Life is what happens when you're busy making plans?

[Former_Member]

So I've been gone from Etsy a while due to life situations, some good some bad! I had family and friends in town for a while, and then I threw my back out so sitting at the computer or crafting for long periods of time was right out.

Now that I am getting back into the swing of things, I find that I don't really know where to start. Updating listings, keywords, catching up on teams...

I'm sure this happens to everyone - life just sort of HAPPENS, and throws you off your game for a while.

What 's the first thing you do to get yourself back on track after a hiatus?

[Former_Member]

i check out my stats for the month as a whole. that will tell me what listings are most important, and which keywords are the most popular for my shop currently.

ETA: Welcome back :)

[Former_Member]

look at what your selling and see what competition is up to. Check out the labs and see what is going on.

[Former_Member]

Thanks Brittany :)

Great tips both of you! I have lots to work on - its just so hard to prioritize number one.

[FreshFromtheFlame]

The first thing I would do is create something. Sit down and make my favorite piece. Then once my creative juices were flowing and I had made something I would sit at the computer. But I would defiantly create before sitting at the computer.

[Former_Member]

I agree with FreshFromtheFlame...making something new to spark up the creativity and also to add a fresh listing, is what I would do, then go back and sort through the shop, tags etc. Welcome back! :)

[Former_Member]

We had to start doing this 2 weeks ago, we moved interstate and had no internet for 5 weeks. I swear it was like living in the dark ages ;) We've started by going through all our listings to update tags/titles, and wiggling around the cropped shot so the focus is directly on the focal point of each of our shots. It's a loooooooooong process!

[Former_Member]

The first and easiest thing you can do is to rearrange your shop a bit, than add new items, promote them. If you think you need to improve on tags, do that.

Welcome back, I missed you!

[Former_Member]

I start by cleaning out my desk and workplace, make room and space for new things to come. By holding the items in my hands, dusting them off, my creative flow starts by itself and before you know I'll be making something new and know what to do next.

[Former_Member]

check the forums for the latest need-to-know ... I like the business topics because there are lots of new posts ...

[Former_Member]

I agree with everyones comments and would probably put them in this order

1. Renew current items
2. Make a to-do list of new products to create
3. Check out teams and participate, but I would limit my time at first until I felt somewhat caught up
4. I would start creating!!!!! The creating part would take up the biggest hunk of my day:)

This list is something I have to continually go back to as I get sidetracked with Team work or life in general and I am sure I am not alone:)

[Former_Member]

Awesome ideas everyone! I have a lot to now!

And thank you kindly for all the welcome backs! I missed you, too! :)