Has January been REALLY slow for anyone else?

[DifferentCharms]

I am just past my 1 year anniversary, so don't really know the patterns yet. I have been having nicely increasing sales, with December the busiest month so far. Then suddenly almost nothing this month. I haven't changed my product mix or pricing. I did change my header to a Valentine-themed one until the middle of next month, and also moved all my "Valentine-y" items to my front page. Is this normal for this time of year? Is the Valentine theme driving people off for some reason? Any insights would be helpful. Thanks!

[Former_Member]

Sorry that you January isn't as great as you had hoped.

Have you been keeping up with your marketing to bring in your target customer?

Have you been updating your shop with new items for the new year?

I did notice that your shop announcement really doesn't tell me very much about what you are selling at all so you may not be getting as much traffic from Google as you did in the past.

""Love is in the air!But if you're not into the mushy stuff, keep scrolling. I've got something for everybody! ""

I've found it to be extremely busy since Christmas Day with my January sales exceeding last years by quite a bit.

But then I do review my tags and titles on each item at least once every three months and I do quite a bit of marketing outside of Etsy.

[Former_Member]

My sales have been non exsistant this month.
I think its a bit slower for everyone though, people spend too much at christmas and then have a break from shopping!
i also havent put in as much effort this month because ive needed to relax after christmas! so for me i guess those 2 factors have lead to no sales.

[Former_Member]

I am having the same problem here, actually I post exactly same subject like 10 hours ago :) I got some very reasonable answers. People over-spent during christmas and january is kind of time to repair the damage.
So I think no need to be worry I am sure things get better for you, for me and everyone having the same issue.

I wish you a good luck.

[sydemcgus]

Very slow here.................

[BridgetFainne]

I have exceeded last years sales but I work very hard on my shop, listing new items or relisting if I have nothing new to post, making treasuries, lightening up dark pictures,rearranging the shops so items are listed together(all charm bracelets etc).

Hope things pick up for you...........Kate

[PaperFlora]

January '03 has already exceeded sales from last year. I've been working a lot on keeping the shop stocked and having a lot of multiples of my most popular styles. I think that has helped a lot.
I've also spent a lot of time marketing all over the place and always on the look out for new sites.
hopefully it will continue!
best of luck-

[Former_Member]

'''this January has been the most active and sucessful since I hae been open. Thanks to suggestions from you all. I have increase my number of listings and have sold a lot or me. Thanks every body.

[SerenityInChains]

January has been better this year than last for us. However, we also do a lot of marketing outside of Etsy, and pretty consistently adjust tags and titles, move products around, and rotate in new items.

Keep in mind two things about January. It is the slowest month in retail, and also you get out what you put in. If you are only listing a couple of items a month and crossing your fingers, you probably aren't getting in front of your customers.

[RainnRoseArt]

January started off really good, got 10 sales in just a few days, but now its been really slow, i had a sale a few days go, but nothing since then and my views have been really really low lately too, not sure what is up with that.

[LauraCColeCo]

January has been awesome for BowPosh, so it may depend on what people are out for right now. I stay very busy on my facebook page, and have brought in alot more that way as well (by setting it up where people can check out from there through Etsy. It also gives an automatic discount if you want to set that up with it- its great for new fans). I also moved my V-day items to the front and in featured, and things are still okay, so I doubt that could be the issue.

Its a constant thing, there is no rest in the biz, so keep pushing away. They will come. Good luck :)

[QuirkyUniverse]

I've had a really good January as well. Like most people have said I've been re-doing titles and tags, listing lots of new items, keeping things that sell well stocked up, re-did my pictures yet again, trying to find new places to market.

[Former_Member]

January has been great for me. Almost past last years sales and that is with a longer delivery time. (Was still catching up on Dec. orders until last week)
I agree though, you've got to go out and get those customers. I use all my social media networks every day.

[Former_Member]

I got my first sale of the year today! I am optimistic that sales will get better, I am constantly promoting for me and others and my views are fantastic even thru January. I am checking out new things to make that are a little not my style, but then who likes everything everyone makes....lol I have done alot of shop browsing to see what is selling. So, I am trying to bridge the gap and still keep my shop up to my expectations.

[TheNorthWayStudio]

Oh gosh, it's been hideous here lately--views are low, sales are blah.
Hopefully it gets better!

[1AEON]

for me, it slowed down in the last few days but im back. also spending 12 hours in a front of the computer, making it work:)

[DifferentCharms]

Thanks for the good advice and commiseration, all! Will try to amp up my social media marketing and hope it picks up. Best of luck to all of you!

[xoxocrocheted]

Lots of people are having the same problem, it seems! Just use the time to re-stock and improve your shop :)