How Many Hours do you Spend on Etsy?

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone...
starting up a business, even an Etsy business, sure is time consuming! I'm finding myself wracked with guilt as a balance being a mommy with this new endeavor.

How many hours do y'all spend on Etsy every day? 1? 10? :)

I'm hoping as my shop gets more "out there" I can decrease the time in front of the computer screen!

[Former_Member]

Put it 'in time', very important! There's soooooo much to do and play overhere :)

[Former_Member]

I just opened my shop and I feel like I am always either in front of the computer or running around to thrift stores and estate sales (I have a vintage shop). It has proven to be quite time consuming, but it's worth it.

[WildWildernessPhotos]

I spend a ton of time on the computer try to network and promote, list etc. Etsy is addicting!

[SleepingKnight]

If you count the time I spend making items for my shop and all the social networking I would have to say I spend about 5 to 10 hours every day.

[Former_Member]

Anywhere between 10 - 12 hrs because Etsy is addicting along with other social marketing networks.

[Former_Member]

12 hours a day, sometimes more :) There never seems to be enough hours, I am sure everyone feels that way too

[Former_Member]

I hate to say it, but I'm spending 3-5 hours a day listing, relisting, shop tweeking, shop-related facebooking & tweeting, answering e-mail and posting.

That doesn't count the time I spend processing my photography. I totally blame etsy for the extra 5 pounds I put on this year b/c I don't move from this computer chair!

@Gordon - thank you, your 10-12 hrs is making me not feel *quite* as bad! :)

[MooreMagnets]

I spend WAY too many hours on Etsy when my shop first opened ... Perhaps it paid off ... perhaps no? The truth is that I can never get those hours back with my kids, so what is done is done. My advice is to spend your time getting your shop stocked, pictures where you want them to be, and limit your time on the forum and social networking. The first two areas are the most important ... and without the first two the second two won't matter nearly as much.

[LavenderDaisyCrafts]

I've always been a computer geek/addict. So I already spend far to much time on the computer... but since starting Etsy, I have been here a lot more, then say playing games or other things.

Good luck on your shop! I just started mine too, I feel like I'm always changing things around and just hoping someone would give me a chance and buy! :)

[Former_Member]

I work 9-5, Monday to Friday on my supply shop. I admit I have put in a little overtime as well, because I am new. Good luck!

[ScrapsofLuv]

I agree with all the others, it is so easy to spend your whole day in front of your computer with "shop tasks". I found that I have to schedule time slots, just as if I were at my "real" job. Here's a sample of my day"

8am - 9:30 am coffee, read convos, emails, check teams, GA, other Etsy stuff

9:30-12:30 work in shop, creating new items, custom orders, whatever

12:30-1:00 Skype w/my Mom and eat lunch

1:00 - 4:00 back to the shop

4:00 - 5:00 Etsy computer time while I make supper for my hubby who gets home at 5:15

7:00 pm to ? Etsy computer time, if no family obligations or plans.

Of course this is not set in stone, but for the most part it works. Sometimes, I have to add post office trips or supply trips to the schedule,

[Former_Member]

ellarye says

How many hours do y'all spend on Etsy every day? 1? 10? :)

I'm hoping as my shop gets more "out there" I can decrease the time in front of the computer screen!
======================================================

Thankfully, yes, the time spent on Etsy lessens and you rediscover your offline life (and family) once you become more established online. lol

When I started initailly I'd pour over every single page of information that I could find, repeatedly, learning and trying to soak up all the great ideas and concepts to add to my learning curve of selling in this community.

I am retired and I never really meant for my online time to become a genuine business, but rather a fun time for me to meet new people, and perhaps make a bit of pocket change and most importantly to share my handmade items that bring me pleasure to craft them.

