How long before first sale

I've had my shop up and going since the first of Jan. and no sales. How long does it take most of you before you got your first sale.
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Former_Member
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Re: How long before first sale

It depends on how much work you are putting into promoting your shop, both on Etsy and on other sites such as twitter and facebook. Could take a very long time if you just open a shop and let it sit.
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Re: How long before first sale

I've just recently discovered Etsy Lush, so I'm using that as well as Pinterest, facebook..however even though I had a twitter account, I do not have any followers on that yet
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Former_Member
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Re: How long before first sale

Here's a couple teams you can join, that will help get your shop out there on facebook, twitter, and places like that.

http://www.etsy.com/teams/11435/advertising-and-promotion-team
http://www.etsy.com/teams/10355/etsians-of-facebook
http://www.etsy.com/teams/10856/etsians-of-twitter
http://www.etsy.com/teams/8298/facebookmarketing

Those should get you started. Good luck!
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Re: How long before first sale

Thanks Megan. I really appreciate all the advice, and suggesions that is offered. I am new at all of this.
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Re: How long before first sale

It took me four months to make my first sale, but because I was sneaked attacked. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have had my first sale until August.

It took me another six months before I made another sale which was last week..

Yeepee for sales!!!
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Re: How long before first sale

Took me about 1-2 months, I think? But that was back in '08 :) Hang in there!
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Re: How long before first sale

Thanks guys. I don't feel so lonely here..
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Former_Member
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Re: How long before first sale

It varies hugely 1 hour to 6 months but it will depend on so many factors is it not worth me going there. It will happen, stick with it and in the meantime focus on optimising your shop fully for SEO and relevancy and keep promoting though it is more helpful to do that after you have tweaked your shop.

Here's one to start with - your shop title/header. Take out your shop name and add key words that say what you sell. This is really important for SEO. Think like a buyer, what words would they use to find items in your shop and those are keywords.
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Former_Member
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Re: How long before first sale

I need sales, I've tried everything, Flickr, Facebook, squidoo, Craigslist, and everything...all advertising and not selling. What's wrong with my site?
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Former_Member
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Re: How long before first sale

I had my first sale one or two months after opening my store.
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Re: How long before first sale

The first time I started selling (pre-made scrapbook pages in 2010), it took 4 months for that first sale. I was ready to give up.

I closed shop for a while after a year of selling those, and reopened in late 2011 selling note cards sets. That time, it took a couple of days.

Hang in there! :)
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Re: How long before first sale

I was fortunate to get my first sale 9 days after I opened and my second 10 days after that. I agree that there are so many differnet variable involved.

Some shops have hundreds of sales others fewer...

Does your shop have plenty of stock (some say you should have at least 100 items others say over 50 will do)
Are your titles and tags needing work
Are you promoting through facebook, blog etc.
Are your photos clear bright and attractive
Are you reading all the information that Etsy supplies such as the Handbook and Etsy success newsletter

Be patient, keep working on your shop and most of all stay positive!
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Re: How long before first sale

I opened my shop in may in 2012 and i didn't get my first sale in oct of 2013

it takes awhile.
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Re: How long before first sale

I think a lot of it depends on promotion, promotion, promotion! And finding your target market. Something I still need to do!

I think it took me a few months before I made a sale.

I need to promote more!! :)
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Former_Member
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Re: How long before first sale

@ Rose, I think it took me about 3 weeks to get my first sale and that was with my telling EVERYONE about it. I mentioned it on my twitter account, emailed friends and family, got business cards made, and had friends link from their facebook pages. Chin up. I'm sure you'll get a sale soon. :)

@ Jessica, at first glance I would say that it might help if your photos were a little more dynamic - maybe different angles on a lighter background and the use of some simple props. I would also consider adding more items to your store. My views started to go up once I had at least 30 or 40 items and adding each new item on a different day instead of a whole bunch at once can sometimes also help traffic and increase sales. Another thing that has worked for me is offering periodic sales throughout my store. I typically sell a little more during those times. Goodluck! :)
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Re: How long before first sale

Well you have many items in your shop (wow) for just opening. It took me about a month and a half so try and be patient it will come and when it does it is so very exciting.. Thanks for posting about discovering etsy lush because, I have not heard of it & now I am going to look into it :)
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Former_Member
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Re: How long before first sale

Rose, your shop says you've been open since January 2012....and have 197 sales....are you talking about a new shop?
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Former_Member
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Re: How long before first sale

Delete that...just realized this thread was started a year ago!!
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Re: How long before first sale

I joined etsy in 2010 but just for buying. I recently opened up my shop on December 10th, 2012 and I made my first sale on January 3rd. :)
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