How I finally started to make sales...

[Former_Member]

I started another thread and read some comments from frustrated sellers. I thought, "wow, they sound just like me when I first started."

Here's my secret: http://etsymentors.blogspot.com/p/critique-your-own-shop.html

The above shop critique checklist pretty much saved my shop. It's more thorough than any single Etsy Seller Handbook article and it's very straightforward. No pats on the back or warm fuzzies: just clearly stated info. No, you won't get 5 sales overnight, but it was a great starting point for me.

This helped me put certain things into perspective:
*I needed to work on photos (my bath towel background wasn't working, lol!)
*I needed to re-word all my titles and tags (took me weeks to learn the concept)
*I needed to add more items (I guess only 8 items was not enough!)

I went from 1 sale in the first month (June 2011), to 175 sales by the end of 2011.

Please give this checklist a try! Selling on Etsy is not just about SEO or photos, it's about having the whole package.

[CreativeEndeavorsKS]

Awesome information! Thank you :)

[Former_Member]

It took a lot of time for the SASsy team to put that blog entry together and so far, its been well received my many Etsians.

I'm glad you found it to be helpful for you!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for sharing this!! :)

[dorijewellery]

This is a really great article. Off to use it now. Thank you

[Sapucha]

Very helpful! I have noticed that the hard work I've been putting into my shop has resulted in more sales. I have a long way to go but I definately believe you get what you put into it!

[Former_Member]

I just found this checklist a few days ago and I'm already noticing a huge change in sales and views! It really does work.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for sharing!
I've been working on my photos... recently started reading other blogs and have been working on my titles and tags...(so far this is all I've got) lol It might take me a while to get a hang on the tags and titles.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for sharing.

[Former_Member]

I read it a couple weeks ago & agree so much. It really puts it all out there. I just wish every Etsy newbie seller would read it before they get frustrated an give up.
It seems everyone has the same general problems in the beginning. I have an aquantance who is a beautiful crocheter & she tried selling on Etsy but just didn't get up & gave up way too soon. :(

[Former_Member]

thanks for sharing this! I went through it not too long ago and did a lot of updating. tagging and titling are still kind of mystical to me though. maybe they'll always be! :]

thanks again!

[AdorablyHooked]

I love this! Thank you so much for sharing!

[Former_Member]

@ televised - I feel the same way about tags and titles.. lol its baffling..

[Former_Member]

Thanks, I will check it out right now.

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much for this info., I bookmarked it and will read it fully!

[AvolieGlass]

thank you for posting this!

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone, read especially about the album sections and shop titles, etc. I especially did not know that google search also would search those areas. Started to change mine now! Hope it works :)

[Sbb1]

Thanks so much for sharing going to go check it out now!

[Untwistedsister]

I'm in a little slump - lots of views and favs but slow sales. Maybe it's time to go through that list and see what improvements I can make. Thanks for sharing.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for sharing!

[AmandaSchoppel]

Wow! Thanks for sharing!
I'm going to make some tea, and sink my teeth in!

[Former_Member]

Thank you!!! Can't wait to check it out!!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for sharing this info - I sat and went through all of my tags and titles today but I still have no idea if they're any good. Will book mark this link and have a proper look tomorrow! :)

[spacefem]

hmm... it's got some good pointers, but some of the stuff is just "seller to seller" junk. Like, I'm a buyer, and I've never once thought "oh I love the item but there's no shop banner. guess I'll move on." I've also never bought an item based on a good shop banner.

Also on "cropping" the article says use a 1:1 ratio, but the search results are 10:8. If you really crop everything to square, the search results will cut off the top & bottom of your photo to make it fit. booo. It's good to *look* at what your 1:1 crop would be, but that's it.

[Rocksntwigs]

thank you for the time you took to research this for ucs i'm off to reword my titles and check up on my tags. i too was about to give up but then in january with the loss of my full time job i thought i;d give it another month or two glad i did and really glad i read your blog aman thank you again what an eye opener