Up and running for 4 months and no sales....why?

[#1]

I need to be honest and figure out why my stuff is not selling. I have started selling for 4 4months and have not sold anything. I have renewed listings and have greatly improved my designs. What gives. I think maybe I should lower my prices and or get a printer. Maybe lower my prices so I can just sell pdf printables just to promote out there. I have had less than 200 views a month and think that no one is fining my site.
Any advice will help here. I have asked for help about 3-4 times and I will keep asking until I get it right.

[Former_Member]

There are alot of cool free fonts here: http://www.dafont.com
Goodluck!

[Former_Member]

Hi Mireya,

Yes I agree that your items are quite spendy for non-custom work. My items are also digital but take a bit of editing time to customize for each client (invites, etc). Am I right in guessing that english is not your original language? It just comes across that way with the grammatical errors in the PDF items you're listing.

Also, have you considered a more decorative quote using a variety of neat fonts mixed together to create a piece of art?

You definitely want to update your shipping. I got this tip once upon a time and my sales took off (even though my sales were still mostly in the US). You'll want to create a new shipping profile, mark as "everywhere else" and not just United States. Do this for all listings. I believe there's a bulk editing tool for shipping profile, once it's set up.

[Former_Member]

fontsquirrel.com is another good resource -- many free fonts that you can use for commercial purposes.

[spinningstarstudio]

I didn't read every reply, but the one listing I went to had at least 3 typos in the tags.

[LittleAcornToronto]

to be quite honest, the designs are basic and the fonts look like something out of MS Word and I don't think they would be worth $10. I think there would have to be considerable design work involved if I was going to pay $10 for something AND print it out myself.

I purchased this:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79250022/new-orleans-city-map-abstract-art-print

It cost $18, involved considerable design, was printed on archival quality thick paper on a professional printer with intense pigmentation... THAT was worth $18. It also invoked a strong emotional response from me.

You should consider also selling PRINTS that you will physically mail out. You should consider re-writing some of your charming thoughts out to invoke a strong emotional response. Think of unique designs and art.

The stuff you are currently selling doesn't seem to hit on any of the notes above...

Best of luck.

[Former_Member]

Lower your prices, add a frame possibly if you don't offer frames already (you can find really cheap ones at Michael's or even a dollar store..)

I have been on the website for less than a week with already 900 views. I don't even have a full page of items. You need to network. On facebook, twitter, instagram and most of all on here. Make sure every detail of your page is filled out and make sure to really describe your items. Titles and tags are key so really elaborate on these.

[Former_Member]

Also, go to www.dafont.com to find and download better fonts.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

To be honest, your 'art' prints look like plain text prints to me. And pretty much everyone that uses Etsy is able to make them themselves. There isn't much 'art' involved. I know that sounds a bit disappointing, but I think that is a major reason why you don't have sales.

[Former_Member]

I would stage a couple ways you can use these printouts on what a shirt in a photo frame in a picture so I would buy some staging materials and start going through each one when I first clicked out your shop I was confused at first what it was maybe some of those staged photos for the first picture so it will show how to use your quotes.

I would use some different colors as if someone does not like those colors they really are out as they are all the same. There is over 1000 fonts out there that are really cool I would download some to make the text really pop.

Good luck:)

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Mireya, I want to appologize to you!
On rereading I think my advice sounded a bit harsh. That was not my intention. I hope you understand the point I was making and don't take it as an insult, which it was definately not meant to be.

So, trying again: perhaps you could add more art like elements in your prints, to make them more special and unique.

[PiecesofMeCardsnMore]

Lonni from LOlsonDesigns says
fontsquirrel.com is another good resource -- many free fonts that you can use for commercial purposes.

I wanted to touch on the free fonts thing. Lonni made a good point to mention commercial use. Be extra careful when downloading free fonts for commercial use. Many of them specifically say "for personal use only."

[Former_Member]

If you just look at people selling PDF-pattern for sewing, something that's definatley useful for a lot of people, those prices are way below the ones in your shop.

