Is a good product not enough?!

[#1]

Hi all, I am hoping for lots of opinions on this issue I am debating at the moment....

I am a stay at home mummy and newbie etsian. I really want my shop to be successful, and I am spending literally every spare minute doing something etsy related.

Everywhere I turn on here it seems we are being advised to network and promote pir socks off. From facebook to twitter to blogging to making treasuries to posting in promotions teams and so on.... All of which I have tried and all are soooo time consuming.

I have 54 items in my store and my instincts are telling me to spend the time I have creating and improving tags, photos etc etc. Does anyone else have this take on things? Are any of you successful just on the back of your product being fabulous and not because you spend hours on the Internet?

Basically I would like advice on how best to prioritise my time as I can't do it all!

I keep thinking back to lord sugar in the apprentice saying "a good product sells itself" is this true??!!

[ArtisanRoseCreations]

I wrote this blog which many "newbies" can relate to. You may find that it covers what you are going through.

http://alwayssnazzyts.blogspot.com/2011/05/now-fear-sets-in.html

Etsy products still puzzle me since I have seen some products that often make me wonder why they sell over mine since as a painter, I know how much effort and skill goes into painting....but they sell! I still don't know how people get 1000's of views unless they are of course on Etsy's front page. I have seen beautiful work of others not sell and products you couldn't give me...sell real well! So, somehow, these high sellers are doing something right! They have found a niche, know how to promote, and have a network that I haven't figured out. So, you just keep on truckin, trying to find that area you will fit in and also, take in the GREAT tips shared with you in this thread.

[JoArtyJo]

Wow thanks so much for all the wonderful advice everyone! It will yake me a while to get through it all! I am also glad this thread has helped others :-)

@Carol- ACEO stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. They are 2.5" x 3.5" and are a way to collect art which is affordable and doesn't have to match your decor! I think I have explained in some descritions but obviously this is not immediately clear, so maybe I should add 'Art Card' into the title....

I agree I can't see me coping with 2 shops, think that can be part of the long term plan :-)

[JoArtyJo]

Oh and I forgot to say- have spent this evening on facebook, I now have a page called joartyjo won't post the link. And it is linked to my twitter account under the same name! Lets hope it doesn't take too much time up! Am hoping by linking the 2 I can save some precious time at least!

[livjewellery]

A good product is definitely not enough. The main issue on etsy (and anywhere online) is being seen. If no one can see your great product, then no one can buy it! My best tip is to choose one avenue of promotion and do it well. For me, that's facebook. When it comes to promoting, you can't do it all.

[Former_Member]

@ marylandquilter and zuparoo thanks for the props! I just finished reading The Little Prince for like the thousandth time and I can't get the images out of my head.

[WhatCandySays]

Your art is very very very unique! I haven't seem any thing like that before!

More patience. It takes time.

[Former_Member]

it is very hard to try to manage creating, taking pics, listing, posting in teams, creating treasuries,tweeting & facebooking about it. all in the time that my little is napping or sleeping. It has been so time consuming that I have been going to bed around 3am! and i am fing tired the next day. but it will eventually work itself in to a pattern that is more cohesive w/ my time, the better iam at doing them the quicker they go- gotta run!

[Former_Member]

JoArty - congrats on setting up the facebook page. I mean it! Do update us on how you think it is working out for you.

[Former_Member]

Your work is beautiful (and I say this as an illustrator myself) but sadly, you need more. Here are a few basic tips:

1. Get more product. The more you have the more people can look through. 100 is a good number.

2. Get a cohesive look to your shop. The white background really works for you. Try to do that throughout the whole shop, including your banner.

3. Get on Twitter. The key to twitter is writing about yourself, your work and things you love more than you shop. Show works in progress, write about your home life a tiny bit, write about artists you love or links to stuff you love.

4. Start a Facebook and a blog and do the same thing. Use these things as a way for people to get to know you the person. The sales will start to slowly follow.

5. Be patient, he happy and keep at it, because you are very talented.

Good luck!

[JoArtyJo]

Cursiveart I totally agree with everything you say! I am working on the magic 100! I ammplannog a new black and White banner in my head, and I have just started facebook and twitter (got them linked so when I fb it tweets for me)- under name JoArtyJo please have a look and like/follow and I will do same :-)

I am learning about patience every day with my 17 month old :-)

[JoArtyJo]

And thank you so much for your compliments on my work it means a lot :-)

[JoArtyJo]

@mayknart Thanks! I am now addicted to fb and twitter.... Lol

[JoArtyJo]

Handmadehempmomma you sound just like me, only I thought 1am was late! I am going bog eyed with it! It's especially hard bein in UK as everyone else is chatting away in the US and I don't realise how late it's getting!

[JoArtyJo]

@chocolatesays, thanks I guess on etsy unique is a good thing! Although there are a few others with similar stuff but not many at all!

I love your shop so much b the way o am a chocaholic :-)

[Former_Member]

JoArtyJo - All this seems to be what I needed to tip the iceberg and finally get me to jump in with a facebook business page. Just set it up yesterday under MayKnart. I'll go visit yours now...