Sophomore Slump

[Former_Member]

My shop gained some real momentum last fall and I start seeing actual sales. Things were going great then I hit a wall.

I know it's on me to keep up the marketing and to keep creating but I don't know how to push myself.

And now I have a craft injury. I developed tendinitis in my thumb and have to wear a brace on my left hand. (My writing hand).

Anyone have any suggestions on how to improve my shop and keep the momentum going. Thanks!

[Former_Member]

I am still fairly new, and you have had many more sales than me. But one of the advice given to me has been having as many pieces as you can in the shop. I have been told over 100 items gets more views and sales. As a fellow jewelry maker I know how hard it can be to really crank out those items.

Your shop looks great by the way,

[Former_Member]

Your bow bracelets would be SUCH cute bridesmaid jewelry/gifts! You should definitely add "bridesmaid gift" to your tags. Etsy does a ton of wedding promotion and you can benefit from it.

PS: tendinitis is awful....been there!

[Former_Member]

Hi Nikki

I like your fine silver work. Sometimes I window shop at craft supply stores to get new ideas. I like Cool Tools for metal clay ideas.

I'm sorry about the tendinitis. No fun being in pain.
Lizzie

[Former_Member]

Janet - that's a great idea. I hadn't thought of that.

Thanks everyone.

[PrairiePrimitives]

Nikki, sorry to hear about the tendonitis.

I have fallen in and out of love with my Etsy shop several times over the 6.5 years I've been here. At the moment (and since sometime last year when sales kinda took off), I am passionately in love with it once again. For me, getting 50 items listed has been the magic number. I suspect for jewelry shops it may take more -- simply because there is soooo much jewelry for sale on this site. At any rate, every time I've reached 50 listings, the sales start happening! :-)

Hang in there! Perhaps this would be a good time to try different titles or tags. Or photos (though they look pretty good to me). Have you tried using a pure white background? Just looked at your shop and saw that you do have a white background on the braided bracelets. How about doing that for ALL of your photos (at least the 1st shot)?

[Former_Member]

Something I've heard helps a lot of people when they're feeling this way is to just... take a break. Take a few days (or weeks if need be) off from worrying about your shop. Put it on vacation or just take a break from making new things and marketing--just process any orders that sell and don't worry about anything else. Give yourself some time to breathe and then come back when you're feeling refreshed.

Sorry about your injury; I've developed a touch of arthritis (I'm only 24!) in my dominant hand, as well, and it's awful.

[Former_Member]

While you're resting your injury, do some reading on Google SEO. Toy with some more social media (I see you have Twitter - check out a Facebook fan page, Pinterest, StumbleUpon, etc.)

And more more more listings. My magic number is well above 100 listings. Otherwise your few listings are just getting lost in an ocean of jewelry.