One year and 300 sales later...What I learned

Former_Member · ‎08-31-2012

I just hit my one-year Etsy-versary this week (started listing items August 27th of last year) and today I just got my 300th sale. Things I learned along the way:

1) The basics need to be covered: photos, policies, shop announcement and profile, before anything else!

2) There is *always* some listing to tweak. Always! It's daily (or at least weekly) work but it's worth it!

3) My obsession for checking my stats stopped after I realized that (almost) every time I did not checked them for a couple of hours, I made a sale. A watched pot never boils, they say!

4) It pays to be prepared well. The months in the summer are the time to prepare for Christmas but if your shop also has Valentine's Day items, you might as well prepare them now because when Christmas is over, you won't have time.

5) Have many price points. I'm currently working on that one. I offer hairpins and rings for less than 10$ and also offer necklace in the 60$+ range. Most of my sales are situated in the 25-40$ range but having many price points brings in many different customers! (BTW, now is the time to list your high-end, luxury items...before Christmas!)

6) Promote, promote, promote. 'nuff said. :)

7) Be as courteous as possible, always include a handwritten little note (even just a "thank you" written on a biz card does the trick) and reply to convos in a timely manner.

8) When I do custom orders, I ALWAYS send a picture of the finished product for the customer to approve. The customer is happy and I'm somewhat reassured.

9) Please don't lose money on shipping. Calculating shipping prices is relatively easy and once you get the hang of it, it will be so much easier (hint: especially on Christmas time, when customer demands express shipping and such!)

10) This one took me months: VIEWS DO NOT = SALES! Sales = sales. In June, I was on the FP twice in two days. I got huge -I mean HUGE- views. Not one sale. Three days later, 40 views in my day (a really, really slow day for me) and two sales.

Most of all, you need to be having fun! If you're really tired, need a break, need to vent...it's not a good idea to work on your shop because it will definitely feel like a chore. Take a break, go outside, sleep or take a bath and come back full of energy!

What have YOU learned from your Etsy experience??

SasperryDesigns · ‎08-31-2012

Thanks for sharing and congrats on your 300 sales!

I'm fairly new, but I have to say I agree that views don't equal sales. I ironically get my sales on low view days.

TOMgirlApparel · ‎08-31-2012

Congratulations! 300 sales is such an accomplishment!

Babiease · ‎08-31-2012

Thanks for sharing!

The only thing I can add is have packaging that will be remembered. I'm enjoying making each customers package special. Shop around for perfect packaging prices, i.e., tissue, boxes.

MelsCreativeWishes · ‎08-31-2012

congratulations on 300 sales!
Thank you so much for sharing this list too.
I especially like how you say not to be hung up on views because I do this.
But I am beginning to see that views dont equal sales... wish they did though!

Former_Member · ‎08-31-2012

Thanks!!
Yes, I forgot to add it but Meredith said it so well: packaging IS important! As a buyer, I ADORE pretty packages and I'm more likely to make another purchase from a seller (handmade, maybe not supplies) who puts in a little effort.

Yes, I would be thrilled if views = sales. I would be rich by now! lol

RusticNorthern · ‎08-31-2012

Congratulations on your 300 sales!

dlynnart · ‎08-31-2012

I've learned that it takes time and you have to work at it. I've been here for over a year, and have 35 sales. But have sold quite a bit offline at craft fairs and to friends. I think you really have to work at it.

What are your secrets to promoting? Where do you do it?

AkitlaFlair · ‎08-31-2012

Thanks for sharing, Christina & congrats! 300 sales in a year. That is super! You have wonderful designs & the pictures are so nice!

Former_Member · ‎08-31-2012

I promote on Facebook, Twitter (which I am still learning!), Wanelo, Pinterest and do blogs giveaways and such. The success in promoting relies on two major things:
1) you have to work hard at it everyday. promoting is not easy-peasy but it's so worth it!
2) you need to stop promoting your items and start telling stories. I have got much more views from Facebook since I started posting a cute or funny pic, an inspirational quote or a fabulous Etsy find than when I just posted my items. I do post new items on there but it's about 20% of my posts. The rest is engaging stuff.

Former_Member · ‎08-31-2012

Thank you Cindy !

LoriAndCompany · ‎08-31-2012

wow !!! thanks so much for sharing all of this with us, Christina !!! awesome information :)) congrats on a wonderful year !!!

dlynnart · ‎08-31-2012

Thanks Christina. I have noticed that on fb when I post pics and say something about it I get more interaction than when I post a link to an item in my shop. Going to take your advice on telling more stories!

And congrats on 300! That's fantastic!

Former_Member · ‎08-31-2012

Great comments. I am learning similar things.

One thing I have noticed in 2 years and almost 450 sales is this - Sales (price reductions) do not necessarily translate into sales (purchases). People look for bargains on Ebay. They look for quality and unique handmade things on Etsy. Generally, Etsy customers don't mind paying a fair price for quality. Something to think about...

Also, I now have at least half of my sales from return customers. Make those first sales special - they will come back for more!

Former_Member · ‎08-31-2012

great post and thank you for all the responses. It's always been difficult for me, wearing multiple hats. I'm always searching for the perfect rhythm of time in studio/ marketing/ computer/ blog/ photos and the list goes on... and let's not forget daydreaming, which is highly underrated. After all, that's where creative magic happens.

Former_Member · ‎08-31-2012

Great tips - thank you! Hopefully i will be in your position next year.. *dreams*

Very inspiring!!

Former_Member · ‎08-31-2012

Congratulations on 300 sales in 1 year! That is a great accomplishment on Etsy. I have only been active on Etsy for about 8 months now and I have also learned the same things you mention. For those of us with expensive items, it seems even more important to include a variety of price points, when possible.

Cheers to another good year!

Former_Member · ‎08-31-2012

Loved reading all these tips, they got me really inspired. :]
Thank you, Christina!

Former_Member · ‎08-31-2012

Congrats to you on 300 sales! Thanks for sharing.... the tips were very helpful! =).....

Former_Member · ‎08-31-2012

Great tips, I totally agree with 3 and 10!

LovesYouCrafts · ‎08-31-2012

Thanks so much for this, it makes me feel so much better, here's hoping it will all pay off!

Former_Member · ‎08-31-2012

Congratulations on 300 sales with in your first year!!! And thanks for sharing with all of us. I've been working on my shop for the last few weeks and with the long holiday weekend thought I should participate in a few discussions.

I opened my shop in March and have had over 7K view and 8 sales - which is a bummer. Sharing your story is what we all need to read and hear - thanks!

drudruchu · ‎08-31-2012

Congrats! Great job in one year.
Thanks so much for sharing your advice.

Former_Member · ‎08-31-2012

Very nice posting! Thanks for all the valuable tips, it's a big help. I'm still learning here. Wish I will be as successful as you one day.

Former_Member · ‎08-31-2012

Congratulations!!! You are the best for sharing all of your knowledge with us!!!

One year and 300 sales later...What I learned

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