How do YOU get so many sales?

[Former_Member]

Where do you advertise?

How do you increase traffic and view?

How much time do you invest in promoting?

I'm in a slump...not sure how people can make a sale a day! Any tips greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Krysten

[Former_Member]

Hi Krysten! I opened my shop just a few days before you, so I'm still learning. But maybe we can help each other out with what we've both learned so far!

I've been told that some of the best advertising is on Etsy. Because people are on here all the time, with the intent to shop and buy, this is the best place to advertise your services/items. One way, which I think has worked well for me, is by renewing your items. I just started experimenting with this in the beginning of June, but in the past week, I've noticed much more interest and sales. I started out the first week by renewing five items a day, making my advertising costs $1 a day. The past 2 days, I've upped my renews to ten, about once per hour, bringing my costs to $2 a day. And in those days, I made 1 sale per day, completely paying for this month's advertising costs to date.

I have a blog and facebook fan page, but haven't really seen much traffic brought in from those yet. I'll need to add more content regularly so people will find me through google searches.

I've checked out your shop and LOVE what you offer! I don't know much about this whole Etsy thing, but if I could suggest one thing, it would be to simplify and utilize ALL of your photo options. I know I'm not really the one to offer photo advice, given that all of my thumbnails aren't actually photos but digital images (I'm working on that!), but, for example, on the premade custom banners, I would list five different photos, one for each banner. It will make each option stand out that much more. You might also consider taking your logo out of your picture. I've heard that some people won't consider listing your item in their treasury because they don't want anything to distract from the collection. And don't worry, when people share your item, it will link to your site!

I hope this helps! I would love to hear what you guys have learned so far and any suggestions you might have for my shop! I am far too involved to be objective!

Thanks!
Heather
Pop Heart Press

[Former_Member]

Thats great advice. I've been slow the last couple of days so I have renewed everything and I'm getting lots of views! Hopefully sales will follow!

[BabyGiftsByKarla]

Heather, that is really good advice...Up till I only renew when something sells. But your logic makes perfect sense...I think I'll try it!

Good Luck!!
Karla

[CharlenePrecious]

Great advice. I've just started, too, and dying to get exposure. I think it all starts with exposure and traffic. The more exposure, the higher chances of sales. So I've been hanging around the forums and chatrooms, renewing quite a bit, and promoting through my blog. This is all pretty hard work and a lot of time investment. Hopefully, we'll all see some results soon! :)

[KristianJessie]

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66275159/trinity-rings-sterling-necklace
http://www.etsy.com/listing/75320956/oceanic-blue-sterling-necklace-with

[Former_Member]

If I'm listing new products every day renewing is pointless right? I'm new and sell vintage so I have the inventory to do it. My theory was to list 3-5 new products every day until I run out then start renewing. Is this stupid?

[ArtisanRoseCreations]

Thanks Marie for the advice! I have been taking care of my 84 yr old parents and my mother fell and broke her wrist and then my dad's seat on his walker broke and he fell. So, I haven't been able to promote like I would like to and frankly like many, the views have trickled down, the blog really isn't gaining much attention and I feel desperation creeping up!

Haven't been able to paint to add new items but I have listed a few that shows the variety of painting I do.

Will give this a try. Thanks, Lona

Here is one of my blogs if you would like to critique for me. And here is a few of my items.

http://alwayssnazzyts.blogspot.com/2011/05/now-fear-sets-in.html
http://www.etsy.com/listing/67080636/handpainted-flute-wine-glasses-black-and

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74571380/handpainted-roses-on-3-piece-ceramic

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66184050/hand-painted-ceramic-baby-ladybugs-set

[ArtisanRoseCreations]

Oh, I forgot to add, I know my picture backgrounds are not that great but I hate to change them all out. Do you think same color back grounds are better? Thinking of buying a light box but hate to spend more money with nothing coming in on sales.

♥Lona

[Former_Member]

Don't bother buying a lightbox if you don't have the money, you can make one for free! I wrote a photography article this week and added the link to the tutorial I used for a lightbox. You can see the article here: http://HoneysQuilling.wordpress.com

I tried renewing a few each day (if I couldn't list a new item) and it did give me more views, but no sales. Maybe I just need to do more, I don't know. But I spent a lot of money on supplies this month, so don't want to overspend on renewing, so I cut back down to one or two a day. If I get a couple sales in I will do it more often again.

[TheCatBall]

@ AlwaysSnazzyTs -

Do a search for making your own light box. It's easy to do.
I'm pretty sure there was an article on the Handmadeology blog.

-Jennifer

[SherryKayDesigns]

Hi Heather,

Thank you so much for sharing your tips with us. I am a new shop owner, too and have been stuggling to find successful ways to promote my shop. I have been hearing lately from the discussion threads that relisting items is a great way to advertise your shop. You have convinced me that it is definitely the way to go and I'm going to give it a try ASAP.

