How much more inventory before I call it quits?

[Former_Member]

Hi,

I opened my shop this summer and so far I've had 3 sales via Etsy. I'm adding items and planning on doing so. I am not thinking about quitting but there is still question in the back of my head: How much more before I know that it is not happening for me (at least on etsy).

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Eva.

[Former_Member]

I started this summer as well and just got my fourth sale today. It takes a while to really get started, build customer trust through positive feedback, and to build your inventory.

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide if to close shop, but I encourage you not to give up so soon.

[Former_Member]

Personally a big part of being able to really DO this is your commitment to... well, doing this. If you're not committed--if you're not willing to just plow forward and push discouragement aside, it might not work out for you. Your shop is still VERY new, your inventory is still fairly small (lots of people say to shoot for 100 items in inventory). A lot of people don't realize that selling on Etsy isn't the same as selling in a shop, a fair, a bazaar, etc--it's not instant gratification on Etsy. It's a different market and it takes time, commitment, hard work and most of all: patience. And IMHO it takes a lot more patience to make it on Etsy than it does to have a table at a bazaar. The customers come to YOU at bazaars, but on Etsy, you have to go out and bring the customers IN.

It'd be a shame for the discouragement to get the better of you! IMHO your shop is too new to even be THINKING about calling it quits. Just be patient, keep your chin up, and keep plugging away!

Wishing you luck!

[Former_Member]

If you're enjoying creating your shop, why stop?

You have beautiful pillows! One idea, what if you had some photos of the pillows at an angle or in a house setting so people can imagine the pillows in their home. Probably a house background that is simple and not bright will let your pillows stand out. I searched pillows on etsy and these pillow photos stood out to me:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75679170/gray-and-yellow-ochre-ogee-on-white?ref=sr_gallery_17&ga_search...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79554528/decorative-pillow-covers-throw-pillows?ref=sr_gallery_10&ga_sea...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81993796/pillowsvery-hungry-caterpillar-pillow?ref=sr_gallery_7&ga_searc...



by the way, i favorited some of your pillows :)

[Former_Member]

Stick with it! It took me 5 months to get my first sale. You can imagine how frustrated I felt, and how relieved to finally get a sale! But once I got that first sale, others have come more easily. I really think having a few sales under your belt helps buyers feel more comfortable buying from you. Good luck!

[GreenZebre]

I've gotta be honest and this is just my opinion.
Your stuff is really great! Fabrics are relevant and everything looks very well made. I think the name if your shop though, may need some tweaking. Bedazzling is something people may associate with a certain craft style and it doesn't reflect you at all.
Also the pillow market may be too highly saturated to see sales increase quickly. To me your items say "modern cottage" which is very sought after market. I would use those key words and hang in there things will pick up!

[Former_Member]

I think it depends what you want from your shop. Personally, I'm happy to make any amount of money doing something I love. I'd probably be making coasters anyway! I think that, if you are still enjoying what you are doing and aren't relying on Etsy sales to pay your mortgage, stick with it. Also, don't forget Etsy is HUGE, so there is a lot of competition! Good luck.

[Former_Member]

Can I give you a suggestion--just one real quick thing I noticed? In your policy it says you take Paypal but you're also able to process Visa and Mastercard, and to do the latter a customer needs to call you so the number can be processed. Yet I can't find a phone number anywhere. You might want to clarify that a bit--if they need to message you to get the number, tell them; if the number is listed elsewhere, redirect them to that spot. The obscurity of the credit card suggestion might deter a few customers. Not saying that's "the" reason sales are slow, but it's the minor tweakings that make the biggest differences.

[Former_Member]

Eva, you have a good product and a nice presentation. But you need to get yourself out there!

My first year was sporadic, then I decided to commit myself to making my shop work. I didn’t know about circles and favorites, but I began exploring. I favorited shops and items I liked and added people to my circle. And their feeds began showing up, and I could see what they were favoriting (and realizing they were seeing me!). Sure enough, I began getting more browsing in my shop, more sales, and it snowballed. Then after being in some Treasuries, I make a couple of my own. More contacts.

Read the Etsy Blog. Participate in Holiday Boot Camp. Join a few Teams. Network. Talk. It WILL take off. You CAN do it!

Best of luck to you!

[Former_Member]

I agree about the photographs, show your potential customers what the items will look like in their home. Have fun making a little scene, possibly including part of a table runner in the background :)

Don't give up hope, I've only had one sale since about July but soon I feel I will get my shop out there and people will visit and make purchases. Stay active and determined and you will see an improvement. Good luck!

[Former_Member]

Every single one of these posts has said exactly what I thought when I read your post.

