Focusing on one product type?

[Former_Member]

Etsy suggests that your shop be specific, that you be an expert in one product type. I find that very hard, because I want to crochet any and everything I can think of!

So my question to everyone in this awesome team is this:

How did you decide what kind of items to focus on in your shop?

Did you find it difficult to find your niche in the Etsy world?

I'm personally having a really hard time keeping my items focused on one style or one product type. I'm making kitchen items, hair accessories, scarves, hats, dolls, shirts, skirts, jackets. I'm starting more projects than I can finish, because I want to do it all. I'd love to hear each of your stories about how your shop came to be what it is today. And, of course, if you have the time, I'd love your input about my shop. As in, which products of mine should I focus on expanding?

[Former_Member]

I tried. But it leaked out to other stuff. So I claim "wool" as my focus. lol

Let's face it talented crafty people are talented in more than one thing. I personally need to mix it up a touch. It s like asking me what kind of candy do I like? I will pick chocolate. But, sometimes I want it with nuts and sometimes I want it with marshmallow.

[Former_Member]

If your shop is all crochet it is still specific IMO. Make sure you use the rearrange feature to make your shop easy to navigate and to look cohesive. My shop has all kinds of stuff, mixed media and decoupage, but a similar style keeps it all hanging together. I find shops with variety interesting to browse in.

[CaseyHPerez]

I have a hard time focusing as well. I want to paint, screen print on so many different types of products. May have to eventually split my shop into two if screen printing expands.

[Former_Member]

Stephanie - Your shop is great and I actually LOVE the fact that you have a variety of different "things made of strings." I think the fact that all your items are crocheted makes your shop cohesive!

[NancyBags4U]

I struggle with the same issues. My head spins with all the ideas in it and I want to do it all. I am trying to slow myself down with some organization, but I don't know how to trim things down. I don't want my shop to seem cluttered.

[Former_Member]

Thanks everyone for your input! I've been feeling like my shop is too all over the place, and that my shop was suffering for it. But you guys have given me a bit of confidence!

R.Rizzi- I'm glad to know that having a variety is more interesting rather than too distracting.

Mary Kate- thank you so much for your kind words! Your hats are too cute!

Cassi Jo- your shop is gorgeous!!!!!!! I think the screen printing ties in fairly well! Especially since you have a lot of animals in both mediums

Ewe- I love the candy analogy. I hate when people ask me what my favorite of anything is. I love everything! That's why my shop is soo varied!

I love all of this input! Keep it coming!

[Former_Member]

I took a look at your store and I think it all ties in together. So what if its not all hats or what ever. I think that a store needs to have a variety to keep people looking. From a buyers perspective I would love your store, lots of different yet similar material items. If I am into knit hats then of course I am going to look into your knit scarfs and such.
Great job, keep it up.

[AlluringArtbyGerry]

Really cute shop! And it's a crochet so you're fine. Mine has several types of items & 2 people who do them. Rog does paintings. I did paintings now focus on sea shell crafts. But sales were not there so I've added recipes, too, & have a few vintage items as well.

It's summer time, sales are lower for some, not for others. But Etsy is a great place to sell, meet new people, & buy their homemade crafts. Someday I hope for more sales & am learning the ropes on how to.

Keep up the beautiful crochet work. :o)

[Former_Member]

I think crochet is specific enough. You'd go crazy if you only made hats.

I love trying new things and have a very short attention span, which is why my shop is the way it is. I don't think it is the worst thing ever, however. People may come to my shop for one coasters, and stay for the Onesies. Or they may pick up some gift tags with which to gift some coasters. I try to keep my shop looking cohesive and not like a garage sale.

[Former_Member]

I'm Adding other stuff. When I started out I had nothing But glass hearts and roses and at first I didnt include finished necklaces. But found that...people only search for glass heart so often. So been adding other things...icicles, mushrooms, whale tales, ect helps more people find my shop. Still working on expanding too.

[Former_Member]

I think if everything is crocheted by you, that's specific enough.

Me, I started out much more specifically, just doing bow ties. Whilst there are lots of people selling bow ties on etsy, I saw a niche and filled it - I think I'm the only person selling just pure silk bow ties...if not, then I definitely have the largest selection and I use fabrics that one can't find in any fabric stores.

I do plan on expanding, though, to include neckties, so it the focus will become more mens' neckwear rather than just bow ties. Maybe after that, I'll expand again in to something else related to mens accessories...

[SEWKINDNESS]

I do a lot of sewing, from bags, to quilts and all in between, but for me, I keyed in on an item that I have used over and over and truly loved, it is unique, a perfect size and quality that lasted through the years.

Making the same item could get boring, but I can be creative in changing the fabric which feeds the creativity gene. . . but honestly, loving the item yourself, makes it fun to make, knowing I'm passing years of pleasure to the buyer who will also love the item, sew that adds the joy to the boredom of making the same item.

Sew my advice, is to key in on an item you have made for yourself, or purchased, that you can recreate, something that you use all the time and love it, something unique you have gotten a lot of admiring comments on.

[ArtifactsEtCetera]

I have jewelry, paintings, and even some knit scarves in my shop... I think of them as being connected by style rather than medium. You can sell anything you want as long as it adheres to Etsy's rules... it's just a good idea to make sure that it's somewhat coherent. Using similar photography methods for all items helps a lot!

[Former_Member]

Watch these videos they will help answering questions and give you some ideas~ http://www.etsy.com/community/online-labs

There is a video on cohesive shops- I just watched it and it gave me some ideas about how to make my shop more cohesive.