How long do you keep an item that is not selling and.....

[Former_Member]

What the heck do you do with it? I need some ideas I've got about 60 items in my shop... That I opened in late July, I've only sold 4 items and I'd like to create more pieces but between lack of space and not wanting keep spending money on new materials when I haven't sold anything, I'm not sure what do. Anyone have any ideas on how I can get this stuff out at this point Im just looking for creative ways to make room for new stuff, without literally just giving things away.

[NataBurgos]

I have been asking myself that question for sometime. How do you know when it's time to put an item down and out of your shop? How do other sellers approach this subject?

[Former_Member]

Well, it takes a wile to get started... I wouldn't take off any items, you've already paid for them and that won't do any good to have less items... I would encourage some of your friends/family to open a shop and you can get 40 free listings! That's a great way to save money <3

I would also work on your SEO, all the way, get the full potential out of all of those items!

Good luck!

[JMSjewelryandgifts]

You have some really nice items in your shop, especially the dresses! I'd give it a bit more time before removing some listings, and focus on improving SEO and photos as much as you can.

One thing you might try - if the items are easily taken apart and made into a new product, you could take them apart, make the new product, and just edit the same listing to reflect the changes (if you update the tags, etc, Etsy will update their search for you).

[KiltedWoman]

I like to remake my things after about 3 cycles of renewing and no sale. Sometimes a new set of pictures works wonders. I think some things sell better in person so I do a few big craft shows every year. If I can't get rid of something but I really like it, I gift it to a friend.

Just a side note to Jasmine, with the clothing you are describing it as a size medium. I think you'd have more success stating the actual measurements. Some people think a medium is an 8, some people think it's a 12.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions! Totally appreciated!

[TheFamilyJewelsWI]

Spme of my items don't sell well. I keep them because sales really increase when you have more than 100 items. I say it is the cost of doing business.

[Former_Member]

Towards the end of last year i sold two items that have been sitting in my shop for more than two years and definitely thought, they'd never sell but they did. I kept them in my shop because for once, they keep my shop full and offer choice and in the end i found someone who really likes them. Sometimes you just have to be patient, because the right customer will come along at some point. I'm not going to remake them and relist them however.

[HandmadeHandsome]

I have sold items that had been in my shop for almost three years. I was wondering the same, but suddenly they were gone. I think keeping these items in your shop doesn't cost that much and they may attract visitors that perhaps end up buying another item.

[HeritageDishes]

You might think about re-working your photos. Your framed illustration photos don't really show the frame, and the title of the illustration is confusing as to what exactly is for sale.

I was crushed when I had my first expiration after 4 months. Someone mentioned that a different view of the item might work better, and I shuffled the photos -- nothing else changed. It sold within a week.

You never know. . .

[Former_Member]

Heritagedishes great tip, I'm going to go back & make sure the titles indicate what exactly is for sale. I guess it wouldn't hurt to get another 40 pieces in. I stopped buying frames so now I just keep the art in a special sheet protected book but I probably should get a rack or something for the clothes.. My husband is going to go bonkers the shop has taken way our dining room lol.

[Former_Member]

I really like your illustrations and your shop. The shop is missing cohesion. I couldn't tell, the clothes or the artwork, the first time I looked at your shop, what you were selling. Before I did anything drastic, I would re-do your photographs, so folks like me can really see your art work. Make sure your About Page tells your story and shows you working your design craft, fashion design. It looks to me like you are a budding fashion designer. So highlight what you are doing in the About Page and promote yourself.

Maybe include some new words in tags like fiber artwork, wearable art, etc....Try to link your clothing line with your illustrations, so that your illustrations are doing a dual purpose and promoting your shop.