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[Former_Member]

As soon as August rolls into September, and the summer here in New York comes to a close, I can’t help but think about the upcoming Holiday Season. Instead of searching for items for myself, I start prioritizing other people’s wish-lists. Since I usually don’t have a big spending budget to purchase items, naturally, this shift sparks a fire in me to DIY my holiday gifts, which in turn, inspires me to work on my Etsy shop.

This year, I’m going to approach things a little differently. Instead of prioritizing handmade gifts, I’m going to set goals around my shop. My goal for this year is to stock more items and create holiday themed branding, such as gift wrap and an updated banner, that I can highlight in my shop and in social media.

To help us achieve our goals throughout the Holiday Season, the Seller Education team has been hard at work compiling a great series of educational content. Lets start this Holiday Season off right by signing up for this years Holiday Bootcamp: https://blog.etsy.com/en/2014/register-now-for-holiday-boot-camp-2014/

Next, think about what your goals are for this Holiday Season and share them with us below!* A goal can be anything from listing a new item to reaching your 100th sale. By writing them down and sharing with others, you'll reinforce your commitment to them. Who knows, your goal could inspire others or even be featured in an upcoming Online Labs event with the Seller Education Team!


*When sharing your goal for this season, please introduce yourself and share how long you've been selling on Etsy.

[Former_Member]

I’m Jessica and I make reusable baby and household items such as cloth wipes, UNpaper towels, and wet bags. I just opened my Etsy shop exactly one month ago, so I’m very excited about my first holiday season here! Since I’m not sure what to expect for sales, I’ve made some concrete goals for the holiday season that I know I can work towards:



- Have at least 100 items listed in my shop (currently have 31)

- Make everything in my shop ready to ship

- Promote my shop daily through social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest)

- Create extra inventory for the items that seem to be more popular as I get more sales

[ErinAustin]

Hi, I'm Erin and I've been selling on Etsy since 2008, but didn't really get serious about it until last year.

My goals for the holiday season include

- Improving photography with model shots and seasonal style shots
- Doubling last years sales for the 4th quarter
- Creating the annual ornament for the shop

[Former_Member]

Hello all! My name is Heather and my 1 year anniversary for selling on Etsy will be October 31st. I sell my original drawings and paintings, as well as fine art prints of my work in my shop. Last holiday season I had only 1 item listed (big step to pull the trigger and open up shop though!). I've been working hard all year long to improve my shop and list new items, so I am excited to have my first successful Holiday season! Here are my goals:

• List 25 new items by season end
• Successfully promote my shop through Facebook and Instagram using Etsy's Schedule Facebook Campaign guide
• Fine tune my gifting options to promote how gift worthy my items are
• Have Fun!

[Former_Member]

I love the holidays - this will be my fourth holiday season with this shop here on Etsy. It gets KER-azy busy, but it's fun, too! I want to pack myself up in some of my packages so I can visit the places they're going.

I am going to:

* make a better effort on packaging properly. When it gets busy, I get sloppy, and I know it.

* stock up NOW on my most popular lotion scents instead of trying to make everything as the orders roll in. I've got a newish baby - I have to plan ahead better.

* Make sure I have MY time, too. It can't be all Etsy, all the time.

* ENJOY the Christmas season. A couple of years, I've been so stressed, Christmas was no fun at all for me. This year, I want to enjoy all there is to enjoy.

[littleglamour]

Oh holiday time on Etsy - crazy is right! :)

This year my goals are:

- 200 orders in October (I was moving last year so pretty sure I can beat 2013!)
- 600 orders for Nov-Dec combined!
- borrowing Erin's (above).....ENJOY the season and spend quality time with my family..... :)
- purchase as many gifts as possible from Etsy for those on my gift list
- make sure my shop is ready by mid-October....that means: popular components and packaging supplies ordered, studio organized so I can find everything when it starts to get bananas, ready-to-ship items are photographed and listed (great for indecisive/last minute shoppers!), and my office stocked with scented candles, coffee for my EAT SLEEP ETSY mug I got last year, and a great playlist on iTunes to get me through it all!

[ModernSwitch]

I'm Krystal, and I've been selling my light switch covers on Etsy since 2008.

These are my tentative goals so far (as I realized last month that goals sometimes need to be adjusted).

September: Working on launching my line of personalized light switch covers. This was previously my August goal, but my camera ended up breaking. With this launch I am also going to create a social media marketing campaign, and it is my hope to sell 10 personalized light switch covers this month.

