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]

I plan to offer gift wrapping. I am also thinking of making some Earring Organizer Books to go along with the upcoming holidays as well.

[Former_Member]

I would like to offer gift wrapping, but first things first: I've got to figure out exactly WHAT holiday items I will offer. UGHH, decisions, decisions. : )

[herie7]

I have been thinking about packaging this week. I am horrible at wrapping but since most of our items are fiber/yarn colored cellophane bags (red, green, blue, silver) would work out well. My biggest challenge is to stock the shop while also stocking items at a LYS and festival events I have been invited too. It's nice to have the locals want your items but it making it difficult to create items for all of the venues (I work full time out of the house).

Keeping it all in perspective and my goal is to not let the stress get to me and ruin the spirit of the holidays!

[Former_Member]

I have a suggestion for the gift wrapping issue. How about proposing the buyer check out some of your fellow Etsy sellers who make gift bags (like yours truly) and/or gift tags ??!! How's that for team support.

Personnaly, I have hearted shops for this reason (i.e. they are related or compatible products). The buyer sees these shop from mine and so, is more likely to visit them.

Since I make gift bags, I have hearted shops which sell fabric, ribbon, candy, jewelry, labels, etc. You get the picture.

[Former_Member]

That sounds like a really good way to save time while supporting your fellow sellers littlehiddentreasure : )

[Former_Member]

Can't wait to get hand carved porcelain Christmas ornaments on my shop! And so excited to have found a buddy! I must say that the budget sheet was more than a little hard for me to work on, it sure isn't my strong point.....
But week 2 - here we go!!!!

[UniqueSewingBoutique]

I have always gift wrapped all my orders, if I remember it was suggested when I first started selling on etsy, I use white tissue paper, to keep weight down, since my items are fabric, I hesitate to use colored paper, I use different color yarn or raffia, received nice compliments from customers.

I will use green and red yarn for the holidays.

The idea of a small photo is a good idea.

[Former_Member]

Soo many good ideas! I just made my to do list and I'm just a little overwhelmed at the moment. Right now was not the best time to have my craft room taken away for our impending arrival, but I'll make do, we just won't be doing any entertaining for a while, LOL.

My biggest problem seems to be getting photos taken and items listed! I have so many items that have yet to make it into my shop!

[Former_Member]

All these product ideas are awesome! Idea! Upload photos to flickr and submit a link here if you'd like some feedback before listing.

[LipsticKissPress]

I'm so excited to actually ramp up my store this year ahead of time instead of tacking things on as I go! You guys are giving me loads of good ideas for packaging and gift-wrapping prints.

I started switching things over to a new store about a month ago and it hasn't been going too well - it doesn't seem like people are finding me even though the old store points people to the new store. My buddy advised me to keep the old store around past the holidays so hopefully everyone can transition over. And I just started the ads this week, so we'll see if they help!

Thanks for sharing all your cool holiday ideas, everyone!

[Former_Member]

I know October just began but my body feels like it's in December! Does anyone else feel like that?

I was feeling overwhelm but I am finding the to do lists to be extremely helpful. Whatever I didn't complete last week, I just tacked on to the "to do too!" section this week, so it's helped me prioritize much better. Since I sell cards, the main goal this week is to create some custom listings. I will keep you guys posted on how it goes!

Thank you everyone for the motivation - I wish you all the best of luck!

[CapeCodArtnNature]

Thanks for this--I have started with my buddy and my budget sheet--and am working on my listings for custom holiday cards. I do them each year but had to quit early last year due to an illness. I am hoping to really do well with them this year so am getting ready.

I have also bought a scale, learned how to use Paypal shipping,etc. for both my shops.

[Former_Member]

maryrichmond - PayPal shipping is Da BOMB. I've been using it for a couple of years now, and couldn't go back if I tried! LOL - the only things I go to the PO for are International shipments and boxes taht are too big to fit into my mailbox for pick-up.

[Former_Member]

I'm still waiting on my email. Checked my email preferences, and they're fine, so I dunno why they're not getting through. :(

[Former_Member]

I'm just about to add Christmas coasters to my regular ones. I think I'm the only person who doesn't decorate for the holidays, so hopefully there will be interest in these!

[Former_Member]

Catching up on this first week's assignments and then hopefully I can stay on task. I've got some new holiday items I am hoping to launch by the end of October and I've also got some new holiday cards in mind...now I just have to buckle down and design them!

[Former_Member]

I'm finishing up a custom order, which I will ship on Monday. After that I will be working on holiday items. I am hoping to put together some gift sets and some Christmas Home Decor items.

Can't wait!

Oh, and I guess I should get started on my personal Christmas list as well. We have a large family and I like giving handmade gifts.

[Former_Member]

I've been out of town so have a lot of catching up to do! Busy week ahead, now to find a buddy, set my goals, etc.

[TheMaineCoonCat]

Hello everyone- new to ETSY relatively- & have been reading these posts about gift wrapping. Curious and not sure of the rules about such - but Daniellexo- can it be added as an option to the postal area so sellers have the option of adding seasonally or as a per item deal? And maybe sellers can ask for the seasonal wrapping they desire, for whatever holiday they celebrate? Maybe i'm off...probably am...and haven't read enuf to be more dangerous than I already am! Still finding my way around and discovering links...
Happy selling & buying to everyone!

[Former_Member]

I'm just starting to work on some holiday items for the shop. I am also considering doing some inexpensive holiday "stocking stuffer" things. I'm also thinkig of doing some boxed Christmas tags. I am really, really hoping I can pick up my sales for this holiday season.

[Former_Member]

Well, this first week was a learning experience and eye opener. My blog is my buddy. I decided since I couldn't find a "buddy" that my blog and the readers would be who I was committed and accountable to. I have been working on photography and research.

I am still really clueless how I can truly enter the "holiday" market, but I think week 2 might help with that as I have printed off the work sheet and the questions are very good.

I am thankful for the boot camp. It really has brought up some good questions I need to be asking myself about my shop.

[Former_Member]

Just rounded up week 2 of the bootcamp challenge. I made a very long to do list, so i will be busy for a while. I also sold 3 items this, so i had a great week :). Really need to get busy filling up my shop. With the 3 itmes sold i only 3 items left.

Planning on gift warping for free. I bought some cheap brown paper en some simple yarn. I sell recycled items and think it goes well with my shops theme.

[Former_Member]

i need a boot camp buddy! anyone interested??

[Former_Member]

I am brand new to Etsy and in the process of creating items for my shop. I'm really excited to get started! My main holiday/winter season emphasis will be crocheted goods.

While browsing other shops I've noticed sellers listing crocheted items and then clarifying in the listing that they will need a week or so to complete the item.

My question: would it be best to create an example item...list it...and then create an exact replica for the buyer? OR make a bunch of items at once and have the item ready to ship as soon as the buyer makes a purchase?

I was thinking making a bunch of items that are ready to ship would be best during the holiday season. Thoughts???

[Former_Member]

Hi

help !! I cant find the lists or the week two of boot camp!!! is there somewhere I can read it without needling to download pdf stuff?