Overwhelmed by "hobby"

[Former_Member]

So, I'm in the very middle of figuring out whether or not to go from "hobby" shop to "real" shop. I've raised my prices (STILL wholesale, according to Etsy's pricing formula), hired a photographer (a very dear friend who's working pro-bono), revamped my branding, decked out my packaging, work continuously on SEO and just added some items (getting me closer to that 100 item goal).

HOWEVER

I'm beginning to wonder if I should just go back to the crappy pictures and charging less. This is SO much more work. I'm fine with the work when it pays off but not when it doesn't. And now to tackle promoting?!?! Oh dear.

It's nice to have raised my prices but when I search for similar items, I'm overwhelmed at the amount of listings priced waaaaay less. I think, "How could they possibly be making a profit?" and I wonder if I should just declare my shop a "hobby", earn money to pay for my time, materials and other expenses, and leave it at that.

When was your deciding moment and how did you handle it? Thanks everybody :)

[KnitBlossom]

Hi, I haven't been on etsy long & I had to lower my prices 3 times. My tags are working, buyers are finding my items through keywords, but don't buy. I know I couldn't do this full time. Everyone has told me to improve my pics, but how? I don't own a fancy camera & I don't think it would help.

[ConcertinaPress]

I think that pricing formulas can be really tough, because it can mean you price yourself out of the competition. Pricing formulas don't take into account that the more of an item you make, the quicker and better you'll get at making them.

I think what sometimes works BETTER is to look at the competition, look at the price points at which things are selling (kid's hats, for example) and then think "HOW can I change MY item so that I can make it faster?" For example, making ten elf dolls at a time (cutting out all the fabric at once, pinning it all at once, sewing it all at once) will go much faster than if you were to do ten from start to finish in a row.

Also if you get a re-sellers ID number (which you get when you register a business) will allow you to buy supplies at wholesale prices, cutting your supply cost in half.

For some types of crafts you gain speed with experience, so how will you ever learn to go faster if your items never sell?


But most of all, if you aren't enjoying what you're doing, by all means scale it back! Have you ever tried a local craft show? those can be a gratifying way to sell a lot at once and also see and hear customer feedback ("do you have this in blue? do you have this in a smaller size?")

[Former_Member]

i definately started my shop as a hobby. It was a way for me to sttay mtoivated and pay so supplies as i learned a new artistic method and priced low because of it. As my confindence has grown so has my intent on turing it into a business. I have made large strives in this first year. In my first 13 month almost 500 sold items. It just has to be a switch you turn on. But i dont take the journey for granted. Turning this into a business is going to take a lot of time and effort. The pay off may be years away, or never come at all but that is the risk a business owner takes. At least if you do it you can say you took a shot at doing something you love to do. :)

[DingandKennie]

Nicole - your tiems and photos are just beautiful. I especially LOVE the elf hats!

I started my shop as a hobby and changed direction after the first year. I started out making baby items and changed my focus to cloth menstrual pads. Anyway, my point is, if you love what you do and want to turn it in to a businesss then you have to lay the groundwork for that business. Once all that is in place then you can focus on creating the things you love!

I know it's very time consuming and does take a lot of research and work but in the end it will be worth it!

[ohmyclumsyheart]

If you go back to the "crappy pictures and low prices" then your shop won't be growing and you'll never be successful.

Nobody said this was going to be easy.

x

[JustForGiggles]

Nicole, If you've gotten to the point where you're hiring people, you're in business! It's not a hobby anymore ;~)

[Former_Member]

Your shop looks really professional & I think your prices are a fair reflection of that. It will definitely take time & effort to find a quality audience for your work, but I think that audience exists. I also think it is possible for you to make the hard work "worth-it" (especially if you love making your items).
Maybe look around locally (or online) for someone who might be willing to barter marketing & small business consulting services for your work?
Best of luck with whatever you decide!

[Former_Member]

Rosy B- Thank you! Great photography really does make a difference. I always try to put myself in the customer's shoes and think, "What would I click on in a page full of search results." Photography can make or break our items. Since people don't get to pick up our things and look at them, we get one shot (pun intended!) to make them want to see more.

Ruth- Thanks for the great ideas! Yes, local craft fairs are a bust unless I travel a bit and pay for the expensive, juried ones. I hear your ideas on pricing. I just have trouble "mass producing" things. I don't enjoy it and I don't have the time for it right now. I'd rather save time by doing custom orders. Once my children are all in school all day, I'll have time to really give it a go.

Lisa- Thank you for the lovely compliments! I suppose laying the groundwork is just taking me much longer. I have three children at home with me during the day (two are my own) so, by the time I can devote myself to my shop, I'm exhausted.

Sophie- Thanks for the kick in the pants! lol

Wanda- But does it really count as "hiring" someone if they work for free (or goods!)?!? lol

[Former_Member]

Thank you, Brandi! Bartering for small business help is a great idea. I definitely need a business plan, otherwise, I'm just treading water.

