How I finally started to make sales...

[#1]

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.

[shoptwoblooms]

Thank you for this, found the Etsy handbook a bit overwhelming with all the links to this and that. It's nice to have something all in one place to read in one fell swoop. This is something I can work on as well.

Some wonderful sellers on here have given me advice too.

[ArtisanRoseCreations]

I am in the process of reading all of it and digesting it. I ran out of copy paper so I couldn't copy and re-read in my comfortable chair(took a bad fall and can't stay at computer much)and critique my shops with the suggestions.

I bookmarked it to keep as a referral. Thank you soooooo much Sassy team for your time and consideration in helping new ones and any seller looking for easy understanding tips and techniques.

[birdmom9726]

Someone above me mentioned that this should be "required reading" for everyone that's starting out on Etsy - I couldn't agree more. If every person who wants to post something were to read this first, just read the whole thing, not necessarily look at every link right away, we would get a lot less of the "newbie blues" I think. I thought I was doing good reading the Etsy Seller Handbook and the Do's and Don'ts, but this goes way beyond that, I think. I have bookmarked this document and intend to study the whole thing in between tweaking my titles and key words, learning how to work my camera properly, and all the other little details that are in the article. There's a LOT there - but I'll have plenty of time to read it, since sales are not exactly stellar right now .... :) but they will be!!!

[TheSSSeamstress]

Really helpful...my shop needs a little work. Thanks!

[ionesAttic]

right on!
The success in my shop seems to be tied to my featured items in newsletters or front page treasuries. That is all well and good, but, I have avoided the hard work of this kind of research and analysis that would bring consistent views to my shop.
I just want to take pretty pictures and write clever descriptions and talk to customers. Maybe it's time for me to invest and hire someone with this kind of aptitude and concentrate on what I do best.

[Former_Member]

Such great info! Thank you so much!

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much! I read everything and learned a ton!

[Former_Member]

Thank you for sharing, I have some changes to make. ;)

[Former_Member]

Thank you very much for sharing this. Who said that selling in internet would be easy, right? t's good to have some friends with similar thoughts.
Take care

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much for this bit of info! I was so excited last month when I FINALLY began uploading pieces to my shop to use old song titles as style names. Now I know, thanks to you, that's keeping buyers from finding me! I've been putting them first in the item titles. Changing it now, and can't wait to see if it makes a difference. I really appreciate it!

[Former_Member]

sweet, thanks for sharing!!
www.shopborders.etsy.com

[KthysKreations]

Aman - Thank you for this post. I've started reworking my shop. :)

[PebbleCreekStudio]

Marking. Thank you!! (and congrats)! :)

[PrintDesignsbyJessa]

Thank you so much for this information! :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the information.

[Former_Member]

Thank you very much for sharing this. I know it will be entirely helpful and I appreciate your generosity.

[pasqueflower]

Thank you!!!

[Former_Member]

Thats a great link! Thanks!

[Former_Member]

This is exactly the comprehensive information I've been looking for. Thanks so much!!

[Former_Member]

Thank you this helps! Love tips :)

[Rocksntwigs]

i read that this morning over coffee and then talked to a friend about this and she came up with something else i think we are all guilty (well i am) when describinbg something that you are selling describe as if the buyer is blind be very specific and dont leave out any detail, think i am going to try this out also

[Former_Member]

That's a really great article, thank you!

[StudioAvai]

Thank you

[Former_Member]

I'll check it later. Thank you for posting this!

[Former_Member]

Marked it to use as a refresher for when I'm frustrated on slow days--thanks tons!