Getting Frustrated and Need Help!

Hello, everyone. I've never actually posted on here before, so I want to apologize if I posted in the wrong place, etc.

I've been on Etsy since December of 2013 and have had 4 sales. I'm on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest plus I have a blog (pricklypear.co). I really want to make this work because it's my passion. I love crafting and just making things. Right now I only have jewelry listed in my shop but am considering branching out a little bit. I'm just frustrated in how few sales I've had. How do I get that number up? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
9 Replies

Re: Getting Frustrated and Need Help!

Since I can't find the file I read last night, I am reposted what I posted in someone else's similar question. It seems incredibly difficult to break into the jewelry crowd, for sure, but your story is disheartening for a newbie like me! Anyway, here are some things I read that might help you:

One thing I read recently in some Etsy discussion or help file is to put the most important words people will search for in the item title, with the most important first. So think, what would people search for to find my item, that is first. If you have a fancy title for your work put that in the description. That is not what people will search for. Use all the space in your title and key words. Key words can be combined. For example I had Cincinnati and Ohio as two separate key words but by combining them, it will still show up, theoretically, with either Cincinnati or Ohio in the search. You can have twenty characters per key word. Etsy uses words in the title first for search parameters, then key words. I redid all my titles and key words last night based on what I read on the help file. You can look at them if you want but keep in mind I am new and still learning and just did what was in the help file. I also started an instagram account because I was told that will help promote, though I haven't figured out how yet. I also started playing the games on various teams like post one item and view the ten above you. It takes time but it increases the views and favorites, another parameter Etsy uses for listings. The only other parameter I can think of is for Google, they consider the number of places your link is posted online. So if you have a personal website or friends with similar interests get your site linked. I hope that helps. Like I said, I am new so I don't really know if any of the things I do are going to help. I just keep tweaking. Most of your pictures are great, but some of them are a little difficult to see the item. You might want to look at those as well. I might also recommend the team Shop Critique, which will give you some critiques, but the way that it is set up, it is likely that the critiques will come from beginners and not necessarily experienced people. If you learn any other suggestions, I would be interested in hearing them.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...

Re: Getting Frustrated and Need Help!

I think one of the best and easiest things you can do is go through and read the various discussion threads, because so many people have asked the very same questions and you can find your answers here and read other experienced seller's experiences.
<3 Jewel

Oh, and I will paste part of a reply I recently sent to someone with similar questions ...
I've been recently reading everything I can on titles and tags and have a better idea now on what is the most helpful and am currently working over all my own listings to reflect my new learnings...and have been getting a lot more views and sales since I began making changes to my titles and tags.
You missed your opportunity to use all the spaces available in your title.
Your title should be words your potential customers would use to find your item. So, think like you're a shopper...what words would you type into search? Put into your title t words that the majority of people would type in search to find your item and keep adding words until you have used up all the available spaces in your title. Always put the most popular search words FIRST in your title since the first words carry the most weight in search. This is the key to getting found in search. I like to check my stats from my computer daily to see what words people used to find my items and use that information to tweak my listings.
Also, the majority of your tags are single words and you haven't used all your available tags.
You are allowed up to 20 spaces in 13 tags so use them. Put words together to fill up the spaces. If you have a stone that is multicolored - put white blue red in one tag. Also, you put stone and stones in 2 different tags. You only need to use one tag as search takes the plural words as singular or vice versa.
Hope this helps.
Oh...be busy in your shop everyday tweaking things and adding items, rearranging your shop etc. as Etsy likes to see that you are at work and moves you up in search if your shop is active...and be patient. Most of us were open for months before realizing 10 sales.
Blessings to you for a prosperous year.
<3 Jewel
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...

Re: Getting Frustrated and Need Help!

Jewel - you posted that to me! I have been trying to find it! As a result of your post I did find a discussion thread or help file that I cannot relocate that discussed some of those things. I have changed all my titles and keywords as a result! So far I have not really seen an increase in search results, but it has only been since last night, and I just now made some more additions.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...

Re: Getting Frustrated and Need Help!

You aren't using all your tags. Your photographs are all over the place - you need to get some unified and plainer backgrounds behind your pieces.

Your tags and titles need to match up better. Two or three word phrases are better than one word phrases. Your items aren't being found because no one can find you in search. You've got to do some major tweaking to your shop.

(My mom grew up in Cleveland :D)
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...

Re: Getting Frustrated and Need Help!

Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
HildaLea
Crafty Poster

Re: Getting Frustrated and Need Help!

Watch some tutorials about SEO on youtube (there are good ones!) or read up on it. You aren't using all of your tags, which is a huge waste, b/c tags are the nets you use to pull buyers searching on Etsy into your shop.

Some of your photos are busy. Try and highlight the jewelry more with less distracting backgrounds. Also, for any pieces that dont have a photo of it on a model, try and add one. People like to see how jewelry looks on a real person.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...

Re: Getting Frustrated and Need Help!

I also thought that if you use a simple background, the items should pop a little better.

Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Getting Frustrated and Need Help!

You currently don't have an About page filled out. This will help potential buyers know more about you and allow them to know you are on Facebook, Intsagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...

Re: Getting Frustrated and Need Help!

Thank you all for responding with your ideas! I really appreciate it!
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Reply
You must log in to join this conversation.
Remember that posts are subject to Etsy's Community Policy.