First week on Etsy, could do with some help please

[EmmaJanesGifts]

Hi,
I've loaded a few items to my shop. I've let my facebook, Twitter and Instagram followers know of my new Etsy venture. I know it's going to take time and a lot of networking to make it a success but I don't know where to start.

I've only set myself up as "post to UK only" as worried about how to sort postal charges for abroad and what costs I would incur for currency conversions (only accepting Paypal at present)??? I know these are limiting factors in themselves but need some advice and understanding in this area.

I know networking will get me visitors and hopefully favourites, but I only know the sources mentioned above as places to start.

Any advice on any area of Etsy to help make me not so "newbie" and a bit more confident would be much appreciated
Many thanks

[RomaMiaTradingCo]

Check out this thread I started for new shops like yourself. Hopefully this will have all the advice you will need. :)

https://www.etsy.com/teams/5002/etsy-success/discuss/16149239/page/1?ref=team_page

[EmmaJanesGifts]

Thank you for that. I will definitely make time to read all that useful information. Looking forward to getting properly into the Etsy way of things :)

[sharonalonzi]

Stay actively involved with questions that are constantly being asked, post some responses and ask lots of your own questions. I've only been on Etsy for a couple of weeks and am always viewing and reading. I just had my first sale yesterday, which was exciting.

[EmmaJanesGifts]

Thank you Sharon. It all feels so daunting at the mo. Congrats on your first sale :)

[Former_Member]

I'm fairly new as well. Opened my shop at the end of January. I feel like I have received a lot of favorites and views but only 4 sales so far. Plus I was way off the mark on shipping and actually lost money on one sale. I think it's just a live and learn thing in the beginning. I also started a FB page just for my etsy shop. I still feel like I have put a ton effort into this so far with very little sales. I am just going to keep reading and educating myself as much as possible to hopefully one day be a success! It's hard not to get discouraged but just keep trying. :) Good luck!

[Former_Member]

I just Favorited your shop :)

[EmmaJanesGifts]

Thank you for your feedback a Summer. I've got lots to learn and reading up, keeping up to date, networking and trying to be positive are my main strategies, I think. Wishing you lots of luck :)

[ValleyandVale]

Hi Emma, welcome to etsy!
We are kind of in the same boat...i've just set up a shop/facebook/twitter plus as i've booked into a few craft fairs i've had to get liability insurance sorted and going through the process of registering with HMRC...its very daunting, so much to remember and a lot of time! (I still work and have a house to clean aswell lol)
but im really hoping to make it worthwhile :)
let me know how you get on with your shop! x

[StuckOnSilver]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/226539633/camper-van-window-cling-for-glass-mirror?ref=shop_home_active...

Congratulations on your new shop!

Take a minute to write your policies. Create a banner. Change your avatar to something bright (like a VW van!) Sell world-wide.

I looked at this listing--clear, detailed photos but maybe you could fill more of the photo slots. Beautiful work!

Good luck!

[HildaLea]

Work on your SEO -- especially your tags and titles. This is key in making sure your items are being seen in searches.

Look into this article:
blog.etsy.com/en/2011/shop-makeover-titles-descriptions-and-tags/

--Remember to use multi-word tags over single-word whenever possible.
--Repeat phrases you use in tags in your titles
--If you have a word in a multi-word tag (i.e. "stained glass") remember that you don't need either of those words as single word tags "stained" or "glass". That is a waste of the tag because "stained glass" makes you relevant for "stained" "glass" and "stained glass"

For example:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/226920582/stunning-angel-window-cling-decoration?ref=related-4

Your tags should be words/phrases that you think people coming to Etsy/Google would type in wanting to find an item like yours. Nobody (I dont think...) is going to come to Etsy and just type in "glass" or "digger" or "castle" (tags from some of your items). So don't have that as a tag on its own.

I would have tags like 'Handpainted Decal' , ' Glass Window Cling' , 'Religious Decoration', 'Angel Suncatcher', 'Angel Decal', 'Religious Gift', etc.

[CircusOfCelebrations]

Hi Jems29,
There are so many sellers on Etsy, and so much inventory, you must find your niche to make sales when you are just starting out. I felt successful at doing this with 52 sales my first Christmas season. I knew what I had in mind that I thought I did well, then searched Etsy to see if a lot of others were doing anything like mine. That helped to define my niche.
Find what you do that is unique and no one else is doing like that, then make sure you are giving items names that someone will be searching for. Watch what searches show in your stats, then you can play with the names and tags. The articles that Nikki linked to are all great, very valuable lessons!
Your shop looks great! Photography is a huge battle for some, but yours look awesome! Good luck!
Cindy

[EmmaJanesGifts]

Wow, so much amazing, helpful and constructive advice.
I'm going to have to come back, read, digest and put into action some of these bits as soon as possible. For example, I didn't know about the avatar picture. I do want to sell world wide, so will have to look into listing and pricing for it. I don't have as many photos as I'd like but going forward I will be taking several and not combing as a group picture. And it is hard trying to give this 100% with children, home and everything else that goes with that (my 2 little ones are poorly at mo making it almost impossible to do anything). However, all your help and advice makes it that bit easier. Thanks everyone.

[KnottinghamDesigns]

Catching up on all the fabulous advise on the thread. I opened in January as well and trying to figure out what I am NOT doing to get sales. I know my last several posts have been better prepared than the first several and I probably need to go back and redo them. Also trying to pump up inventory.

Jems29 you have great photos! What about an eyecatching banner with some of them? Picmonkey is a great site to put one together.

[Former_Member]

You have a cute little store! I would suggest doing research on these forums, they are really a treasure trove of great information. Adding more items to your store will help increase your presence. Being on Etsy means constantly learning, if you keep doing that you will ahead of the game. Also, if you take your items to the post office they should be able to give you an idea of the costs to send to other places. Good luck!

[EmmaJanesGifts]

Just adapting some title descriptions and tag words on a few items. After reading a few articles and the advice on here, it really makes you think hard about choosing the right words. Might not get through all my listings tonight but going forward, I'll have a much better idea. Thanks