Ratios- creating:promoting

[BeausandBumblebees]

I seem to spend a lot of time promoting at the moment (in fact all my time) which has boosted views but not sales. I know in my heart of hearts i need to be retaking photos and creating new listings.

For those established sellers and newbies alike how do you split your time? Do you schedule your time so you aren't side tracked etc? Thanks all

[SnarkFactory]

I spend probably 80% of my time learning, promoting, and tweaking my listing's descriptions and photos. The time I spend creating feels more like leisure to me so it's how I unwind at the end of the day.

[Former_Member]

I set a daily schedule and a weekly schedule with a bit of flexibility in both.

I start my day by answering queries and processing overnight sales from all venues. Then its time to list items and check to see what needs to be renewed.

Then its generally time for a few minutes in the forums and then off to teach a class, prepare a lesson plan for an upcoming one, take photos, do design, or whatever else needs to be done.

All my 'creating' is done in after my evening meal when I'm watching the tele, unless there is something that is a 'rush' order.

Each week I'm tracking supplies that need to be ordered, tracking inventory and doing the finances.

I keep my schedule flexible enough so that if something comes up I can usually fit it in.

[Former_Member]

I'm struggling with this a lot too...for me, getting my systems in place (photography, marketing, treasure hunting) has been the biggest time suck. Once you have your photo studio set up, your website/facebook/whatever up and running, templates for your listings, etc, it turns into maintenance and you can really focus on your product again. at least...that's what I'm hoping :) :) :)

[Former_Member]

At least 80% of my time is spent tending to business matters - promoting, listing, editing listings, blogging, SEO, shipping, researching etc etc. Less than 20% is actually creating, probably closer to 10% actually. I have a schedule for my days created, but being a SAH business means things come up daily, so I tend to just write to do lists at the end of every day prioritizing my needs for the next day so I have a place to start! It works well for me!

[BeausandBumblebees]

Thanks all- I think it's because with Etsy you are learning as you go along! At least for me that makes knowing what to prioritise difficult but its all part of the journey I guess :) I think setting at least a loose schedule for my work is the way forward

Hope you all have a great day x

[Former_Member]

my ratios of creating and working on my shop differ a lot from day to day. i use the time i´m sitting on the train, going to work to create because it´s easy to take my work with me. in the evening when watching tv i usually also try to "make" something. i try to do all the promo things and listing at work because i have a lot of time of "waiting until finished". i do a little in the evening too but a lot less. on weekends i usually just list an item per day and check my stats every now and then.