October: Inventory time! I've found it is very important during the holiday season while having a mostly 'made to order' shop that I have listings available that are ready to ship. For the month of october I plan to go through my inventory as I have several listings marked "Made to Order" that are actually ready to ship, so just making sure all of that is organized. I also will take the time to inventory all of my shipping supplies as now is the time to order them before the holiday rush.

November/December: Other than planning a Black Friday special, I have no other Etsy related goals for the months of November & December. My goals are to actually take time off Etsy and spend it with friends and family as the holidays end up becoming very busy around here as we celebrate them. I need to be clear minded and focused on my family, and that means just maintaining, and putting any ideas that come to mind for growth of my business on the backburner so I have something to do in January after the holiday slowdown.

[Studio007NYC]

Hi, my name is Shaolan and I have been selling on Etsy since July 7th. I sell jewelry, giclee prints of my oil paintings & original typography art.

My goals are...

1) Be more organized with all the materials that are coming in. I have things all over the place...
2) Work on tagging.
3) Stock up items: would like to reach 140 items by September 30th, 220 by October 31st & 300 by November 30th.

And... hope I can enjoy every minute of it!

[Former_Member]

I opened my shop at the end of Feb this year. I sell polymer clay figures and necklaces. This is my first holiday season so I don't know what to expect. So my goals of the season are:

- Not to over work myself between the shop and my day job.
- Have all holiday items made and listed by mid October.
- Make a holiday banner.
- Make 100 sales by the end of the year.
- Have all shipping supplies ready and available by mid October.

[Former_Member]

My shop has been "opened" since 2011 but I have not given it much effort until recently so this will be my first "real" Holiday season on Etsy and I hope to make it through the bootcamp and double my sales!

Good luck everyone

[Former_Member]

Hi!

I'm B, I opened in '09'. I make handmade hair accessories, jewelry, and costumes. My goal for the holiday season is to have a minimum of 100 items in my shop, improve my packaging, and seriously focus on my brand (stock more costumes and burlesque items). I'd love to reach 20 sales by the end of year!

Best of luck to all!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/NaughteeBits

[Former_Member]

Hi!
My name is Ana and I just seriously started working on my shop last month. My goals for the holiday are 2:
1) Get a sale!!
2) Improve packaging/gift wrapping options.
This is my newbie holiday season and getting that first sale would be the best holiday present ever!
Thanks,
-Ana
www.etsy.com/shop/BraceletsByAna

[Former_Member]

Hi! I am Suzan and have had a Etsy shop since February 2012 but didn't start getting serious until last year and even then not as dedicated as I would like to be! I sell a lot locally so just trying to build inventory has been a challenge. My goals for this holiday season are:

100 items listed to sell by Black Friday
2 new items every week until November 1
Post something 4 times a week on Pinterest to drive more traffic to my shop

I am feeling really psyched about this holiday season and know this is going to be a successful year for me!

Good luck to everyone!
Suzan
etsy.com/shop/hazelnutdeux

[Former_Member]

Hello! Noel here from bizzie hippie. While I have been on Etsy for years, this is my first year that I am trying to get THIS shop (I've had many :D) really going.
My goals for the holiday season are to get all my available items listed in the shop, execute on the promotional planner that I've created (incorporating sales and coupons, along with launching new items) and establishing a baseline for the years ahead to build from. I am also very motivated to connect more with other artists and develop a greater online presence (forums, blogs, instagram, twitter, facebook, etc).
Good LUCK to each of you and have a great season!

Happy Selling!

[Former_Member]

Hello!
My name is Qin. I started my shop about 2 month ago but I really started to work in my shop last month, I seen so many people do great on etsy,I wanted that but I had school to manage and I kept on procrastinating! So, I wanted to take matters in my own hands I need to stop procrastinating and sort out what I needed to do so, I made goals! My goals are:

1) Stock more items ( make 25 items)
2) Improve package decorate them depending on theme
3) Get more sales
4) Work on my social media
5) learn how to sew
6)l learn how to crochet/knit
7) Go to a craft show
8) Get inspired
9) just have fun!

But my number 1 goal is to get more sales!

These are my goals for holiday season!
I'm not an expert but to all of you out there who are stressing over the holiday season don't worry take things slowly but I'm not saying procrastinate! Just set a goal for each day but remember to chill out once in a while! Good luck to everyone!

