I'm starting to get discouraged

[Former_Member]

I just need honest and brutal truth, because clearly I'm doing something wrong.

I started a facebook page and I'm paying for publicity there and ad searches here too.

At this point it is just money coming out and nothing coming in. I just don't know what else to do. I know I'll keep going because I've invested too much time and effort already, but this is starting to get to me.

[ScarlettsCozyCottage]

Hi-
I just took a quick peek! I think your products are adorable! I would however, add more search tags - really make sure to use all 13 tags. Is it possible to add more products too? You have 25 items, but I have heard that the more you have, the more you sell.

Lastly, the very first item is showing a bit dark. I would brighten it up! Love your items though, so pretty!! Good luck!

[Former_Member]

Drop your search ads - they're worthless. Drop your FB ads - everyone I know who uses them says - you guessed it - they're worthless. Most people don't pay attention to those.

Your titles need work - put what the item is first. Felt Flower Headband or Flower Headband - Felt Flowers - those are your biggest keywords and need to be first. Repeat those phrases in your tags. You're using a lot of one word tags - use multiple word phrases for better search results.

felt flower headband
baby girl headband
flower headband

You get the idea. Also, you misspelled "patriotic" in your tag for the seaside flower bunch headband. ;P

[WaterStreetDesign]

Truly, your products are very very lovely. Just a few things that come to me right away: have a consistent background -- maybe pink or white --- it would really make your items pop. And you need more items. Also, maybe a sweet little description under your title? I think you have a lot of potential. Good luck!

[Former_Member]

i agree on what has been said above and would like to add. other than paying for ads, have you tried the free venues for promo like pinterest, wanelo, tumblr,...???

[AuntSusansCloset]

Hello. I would also suggest that you place key words of what you sell in your Shop Title and Shop Announcement, both of which are indexed by Google. Fill out your About page, too. Put some links in your descriptions back to areas in your shop, such as to your main page and/or your Policies page. If you have not already done so, place back-links from exterior sites to your Etsy shop (Facebook, Pinterest, etc.) Good luck!

[Former_Member]

Hey! You have really cute items in your shop! :) It may help if your photos have a more consistent background, especially if it kind of ties into your header or Etsy shop theme somehow. And also more natural lighting may help the pictures. I know this is a lot of focus on pictures, but when your product comes up in search the picture will be the first thing people see. Also, in treasury lists I'm always looking for good photography of products.
Hope this helps somehow! :) Don't give up! Good luck with your shop!!

[Former_Member]

Wow, thank you so much to take the time to check my shop and give me pointers, I really, truly appreciate it. I'll take time to read each one of the comments and tweak my listings accordingly.

Thanks again.

[KimArt]

im in the same boat! FB ads are worthless! I am currently testing out Etsy search ads... I feel your pain because I have so much money that went OUT for my newest products, and so far nothing has come back in :(

[Squintphotography]

Yes, your items are soo cute! As already mentioned, try a more consistent background. I think a simple white could work well. Also, love the shots with the baby model. Do you have a baby that you could take front photos w/ your products on? And do lots of promos! Market to mommy bloggers too!

Good luck!

[Former_Member]

All very good advice.

Also, I would consider making somethings out of wool felt. Especially for anything targeted toward women, wool felt looks much more polished.

And I find that seasonal items are doing quite well. I know lots of tot moms that buy special bows for a particular holiday/ photo shoot.

Finally, as you work on your tags, a great way to test your tags is to click on them at the bottom of your listing. Look at the search results, is that where you would expect to find your product.

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

I agree with the others who said to stop paying for FB ads. If your target is someone like me, they use Ad Blocker and don't even see the ads.

Have you considered making this item larger and adding a pin to use as a brooch? I suggest expanding your your market by adding different items. (I would buy a brooch that looks like the flowers in this listing)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/167495545/clippies-and-headband-combo-2-mini?ref=shop_home_active

[PotteryLodge]

Stop paying for etsy and facebook ads and instead invest that into making more products. You really need at least 100 items before you can start seeing more regular sells. This includes promoting on facebook/instagram/blogs/and reaching out to people that would be interested in buying from you.

Make sure the keywords used in your titles are repeated in your tags. Use multiple words for tags instead of single words.

Continue to research other shops that sell similar items and see how successful they are and what they are doing that you aren't. Look at their choice in pictures, tags, titles, how well they describe their items.

: )