Official Success Celebration Thread!

[#1]

This team is dedicated to sharing business advice in a supportive environment. From the day you first set up your shop to the day you think about quitting your day job, there's so much to learn. Luckily, one of the best things about selling on Etsy is the support and encouragement from other sellers.

Whether you’re brand new to selling on Etsy or you can count the years on both of your hands, you probably have some milestones that you’d like to celebrate with all of us. Post your milestone in this thread. Every month, we'll highlight some of our favorite posts, so join the celebrations!

Please also introduce yourself in your post if you’re new to the Etsy Success Team—describe what you sell and how long your shop has been open.

Here are some examples of milestones (but remember that all personal milestones big or small are worthy of celebrating!):

• You made your 1st sale / 1st international sale / 1st custom order
• You reached (x) # of sales
• You added (x) # of listings in your shop
• You have (x) # of views / favorites / admirers
• You received positive feedback from a buyer
• Your shop was featured in the press or in social media
• You recently opened your shop
• You’re celebrating your Etsyversary

[Former_Member]

www.etsy.com/shop/123four5sixCute

[Former_Member]

I've spent the few days reworking my SEO and just tested one of my keywords.

I'm a photographer, and have a lot of images of cars in my shop. I logged out of Etsy and searched for "car photography", one of my new keywords. I had one image on the first page and several on the second!

Photographers have a problem when it comes to keywords. We get so wrapped up in where we were, what we remember, how we felt, etc., that we get stuck in our own heads. That's right-brained thinking. You can't do that with SEO; you need to be objective. An image of a restored hearse painted with skeletons that I saw at a fall car show on a gorgeous day two years ago may be a really cool hot rod, but at its base, it's just a photo of a car.

To find keywords, I typed in on the Etsy search bar terms I'd use if I wanted to buy something in my shop - acar photo, not a photo of a hearse. I made a list of all the phrases that showed up, and looked for other keywords based on my list. That's all that I used in my titles.

I created a unique title for each listing. Once I had the title, I copied it into the tag field and let Etsy split it up. I reserve two tags for my name and shop name, and a third for photos under $20, but I still had two or three empty tags. I used them for specifics about the image like color or "gifts for --". In the case of the hearse, I added terms like hearse, grim reaper, skeleton, etc. While I was at it, I added stock numbers to make it easy to buy a set of prints. I'm working in sections to keep track and not get overwhelmed. It won't take me long to finish because I've worked out a method I know works.

The most important advice I have is keep a list of your keywords from your research next to you. I keep two windows open at once, one with Etsy and another with my keywords, but a notebook works, too.

SEO is like photography in a way. It's not the gear, it's the (left) brain using the gear!

I still only have two sales, but people will finally be able to find me. If I don't start getting sales, I won't be able to blame my SEO.

[BellaSimoneNYC]

I made my first sale recently .. I was so excited, I gave the buyer the option to select an additional item for free ...

Being a shop owner and getting traction is not an easy feat .. I did a Fashion degree, but never practiced it till now. I'm now learning the application of retail and merchandising via blogs, forums, teams on Etsy! yay!!

[MyDestashery]

I may be taking the celebration time frame too broadly, but I'd like to celebrate the whole year!

I made my first major publication appearance in People's StyleWatch Magazine in the spring, which brought so many other opportunities for exposure, and so many sales!

I've reached over 5,000 sales and made over 18,000 items (phew!)

And I got married somewhere between all that.

A good year, indeed!

[Former_Member]

Hi.
I just opened my shop after think really hard about it. I wasn't sure about my products, but the friendly environment on Etsy, the tutorials, teams, easy tips, and all, helps you a lot and gives you a hint to avoid insecurities, so I'm looking forward to enjoy, learn and sell... a lot!

[HoneyThistle]

I finally made it to listing 100 items today! It's literally taken years lol, and I'm 2 sales away from my first 100 sales :)

[Former_Member]

I created an Instagram account (@LayLaysShoppe) for my shop 4 weeks ago, and already have 200 followers! It's a great way to market your products and also show "behind-the-scenes" pics...how you make your product, where you make your products, etc.

