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[#1]

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]

Hi!

This will also be my first holiday "serious" season. My goals are to
1) List all my painted artwork and typography
2) Post at least once a day on social media
3) Print a tea towel collection
4) Maintain at least 20 listings

[TheSewingTortoise]

Hello!
I started my business in April this year and have gradually been adding items to my etsy shop since then. I've only made a couple of sales so far (to the same person, so it's good to know I must be doing something right!).
My goals are
1. to make sure I get all the items I've already made actually listed in my shop
2. to become more involved in the teams I've joined - at least I've now started on this one!
3. to read more of the etsy seller handbook!

Ann (aka The Sewing Tortoise)

[Former_Member]

I'm jumping in with both feet this time. I've been a member since 2011 and haven't felt committed to my products until now. I've found my passion in making jewelry and feeling fabulous about it. I'm determined to express myself. As long as I'm happy with what I make and continuously improving I know I will do well. There is plenty of room for everyone and I love being in the room with such awesome inspiring creativity as Etsy offers. My goals are to --

Enjoy the journey.

Spend my early mornings & 80% of my spare time adding to my site and learning and organizing. So far one item at a time has led to 54 items in my shop.

To be excited and believe that I will find my followers and happy customers.

Be the best I can....not just adequate. Go the extra mile while working with what I have available today.

To connect with others and support their efforts. I need to learn more how to do this on Etsy.

To keep my "list" going and checking it off. I know I will sense the important priorities as they come up.

Finish revising my listings with new more creative photography and wording. Adding new items and hitting a 100 item store by October 1st.

Last but not least....getting some physical exercise so I can make it through the holiday. :)

[Former_Member]

Hello and thanks for this workshop. I just opened my shop in July and I am eager to learn "The Etsy Secrets". My sales are down right scarce!

1. Finding my niche in this very large talent pool

2. Ways to improve visibility without over doing it

3. Prepare for the holiday shipping surge so customers get their product
(last year I ordered all my gifts on Etsy and several did not show up at all)

[Former_Member]

Hi, I am Gemma. I have had a shop since November 2012, but apart from a couple of early sales, my shop has been pretty much empty! I had a 're-launch' on 8th September and I now am raring to go with 28 items in my shop!

My goals:
- make a sale!!
- improve my photography
- increase my products listed by a minimum 1 per week.

I'm really looking forward to the bootcamp, learning and sharing tips and experiences!

[HomeOfficeCharm]

Hello, I'm Glenis and Department of Calm sells live work items for work life balance.

I've started opening and stocking my shop gradually since April. I've heard so much about the busy holiday season. I'm a bit worried that mine will be a disappointment because so many shop owners have been with Etsy a long time. As a newbie I don't know what to expect about the holiday season.

My goal is to have a steady increase in sales of at least 10% week on week running up and through the holidays. Another goal is for the spells in between item sales to shorten instead of months in-between a sale that it turns into weeks, even days, perhaps hours- and dare I say minutes. shorten.
To achieve that i'll need to stock more items in my shop the ultimate goal is to have 75 pieces by November. and I'm heading for 50 pieces by end September.

I've started speaking to local shops who have agreed to have my lampshades on display. There will be a tag with my Etsy details.

I'm also going to upload some digital content lessons and guides for instant download.

Sound like a plan?

[Former_Member]

Hi Everyone. My name is Stacie and I've been on Etsy since August 2014. My goals are to:
Have a "real" holiday season
Have pictures all the same showing true colors
Have atleast 100 items in the store
Have more ready to ship items

Much success to everyone!!!

[Former_Member]

Ok...here goes...my goal (and I JuSt opened a week ago!) is to stock up items until I get to 100! Better get off of the computer on get in my studio and start sewing!! :)

[ArtOnAJourney]

Here goes! I really have never set a goal or goals for my card business, always been happy with any sales I have, but... I will be open on Etsy a year ago this coming October and I would be pleased with double the amount of sales. Also, I really need to learn about how to become more social media savvy!

I am working on more listings too! Hope to have 20 cards by the end of October.

Thanks and looking forward to shopping this season on Etsy!

[NovaMaries]

Hello my name is Maria. I have been on Etsy since 2013. I sell a variety of personalized gifts for all occasions. My goal is to increase inventory to 35 items by October 30. Promote my shop to increase visibility and sales. My biggest goal is to focus and not procrastinate in getting new items made and available.

[Former_Member]

My name is Linda and I have had my Etsy shop since July of 2013. I make jewelry out of polymer clay. I am still waiting for my first sale. Hopefully that will happen this Christmas season. I plan on getting my shop ready just in case things turn around.

[Former_Member]

I would really like to reach about 500 sales by the end of the year, which is a huuuuge goal, but hopefully one I can work insanely hard on!

[KristieLynStudios]

My name is Kristie and my shop offers handmade leather books and paper goods. I try to focus on items that have specific uses like leather cocktail recipe books to blank musical score journals. Nearly all of my items are customized by the purchaser.

