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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 I'm Heather
We are an agricultural recycling company in Selma, California that makes products with layflat irrigation tubing that is used to water crops in California. Layflat irrigation tubing cannot be recycled because it is made of rubber, nylon and plastic that are all blended together.

All of our products are hand made and we think they are pretty awesome. We feel that when customers will feel good when they purchase our products because they are helping keep this material out of landfills.

[Former_Member]

Our goals are to sell our products and save this material from landfills.

[Former_Member]

I'm Shai, and I sell custom jewelry - mostly with words, quotes, etc. My bestsellers are generally book, peace, or sci-fi related. I've been selling on Etsy since 2006, this shop since 2011, but I didn't start selling jewelry (which really took off) until October of last year. I did really well last holiday season, especially for a new shop. But, I have new goals this year!

- Have 160 listings by October 15th, with new photography on all of my listings with window photos. I think I've decided I'm not a fan, and they don't seem to sell as well my original vintage-sheet backgrounds.
- Hit 1000 sales over the holidays. I have 649 as of this listing with 75 on an average month. I've done the math and looked at my expansion plans for the holidays and really feel like 350 sales between now and Christmas is actually probably undershooting it.
- Edit *all* of my listings for keywords and SEO, not just my best sellers, by November 1st.

...and I think that's pretty much it. I've grown a lot in the past year and I just really want to focus and foster that growth. And, use that money to buy gifts for my friends/family from other Etsians! <3

[TinyHeadsThreads]

Hi! my name is Faith and I've been selling with my daughter, Alyssa since Aug 2012. Since the beginning of this year we have really been working hard on the shop and our items.
Our goals for the upcoming holiday seasons are pretty simple:
1. Increase inventory to 200 items
2. Double our sales goal and meet it
3. Promote, promote, promote
4. Buy holiday gift wrapping paper to offer gift wrapping as an option
5. Enjoy our holiday season
Best wishes everyone!

[Former_Member]

My name is Sally. We've been on Etsy since 2008. I've taken a few years off to go back to college for graphic design so I could design my own paper patterns and fabric patterns. My husband has been traveling for his full time job. It has made us put our shop on the back burner, but now that we have moved in to our permanent home we're ready to get back into the Etsy habit. So...

My goal is to create at least 3 journals with my own pattern cover.
Finally reach 300 sales, and beyond that make 325 sales.
Get pottery listed again in the newer style Mike has been producing.
Blog more. Facebook more. Instagram more.

Good luck to everyone on making their goals!

[JackJacksWayart]

Hi, I paint pastel portraits and plywood door hangers. I have a few acrylic painting for sell.

My goal are to:

Get my 1st sale this month
Sale /Sale and make more Sales this month
Add all my new holiday item by this months end
Work on social media


Good Luck everyone!

[Former_Member]

My goal is to get 10 sales by Christmas! With only 38 sales in the last two years that's quite a steep goal for me, but I really do hope that things pick up!

[GlobalGirlApothecary]

I'm Tonya with Ruby Naturals. My shop has been around since January 2012 but this is my first year of really putting in the work to market it. I'm very happy to say the hard work has paid off in increased views already doubled over last year and my sales have quadrupled. #happygirl

For Christmas 2014 my goal is to refine my brand and expand my line to include other vintage-inspired accessories. I will create some Christmas-themed branding for my shop and other social channels. Money-wise, I would like to sell double what I've sold so far this year.

[INVICTUSARCANA]

Hey everyone! I am Amanda. I make video game/comic/pop culture inspired crafts/gifts. I have been off/on etsy, but recently quit my day job. It has always been my dream and now I am really doing it! Terrifying.

This holiday season I am going to be really working hard to meet my goals. I have re-written my business plan, so now it is just a matter of getting everything together.

September:
- Purchase packaging and gift wrapping for all sizes of my product. Also, I am going to create inserts about party packages that can be ordered. Would this be a good idea?
- I am going to do a "Christmas Lineup" post in my blog/facebook page to show people gift options for Legend of Zelda, Dr. Who, etc. So customers can get an idea of what to get depending on the interests of their relatives.
- Inventory Check, I need to have everything ready for when orders come in. I should be finishing a large wedding order and can move onto stocking up for orders.
- Photoshoot for September to show off my items as home decor. I want to show off uses for my items to get it into my customer bases' mind.

October:
- I have an October photoshoot for all my Halloween Items at the beginning of the month.
- Reach 70 Items in my Shop (Going to be so hard!)
- Organize my new office! Woo! I am getting a whole room dedicated to work.
- More stocking up on supplies and packaging

November
- Set up Photoshoot for Christmas
- Create Christmas Banner
- Daily Deals. I plan to offer gifts with purchase for every week.
- Purchase gifts with purchase for those who buy in Dec. And, advertise it as such.

