!

[Former_Member]

Thanks! I NEED the help!!

[Former_Member]

Thank you!! Great post.

[Former_Member]

I wish there were just one big list - Everything You Need to Know - In one place. It's hard enough trying to gather all this info, but for someone with attention issues, it's really quite daunting...

[Former_Member]

Shoot - I had a paragraph at the top of that post where I expressed my gratitude for sharing these resources -

Thank you!!!
= >

[Former_Member]

Thank you Daniellexo. I have been on Etsy for 3 years but it is always good to get a refresher on some of the beginner stuff.

In terms of what I wish I knew back in the day (and I guess I did know it but I was too busy to do it) was how important participation in the Etsy community is in order to have visibility. I am unemployed right now due to my company moving away so I have time now, but I can't even imagine having time to work full time and devote the time to my Etsy shop that is necessary for success. So the one thing I would tell newbies is that you have to be willing to devote the time necessary to your store if you really want to be successful

Hope that helps :)

[NeedlesnPinsStichery]

Thanks for the great information. I like the common rookie mistakes. I am new so reading about what I am experiencing and how to look at things really helps.

Thanks!!
:)

[Former_Member]

Timely advice for me. Thanks, Danielle.

[happeemonkee]

Thanks Danielle

[Former_Member]

Perfect! Thanks Daniellexo.

[twopennylane]

Thanks for the bedtime reading!

I agree with stellaspace about knowing how important participation within the etsy community is. What I wish I'd known more about was photography. There are loads of great guides out there but I think it'd be nice if someone could sort of split a guide as regards different types of things sold on etsy. Photographing a necklace is waaaay different to photographing a huge canvas, for example, and it's all well and good knowing the technical side of taking a photograph (point-and-click!) but there's so much more to it, such as the composition, background, and cropping etc. It's been a real learning curve for me. My standards are so much higher than when I started out in my other shop (twobadbananas) - I hate the photographs in there now and NEED to re-do them!

[Former_Member]

Its great info! Since Ive only been up and running for 2 weeks its a crash course of information and trying to keep up with the community..but the community support Ive had is AMAZING as I have had 2 sales and 1 being overseas that I just sent out..I would've freaked out if not for my "mentor" especially who I met in this group..Once I have experience under my belt, I hope to be an effective mentor myself..Thanks for the great support and info Danielle and especially. auntemilie..:)

[SoulRole]

Have not read through all of it but the advice from Christie Schuler Smith to set a strict limit to online time is so relevant to me(like...why am I here right now?I should be sewing!).I am such a perfectionist and spend way too much time trying to research every little thing(since I have no background or training in the business side of things the web is my business school!).OK...off to create and will read the rest later!
Mahalo Danielle!

[Former_Member]

Thank you! It's very useful for Etsy beginners.

[Former_Member]

Thanks very much Danielle.

The Etsy Success for Beginning Sellers
http://www.etsy.com/storque/seller-handbook/etsy-success-for-beginner-sellers-5142/
should be on everyone's reading list, whether they are a beginning seller or not.

I quite often refer back to these 'newbie' directed articles even though I've been on Etsy for over 3 years now.

[happyhealthy]

I appreciated the tips about photography, about using all 5 photo spots and putting different kids of pictures in them. I am going to try this. One full shot, one that helps show the dimension of the item, one that shows the item being used. and 2 close up shots.
Thank you for helping me come up with a photography goal!

[lyndahats]

Thanks ! this is great information, many things to think about!

[PoetryUnspoken]

Definetely a must-read for me! Thank you for the list & links! :)