My Etsyversary! (I need help)

[andidanie]

As of yesterday, I have been on Etsy for 5 years! I know I'm in a saturated market (jewelry), but I've also recently added a couple different product lines. I think my items are nice (who doesn't feel that way about their own work, though?), and I really am comfortable with where my prices are. But I've only had 51 sales in 5 years. That's 10 a year, less than one sale a month. Nothing to shout about from the rooftops.

I work full time, and have three small children. I have (just) over 130 items in my shop. That's a lot of work and I'm tired! Where are my results??

My views have gone up A LOT this summer (one day last week they were up 400%). Granted, views for me are not what most consider high, or even , so I'm still struggling here.

I do well at shows, but those are few and far between. So, what am I missing here on Etsy? Is it my pictures? Tags? Titles? Are my prices not as on point as I think they are? Are my items just not that great? All of the above??

If you have some time, and feel like giving some helpful (critical, honest!) advice...I'd be ever-so-grateful.

[Former_Member]

It can be very frustrating, especially when you have such a busy life! I would suggest you join a team and get a formal critique from their experts. I learned a lot from just reading the posts in the team, SASsy Critiques.

[Former_Member]

I think the pictures could use a small bit of help. Like, some of them are perfect, and the ones surrounding them are not so much. It's like a quilt of good photos and bad photos.

You need one, cohesive look. They all need to have a stark white background, or whatever color you choose. Whatever it is, it all needs to be the same. Right now there is a rainbow of pure white to different tones of grey. Some have a textured background, some don't. It's just a little confusing aesthetically.

But honestly, I doubt it's seriously hurting your sales.

Your titles and tags look good, but something I noticed that may be hurting you: You filled in the "Who is it for" and "Occasion" fields. From what I've understood from Etsy's posts about it, is it can limit you to those fields. Your items will only show up for people searching for Mother's Day which is past already, and once a year. So I would leave those open.

[esmeelynne]

I looked at your shop...You have some wonderful items so I don't think your inventory is the problem. I think maybe you have too many irons in the fire. I know that is my problem. The best advice I had from this forum when I first started was to be in my shop every day doing something. It is not unlike having an actual storefront. However, I found that it was even better if I added something new to my inventory everyday. I am retired now, but what I would do when I was working was take a lot of pictures and scan I lot of items and get them ready to load. Then, I set aside 30 minutes everyday to do something or add some inventory. (That's the latest tip). While I was in the shop I also looked at my favorites and added more favorite items/shop and circles. In other words I participated in the community. I also have started selling worldwide...it is not as daunting as it seems. Just think about much it will increase your market. I have noticed a difference. I just love having a shop on Etsy! Hope that wasn't too wordy...wishing you much success in your business endeavor! Lynne from EsmeeLynne

[andidanie]

Thank you, Kay! I am the WORST photographer. I know nothing about lighting.

I have been changing the "Mother's day" category as I come across it, but I wondered if using those filters pigeon holes your product... I think I'll refrain from using them.


Thanks, Lynne. The last couple days I have been adding a couple new listings each day. And I still have more, so I'll keep doing that... I do ship internationally, I might have some listings that need updating in that regard.

I also just enabled my DC. The reviews I've read haven't been rave, but I figured I'd give it a try for a bit. Etsy claims a 63% increase in sales with it, but, 63% of nothing is still nothing. :/ We'll see!

Thank you, ladies!

[TheDarkFen]

Kay S from elitestreet says

Your titles and tags look good, but something I noticed that may be hurting you: You filled in the "Who is it for" and "Occasion" fields. From what I've understood from Etsy's posts about it, is it can limit you to those fields. Your items will only show up for people searching for Mother's Day which is past already, and once a year. So I would leave those open.

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where did you read that at? i haven't seen that mentioned before. i have been putting a random occasion in all my listings. i really had no idea how pertinent t hose were to anything so didn't see what it would hurt. if you could link to something specific? i did try looking myself.. :D

[andidanie]

It seems odd that they would provide those descriptions, and then tell us they only limit us from being found.