December
- Work Work Work! Get those orders out and stick to the plan.
- Going to have a lot of fun! Bake cookies, decorate, christmas parties!

[PatriciasMess]

Hello all!
I've been with Etsy since 2008, but haven't put any sort of serious thought into it until this summer, so I'm considering myself as a newbie.
My goals for this holiday season are as follows:
- 3 sales by the end of the year
- Double shop inventory
- Increase daily views on shop and items by promoting with social media

I know these are fairly small goals, but I'm so excited to reach them. I know I'll be fumbling my way through things (read as: learning), so I think having small-ish goals is good for me right now, especially with full time university and full time career.

[TrashleysFormations]

Well I've been a seller for a while, and it's been kind of slow as far as sales, so my goals are 1. List more items (get more of my t-shirt designs online!) and 2. Have a holiday rush this year! I need to do something to make this work !

[unpeusauvageshop]

Hello everyone,
I'm Giulia; here on Etsy I sell stories I make with wool and cotton (with knit and crochet). I think I've been selling here for two years now, but I started working hard just last year.

Since the goals for this month are holiday related, I'm thinking big: I want to reach my 100th sale, I know it's a very big goal, but I want to try.
I'm very excited about some new products I have in mind (it's about a big story) and something very special for the holidays.

Can you tell I'm very happy about this september and this "new year"? :)

[AdasAtticVintage]

Hello Everyone,

I have been seeling online for 3 years and on etsy since last March officially but didn't get serious about it until June last year. I love Etsy and even in the time since I have been selling on here I have noticed the growth the site has had in the UK.

I sell everything vintage, Womenswear, Menswear, Childrenswear & Homewear. I love everything vintage and want to share my passion for it whilst making everyone look fabulous, including thier homes.

My holiday goals are;
* Launch own website on 27th September
*Re-Photograph all of my stock as product photography
*Constantly have 250 items listed
* Design new logo and festive banner
* Double monthly sales in last Christmas shopping month.

Ekk when you write it down it seems really real and a lot to do, but I am really excited and can't wait to get started.

Good luck everyone :)

[ButterflyInTheAttic]

My ButterflyInTheAttic and PostcardsInTheAttic shops have been online with Etsy since 2011.

My goals this year are to
1) Create and list at least 50 pieces of holiday digital art by the end of October
2) Listing 100 new holiday postcards by the end of October
3) Finding a new, unique and successful method of promoting the members of the Pacific Postcards Team members. Possible a series on my blog in conjunction with another social media

[YesterHere]

Between my 2 shops I have a lot of ambitions but running low on motivation. My vintage shop was opened last summer but as I opened a B&M shop in November it didn't get much attention.
My handmades shop, The Sailmaker's Daughter, has been operating at some level since 2009 but only full time since last year. Sales aren't great.

For this shop, YesterHere, I want to reach 120 items listed by end of September.
-I'd like to be making 1 sale per week minimum by end of October.

For my handmades shop, I would like:
- to reach 50 items
-try the Promoted items tool
-make 1 sale per week by end of November

[Former_Member]

Hi my name is Esther, I have been on Etsy for a year and a half. I am working everyday to improve my listings and promote my shop.
My goals for this holiday season is:

1. change shop banner to a holiday one.
2. List 200 items for the holiday season.
3. stock up on packaging supplies.
4. have fun! take time for myself.

I would like to wish everyone here a happy and successful holiday season.

[Former_Member]

Hi!
My name is Julieta, i'm graphic designer and illustrator.
I have my store for a while, but never took it serious, know I trying to make my first sale!
-Make a sale!
-Have more items on my store

[SimpleisEssential]

I'm Sandra, and I've been on Etsy since last August. My shop specializes in wool dryer balls to dry your laundry faster. Here are my goals:

- Double sales from last year for Sept, Oct, Nov, and Dec.
- List at least 20 more items
- Increase my social media to at least 2 times per week
- Have my new line of essential oils ready by October.

I wish everyone the best and lots of success!

[Former_Member]

I'm Erin and I just opened my eclectic vintage store. I have been in the process of opening my store since April, but just opened last week!! I was previously a manager in big-box retail and know what to expect there for the holidays, but this will be my FIRST EVER ETSY CHRISTMAS SEASON! :)

My goals are:

September: Get to 100 listings (currently at 41) and develop packaging for gift-giving
October: Create gift listings with multiple themed items together, organize inventory storage
November: Pack items and list as "ready to ship" on site w/pic of wrapped items
December: COFFEE UP & hit 50 sales for the month

[Former_Member]

Hello! This is Anna Cools form Roots Soap Co. I have been selling on Etsy for 4 years now, and have really grown because of my time here and learned so much about my brand and how to streamline it and tell my story.

