Quit making treasuries and start making $$!!

[SacredPinesArt]

When I first opened my Etsy shop in January I starting making treasuries, sometimes 3 a day. It was enjoyable, but found it very time consuming and a not a good use of my time.

Don't get me wrong, I love treasuries and enjoy making them, I even had one make it to the front page. I just found that a better use of my time was to work on my shop. So, I decided that every time I had time to make a treasury that I would work on my shop instead. I learned more about SEO, created new items and improved listing photos, etc. Immediately sales started happening and I haven't looked back since.

The more time I spend improving my shop and adding new items, the more sales I have. I think it's so easy to get caught up in trying to promote our shop that we end up neglecting our shop or letting it become stagnant. Continually adding items keeps things fresh and exciting. Improving SEO has also QUADRUPLED my views, and definitely increased sales! And I'm just getting started!

Just wanted to share:)

[1820BagCo]

I heard the same thing about the forums....
:)

[SacredPinesArt]

me too hmmills:) I think they are great for getting news & information... but perhaps not so great for promotion...

[Former_Member]

I have found I just did not have to time to do many good treasuries...I still try from time to time...but like you the focus is now on the shop

[Former_Member]

every now and then I like to show off my favorites in a treasury. Now, that is fun!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for sharing... not to sound dumb but what is SEO

[CausticThreads]

I still make treasuries, and find it to be worth my time. I also have joined treasury teams, which I think is a good way to get put in more treasuries.

[Former_Member]

EclecticElements,
I had no idea about SEO either and found info here http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2009/etsy-guide-to-seo/

[SacredPinesArt]

There is a team for SEO info too. There is so much to learn!!

http://www.etsy.com/teams/7443/beginner-seo

[ShannonClarkPhotoArt]

agreed!

[joycepottery]

Hey Ancient Winds....you are wise beyond your ancient ways! Tee hee......I recently took a "social networking" class at a local college and my question at the end was..."by the time I Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail, create my "community" and respond to everyone's posts, when am I finding time to make my art?" I passed my 100th sale a while back and I LOVE eTSY and all the new market possibilities it has opened up to me! Go ETSY! and thanks for your "Ancient Winds Words of Wisdom".

[strawberryuniverse]

Thank you for the advice. I have only been open a month and I do spend a lot of time on treasuries. I was actually starting to wonder if they even pay off or not.

[CalicoBloomVintage]

I love your attitude Ancient Winds! Thanks for sharing.

[HappyDappyBits]

Great thread and completely agree. I've been continually trying to improve my shop from descriptions to photos and focusing less on treasuries. Now that I am doing a pretty good job with promoting, SEO is my next bit of improvement. I did some over the weekend but it still needs tweaking.

[SacredPinesArt]

Thanks Joyce - I agree with the whole social networking thing. They are great tools, as long as you don't start wasting time lingering on them. You really could spend your whole day on there without even meaning to. I am getting better at time management as I go, but I'm still guilty of lingering...esp. on forums!

[Former_Member]

wow!!! Thanks for that advice!

[Former_Member]

So true, I found treasuries to be a waste of my time.
Words of wisdom indeed Ancient Winds, Thanks!

[girlwitharadiomind]

That's great advice. Spent too much time doing too much things other than crafting.

I don't make a lot of treasuries but I enjoy making them once a week or 2 weeks. I love making stories with them and when I'm in the mood to browse shops in Etsy, I will make a treasury at the same time.

And yes, it's very time consuming and I wonder how some people can make so many everyday!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the advice, am new to etsy so I need all info I can get, thanks.

[Former_Member]

Thank so much for posting this! I've joined the SEO team and have learned quite a bit

[Former_Member]

Your shop looks great and your sales are impressive for the time you've been open. Thanks for sharing. I'll start working on SEO ASAP.

[pasqueflower]

Thanks for this post. Two of my teams require members to create 1 Treasury per month. I'm going to limit myself to that (2 total per month), because they are so time-consuming.

[poisonpear]

Yeah I totally agree, treasuries are so time consuming, and really just a fun way to waste a few hours...

I've only ever made a few, when I was completely bored and in need of some inspiration.

Thanks for the link to the SEO team, I'm off to check that out and see what else I can learn!

[EviesToolEmporium]

Very well said!

[heartsabustin]

I can't - I'm on Treasury teams.

Besides, if it weren't for the Treasuries I make and am featured in - i wouldn't be getting any views at all right now. And I've worked my tail end off on my SEO.