[ShawnaMarieCreations]

I started selling on Etsy in January, and was surprised and DELIGHTED when I discovered that I sold a blanket --- IN FIVE DAYS! That was an encouraging start and most definitely helped me to keep up the work. Month after month went by, and there were no sales, until this month. That was my second sale. I don't feel like 2 sales is a poor start, because, well, they are still two SALES! :)

[Former_Member]

I agree with Discobeach that God does answer prayers. I also have prayed that I would be able to make a living out of doing what I love and I have only made one sale so far, and that was to Norway! God always answers our prayers not always the way we want but always for our own good. And He also has a different time frame than we do. I also would never push my beliefs on someone else but I never would neglect to let others know that I am a Christian. Your little fishes are very cute so keep up the good work and you will be successful.

[KittysVintageVault]

Hi - I just made my 100th, 101st and 102nd sale after just over 8 months of trading, so I'm really happy as I'd set myself a goal of 100 sales in my first year!

[Former_Member]

Very new to Etsy... had a slow start but after lots of help from everyone in the community I am celebrating my second sale this MONTH, and my very first custom order! Thank you all for your help... As as always.... Constructive criticism is welcomed.

Yes, I know I look like a b word in my profile picture here... I need to figure out how to change it. :)

[Former_Member]

I got my 100th sale this month --- and am now up to 105! Love the advice in this group, thank you all for the great info shared here!

[Former_Member]

KISST Organics is back! We've been gone for awhile but we are happy to be back with new and re-newed listings! Please, come visit our store!

[IThinkICanDesigns]

Hello my name is Tamiko. My shop has been open since 1992.

I am celebrating my 174 five star review and 1 four star.
I feel blessed and I am happy that my candles are being loved all over the world.

Things have slowed down since the new ads have gone into place, but I will continue to love what I do.

[Former_Member]

Huge Discounts ....If you are looking to buy a beautiful Genuine leather Handbag for yourself or a great Christmas gift for a friend, Take advantage of our up to 70% discount sale now.

[Former_Member]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/205646730/winter-tree-wall-art-wall-stickers-wall?ref=shop_home_active_...
https://www.etsy.com/listing/205053052/large-personalised-santa-stop-here-wall?ref=shop_home_active_...
https://www.etsy.com/listing/196044169/islamic-wall-artislamic-muslim-decal?ref=shop_home_active_1

[Former_Member]

Hello Friends,
I am closing my store at ETSY and my website soon due to my health problems.
I am selling all my bags now without any profit on Etsy so please have a look and buy if you like any.
They are all Genuine leather Handbags.

Kind Regards
Sangeeta

[Former_Member]

Hi,

I have a lot of little things to celebrate so I decided to share.

Within the past year I have really gotten serious about my Etsy shop and am finally starting to see more regular sales.

A few months ago I started an animal (specifically pit bull) charity team here on Etsy (for shoppers looking for pit bull products, and sellers wanting to show their love of dogs and if they choose, donate a percentage of sales to applicable rescue org's, as I do.) Art With a Heart now has 40+ members and we are helping with our first big event--the Stand Up For Pits silent auction and comedy night in LA, this November.

Yesterday my application to join HeARTs Speak, a professional network of artists helping animals was approved.

Without Etsy, this would all barely be possible. Thank you!

Kirsten :-)

[StockLaneStudio]

I started selling my photos and cards at a brick and mortar shop. People can come in and feel how sturdy yet smooth my cards are while they notice the great photography! People can browse and ask questions! Hope it leads to happy sales.

[Former_Member]

I got my first sale and I can't wait to get my next! Don't wait for a holiday or birthday to send some love! Send some love today, Just Because!!

[DJVintageCollectible]

Yes, I have just listed my 450th item. I am jazzed and ready for the Holidays.

My new goal is to get up to 500 items listed before the end of October.

Good Luck everyone,

[Former_Member]

Yesterday I sold my first blanket. I waited a while for this to happen.

[nauli]

We just had our 1000th sale and are going strong!

Still, we're doing the happy dance every time the Etsy App is saying Ka-tching! Thanks to Etsy and it's awesome community, we're glad to be part of it!

[FlowerandPearlStudio]

Yay, I reached my 700th sale today!!!

[Former_Member]

Hi, I am new to Etsy! I opened about a week ago and I am celebrating the open of my shop and 3 sales so far. Here's hoping for many more.