Getting sales online compared to offline

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone,

I apologise if I am rehashing something that has been discussed before, but I would really like your help/experience on this.

I just had my first sale, but it wasn't here on ETSY per se. Someone I know offline saw my posting here and I've sold it to her (She does not have paypal). I know that people here in ETSY have noted that being here, 'advertising' on Facebook, Twitter and in blogs is insufficient and that sellers need to actively participate in flea markets and so forth.

The issue is that I work full-time and it is just not possible for me to get involved in such things, as much as I would like to. Does anyone have any advice about getting the listings or even the store out there without the 'physical' word of mouth?

I'm really stumped here and have no idea what to do.

Thanks for reading my post. :)

[Former_Member]

I've only had one "Etsy" sale myself, but I've had countless sales outside of Etsy. I have also not done any craft fairs, mostly because I don't think my inventory can handle a weekend craft fair, unless I dragged my sewing machine to the event. Even then I am not a big fan of loosing my weekends either.

You can do word about mouth spreading without sitting at a flea market though. Have you thought of just putting business cards out places? When you make a sale include a few business cards there. I've actually started including a 10% coupon if I know it is a gift to be included for the gift recipient.

Best of luck!

[Former_Member]

I hardly sell anything on Etsy, but I sell a great deal at shows and house sales. Etsy is only a business for the few lucky shop owners who know how to promote, have the right thing to sell and understand all of Etsy's ins and outs. I am not one of them, but I do just fine outside Etsy.

[PrairiePrimitives]

The majority of my sales come from craft fairs. This f'ing recession has put a big damper on sales in general. I've done 8 or 9 craft fairs so far this year but only one was really worth my time. This past weekend I did a 2-day show and sold less than $150 (including a $95 doll). A week ago, I had a very good show (the only one that's been worth my time); sold $700 there in one day!

Here on Etsy, I've sold $230 this year, but not even $1,000 in the entire 5+ years I've been here (according to my Shop Stats anyway).

Bottom line: Don't put all your eggs in one basket! :-)

[HouseOfMoss]

Most of my sales have been outside Etsy as well. My items sell on consignment from 3 boutique-type local handmade shops here in Portland, and it works out very well. I've also done some craft fairs, but wholesale and consignment seem to produce better results for me.

The best tip I can give is to make sure that you diversify; you'll have a more consistent income if you're not just depending on Etsy.

[AllureStudioWorks]

Most of my sales are outside of Etsy. I use Etsy as a portfolio of sorts. I was putting too much stock in having most of my sales come from here but it can get expensive to advertise and re-list. Free and paid advertising are hit or miss. At least that's been my experience so far.

I'm gearing up to do some art shows/craft fairs/home shows next year. I also work full time so I just do what I can in my spare time and try to keep the fun in it.

I agree with HouseOfMoss and the other posters. Diversity is key. Oh, and when I sell jewelry to anyone in town, I never go through Etsy. You make more money by avoiding fees here and through PayPal.

[Former_Member]

I have had a decent number of sales through Etsy, but most of my income comes from craft shows. I like Etsy because it makes it easy for me to sell & ship out-of-state. I've also had a few friends ask whether they should buy through Etsy or just pay me directly - if it's a piece already posted on Etsy & that's where they first saw it, I have them buy it through Etsy. I can give them a coupon code if I want to give the "friend discount" and remind them to provide positive feedback. The fees are a small price to pay to help build a reputation as a reliable vendor. I also use Etsy at craft shows - if someone wants to purchase a piece and doesn't have cash, I tell them I'll pull it off the table for the day and they can purchase it with a credit card on Etsy - if they don't buy by midnight, the piece is back up for grabs. I only do this for pieces over $100, and they lose the "cash discount" I offer at craft shows (I charge flat cash prices at craft shows and back into the sales tax afterwards. When they buy online, I charge the sales tax, which is about the same as the Etsy fees - so I end up netting about the same amount.)

I also have a Facebook page but don't really know if this has helped me much... Anyway - the Etsy/Craft Show combo has worked well for me so far, but I definitely don't rely on Etsy to bring the online sales to me... Craft shows, local consignment, and exhibits make much more money for me - and usually lead to larger commissioned work! Get your face out there with your brand - and make sure you're smiling when you do so! ;)

https://www.facebook.com/melsieglass

[PrairiePrimitives]

melsieglass, if you have an Android (Droid) phone or an iPhone or iPad, check out Square! Square is a way to accept credit cards thru your phone! Yep, it works! I've been using it for 3 weeks now and it's helped at every show!

First show I used it at, 3 of my 5 sales were credit cards. Second show, I had 6 or 7 credit card sales but LOTS of sales (shoppers tend to bring lots of cash to that one since it's an antiquey/flea market sorta thing). Third show (this past weekend), I sold a $95 Santa doll because I was able to accept credit cards! Also had a couple of smaller ($10'ish) credit card sales.

Even if your wireless contract isn't up for renewal, chances are your carrier will give you a decent deal on a new phone! My Motorola Atrix 4G was $150 "out the door" at the AT&T store. $15 of that was for a screen protector, cuz I didn't know they were available online super-cheap and about $35 was sales tax cuz they have to (or get to?) charge sales tax on the full retail price of the phone ($699).

The Square "gadget" is free from Square, and they charge just 2.75% with the money going directly into your bank account in about 3 days. You'll get an email as soon as you've completed the transaction which shows you that they've received it and they'll email you again when they initiate the deposit process. http://www.SquareUp.com

[Former_Member]

Prairie - AWESOME INFO!

[Former_Member]

I seem to sell more outside of Etsy than on.

[Former_Member]

@PrairiePrimatives - thanks for the reminder about the Square. I just got one a couple weeks ago and keep forgetting to set up my account. And just in the nick of time ~ I have a show on Saturday!!! :) Glad to hear it's working well for you - I hadn't heard much feedback yet.

Now off to set up my Square before I forget again!!! ;)

[Former_Member]

I am very new to Etsy.. and quickly realizing I need more avenues.. when you mentions craft shows.. (I am from the bay area) what craft shows do you usually go to?

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! There's a lot of good ideas and comments!

[Former_Member]

I use SQUARE to accept credit cards at craft shows. I use it with my IPAD and it is awesome.

I have only sold 5 items on Etsy since Feb 2011. My views are good, my favorites are good but it does not translate into sales.

[Former_Member]

A friend of mine has offered to feature me in her catalogue here, so hopefully thatll bring in some additional sales. *looks hopeful*