1) Never, never, never give up on something you love. It is really lonely at the top and if you want to get there, there is no giving up.
The top is where ever you want it to be. By no means do I say "the top" in regards to monetary status. Just whatever your heart desires and makes you think "gosh I really feel like I am living my dream".
2) The post above regarding your shop needing some tweaking is definitely something to ponder and give some thought too. Your products are beautiful; the pictures do not do them any justice. There are SO many resources for creating a beautiful picture. I highly recommend researching and fine tuning your creative niche with your product. Our job as sellers, is to create the vision, for our customers, as to where their going to implement our product in their lives and daily living. Period. If you can make them want your product in their lives because they have the perfect chair or window seat; then my friend, you have just made a sale.
3) I checked out your Profile and from it I took this awesome lesson that you are teaching our youth:
"you can find me there preaching to children the importance of hard work and not giving up."
4) I religiously read the "Quit Your Day Job" post on the blog (check out this week SHE IS AWESOME); during one read a particular seller really stood out to me when she was asked how she thought best to build her sells. Following is her response:
"Be intentional. Have fabulous photos, a great shop assortment, and lots of items for sale. Find your niche"
These are her words exactly; she has “Quit Her Day Job”. I think I will listen to her!
I don't know you from Eve, but anyone who is teaching the lesson you are to our youth, I can honestly say I know I would enjoy you as a person. Let your Light Shine through. Good Luck. ~FC

[Former_Member]

Thanks so much to all of you who responded to my post. I got many responses and every single idea, suggestion, ways to improve has got a merit. I will respond in detail to each of you tomorrow. Thank you so much for taking your time with my business!

[Former_Member]

Hey Eva - I just included you in a Treasury! Actually, I built the theme around your lovely Provence pillow! Hugs, Cathy

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTAzNjA3NDR8OTc1NzU4NDA3/at-home-in-provence

[NortonAndYoung]

don't give up!! it takes a while ... i'm still waiting myself but i too keep hearing the magic number of 100 items in inventory and i'm working as fast as i can to get to that!

let's all continue to support each other and have a lucrative holiday selling season!!

[MyLittleCrochetShop]

I'm still waiting, too, but I just learned today how to make a Facebook page and add the "My Etsy" app so that my FB friends can access my shop directly while on FB! How cool is that? Participating in teams and publishing treasuries I create tends to drive views to my shop, and every viewer is a potential buyer!

It takes time and diligence to build relationships, but it will happen! Don't stop believing!

[KriyaDesign]

If no one ever bought my jewelries, would I still be making them? A resounding yes. Of course it would be much fun, if someone else (besides ourselves, family and friends) appreciate and wear our works. I feel happy making jewelry. Touching all those metal components, looking and arranging them. Putting them together into something. The way I see it, in offering the pieces, I help people to express themselves through accessorizing. It's sharing, giving and touching others lives. It makes me feel... gooey good inside.

:-) What I am saying is see the business from the standpoint of sharing and giving and getting back (through satisfied customers). Of course there is the gritty side of business - the marketing, book keeping, listing, prepping, customer service bla..bla..bla... Shifting your focus a bit into... how much could I give. We will get back thousand folds when we share our talent sincerely. Just like what you're doing with the kids :-).

Hang in there. Keep tweaking, keep things fresh and fun. Your works are lovely. I especially love The de Provence! All the very best

[Former_Member]

Amy,

Thank you so much for your response. I know it is too soon for me to think about quitting it. I think that when I opened my shop on Etsy, I didn't realize how much work goes into marketing, networking etc. So yes, that is a surprise and also that is part that I like the least in any business, not only on etsy. Some people here on etsy suggested that it may take up to 100 items in inventory. So I decided that I will get to that number and take a second look and see where it is going.

By the way, I love your shop and that catnip mouse is going to be a perfect christmas gift for my cat!

[Former_Member]

Dear Babs,

Thank so much for taking your time and respond to my post. I see that there is no hesitation for you in your response and you won't quit! Which is great because i think that you're doing great in a very competitive market!

Thanks again,
Eva.

[Former_Member]

Rachel,

I love your stuff and these golden pins are going to be mine soon!

Thank you so much for taking your time and showing me some pictures - how it should look like. Yes, I am going to re-do them, you're right, it needs some nice setting.

Thank you again and good luck!

Eva.

[Former_Member]

Hi Reagan,

Wow, I can't imagine sticking to it for 5 months without a single sale! But you did and see where you're now - congratulations! I hope I will be there too! I'm finding your shop very very unique! Love those coasters!

Thanks again,

Eva.

[Former_Member]

I agree with greenzebre on your shop name. I thought I was going to see all kinds of things with "bling" stuck to it-instead your products are very nice!
Don't give up-keep going!

[Former_Member]

Keep trying - and the bigger your stock, the better for you are.

I also opened this summer (June) and it took a month for my first sale - and then it never really stopped. 78 sales later and I'm going strong. You'll do well because your product is great, you just gotta keep at it!

[Former_Member]

greenzebre,

Thank you so much for your opinion. To be honest, I never liked my shop's name, and I really didn't give it much thought at the beginning. I am doing some real brainstorming right now to come with some other idea. Also, your opinion was one of the most insightful of all - because I myself couldn't name my own style. Now I know it's modern cottage! So thank you again for your help. btw, I do love your shop and almost everything in it!

[Former_Member]

I totally agree with amy and rachel. I started my shop in march and have just now reached 10 sales. If you enjoy what you do, dont give up

[Former_Member]

Sara, the coasters are incredible but didn't you forget about us, cat lovers? The best thing about being in this team is that I see so many different things I wouldn't otherwise find, like your coasters! I really love them! Some cats, please!