Keeping momentum

[JoArtyJo]

I am working on a colouring book at the moment which is taking me ages! The problem is- as a result it seems my shop is becoming really quiet- I am not adding new products while working on this big project, and I think that is resulting in less traffic and sales.

What do you do when our are working on something time consuming? Should I keep alternating what I am working on an making some quicker items to keep adding new product?

I don't know about you, but when I have a spell of low traffic/sales, I lose my motivation and enthusiasm which impacts creating! I feel I am in a viscous circle and need a bit of a pep talk ;-)

Oh and Happy Easter!

[Former_Member]

Happy Easter! I have the same problem, when I create some new. I work on it, rip it out, start over, try to come up with another way to do it, etc. I do it all the time, even when I tell myself to STOP. I have so many unfinished products it's ridiculous.

I'll take a day or three with no orders and go back to one of them and try to finish it, only to start the same process. Hopefully, we'll get better at our process. :)

[Former_Member]

It's a tough thing to balance, especially since both tasks are so time consuming. Sometimes I just take the quick way out and renew one or two listings, just to give my shop a boost while I'm in new work mode :/

At the end of the day, you wanna make your best work and put it out there... so it's ok to slack off on your shop a little to surprise customers later. Maybe have a preview of the new stuff coming on twitter/blog/facebook to keep customers engaged and informed?

And happy Easter!

[Former_Member]

Hi Joanne, you do amazingly well! compared to the likes of me who hasn't had a sale for A MONTH! I've completely lost faith at the moment, quite upsetting really:(

[Former_Member]

Hi Joanne!

It is a tough one. I love your shop and I'm going to treat myself to one of your mini colouring books soon. I noticed that you have 2 available and I thought of something. How about just listing one of everything at a time. So when that sells, you can relist it if you have more of it, that way you are still adding items regularly. Does that make sense? Sorry, if I'm unclear, made sense in my head :)
Good luck, your shop is fantastic!

[Former_Member]

I can totally relate to this problem! I am always trying to get my big artworks finished so I can list them, but really need to keep making the little ones to keep folk interested! It is such a tough call.
I usually just take little breaks or 'days off' my big projects to keep myself feeling fresh, make a little brooch and put that up.
Have a little break and do something fun for your shop!

[JoArtyJo]

@nanagcreations- yes that is what I am like :-)

@Vanessa- I think you're right an I shoul post some pics to keep peopl updated. It's just a fine line between keeping them interested and being spammy!

@Nazima- oh no don't be upset! Etsy is a total roller coaster, that's what I've learned. It took me a good few months with very few sales to get started here, keep going! :-) will jump over to your shop in a min for a nosey

@Kristina- thank you! I agree about the renewing thing- the way etsy deals with quantity annoys me. However I have sold 4 of those books to one customer so I think it is worth it to have multiple items listed. I only do it with a few things, like my printable colouring book which is my best seller and often sells while I'm asleep, sometimes I sell multiple over night so it is worth my while. The hard copy colouring books I list multiples in case people want them for their kids. I know they could convo for more but as a buyer that would annoy me and perhaps stop me making an impulse purchase! Perhaps I should renew an item a day while I am not listing new products....

Thank you all for your time and input :-)

[JoArtyJo]

Rebecca - you're so right I think I will make something tonight!

[PebbleCreekStudio]

If I can't list something new I renew. :)

[PebbleCreekStudio]

How weird, I can't edit my post. I forgot my comma, lol (that bugs me when it looks like I don't know how to use punctuation) ;)

[Former_Member]

I'll second Rebecca's suggestion - take a working break from a big, slow project to whip up something quick. Doing that helps me stay motivated and avoid the frustration of plugging away without feeling like I'm making a lot of progress. Besides the boost in shop activity I get from new listings, I love the simple satisfaction of saying "It's done!" and getting something new up in my shop.

Love your work, Joanne. Good luck!

[JoArtyJo]

Thanks Kim- I think I should probably renew!

Anna- yes I agree, I love adding items to my shop, however big or small then ve it is such a feeling of satisfaction! Thank you :-)

[Former_Member]

Hi, i get you, at the time i don't have any time to add new things, and my sales are dropping... so i have been renewing some items on the last days. But if you can alternate between creations, i think thats the ideal.

[JoArtyJo]

Thanks Margarida :-)

It just shows that the hard work never ends for our little shops!