Having the hardest time

[Former_Member]

I started my Etsy shop over a year ago in Toronto, Canada & had a good amount of product & some sales going. I'm now travelling in Australia & couldn't give up closing my Etsy shop for that long as what I do is a hobby that I love to do whenever I can.

My problem is I'm having problems getting recognition being in a new place & time zone. All of the sudden I feel like my audience needs to change but the transition isn't easy. Although Etsy is a worldwide website, local or semi-local products (like that of the North American region; Canada to US) seemed easier to attract being in that region. Now that I'm across the globe it's harder to attract either audience the same way.

My goal was to use Etsy as a way to have a surprise amount of extra income while travelling but I haven't had success. Also, being on a travellers budget & suitcase size, I can't bring in the same amount of product into my shop like I once could.

I'm not sure a travelling business is as ideal as I thought it would be.

-Cory U of CUExperiments

[Former_Member]

Maybe you could find a local Aussie team that could help you out - network with them & see how they handle getting seen in a different time zone.

[Former_Member]

I'm curious about the region and time zone issue here. Which mean shop from Europe region will get seen in first priority than others region?

[Former_Member]

I find that since the hours of posting are different, sometimes that does change things. I used to have certain days & times ruled in & out for regular postings (used to play around with day vs night posts) but now that's all thrown out the window.

Even tweeting is harder since North American time zones are half a day off of my time zone now. It's tricky going from two different audiences when all your regional networkings are from another place.

I feel like I'm starting from beyond scratch where I'm at now & never considered that would happen.

-Cory U of CUExperiments

[Former_Member]

I'm sorry, find some teams from aussie and see what they have to say. You'll figure it out! :)

[Former_Member]

Yay I notice that too. As most of my buyer are from different time zone, so I have to stay up late in night to deal with buyers, reply emails, re-new listing, just to make sure I never miss out any opportunity from potential buyers.

This really a big challenge to selling worldwide... but seem like no others choice to deal with this issue. I believe you really need spend time to justified with the new time zone you staying with right now.

cheers Cory! :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks @Poh Koon! Time zones are a tricky thing in this situation for sure. Regaining markets is also tough. Traveling & Etsy don't seem to be a good combination.

[Former_Member]

I'm sorry to hear that. But, maybe some locals could give you some advice about Australia...

This is the first I'd heard about certain days & times for regular postings being better than others.

Would you share your insight into the North American market?

Also, maybe you could network with someone who you trust to post some items for you? Is there some way you could time delay your tweets? Maybee through e-mail?

[ziezoDesigns]

I'm in the middle of all the time zones and find that it is not a problem, I use my mornings and late evenings to communicate will all potential customers. The majority of them are from North America and Australia / New Zealand. . . However, I have to admit that I have not experienced being in a different situation and I do have a rather particular market.

I hope you find a solution soon!

[Former_Member]

If you'd like to tweet or post on Facebook at certain peak times, you could use something like Hootsuite. It allows you to schedule your posts and tweets in advance.

[Former_Member]

I am an American living in Germany. When I started my shop, I felt so displaced as I felt all Etsy was happening in America.
I used to feel so much it was all in North America. That was more where I got attention but gradually over 5 months, I am finally getting more features and attention from Europe which was one of my intentions. I guess I just want to say imagine you are in a transition and you will end up soon up to date where you actually are! Enjoy your travels and know it will come together at the perfect time :)

[Former_Member]

Hi Cory! I'm in Australia and my first 2 sales were to the US and Canada. I don't think there is anything to worry about as there are lots of Australian Etsy sellers who are successful. Surely the time difference hasn't kept them from being successful!

I used this site before http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html
It helps to check out which time is best to be online, in the forums... etc. if right times concerns you.

For me I just do it when it fits my life. On my off days I reply convos, emails or blog comments in the mornings and before bed. At about noon to 1pm I am in the forums while having lunch. Working days I only have after work hours or a few minutes during lunch.

Hope that helps!