So Discouraged ... Help Please

[Former_Member]

So I am a relative newbie here, and enjoying every minute ... but I can't seem to make a sale to save my life. I've done a lot of work on my listings - naming, descriptions, tagging - and I've joined several teams/liked others' work. I can get pretty good momentum in terms of views - up to 60 a day seems to be the limit right now - but I have yet to make a "real" sale (my sister bought a necklace on my first day :))
I would be so appreciative of any advice or help.
Many Thanks,
Maureen

[Former_Member]

I have no idea what's going on. I have a same problem, I sold 7 items but they are sold to my family and friends.

[Former_Member]

Just a quick look through: Make your photos a bit brighter. Also, the ones with the wierd light like below should be redone. They're dark and the light is distracting.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/97301022/childrens-blue-ladybug-earrings

Also, you need way more items. It's hard with jewelry in Etsy, but it's even harder if you have so few items. There are jewelry shops here with hundreds of items and they will saturate search. When you add more items (shoot for at least 100) you have a better chance of being found. I know that takes a lot of time, but it's worth it.

Another thing: try buying a few small things from other Etsy shops or doing some trades to get your feedback up.

Lastly: be patient and keep your chin up. It can be slow starting over her.

Amie

[Former_Member]

Hi Maureen,

I am also fairly new here, and though I have had some sales I too struggle to get my views past 60 a day. The first thing that I noticed about your shop is that your photos are quite dark, which makes it difficult to see the detail in your pieces. Which is essential. So I would suggest lightening them up a bit. That way, you are maximising the views that you are getting and hopefully turning them into sales!

Good luck and don't be disheartened!

[Former_Member]

Also new, and having trouble here myself, but I would suggest maybe working on your photos? When buying jewellry I like to see a nice clear macro close-up, so I can be sure of the details. Some of your close ups are out of focus or blurred.

Good luck!

[PoetryUnspoken]

Hi Maureen, I see Annie addressed some of what I noticed... going to your shop the first thing I noticed is the pictures seem a little dark. It's a little difficult to appreciate the detail. Maybe your first photo should be a close up as well.
This one for example:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/97300955/childrens-trumpet-lily-earrings
I see you're using natural light from a window. I've used that too but I try to face the item I'm photographing toward the light source (window) and take the photo that way. Otherwise the camera is facing the window and your item is in the shade part of the picture. (Make sense?)
It's actually pretty difficult to get views, so if you're getting up to 60 a day (much better than my average) that means you're doing something well with being found!
I strongly recommend getting closer to your items or cropping the photos to make your subject appear closer. Do you use a photo editing software after uploading your pics? Adjusting the brightness may be necessary even after you've taken photos in natural light.

[livjewellery]

Oh Maureen, we jewellery sellers are in such a saturated category. You really do need a large shop with the best photographs possible, in my opinion.

I agree with the posts above: keep listing and keep working on your photos. Crop in nice and close, lighten them up, play around with lighting direction and types. You can do it!

[Former_Member]

I'm not trying to be an wet daisy here BUT Etsy is the same as any other business: Lots of dedicated work.

It's enjoyable of course, but some items are fast sellers, some shops hit the ground running and other shops are a slow but steady climb.

There is some fabulous advice from this team, great blogs to read, and of course the seller hand-book.
A month or two in business is not enough time to gauge success or failure.

Keep at it, build your inventory, learn from the success of others and be patient.

Good luck!

[TheRogueBaby]

You have some beautiful items. I love the cocktail ring.

60 views per day, with how few items you have in your shop is actually really good. The more items you have in your shop, the more you are found through searches. I do agree with previous posters about brightening up your photos as well.

[Former_Member]

Here are my tips:

1. brighten your photos, the colors are not popping out like they should (also try to get rid of the glare that's in some of them
2. add more descriptive language to your listings
3. target a minimum of 50 items.

Good Luck!

Holly

[Former_Member]

Thanks so much to everyone for their feedback so far. Rubi & Arnie - some really specific tips which should help me out a lot! I think this weekend I will definitely work on my photography.

[Former_Member]

Hi Maureen.

Well, to be honest you are a brand new shop in a very saturated category so you really need to stand out.

