Fallen off the Radar

[kzannoart]

I haven't had a sale in 3weeks. Views are way down and I feel like my shop and items have fallen off the Etsy radar. I use pinterest, twitter, FB,tumblr to promote myself. I think my items are relevent for weddings and are not seasonal. I have done lots of Valentine's Day promotion.

Feeling discouraged. Can any other long time Etsy sellers relate? -K

[Former_Member]

I actually ended January with a bang. I have heard some people report poor sales and others are doing amazing. I guess you just have to take a deep breath and move forward. Keep promoting and things will turn around.

[Former_Member]

I had such a fantastic amount of sales in Dec & Jan, that now I haven't had a sale in a week and so I am taking the time to rephotograph everything, revamp listings, create new products, etc.

[Former_Member]

i can totally relate. dec 2013 was my best month ever both in sales and revenue and since the last days of dec it´s dead quiet. no sales.
i did not expect to be january like december but i thought i would get at least 1 - 2 sales. what´s the worst for me is that january was the first month ever when i did not get any sales at all. up until then i always had at least one sale, even back when i had lousy pics and bad descriptions. i really don´t understand why because i promoted like i always did and listed almost daily
hoping it will pick up in feb

[Former_Member]

Kristine,

Is your target customer shopping on Pinterest, Twitter, and facebook?

If your items are geared towards weddings, have you considered getting involved in any of the local bridal shows or contacted any local bridal shops? They are a great way to connect with your target customer.

I've found that over the years my sales are slowest between May and September so during that time I make sure that I schedule extra classes for my students who don't have the time during the winter months to learn a new technique.

[GoldenTwinClasps]

Do you promote your shop with Etsy and if so, what is your weekly budget? Most of my views come directly though Etsy searches. The more you spend on promoting through Etsy the more frequently your items will appear in searches.

[kzannoart]

Anne,
You may be the only person who had success with search ads. I have tried it many times and rarely even get a view or click.

[Former_Member]

Kristine, I can relate. I would go up to 3 month without a sale. The funny thing is, if I search for most used keywords in my shop, I find my items on first, second and third page. My SEO must be ok, but still no views, hearts or sales. I suppose I have to make new items, list them and hope for the best! Good luck!

[SerenityInChains]

January was up almost 50% over the previous year for me! but I pay for advertising off of etsy on websites that I know my target customer frequents. It can be pricey at first, but if you market in the right places it pays off quickly.

[hazelgibbs]

Thought I would splash some hearts around for those feeling down and "off radar". I suppose it happens from time to time. I've had a very few sales since Christmas and then a lovely customer bought 5 of my lovely boxes in one go. Made me feel much better.! Good luck everyone. We have to keep plugging away!

[bksoapco]

When my sales are sluggish I promote my discount coupons or have a flash sale. Even a one day sale can help get things going again.

[thekitestring]

Sometimes I feel like I've never quite been on the etsy radar let alone falling off it. Though I have improved in leaps and bounds in my seo over the last month so I guess now I have to play the waiting game....

[Former_Member]

Wow, I am impressed by your number of FB fans! And I like how much variety your shop offers :)

If you are up for making new products, maybe some spring and summer themed garlands would attract customers. Many of the garlands you have labeled as 'wedding' look like fall and winter to me.

I am by no means an expert, but your titles could use a little more tweaking. Your tags are good. You are tagging phrases which is ideal. Try to fit as many of those tags into your title to increase your chances of being found.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/158213699/rustic-garland-apple-red-decor?ref=shop_home_active_9


apple garland
rustic garland
eco friendly garland
door garland decor
rustic home decor
country kitchen
apple kitchen decor
red country kitchen
vintage farmhouse
wedding garland
rustic wedding
country wedding
orchard wedding

Rustic Wedding Garland, Eco-Friendly Apple Red and Twine Decoration for Country Orchard Wedding, Vintage Farmhouse Kitchen Decor

<--- something like that...

The apples are lovely, but I kept looking through your photos to see if you had one with the garland spread out, draped over something like it would be in a wedding of a house. A photo like that would be enticing to me, because I could then imagine what I'd do with it even more. This general idea:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/103810451/laser-cut-lace-wedding-bunting-perfect?ref=sr_gallery_30&ga_s...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/176292025/sale-felt-heart-garland-valentines-day?ref=related-0


Best of luck!

[ThriftyVintageKitten]

It's been a major snooze fest for me too. December was crickets and so was January. Soooo frustrating!

[Former_Member]

I've not had any sales, but I only started a few days ago.
I'm hoping to get at least a couple by the end of the month :)

[Former_Member]

I'm in the same boat, and I know a lot of other shops who have sad they are having trouble too. It is so frustrating because I can have a bunch of sales all in a row one week, and then have nothing for a month or so.

I've tried having special sales and offers as incentives, and I promote them on social media, but don't get many bites, if any at all.

I know sales were mentioned above. Any tips on advertising them so people will actually use them?

Thanks, and good luck to everyone who is struggling!

[dalystudios]

Kristine, I have had this happen a few times in the past. I can only tell you to use the time productively and stick with it. I got really freaked out, but it passed. I will never understand the what and why.

[ScarlettsCozyCottage]

When sales are up for some of us, they are down for others around this Etsy roller coaster. My December was not especially busy, average really, but then boom, January rolled around and my views and sales doubled.

I had not changed much of what I was doing, it just happened! February has been busy too.

I would just use this time to tweak things, advertise and know things will turn around at any moment!

[PrairiePrimitives]

One of your garlands has a title of "Custom Wedding Garland Pinecone Personalized Cork Twig Raffia Handmade Rustic" so you should consider using some or all of these tags:

Wedding Garland ... Pinecone Garland ... Pine Cone Garland ... Wine Cork Garland ... Twig Garland ... Raffia Garland ... Rustic Garland

because they repeat phrases from your title. That's the #1 way to get found on Etsy. If shoppers can't find you, they can't buy from you.

To find other good tags, start typing "potential tags" into the Etsy search box and see what comes up for suggestions. Or type some of the tags I suggested in and see what the suggestions are. Etsy says these suggestions are all REAL searches by shoppers, so it's stuff that people are actively looking for.

Hope this helps!

[Former_Member]

It does seem to be a little hit or miss for me as well. I've had lots of views using Etsy key words, but unfortunately it hasn't translated into any sales in a couple of weeks. I am promoting myself more in the teams i belong to and that has helped some, but patience seems to be the key.