However, I believe the majority of people on Etsy are indeed here to create a genuine business and to build towards sometihng substantial. Maybe one day I will find that happening to me with the desire to become more than a fun experience. I haven't found my niche as yet, but I don't think that I would mind having that occur. lol

Seriously Etsy is a great opportunity for anyone at any capacity of selling and time is needed to create a professional image. Once that is established the online time factor does relax some and your Brand Name and product can work for you so you can regain your offline life once again.

~ Paula
RingsHandmade.etsy.com
FineEssentials.etsy.com
AffordableFUN.etsy.com
UxCritter.etsy.com

[girlwitharadiomind]

I think most of us here are Etsy addicts!

It's one of the first thing in the morning and the last thing before I go to bed. During breaks at my day job. More hours during the weekend. 4-6 hours on just crafting on days I do my crafts.

[Former_Member]

I'm the first to admit that I need to be more organized in order to have more time to do everything and more. While I would prefer to create, the time I spend socializing here and on other social networks is really worth it.

If it were a traditional business, in a location somewhere, or selling stuff in brick-and-mortar shops, it would be as much if not more work!

To prevent insanity, one must always remember to spare some time for oneself, at least one hour a day. You'll laugh, because when I create for my shop, I feel like it's time for myself!!

The real time for myself is when I play with my dog (he's very well disciplined in that and always finds me whenever I seem a bit on the "idle mode." :-)

[Former_Member]

I am new to Etsy, so I am just learning how to do everything. I spend a lot of time taking photos, choosing which photos to post, and writing descriptions. I spend about 5-10 hours everyday. It's like a full time job, but I enjoy it. I agree with everyone that Etsy is very addicting!

[Former_Member]

Way to many!

[Former_Member]

Like LuvULots says, running your Etsy like a business will give you more time and keep you organized.

My usual day
8-10 get up, coffee, convos, FB, forums, shower
10-12 make stuff, more coffee, say goodbye to DH
12-1 lunch with kids
1-3 babies' nap time, big kids quiet activity time, hardcore make stuff
3-5 package orders, shipping, run errands, dinner prep
5-8 dinner, play time with kids, clean up, bedtime for kids
8-10 hardcore making stuff, DH comes home, snuggle and grown up talk
10-2 movie time, making stuff

This is what I usually do everyday. I work more on Saturday since my husband is at home and a little less during the day on Sunday because we go to church then hang out with friends and family. Yay!

[Former_Member]

Last night my hubby asked if we could have an evening together w/o the laptop! I'm gonna say I spend a LOT of time on here!

[EmarcidOrchid]

I spent no less than 7 hours on etsy I think. The rest of time I was making. However, the sales don't satisfy me...

[Former_Member]

I put in MUCH more time that I would if I worked in an office, I can tell you that! I, too was surprised at how much work was REALLY entailed in creating and maintaining a shop here on Etsy. What an awakening! Anyway, I'm not a new Mom--my kids are out of the house--so I can't imagine doing what I'm doing with a new BABY. Obviously, your child is of utmost importance! Wish I could tell you it was easier but it IS what it is!! GOOD LUCK (with both, etsy & your baby!)

[Former_Member]

A lot...probably too much.. it's pretty addicting.

[SouthernSeamsKids]

I spend at least 6-8 hrs trying to promote and get my shop out there. Going crazy with it. Too old for all this tweeting, liking, posting and such!

[LillieRainDesigns]

Something that I need to do is set up a schedule like some of the other's mentioned. Presently I'm spending 2 hours in the mornings posting on forums, building treasuries, commenting on treasuries, etc. When I'm photographing it's an all day event, and another day to upload pics and write descriptions for posting. Lot's of work..........and still waiting to see some results :) I spend about 4 hours a day producing jewelry pieces for my shop, and another 2 hours a day working on contract pieces for other jewelers. Makes for some busy days!

[Former_Member]

Now that Summer time is here, I on Etsy half the time but still actively checking sales rather than forums. Catching up with custom orders and prepping for art gallery showing in July. So I have my plate half full.