How long did it take to make your first, second, & third sales?

[rusticcraftdesign]

I have been promoting my shop for about 1 month...have had a fair amount of views but no sales...so i was wondering...

How long did it take to make your first, second, & third sales for others on here?

Thanks!!
-SaM

[Former_Member]

Hi Sam,

It took about two months for me to make my first sale. I guess it took that long to promote enough, and to get out there and sufficiently network. From what I can tell, it takes most shops about that long to make a sale. But after the first few sales, and positive feedback, I think people are more willing to buy from a store because it has "experience."

But stay positive, and keep on promoting. Join teams, create treasuries, and use all the other promotion sites out there to advertise (facebook, stumbleupon, etc.). I'm still working on that last one -- I still find the idea of promoting too much outside of etsy a little intimidating. Baby steps, I guess :)

Good luck! I wish you many sales!

Katherine

[rusticcraftdesign]

OOoH create treasuries?!! I'll have to look into what that is! =) thanks!!

How long after your first sale did you make more sales? would you say once you got your first couple sales it increased a lot more since people now trusted your shop's 'experience' ?

[threestonebirds]

Like Katherine, it took me over two months to make a sale but after that they were pretty much one a day the entire month. It's slowed down since then but I'm still being found through search and getting a couple of views so I'm confident that as long as I keep trying to promote it the interest will come back.

That wait until the first sale is the worst but when you get it it'll make your day!

[Former_Member]

I listed my first item on January 22.
Sale 1- January 22
Sale 2- January 23
Sale 3- January 23

But I asked friends and family to be my first customers so I could get some visibility here and also some feedback for credibility.

My first sale to a stranger was on February 2 - so just under 2 weeks after opening.

[rusticcraftdesign]

Your pictures are really nice Vanessa!! Nice assortment of items too!! Thanks for the experience insight!! I know what you mean about the wait for the first sale!! eeeeeEE! i'm excited for day!!! =)

[threestonebirds]

Thank you, Sam! Your cutting boards look great and I'm sure whoever is the first to grab one will be glad they did.

[Former_Member]

@Sam - I love your upcycled bows, especially the ones from blueprint! You should totally tag and market them for Father's Day gift wrapping ideas!

[Former_Member]

It took me about 9 months. I actually posted several items, forgot about them and then they were found over the holidays. It inspired me to keep going.

[Former_Member]

First sale took about a month. Second was a couple months after that/ Third was roughly 2 weeks after that. Then I dropped off the face of the etsy earth lol

[rusticcraftdesign]

Father's Day aha! That's a good suggestion!! Thanks Gena!!

Why do you think your sales stopped Bethie?!

[Former_Member]

I listed my first item September 20, 2011. My first sale was on Sept 25, my second on Sept 29, and my third on Oct 4.

[Former_Member]

Not sure Sam, I have several theories:
- not relevant enough
- no more Etsy chat (that's what killed my first shop)
- not using all my tags, but again that goes to relevancy
- lost in the shuffle

[TempleKatVintage]

It took me about a month to get my first sale. Then a month later I got my second. I am steadily posting new items and obsessing about my views. I am now in my third month and awaiting that next sale. Keep going! From what I hear it's slow going at first but it'll be worth all for time and hard work once your shop gets off the ground!

[Former_Member]

First sell three minutes after listing. I was hooked.

Second sell 7 days later.

Third sell 25 days later and three items to one person.

There have many lull's in sells. But I'm a glutton for punishment.

[RockAndHardware]

It took me a couple weeks to get going and didn't post items in my shop until about two weeks after I opened it (started posting items end of March). I received my first sale two weeks after that, the second one a few days later, and then the third a week and a half later. I've made a few sales to family and friends after they saw my Etsy site but they bought from me directly. I was thrilled to see so much activity so quickly as I've heard many people say it took months to get their first sale. I'm just now starting to promote and made a Facebook page a week ago. I'm seeing more views and activity so I'm hoping more sales!!! Good luck to you!!!

[Former_Member]

After my first sale, I had a sale every two weeks fairly steadily. I then had a moving sale and moved lots of items -- if you can do it, having a sale can really boost visitors!

[Former_Member]

I'm lucky enough to have my 1st sales on the 1st week. But it's really depend on the item price, and products. So is okay not making sales for few week as new shop take time, just make sure keep up the good work! Continue make more fresh listing everyday, I believe sales will come :)

cheers

[hooknsaw]

It took 2 weeks for our first sale and almost a month for our 2nd and 3rd sales. We started seeing fairly steady sales in our 4th month. We were adding new items several times a week, working on better pictures, and SEO and relevancy. We continue to work on all of these things daily! Love your cutting boards...especially the light colored cherry!

[rusticcraftdesign]

This is great!! Cindy I love your Shop banner!! it's pretty awesome! and all the pictures of your bracelets are perfect!!

and lisa those bee honeycomb crochet pot holders are SoOOO cute!! and the beagle/dashchund? dog that extends over two is WICKED cute! =)

[rusticcraftdesign]

I'll have to research how to advertise and promote and work a 'sale'! that's sounds fun =)

[Former_Member]

I think its pretty common that first sales are to friends and family. It takes a long time for promotion and SEO to pay off.. still waiting for it to pay off for me!

[vw53]

Katherine,
What type of sale did you run? Any advice for us?

[GrowingUpWild]

I started on Etsy selling pottery (but switched to sewing when my little one was born). I believe it took 2 weeks to make my first sale but then things moved more quickly from there.
I would definitely suggest continuing to add more listings to your shop- I find having at least two full pages causes people to stay in your shop longer and makes you look more established.
It is so exciting when you make that first sale. I am sending positive thoughts your way that it happens for you soon!

[Former_Member]

Still waiting to make my first sell! They waiting is the worst!!! I keep myself busy by trying to build my inventory and work on SEO... We will see if it pays off. Fingers crossed!