Holiday Boot Camp - Week 2!

[#1]

Hi all,

Are you following along with the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp program? Week 1 is almost over, if you need to check out all the task for last week you can find them here: http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/holiday-boot-camp-a-flying-start/

This week we're going to focus on developing the right products for the holidays (or tweaking the products you already sell).

Keep your eyes on your email inbox for your instructions.

And if you have any questions let us know in this thread.

I'd also love to hear if you plan on offering your buyers something different for the holidays!

Best
Danielle

[Former_Member]

Not sure if anyone has asked this this but here it goes: Is there a way to offer 2 options for shipping?

[Former_Member]

I don't think I'm going to offer gift wrap per se but I am going to tweak my packaging to look more festive. I'm feeling overwhelmed by all I need to accomplish this season. But I'm going to make a list of to-do's in priority order and achieve what I can without giving myself an ulcer.

[Former_Member]

That worksheet on product development is great! It's so easy to see what price points we could hit now that we've written everything. We still have a lot of work to do in revamping out titles, tags and styles. (By the way, are styles searchable?) Hope to keep on trucking!

Keep it up everybody!

[Former_Member]

I'm lousy at gift wrapping, but I do have cute little gift boxes for my jewelry items that have a label with my artwork on them-- and I make sure there is a picture of the gift box in each listing so that the buyer knows what they are getting.

I also offer the option of including a small gift card (with my artwork on the front) with a short message, if the item is going directly to the recipient.

Customers LOVE these little extras, and they often turn into repeat customers!

[Former_Member]

I'm thinking about tweaking my prices so I can offer free shipping. I'm also thinking about offering gift wrap.

[hooknsaw]

I have had to completely rearrange my thinking this past week. I have already met the sales goals I had set for the year. (I joined Etsy with what I thought was a realistic goal of 30 sales in the first 6 months). Our sales this past week showed me how unprepared for the holiday season I am.

I still have photos to redo.
I still have listings that need editing.
I have several new items I want to create for our store.

On the plus side:
I got my craft room organized with an efficient shipping area.
I think I have ordered enough boxes, bubble wrap, and mailers.
The post office employees like me better now that I know the difference between priority and first class.
I'm learning to curb my compulsion to check shop stats every 5 minutes.
I'm having fun!!

Thank you so much for all the wonderful information that is provided in these forums. Maybe I will catch up to week 2 by the end of week3!

[Former_Member]

I've tried to think of ways to offer gift wrapping as well, but my products are tough to wrap. I thought about putting them in some plastic wrap... any suggestions? As I think of something I'll offer the service free.

[BeljaysFelt]

Most of my items package fairly flat and are smallish. I've been asked before if I would gift wrap and it's pretty easy to do a simple wrap and ribbon. So this year I'll try offering it for free

[KilnFiredArt]

I got my newsletter and started listing Christmas goodies. please let me know if you think i can improve my listing in any way
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82862383/christmas-ornament-ooak-hand-painted#

[aeliosdesign]

Is it appropriate to add tags such as 'personalized' 'custom' and 'customizable' to our products (that are in fact customizable)?

[Former_Member]

I have done most of the tasks for week 1 and now have a buddy too but where on earth do I find the calendar and printable stickers?! I think I may have deleted my first newsletter.....oh dear!

[Former_Member]

playing catch up! nearly there now but no buddy so flying alone lovelottie I cant find the stickers either!!
Started this weeks list hoping to be done by Sunday

[Former_Member]

I'm done with week one and working on week 2. Looking for ideas and patterns to build on the items I already have. Also have two new lines that will be geared to older children and men. I have a craft show this weekend so will start next week concentrating on my store.

[GWachtelArtist]

I still have my email from week 1, but when I clicked on the link for "print stickers" (was going to try and post the url to share for those that needed it) - it shows me part of one little icon not how the page looked before... I already have it printed but often pdf links like that can work for a while so was hoping it would.

Done with week 1 assignments, working on week 2 assignments.

[Former_Member]

Do it, aelios - I have a whole line of custom order bridal clutches - people LOVE to cusomize their orders. As a matter of fact, my biggest sellers are those custom bridal clutches. I say go for it.

[Former_Member]

I've just been reshooting pictures and checking items for typos... man I have a lot of typos lol ( of the copy and pasted the wrong thing variety... my buyers must think I'm nuts lol) lots to work on!

[Former_Member]

I had a thought for those with hard to wrap items. Have you thought of a Holiday color or print shrink wrap or celophane (sp?) like what they put on those premade easter baskets.

For the pottery you many also be able to just put it in a nice red/green/Christmasy bag. Like a felt or something. That way you could still apply all the packaging required for shipment too.

[Former_Member]

I did not receive an email with regards to week's 1 tasks?
I'm planning on adding a few new items for the holiday season this weekend. I will offer holiday gift wrapping as my items are fairly easy to wrap.

[Former_Member]

I have car roll and super hero roll playmats already and I am going to design a checkers and backgammon roll/set in the next couple of weeks. I have mostly practical (non gift) type items so I really want to work on giftables and trying to reach up into those higher price brackets.

[Former_Member]

I am working on getting my shop ready for Christmas. We are working on some new merchandise to post soon, we just posted adjustable dog leashes and we are working on harnesses and cat collars too. We can't forget our pets this holiday season! I finally have my gift wrapping listing up and I have figured out how to handle the expedited shipping issues, thanks Matt Z. for your help. I am still waiting for a buddy but I have some feelers out there so hopefully I get some responses soon.

[Former_Member]

All my items either come wrapped in tissue or a small box with ribbon - I think I'll just switch to gold or silver paper & ribbon - I'm concerned about going too red & green and Christmassy - what if it's not someone celebrating the holiday and just happens to be buying in November? I've also been using Halloween ribbon for my spooky items. Michaels has some really pretty hot-stamp ribbon for both Halloween & Christmas. It's satin with little images on it and less than 1/2 inches wide. I think it's $1.99 for a 3 yard roll. Very pretty on small packages!

I haven't decided what if any specific holiday themed items I will make (I feel like I should have started this sooner!) I still have a few items from last year in my shop, and I just added a beautiful Christmas cross a week ago. I didn't have much luck with Christmas items last year, but I was new. And Halloween's been good to me this year, so maybe...

I am going to concentrate on some quick inexpensive stocking stuffer items this year. This is getting exciting!!!!

[Former_Member]

finished week one with a bang. got a new buddy who is SUPER HELPFUL!! i am all kinds of excited! now i am off to get started on week two.

[FantasyFairyTaleArt]

@CountryCents

Thanks for posting the shipping deadlines. I will double check with my local area.

About the gift wrap...

I am offering free gift wrapping on my wrappable items on request. As for my prints, since they don't get wrapped and are flat, I am offering free holiday card / tag with their item.

Also I am offering direct shipping to the person the gift is for. This too will be a request thing. Of course they would have to let me know the address and persons name.

I am starting week 2 now, and already started fixing listing.

[Sarahndipities]

Thanks for all the extra info on gift wrapping options for listings...I've been wondering the same thing!

I'm so excited to get things ready!! My buddy and I are on track!! Here's to a great season!!

~ Sarah

[OhEdith]

week 1 down! on to week 2. Oh boy. Just got my shipping boxes for my large items! :)