In order to get anywhere with your shop I'd suggest you either sell them as finished prints or lower your prices a lot, to at least half of what you have now. It is actually the buyer who stands for most of the cost with printing, paper, etc.

With that said I understand you've put a lot of work into this, but it will be mass-sold and you won't have to do much once you start getting sales, except for some new designs once in a while of course.
I see that one print probably takes quite some time to make, but divided with how many times you could sell it you'd earn it back pretty quickly I'd say.

[Former_Member]

Judy, fontsquirrel is one site where the fonts are free for commercial use. The site says "100% for commercial use" as their tagline :) They take the guesswork out of it.

[PiecesofMeCardsnMore]

Thanks so much Lonni. I'm going to bookmark it for myself! :)

[Former_Member]

Lonni well give an example of a grammatical error. Ouch this one hurt a bit as I love to write and I have a college degree so did write a bit and English is my first language but second is my first. I write simple and did not really take the time to proofread a lot. I know there are errors on the descriptions and tags and all that and some of the writing in the art print itself needs work. Thank you for this advice I will take it as a chance to learn and clean up my writing. The problem is I like my writing style and when I write about a topic that I am passionate it about I get carried away with my thoughts then proofread. I must admit that I did not proofread listings. Thanks again.

[Former_Member]

Goddess of Jewelry you said my thoughts are charming and I will take it and work on my art.

[Former_Member]

Bea- you said this:

To be honest, your 'art' prints look like plain text prints to me. And pretty much everyone that uses Etsy is able to make them themselves. There isn't much 'art... I see your point have have had this thought but what I am trying to sell is really my whimsical thoughts and my love of sweet. They help me have a positive attitude and share that with others. I just need to find a balance with this and make it a bit more art. I mean if keep calm and have a cupcake can be simple and sell then somehow I can make it work.

[Former_Member]

Bea thank you it hurt a bit reading that at first but hey I asked for advice and you gave it and I need to hear it so thank you and thank you for clarifying yourself. It is always nice to know there are great people out there.

[Former_Member]

If you are looking for honesty, i seriously opened your shop and the page hurt my eyes... couldn't focus light colors

[KriyaDesign]

This is just a personal taste.

I don't like long quote. Anything I can't scan / read / glance within seconds, it's long for me.

I love quotes with a bit of meaningful art with it. Something like tree of life, dove. heart.... etc. I don't like plain quote. My eyes love the combo of word and a bit of little picture. You use muffin, it's cute too.

I love catchy quotes. Meaning you have to brush up your writing style a bit. It doesn't have to be top of the line, but... you'll know when you get it

I'd also suggest you use famous colors. I know.. stick to your style but look around and combine yours with colors that are hot right now.

I love your use of soft colors. It just needs a bit of works.

Since you're new, I'd also suggest you study how others are pricing theirs. Especially the top sellers in digital prints. When you gain momentum, skills, favorites and customers, you can always up the price.

If I need to print the quote myself, I won't pay more than $8. Adding printer and frame, I'd prefer everything to stay about $25.

Hope this helps.

[Former_Member]

thanks Kriya Design I appreciate your advice.

[Former_Member]

Well thank you again for all the help I feel so positive and am ready to continue my journey. https://www.etsy.com/your/listings/109907114 I am working on my descriptions and listings. Here is a start in the right direction. I have looked at some fonts and thanks for suggesting the site. Next I will look at my designs, writing, focus and everything else I left out. God bless you all and happy sales you will be rewarded for your help!

[Former_Member]

oh my this is the listing I meant. https://www.etsy.com/listing/109907114/pdf-printable-art-print-we-are-all-the

[DeerGirlDesigns]

Your poems are sweet, but my friends have written entire books of poems that were printed on lovely paper and bound by hand for about the same price. Those prices are really too high. You would do better to do collages or some kind of art on actual paper in frames and sell those for home decor.

[Former_Member]

I would give you an idea of the grammar errors but I see all your listings are down. I'm sorry if any of us offended you, but we were just trying to help. Pay careful attention to where you punctuate your pieces and they will flow much better when read, and give your piece that much more meaning. you might consider asking someone you know to proof read them for you. Good luck!