[Former_Member]

Nicole: Your shop looks amazing! You are on a constant stream of improvement, and your shop is so impressive to me every time I drop by and take a peek.

I am struggling with growing pains as well and I've decided to branch away from Etsy as a result. I know that things get rough when you are in this transitional stage. Not quite a hobby, but not quite a job. Do whatever makes you HAPPY! If you still have big dreams for your shop, but you're feeling overwhelmed, take a step back. :)

[Former_Member]

Melissa- How did I miss you?!? Sorry about that! Thank you and yes, it's hard work and maybe this'll all just be a story I tell my kids about one day or, just maybe it'll start paying some of the bills around here. Thanks :)

[Former_Member]

Thank you, Maggie! That means a lot :) I'm looking forward to your branches!

[FenderGemsNCrystals]

Shop the competition for trends and fashion. Shop the competition for tags and advertising ideas. But don't worry about their prices. I used to worry about prices but came to realize that I truly am consistently offering a better product and better customer service than many of my competitors. I also price realistically. If it is a superior item I price it higher. If not I price it lower. So many people fail to use discriminant pricing in their own product line. If you create something wonderful price it high.

[Former_Member]

Thanks, Maryanne! It sounds like you have a great grasp on how to price your items. I'm hoping to find a happy medium as far as Etsy formulas v market prices go. I'm getting there.


So, immediately after posting this thread (the mail icon lit up after clicking the post button!), someone sent me a convo asking about 4 custom hats. We already selected fabrics and sizes; I made her listing and she bought it (all inside an hour!). Then, just now, someone else bought a blanket! Not all hope is lost.

[Former_Member]

Girl, your shop is looking amazing!!! Just sayin! And FYI, sister said that even though the coat has been retired because of the cold (but fill fit still in spring), and Felix is "wearing the heck" out of his hat. They love them....you are amazing. Keep up the good work!

[Former_Member]

Aww shucks! Thanks, Denise! I get compliments on my jewelry every time I wear it! Yesterday, I planned my outfit around the blue stone! lol :)

[Former_Member]

Lol. I shop for outfits to wear with my jewelry as opposed to the other way around Nicky.

[Former_Member]

My shop started out as a hobby - or more like I was making WAY too many pieces than I could wear. Right now, it's my job and way more than a hobby.

I don't think it has to be one of the other - good photos are SO important but also something that shouldn't be stressed about too much. It's all about finding the right lighting, angles and background. You do not have to have the fanciest camera to get nice photos. But I think pricing is individual to each seller and you don't need to lower prices if your photos aren't the best.

[Former_Member]

Hi Daria! Thank you :)

On photography:
I don't know though, I have to disagree about pictures. I think that, if a shop looks professional with great pictures, graphics, packaging, and customer service (they've thought about their shop policies, have clear descriptions, etc), then people will pay more for their products; rather, you're catering to a higher-paying crowd. If you have stellar items and your pictures don't convey that, those people who would have paid $50 (for example), will look somewhere else.

Plus, each item requires a different approach. I have to photograph certain things on models because I just can't make them look right without someone wearing them. Other things are just on a tabletop and they're easy. Others have to be hanging or photographed as if they're being used. It's just so frustrating for someone like me who is, by no means, a professional photographer.

[Former_Member]

I went into this wanting it to be a business. I love crafts, being my own boss, and the flexibility that comes with my own business. Sure there are some things that are not fun, but for me, the worst day in my own business is a million times better than the best day working for someone else! As far as a craft fair, they can be great when you are selling, but when you do one and there are only crickets it is slow and discouraging. Those are the times you need the confidence in your product and know that it just wasn't what that particular crowd was looking for (and evaluate if you want to return to the same show next year).

[amuandpri]

Nicole your shop is lovely with a professional look! Beautifully photographed well described, etc.
Everyone here has given such wonderful advises, which shows the learning part in selling handmade . Patience , consistency is important in this business whether u call it a business or hobby. A whole lot of people pop out with same design and products and lower prices, is so true !
Marketing, blogging and keep doing the good work is all to be said :)
All the best and happy sales !

[JSWMetalWorks]

What a lovely shop with amazing pictures! Great job. Keep doing what you're doing. You should definitely see what your competition is doing, but don't look at the lower price points. You are marketing yourself as a professional shop and the pictures reflect this. You should charge accordingly. Put yourself in your customers' shoes. If you were the customer, what would you pay for item X? Keep at it and remember, it's one step at a time. It's always a learning process. And forums like this are a great resource for amazing advise, such as many of the posts above. Good luck!

[1AEON]

it looks great! no crappy pictures:)

[beatroad]

hi :) I think it's a much better investment to keep raising the bar like you have. Better pictures, more products, raised prices... That's an investment in your work. It's hard not to read up on the competition and think you have to keep up, but you never know their circumstances. If quality is important to you, always work harder on your shop. What your shop looks like has no reflection on whether it's a hobby or business - it's all about what you make of it. :)