How focused does your etsy shop have to be?

[Former_Member]

I have had my etsy shop http://www.loveupaperly.etsy.com since November. I am seeking advice on product focus.

I first started selling letterpressed cards, prints, etc...

Through that time I have been making paper jewelry and I just started listing those as well.

My question for all of you is do you think it hurts your shop to sell a variety of products? Is it better to be focused because then you are known for a certain thing?

Any advise would be great!

Jessica

[sunshineandvodka]

I sell a variety of products with fabric. I don't think it hurts to have different items at all!

[spacefem]

I think product variety is great. Heck, look at all the big stores like Target that are doing well... curtains and detergent, who knew?

I've even had a customer order fabric and my sewn items in the same order! You'd think that someone buying fabric knows how to sew and would have no interest in buying my stuff but hey, when you can combine shipping, why not?

I think diverse items are great for a shop, it attracts more groups of buyers which is huge.

[JessicaSherriff]

Hi
I agree that diversity isn't a bad thing and you can reach more people, as well as testing out more products on the audience. However I do think its important to keep your shop cohesive. I have done the opposite to you in that I make jewellery then in the last few days have started to add my co-ordinated greeting cards. I have followed advice from one of the online labs (apologies but unsure which one now) it was suggested that keeping something the same, ie photograph all the items the same. I notice you have your paper items against wood and jewellery against white. I would go one way or the other - either all white or all wood and I think that will keep things cohesive. For my work a white background works best so have done the same with the cards.

All the best!

[Former_Member]

Good question. It's something I've been wondering about as well. I specialize mostly in beaded things, though my friend has some amazing photography from the Colorado Springs, CO region that I also list in my shop. Recently I've been toying with the idea of making journals as well. I've been thinking if I do branch out, that will probably be as far as I go. (Plus I've been embellishing journals with beads as well.)

I think a diversity is good. Your items also all have a similiar foundation, who knew such a variety could come of paper?! :-)

[beatroad]

I also think that branching out is a good thing for your shop and business. Maybe if you start down a new avenue, you'll be known for that item as well. :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the advice! I was thinking along the same line but it's nice to hear what everyone thinks as well.

[Former_Member]

I have asked this question to myself and in the forums on a few occasions. I create a big variety of products - crochet pot holders, crochet fashion accessories, comic book envelopes, and paintings on wood... very diverse and slightly random. There are many people that are very successful while selling a variety and styles of products, but they do have a central theme. I think that as long as someone has a theme to their shop and takes the time to make it cohesive and beautiful, it could be a great success.

I have been working on my own shop's cohesiveness and creating a more obvious theme and I feel like it's working. I still have a lot to do though.

This is based on my own experiences and the advice of successful sellers here on etsy.

[TinyTiptoesBoutique]

No, my other shop really is a mish-mash of everything that doesn't fall into the category of newborn photo props and children's boutique. Feel free to check it out to see what I mean: chellysshoppe.etsy.com
I sell everything from my pdf patterns, other sewing and craft patterns, and vintage goodies to handmade doll clothes, jewelry, and anything else. I just celebrated this shop's 2-year anniversary and am really pleased with how well it has done, in spite of being so diversified.

[Former_Member]

I think that diversity can help bring more people in, and then once they check out your shop they might find something new to love! I am a little fuzzy on shop cohesiveness- don't know why it's that important, other than making it look more "put together."

[lippybrand]

When I first toyed with the idea of opening an Etsy shop I was looking at the really succesful shops and noticed they stick to one type of product.

examples:
-Skirts, dresses, leggings
-headbands, clips , hair ties
-cards, notebooks, scrapbook supplies
-photography backdrops, clamps, stands
-soaps, lip balms, bath salts
-monogramed gowns, hats, blankets
-necklace, ring, bracelet, earrings

I have a baby shop that I am very happy with. And like everyone here, I like to make other things to so I opened a second shop called lippyrandom. I have not spent any time on it and cant decide if I should try harder or just let the listings expire. But I do not want to put random stuff in my baby shop I feel it would have a negative effect. Just my thoughts...

This is my shop with random things:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lippyrandom?ref=shop_sugg

[lippybrand]

Jessica- in your shop I think that the paper jewlery fits because its all paper items.