Help?

[SwellDameStudios]

I'm at a loss with my shop and I'm not sure what to do about it. I get a lot of favorites but not a lot of sales.

It was suggested that I bump up the prices to include free shipping - I've done that. I've experimented with my photographs. I've tried adding digital downloads of my work. I've also changed my name, not a big change but now it's "Swell Dame Ink" instead of "Swell Dame Inc" because of the "artsy" stuff I try to sell.

It was suggested that I make actual prints of my work but when I've asked about doing that, I can't seem to get the help in how to start. Even if I were to start with prints, I'm experiencing selling anxiety and I'm not sure if I want to shell out on something that has a great chance of not selling at all like the rest of my shop.

I don't know if it has something to do with my brand or my products or both? I've asked on a number of other Etsy teams about what I should do but with no relief, so I'm a bit worried that there's something about my shop that can't be fixed.

Please help?

[Former_Member]

The first thing I think you should work on is your titles. The first three words matter a lot for you to be found in search. You want to be descriptive telling exactly what your item is. Think about what you would type in as a buyer to find your shop.

For example, I don't know who Lana Del Rey is, but I might search for "woman on button" or something like that. Since you have multiple items with the same character, leave one how it is and change the other. Then you'll be reaching a greater audience.

Hope this helps (and makes sense), good luck!

[Former_Member]

Completely agree with Daria - Write your tags as if you were searching for your item. I try to come up with about 3 search phrases (2-3 words each) write those as the title in order of the most likely searched. When I glanced at your shop - I noticed right away that NONE of your titles would be how I would search for that item! The second thing is your photography- I don't think any of it is bad, but VERY inconsistent. I think I lean towards the denim background in your shop - its different and it makes your items stand out to me. Whatever you choose as a background - make sure its consistent to create your brand.

Same as your titles. your tags need a lot of help. Most are single words - which are essentially useless on etsy. Make sure they are all commonly searched phrases. Also, be careful of the words you tag - 'breakfast club' may be trademarked, and you could get your listing deleted, or worse sued. Just something to keep in mind!

[Former_Member]

I'd first suggest that you work on your titles and tags.

For example I really have no idea what an
""Imagine Inspirational Bookmark Printable Digital"" is at all.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/150015639/imagine-inspirational-bookmark-printable

And if its a bookmark, why would I want a digital one, unless it worked on a digital book?

When I'm writing titles I try to write them as if I was saying to a friend 'Hey look at the cool new xxxxx' that I've got in the shop! Or as if I were asking at the local shop for the item.

Then I'll take the key words and phrases from that title and use them as my tags.

The same goes for your
""Custom What Would Lisbeth Do Lisbeth Salander Girl With The Dragon Tattoo leather cuff bracelet""
https://www.etsy.com/listing/91165059/custom-what-would-lisbeth-do-lisbeth

If you were looking for a leather cuff bracelet, would you search for a 'custom what would lisbeth do lisbeth salanader girl with the dragon... etc?

Probably not. You would search for a 'leather cuff bracelet'. I would also take a good look at your pricing on your items as they seem rather low. If the bracelet is retailing for $10 are you really covering the cost of materials and your time? Even if you only pay yourself $10 per hour that's still a very low price for a quality item.

I would also be careful about selling items using trademarked names or names of personalities. Using names such as 'breakfast club', Lady Gaga, Harry Potter, etc all require the permission of the owner or trademark holder.

And just because 'other people are doing it' doesn't mean that its legal.

You may find that by working through the Critique Your Own Shop - Shop Critique Check List at
etsymentors.blogspot.com/p/critique-your-own-shop.html
that it will help you with your shop.