How long did it take for you to get that first sale?

[bonniefillenwarth]

I am new to Etsy and have been adding one item to my shop every day, aiming to get the suggested 50/75/100 items most people seem to need to hit to get that first sale. I was just wondering how long did it take for most of you to get that first sale? I was hoping that I would have one sale by the end of my first month and that is coming up quick.

[IstriaDesign]

Your shop looks great.
I'd suggest you change your titles... put the description of what the item is (original art, watercolor, oil, ink) in the beginning, and the name of you piece at the end. That will make it easier for people to find you, because they don't know the name of your paintings and it is not very likely they will type that into the search bar.
Another thing you could do is offer art prints. It looks like that's what works better for artists on Etsy, because it is cheaper and many people cannot afford to buy original art, but if they like your work they would buy your art print or ACEO.

As for that first sale, mine happened a week after I opened, but I opened right after Christmas, and got lucky I guess. I only have 14 sales... building a business here is a slow process, but it will be worth in the end. Just don't lose hope, your work is beutiful, and you will get there.

[IstriaDesign]

I meant to say I opened right before Christmas lol

[GreenOrchidDS]

2 verrryyyy long months... I thought it was taking forever!!! And it wasn't till I hit 50 items...Now I just work on creating the shop of my dreams,and hope the sales will come....

[springdreamer]

I joined in December 2011 and just had my first sale last week-end............it was very unexpected as my actual shop had only 3 items on it...........I deleted all of the Christmas items because I didn't want them to look stale!
Anyway, my first sale is still working its way through PayPal but it is a piece of furniture! I have no idea about shipping and I am kind of winging it at this point. I've been crafting forever and have done alot of big craft shows, but internet sales is new to me, so I am definitely in a learning curve. I think that my first and only sale to date was a fluke! I am not expecting that it will happen consistently because everyone that I speak to says it does take awhile to build a following with consistent sales. I am in the process of taking photos, rearranging my shop, figuring out a banner, shipping, policies etc. but I never want to loose sight of why I do this.............it is because I love to craft and will continue to do it with or without a sale!!!! - I think that us handcrafters are unique in that it is our passion and relaxation and we might not know all there is to promote, sell, advertise, etc...........but what we do know is that something made from the heart will always trump a store bought item that is seen everywhere!!!! Please don't get me wrong...I would love to make some money on Etsy and will try my hardest to achieve that but I will always want to make something unique and share it with other like minded people!
Have faith............if you made it and love it, someone else will too!

[MysticRainCreations]

It took three months for me, you've just got to hang in there and have lots and lots of patience. :)

[MyDistinctDesigns]

I think your shop looks great. I love the banner.
It took me about 3 weeks to make my first sale. I just opened in Oct.
My shop is definately a work in progress. Mostly because of pictures.

Keep at it. I keep reading that it takes a while to get going.

[Former_Member]

it took me almost a year for my first sale yesterday! :) don't lose hope, just keep on promoting your shop/items through blogs/forums/FB/twitter. you have great items and i'm sure you'll have that sale in no time.

[bonniefillenwarth]

thanks for all the encouragement :)