This is my third holiday season on Etsy and each year my sales have DOUBLED! That means this year's goals are even more important.

SPECIFIC GOALS
1. Most importantly, I want to identify and stock up on materials for my currently best selling items.

2. I want to make inserts for my medium and large refillable leather journals so I all I need to do is make the cover!

3. Introduce my 2014 holiday greeting card sets.

GENERAL GOALS
1. Increase my social media marketing using the Etsy seller seminar "Boost your Shop's Presence"

2. Encourage the sale of my newest refillable journal made with hand-waxed canvas and a smaller version of the same book.

3. Have fun and find time to breathe!

Good luck to everyone....old and new!

[Former_Member]

I had no idea what to bring or goals to set. I didn't think about offering gift wrapping!! Thank you for mentioning that. I am going to set that as my goal.

[Former_Member]

Hi Everyone!

Kerry Batty from K. Batty Design & Stationery here! My holiday goals are:

1. Have new holiday card designs printed by Oct. 30th.
2. Choose 2 in-person selling events to participate in during December.
3. Have a media plan for carrying holiday momentum to Valentine's Day.

Good luck everyone!!

[elsielight]

Hello, I'm Luella.

Currently I'm working on expanding offerings in my shop to other handwork interests of mine - handknitted items and quilted potholders, as well as a few fun vintage finds in jewelry this year.

Also I'm adding new styles and techniques in my jewelry, while offering many previously listed jewelry at a 40% price reduction.

I'm enjoying the prospect of providing a wider list of gift giving and accessory options.

[19youth]

i like holidays and this holidays my goals are to sell over 50 wallets at my store , to make someone happy with a gift from my store , another goal i have is to make a bigger production so i can sell more in etsy !!

[Former_Member]

Hello!
I am on Etsy again after a lengthy break. I have been selling since 2011 off and on. I wasn't sure if I was going to continue on Etsy but I recently have felt conviction that I need to keep trying until I find my sweet spot. My goals would be:
1) Update my shop, banner, and information
2) Sell 5-10 christmas ornaments
3) Sell 1-2 of my fine art pieces
I would consider that a success!

[ChristianaOdum]

Hey there! I'm Christiana and I've been selling since April 2008, but have definitely had seasons of ignoring my shop because life kept me busy. I make warm and pretty crochet and knit items and recently began spinning my own yarn, so I'll be adding handspun yarn to my shop, probably in the Spring. I want this holiday season to be my best to date and I want steady growth over the next year so I can quit my day job. Goals for the holiday season are:

- Have 50 listings

- Stock up on shipping supplies

- Make a couple of my most popular blanket to have on hand. These are typically made to order, but it never fails that I get messages the 2nd or 3rd week of December asking if it will arrive on time for Christmas. Considering it takes a minimum of a week to make and craft stores run low on supplies during that time, I miss out on some sales from last minute shoppers. With that said, my next goal is:

- Stock up with extra yarn. For said blankets. Don't want to risk the craft store running out. :

- And finally, my sales goal for the year is $3,000. I'd like to reach that before the end of the year. :)

This is going to be the best holiday season ever!!!

[Banba]

I am a jewelry designer. My goal is to have 200 items in my shop by Dec. 1st. I ave 114 now. I want to reach 100 sales!

[Former_Member]

Hi there! New shop and I've never done a team before, but I'm excited about the sharing happening here!
My holiday goals are:
::finish branding process and purchase materials
::crank out 4 quilts/month in October and November
::promote new items and shop on social media in November so that...
I can run on shipping listed items in December and enjoy my family and Jesus!
If that happens, I would love to see my profits be able to purchase gifts for our family...we'll see!

Thanks heaps and enjoy creating!

[MaxplanationPhotos]

goal, double my sales fro oct to jan, over last year.

so far for the other months I have been able to do that...looking forward to continuing the trend ! good luck everyone !

[Former_Member]

Hey! I just started my shop about two weeks ago but I am very new.

My goals are to

Complete branding
Update current photos with better quality
Add additional products

[Former_Member]

Hello Loveys. I'm Jonelle and I started selling my handmade greeting cards using upcycled book pages this July. My goals for the holiday season and the remainder of 2014 are:

*Reach 100 sales
*Support other fabulous artists by purchasing as many holiday gifts from Etsy as possible
*Learn more about tagging
*Learn how to successfully use Facebook for promotions and exposure
*Add some holiday cards (working on a few!)

All Love!!

[Former_Member]

Hello everyone! I opened my shop this past summer. I am currently making photo pendants but hope to expand into other types of jewelry and accessories. This is my first holiday season and I have no idea what to expect. My goals for the holiday season are:

1. Not overwork myself between my shop and school.
2. Have all listings updated and make them more SEO for the season.
3. Prepare packaging for items ahead of time by October 31.
4. Reach between 50 and 100 sales by the new year.