Hi Krysten,

Making treasuries and favoriting items & shops is great way to get to know other shop owners. In most cases, they will return the favor and heart your shop and feature your items in treasuries. I have done several showcases, but haven't been lucky enough to get a sale from them. So, I'm not convinced that's the way to go as far as promoting, but you may want to give it a try. Also, I've done several BNR treasuries and had two sales from them. I had to buy into each one, so I didn't really profit monetarily, but it's another way of networking. I'm constantly working on my photos and trying to add as many items as I can, which I've heard that 100 is a good number to have in your shop. I guess seperately, it doesn't sound like much, but hopefully in time my hard work will pay off. I hope you are success with your shop as well and wish you the best of luck.

Sherry

[Former_Member]

@Sherry: BNR treasury? whats that?

[SherryKayDesigns]

Alpaca4US,

I'm pretty new to the concept myself, but what it stands for is "Buy and Replace". The basic principle is that you purchase an item featured in a BNR treasury and then, one of your items takes the spot of the item you purchased and your item stays featured until it sells. I had seen them on the first page of treasuries for awhile and didn't think too much about it, but I was invited to join one a couple of weeks ago. The first couple I didn't make a sell, but the last two I did. Like I said, it didn't even out financially, but not to say I wouldn't try it again. Some shops do very well with them and get tons of sales. I hope this answers your question.

Sherry

[Former_Member]

Hi Krysten,

You have a lovely shop, but with this product you are in a REALLY tough competition here on etsy.

On the other hand, you have a huge advantage (compared to me, for example) - you know exactly where to find your target audience. They are already here - etsy sellers. Therefore, first of all, what is vital for you is to get involved in the community in order to get noticed by other sellers.

I think, advertizing on such sites as www.craftopolis.com, or super-popular handmade blogs might be great for you, as these sites have high consentration of etsy sellers.

I would also recommend you to think about the ways to stand out among your competitors:
1. brand different collections in your shop. You don't have any "departments" in your shop, and it's a pity. Try putting your items into thematic gorups. Vintage, eco, etc
2. add other kind of items. You are a designer and can draw any design, like gift certificate or a thank you note, right? Often customer do not know that you can do it, or that they actually need it, before you tell them so.
3. add designs in general. 14 is NOT enough for a graphic shop. You shop simply looks half empty.

well, that's for now :) if I think of smth else, I will be back :))

and a huge GOOD LUCK!

Ira

[EAGERforWORD]

Highway - I'd say completely pointless! I haven't renewed anything in this shop but in my other renewing certainly doesn't help! I just renew expired listings and that brings a couple of views and no sales.

[Former_Member]

highwayrobbery says

If I'm listing new products every day renewing is pointless right? I'm new and sell vintage so I have the inventory to do it. My theory was to list 3-5 new products every day until I run out then start renewing. Is this stupid?

**********************************

I renew constantly. I even have a special budget for this.
90% of my sales are freshly renewed items.
So it works for me.

I renew a bit less those days when I list new items. I try to list new items often (minimum 2-3 a week).

You logic is not stupid. But it is stupid to think that you will "run out" of items. The point is to never run out of new things to list. So if you want to sell vintage - make sure you fill your shop with new curiosities often, only then you could keep your audience interested :))

[Former_Member]

EAGERforWORD says

Highway - I'd say completely pointless! I haven't renewed anything in this shop but in my other renewing certainly doesn't help! I just renew expired listings and that brings a couple of views and no sales.

***********************

As I said before, renewing works for me.
I will say even more - I renew only the best items (one third of my items) - because the idea is to stand out, to attract attention...

I seldom relist expired items, as from my experience, if an item was not sold in 4 months, most of the chances that it will not be sold.
Or I can relist such item with discount - to get rid of it.

[Former_Member]

great discussion.

Here is a Q from me:
How do you post the small thumbnails I see popping up so much through these remarks? TIA~

[Quiltwear]

Krysten have your tried Etsy on sale. I use the renew tool and have an increase in sales. There is a short video to show how it works.

Here is the link

http://www.etsyonsale.com/sellers

Good luck

[DecoratingYourself]

everyone has their own marketing mix that works for them...you need to find one that works for you....

here are some tips that might help..
http://decoratingyourself.blogspot.com/2011/03/marketing-to-do-list-when-sales-slow.html

[ReyesRobledo]

This is all very interesting! I am going to try and make the light box!

I am currently renewing or lisiting twice a day (if I don´t list I renew two items, morning and evening) Do you think it is enough?

[Former_Member]

Playing around and figured it out. Like 99% of the other things around here.

[Former_Member]

I think the most important thing to do is list an item or two every day. I noticed that when I was listing 2-3 new items staggered, throughout the day, I was selling sometimes 2-4 things every day. However, lately I have not been able to keep this listing rate up and I've noticed my sales have gone down.
I really believe being active in the team discussions also helps.
I hope this helps!

[Former_Member]

I would love a shop critique, I have no sales :(