Awkwardly awesome love,Qin

[Former_Member]

Hello! I am Eliza Rose and my shop has been open for a few years, but I am only now beginning to put forth the effort to (hopefully) make it a success so I can eventually quit my day job! This is my first holiday season and I have no idea what to expect.
My goals are:
1. Update my shop to reflect all of what I do.
2. Have 50 items in my shop by Oct 15th.
3. Have 75 items in my shop by Thanksgiving.
4. Post one item from my shop on social media each Thursday.
5. Make my success a priority, rather than the success of my day job!
I can't wait to see what happens this season!
Good luck to everyone!

[Sparklesme]

Hi, Janet here,
I have had my shop open since spring of 2009. This past holiday season was when it really started selling as I got more of my handwriting jewelry out into the world and had folks looking for me!
Right now I am cleaning/organizing my home and work space. I have streamlined the shipping area and am making lists of supplies to get ordered this month.
My goals for this season include making and listing more "ready to ship" by Oct 15th.
Double my sales for this holiday over last year's sales.
Have a clearance sale on last years left overs by Oct 30.
Have photos ready of the "options" that go into a custom order.
Pre list all the shipping costs with insurance so it's is one click to list shipping on custom orders.
Buy gifts from fellow Etsians...
Stay focused, make sure I fit my workouts in even when I get super busy, and be an inspiration where I can.
Sending out love!
Janet

[Former_Member]

I've had my shop for awhile, but keep hesitating on actually pulling the trigger. I draw, paint, make jewelry and do graphic designs. My goals are simple 1) to actually open shop and have at least 10 items to sale and 2) learn how to have a sustainable shop. Needless to say I'm nervous, but excited.

[Former_Member]

I've had my shop for about six months now, but didn't really promote it until July. I've only made two sales so far, but I have hope for the holidays. I make paracord crafts (bracelets to leashes) to support my wife's animal rehab work.

My goals are to enhance my photography with some "model shots" (my models would be animals as well as people), and to get 10 sales by the end of the year. I don't want to be unrealistic. :-)

[Former_Member]

Hello. My name is Stephanie. My shop carries handmade jewelry and sewn accessories. I am still in the process of setting it up, so my biggest goal is to officially open my shop in time for the Holiday season. I'd also like to explore seasonal packaging and shipping options as well as ways to attract attention to my shop and listings.

[Former_Member]

Hi, I'm Maggie and I have been selling on etsy since 2010 (seriously since 2012 however). I recently took a month off as we moved from BC to Ontario so my holiday goals are:

**Continue to build stock in the items I love to make (therefore you can feel the love in each product)
**design a new etsy banner for the holiday season that is eye catching and fun
**be fully prepared by having all my wrapping stock available - paper, twine, stickers, cards, business cards by October
**add in some festive images to help customers see how the item will look at Christmas
**double sales from 2013 in the months Oct/Nov/Dec
**fill my own cart with etsy orders to support this amazing community.
**stop working on Dec 23rd after all items won't get there for Christmas now anyway, so it's time to relax and enjoy the holiday season.

I wish everyone the best of luck this holiday season!

[Former_Member]

Hi there, I'm Jenny!
I've been selling on Etsy since 2012.
My main goals for the holiday season are:

- Sell things. Seems obvious. I know.
- Make Halloween themed items
- Make Holiday themed items

[Former_Member]

My goals for this coming season is to take some better pictures, and to improve my descriptions of listed items. I worked on this a little earlier this year, but didn't make much progress with the new wordings.

[Former_Member]

P.S. I have been selling on Etsy since April 2010. I did not sell much the first couple of years, so another goal would be to keep up the sales and improve ratings.

[DesignsbyChristine]

I just REALLY opened my shop last week. I'm so excited - I made my first sale over Labor Day weekend. I am such a newbie; am still learning how to determine shipping, tax, meta tags, etc. This is my first holiday season with Etsy, & I'm happy to be learning how to prepare for a productive, stress-free (hahaha) season.

Goals:
-Would like to post 100 items by the end of October
-Would like to post 150 items by the end of the year
-Would like to sell to 50 happy customers before the end of the year
-Would like to have every customer turn into a repeat customer
-Would like to learn how to work with other Etsy shops to get some synergized selling working for us all

AND - would like to get my workroom organized before the season ramps up!

Christine