If I could turn back time, what would I have done differently?????

[GreenOrchidDS]

I would have done more etsy research before I opened, and would have waited till I had 50 items ready to go........this is a question I keep asking myself and advise I would give if anyone asked me about opening a shop.....

What would you have done???????????????????

[HopToItAU]

I agree with more items! I have a lot that I can sell but its time consumming taking pictures, writting discriptions and listing them... I would have had more of that ready to go!

[KriyaDesign]

I heard of Etsy since 2006 but I had never pay much attention. I thought one of those fad thing that fade away. I was selling on another channels though, other folks' stuffs. Little did I know that Etsy is the thing that will bring me back to my passion for crafting. Which makes me feel so much more, authentically myself.

Honestly I am glad I didn't think things through. Because then I would analyze things to much that I won't leap into Etsy world. I just jumped in March of 2011 and Etsy venture is exactly what I need. It rekindles my passion which is long forgotten.

[Former_Member]

I agree with having more items before I opened my shop. I think I had one item in my shop for at least a few weeks and I couldn't figure out why it didn't sell! I had a friend interested in opening a shop email me today wanting to know more about etsy so I will mark this question to get more ideas!

[GreenOrchidDS]

I let everyone who asks me about it know, it's 25% making 75% photo, editing,listing ect...I don't think I would have believed that if someone told me before I joined.

[Former_Member]

I would have opened 2 years ago when I first heard about etsy instead of waiting until 2 months ago. Well better late then never, so heres to hoping it takes off soon.

Thanks for the 50 item advice, I need to upload a lot more of my items but it is absolutely so time consuming to take pictures, edit them, get the descriptions and the tags just right and especially going back and editing all of them to make them flow better with the entire shop.

[ChantelandMe]

I wish I had of known to make a large investment in Olay Rollerball eye pens. My eyes look so old and strained from staring at the computer screen all day :-) This is a larger time investment than I had originally planned.

Edited to say I'm not complaining, just would have planned differently from the outset.

[GreenOrchidDS]

I hear you....my daughter accused me of turning into a computer geek I'm on it so often...I don't want to admit that half the time I don't know what the heck I'm doing lol..

[TheThriftingMagpie]

My goal is to get 50 items in my shop. I opened the shop in the summer of 2011 but didn't really open The Thrifting Magpie until November 2011. That's when I started putting listings in.

I held off because I wanted 'X' many items, perfect photography, packaging, etc. Finally, I just took the plunge because nothing was going to magically sell just hanging on my clothes rail.

I'm trying to be of the mindset that it is a constant evolution and no it might not be exactly how I want it, but to be happy with it and enjoy.

So, the long-winded answer to what would I have done differently,

as Nike says

'Just Do It'

and sooner.

♥Tracey

[Former_Member]

I wish I would have launched my shop sooner too (just opened this week). I'm still working on adding items and improving my current listings but I believe like Tracey from TheThriftingMagpie said that my shop will be a constant evolution.