How did you make your first sale?

[#1]

Hi there,

Making my first sale to a complete stranger was such an indescribable feeling. Up until then, all of my customers had been friends or family members. As soon as I saw the order, I immediately texted my best friend and then rushed to ship the item out.

How did you make your first sale to a stranger? I’m working on a potential article for the Seller Handbook, and I want to hear from you. Was there a turning point in your shop that led to it? Maybe you had an epiphany about how to shoot better product photos or perhaps you revamped your titles and tags. Or maybe you changed course and started selling a new product. Whatever the change, big or small, tell us about what led to your first sale.

If I’m interested in learning more about your experience, I’ll reach out to you directly. Excited to hear your stories and tips!

Thanks y’all,
Tess

[KanelliAccessories]

Hi! I opened my shop few days ago, haven't sold anything yet although I have only 4 shop views! :) Need to read some tips about SEO.

[DearlyEmilyCrafts]

Selling baby headbands is hard because there is a lot of competition out there. However, I used a free shipping coupon for the first month. I guess that attracted my first customer!

[MyHankyUa]

Thank you Nicole Millick for your story as my hope is slowly melting away. Not a single sale for three months but I'm not to lose courage yet )))))

[ArtbySuzanneLaPierre]

My work was dirt cheap when I started, so that helped me get sales right away. I still think my art is very inexpensive, but I am trying to give myself more of a fair wage these days. Still, I think it's a good idea to keep prices low until you gather more of a following and more testimonials that help people feel comfortable ordering your work online.

[MyDecor8Craft]

Love to hear from people who made their First Sale here on Etsy. I am bit of unlucky here b'coz I am here since July 2016 and couldn't crack the First Sale nut. Really don't know what the reason(s) is/are. I would appreciate if any one come up and say "Hey, I know your problem! Do this or that so you can get the your desired First Sale"

[Former_Member]

Just got my first sale today and I was ecstatic!

I have been on Etsy for a couple months without a sale and I was beginning to wonder why, but finally today my fears went away.

Just keep waiting and working on your advertising, and you will get some sales!

[KanelliAccessories]

Congrats getting first sale, I'm still waiting for mine :)

[Former_Member]

Hello! I am new to etsy! (opened my site about 4 days ago). I really would like to make my first sale to a stranger (my mom bought some soap). I love hearing these stories and it gives me hope...I have been posting so much on facebook and instagram and although many people "liked" my page..no one has yet bought a soap. Thanks for the inspiration friends.

[Former_Member]

Osmosis. I made items and really just promoted everything I could out of them here on Etsy, other blogs, twitter, etc. The key was getting traffic to my store, but the factor I couldn't control was that lucky someone who was interested enough to like what I made and bought it. 2000+ sales later, things have been pretty good. :)

[PetalToPetal]

On my first sale I am pretty sure that I miscalculated how much postage would be and ended up not making any profit ;) But they left lovely feedback so that was all that was important then really!

[Former_Member]

Hi, I opened my etsy shop last week. I'm waiting for the first sale which I hope will arrive soon :)
Take a look www.etsy.com/shop/elipaddesign
If you have any tips on how to improve my shop and get the first sale, I'm listening!
Thank you

[VintageBlueGecko]

Ive only had my shop open a few months now and my first sale was to a lovely Lady (Catherine B) who purchased a sweet little pair of earings. To say I was excited didnt even cover it. I was literally jumping around and telling anyone who was near me that 'someone' else thought my pieces were lovely and bought one!

Ive only had a few more sales since and things are rather slow but hopefully it will pick up. How do people get others to look at their sites without having to pay large amounts on advertising?

Meg

[Former_Member]

I could not do it yet:(

[Former_Member]

Hi!
I opened my shop in October 2016. My first (and only) sale is from a friend who offered to buy something so that I have a review. This was last week and I'm waiting for the review, maybe then people will have more courage to buy from me.

[IreneAndreaJewelry]

Glad to see i'm not the only one waiting for their first sale!! I'm very anxious and seeing everyone's comments calmed me down!! So fingers crossed and hope everything goes well!!

[FibreArtStudio]

It was out of blue and pure luck. It was a few days after I opened my shop and I only had one item in my shop. I am in Canada and the order was from Australia! I opened my shop during the Etsy Resolution 2016 and posted the first item to get feedback from other program participants. I was very surprised when I had my first sale.

[IvaDecorStudio]

Hi everyone my first sale is very interesting. Firstly somebody ask me"do you can change color" after say yes i can but never reply me. 2 months after re-write me and we talking about 60 messages for customize order. After i opened custom listing and just sell. Maybe my product hard to sell bcs just table legs, Not finished products:) i think this is problem. But i'm keep trying bcs i love my business.

[LittleLearningHeroes]

I' ve oppened my shop about a month ago..Zero sales but i started getting some views.. :) Struggling with SEO.. I think I' ll stay possitive and hope to find what I am doing wrong.

[Former_Member]

I couldnt do my first sale. I did actually twice but Etsy Payment system did not accept. i think i solved the problems but i m not sure yet. Hopefully i will make my first sale soon. (the third time)

[Former_Member]

Hello, I'm still waiting for my first sale but I'm full of hope. I love creating and I belive customers will also enjoy my work. Good luck everyone!

[Former_Member]

Interesting to hear all the sale stories, mine is about the same and i love this community!

[IlmeRatsepDesign]

Hello, I`m also waiting for my first sale. But hey, Rome wasn`t built in a day. :)
Seeing all those amazing artists here, doing the things they love and being successful in Etsy inspires me.
Good luck to all of you!

[GRANIdiSENAPEByErika]

Hi! I made first my sale on Easter day. I opened my shop just a month ago and I'm very excited because it's a very special day for me, I think I'll never forget it.

[Former_Member]

Hey, hopefully this isn't too much off topic: do you often encounter clients that do not communciate to you / respond to your messages (a thank-you note, information regarding delays etc.) ? This is my first selling experience and it seems as if the client has purchased the product almost accidentally clicking on it...

The tracking system also shows that the client probably hasn't received the parcel because he simply wasn't at home when the delivery was made.

[CherilynNicole]

My first sale was a small, original pencil drawing (ACEO) of a bunny. I listed it and a few hours later, it sold! I was so happy!