I suggest, as others have, that you work on your photos. There are a lot of great tutorials on the web on a wonderful free program called HIMP that may help you. You want to brighten the backgrounds and the image to really pop.

If you do not have anything with plain white - you can even use a shirt box. I know many that do that.

Take photos at eye line with your jewelry for depth.

also... build your inventory, as was said. More listings mean you can be found more in search.

I attended the online labs yesterday and today and they were very helpful so I suggest checking those out as well.

Good luck!!!

[AMIZANTI]

Maureen, first- your pics are not really good, sorry to tell it. Second, you are here less than to one month... if you want have success in any business you need to work on it step by step.

[Former_Member]

Here's an easy way to shoot minimalist photos that are super bright (how I shoot mine)

1) Get a heavy piece of white paper that's rather large, like 13x19. Lean it against the wall on a table so you get a seamless background. That will eliminate most of your shadow.
2) Light from above. Try and get a natural light source.
3) Set the white balance to very bright on your camera's manual settings.
4) If you can, shoot macro so you can get good detail. Pay attention to how the light hits your object. The less glare and more detail, the better.

Keep at least 100 items in your shop at all times.

If you want, seek out an Etsy designer to make you a banner and avatars that are eyecatching and fun!

Hope those help.
Cheers!
Alice

[Grandmasandeze]

I'm in the same boat as many many others. What others have told me is don't get discouraged. Use this slow time to make new items and tweak pictures, tags, titles etc.

You have some really nice items in your shop. Keep you chin up, the sales will come eventually.

[HeyMichelle]

Heya! Cute jewelry :) Don't feel discouraged- it takes most sellers several weeks (or even months) to make that first sale- but keep working and it will happen!

The advice in here has been great! This article elaborates on those tips (and links to resources for photography and search):
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/the-four-keys-to-success-for-new-sellers/

I wish you the best!

[SelkiePubZines]

I only wish I could get 60 views a day, and I've been here SO much longer than you! Although all things considered, not that long. My current goal is to get more views in a month than I got the month before. Not doing TOO bad with that. So clearly, I'm not the person to be giving you advice. I did read someone's comment on something awhile ago saying that it took them three years to really get sales. I found that encouraging; I suppose you could take it the other way, though! Your ladybug earrings are adorable! There is, of course, a ton of jewelry on etsy. Maybe you could hit more of a niche market if you specialized in children's jewelry?

So there's my two cents, for what it's worth, which is probably about two cents...

[Former_Member]

I might even consider getting a more colorful banner too- there are a ton of great etsians who could probably put something togetHer for you!

[FenderGemsNCrystals]

Hi Maureen: understand on the internet the photo is everything. The photo does not have to be art but it must capture the imagination in an instant. The customer is presented with a page, they do not examine the page instead they scroll through. Don't be cute with your photo but do not be shy either. Present your work proudly. After being in business for many years I have noted that most businesses never succeed not because of product or intelligence but because people are far too shy. Be modest in your personal life but be be a total extrovert in your business

[Former_Member]

SelkieMum,

Your shop is lovely, I just made a purchashe there! Don't give up :)

[Former_Member]

I agree with everyone else- just work on photos and banners, and add more items!

[Former_Member]

I'm basically with everyone else - lighten up your photos, try to get some interesting angles and get close up - don't be afraid of the Macro button on your camera! :) You want to be able to see as much detail as possible. Look at how the light hits the item, and while you're photographing, take some time to think - "What do I want my photos to look like? Would I click on this photo?"
PS: I looove your rings!

[LucyTootCreations]

60 views is really good..i'm lucky i get to 10 :O/

i agree with the pictures being closer and brighter...easier said then done if you have a camera like mine..

good luck!!!

[Former_Member]

Thanks again to everyone for their tips and encouragement. I just returned from buying a whole bunch of supplies, a white canvas to shoot against, and I borrowed a better camera. I will take better photos and get those listings up!

Thanks.
Maureen

[RosesForClementine]

I've been selling since September but it's slow going and will take time. I keep adding items, tweaking key words and descriptions, changing photos etc. So many sellers that it takes time just to get noticed. Keep it up!