Now that the branding for my company is in place, my goals for this holiday season are, first of all, to be ready. I am almost fully stocked, but I would like to prepare some more holiday themed photos to switch out come beginning of November. I'd like to learn about holiday tagging and themes so I can maximize the season, and also get a hang of the new promoted listings to maximize those as well.
My personal/family goals for this holiday season are to make enough profit to pay off some debt so that our monthly expenses decrease enough for my husband to quit his day job and go in full time with my company, so it can be a true family enterprise. Wish us luck! I also want to start a blog with my husband to document our journey towards that goal.

[WoodNotions]

I'm Wendy and WoodNotions has been open for 5 months. My specialty is intricately cut wood ornaments for all seasons, but especially the holidays!
I also have a pop-up card shop called CardNotions (open almost 3 years), so I'm familiar with the holiday craziness.
- In preparation for the holidays, I split my original etsy shop, by spinning off WoodNotions 5 months ago. I wanted to make sure I had some sales and traffic by the holidays. I also added quite a few new designs.
-I've stocked most of the raw materials and packaging that I will need to get through the holidays
- I've purchased equipment to double my cutting capacity
- My Christmas ornament wholesale orders have already started and I thank the buyers for their early orders. I've worked with some of them for years, so they have a pretty good idea of projected sales.
- By the end of September, I need to build inventory for the first of three holiday shows I will be doing. That means designing and making, and especially tagging and inventory, which for me always takes more time than I have.
- Keep a stock of all etsy shop items, so that orders can be shipped quickly.
- I need to make time for new designs and custom orders. Last year, I made it to the beginning of Nov. before I started turning down custom orders. That means stocking standard items now!
- Especially need to make time for my family over the holidays. Luckily things will slow down by mid December.
I wish everyone the best!!

[WiseHuntersMoon]

I've been selling for almost a year now (the first 5 months don't really count since I wasn't being "serious" about my shop). This is pretty much going to be my first holiday season and I don't even know what to expect but I am super excited! My goals currently are to rephotograph the items that need it and get a jump start on creating the tie-in products for my bow ties (cuff links and pocket squares). My other goal is to finalize my logo design and then finalize my different packaging designs; I really want my branding to be solid and topnotch come this holiday season.

[Former_Member]

My name is Julie and I have been with Etsy since October 2013. My one year anniversary is next month! :O) My shop is composed of handmade bangles, wire bracelets, and earrings.

I plan to strengthen my branding with little charms with my shop name on every bracelet that I make. I also intend to incorporate my gift wrapping to relate to my shop. Last year, I had silver filigree wrapping paper and pale pink raffia ribbon. While it was very universal, it was not shop related at all.

I have created new business cards that are the same design as my current banner. The next item on my "to-do" list is a matching physical banner for the craft shows I plan to attend.

I also plan to create more items that are holiday related - colors, beads, charms, etc - to give my shoppers more variety.

So I think it would be comfortable for me to say that this year, I plan to have my branding more in check and have my shop be memorable. When a friend or family member of a customer asks who they got that bangle from and it slips their mind, my customer can look on the bracelet and my shop name will be there :)

[ThatsItforLess]

My Holiday goal is to hit my marks - meaning have the right merchandise ready to go at the right time. I can already feel it slipping because I should have already had more Halloween merchandise ready to go. I also have a bricks and mortar gift/home decor store inside a larger home decor center which takes up a chunk of my time to keep filled. Plus I keep my 2 year old granddaughter a few days a week. Thankfully, she is a breeze. I also have a condo that I own and manage as a corporate housing rental and to supplement everything else I am also a stock trader (just for myself now. Even writing it all out I can see that my life is virtually impossible and now, last weekend I have added an etsy store to the mix.... Gotta go - need to get cracking on my Halloween wreaths and start loading in Christmas craft supplies!

[Former_Member]

Hi Everyone!

I just opened up shop a couple weeks ago. I sell original paintings. My goal for getting ready for the holiday season is to:

Add more paintings to my shop, at least add one painting a week
Offer prints of my originals
Have shipping supplies all ready to go!
Sign up for Etsy holiday bootcamp :)

Since I just opened I am anxious to get some sales so it would be nice to have at least 2 sales during the upcoming holiday season.