Very Discouraged

[Former_Member]

I know this is a busy time for everyone but would really appreciate some advice on how to get sales. A few months ago I changed over from doing mostly baby/kid accessories to adult accessories and home decor items because Etsy is so saturated with baby crochet/knit items. I know I don't have near enough listings, but I'm so limited on time to crochet since I work full time. I love both crochet and my store so much though that I have continued on despite what seems like a losing battle. I think I have revised my titles and tags to Etsy's latest changes. In a nutshell, really thinking about closing down soon. Any advice would be appreciated!

[Former_Member]

I haven't been at this long, but if you love it keep trying. Maybe do some finger-less gloves. See what colors are "in" next season. Start a really loose, quick (if that's possible) beach cover up. Just keep trying different products. I get tired of plaid but I see it everywhere, and that's been popular in my store. Also men's stuff (who knew). I added one on a whim and the guys stuff has sold within a day or two.

One thing I have tried is Polyvore. I try and style all my items and enter contests. I can't get into instagram, but polyvore is fun for me.

[CaliforniaCrownJewel]

Susan,

You've had 169 sales and only have 11 items in your shop...I wouldn't be considering closing shop if I were you.

Whenever things slow down, it's time to do some tweeking...

I looked at your pawprint beanie hat with this title:
Adult Black Winter Chunky Hat White Paw Print Slouchy Rescue Advocate Adoption Advocate Statement Hat Animal Lover Holiday Gift Idea....what I see is the word "Advocate" two times, which means you just wasted 9 spaces in search. Put Rescue Adoption Advocate instead and then add something else such as Dog Cat Friend. Keep in mind that many people search the words dog and cat more than any other animal and should be in your title and tags. Also your first few words carry way more weight in search, so starting with the word Adult Black Winter may not be your wisest choice...start with more popular search words like Beanie or Chunky Knit Hat or whatever most people call this type of hat. It's easy to tell that this is an adult winter hat by the photo so don't waste your title words...put adult winter in the description instead. Look at your stats on the computer where you can see the search words that people use to find you so you can put those most popular at the beginning of your title. I would consider putting "dogwalker gift" into one of your tags also.

<3 Jewel

[Former_Member]

Thank you, Janel and Jewel, for our input and taking the time to answer! Janel, I am fairly new on Instagram so not sure about that yet. Never heard of Polyvore but will take a look this weekend. Also men's items (hats) are a great idea!

Jewel, I was in a hurry when I redid my titles so will do some editing on the and thanks for the suggestions. The sales that I have are over a very long time and when I was selling mostly baby items. It always helps to get input from other knowledgeable people so thanks to both of you!

[EchidnaArtandCards]

Do you still have the baby items from before you took them out of the shop? Why not put them back in if you still have them? It's perfectly ok to have a mix of different types of items, as long as you present them cohesively with similar style photos.

[Former_Member]

Susan I havent been at this nearly as long as you have. But like you I have a full time job and I make all my own patterns. So finding the time to do that and recreate new styles or even existing styles takes up so much time. I'm super committed to building up this shop after seeing a friend of mine able to do it. It fully supports her now. I know I need to do a lot more to my shop. Especially shots of my clothing on real people not mannequins. I would love some additional advice you may have for me. I am specifically a womens designer and I am trying to build my shop into a place where you can fond basics year round and always be able to order in all colors. Think like james perse but not as high price points and it never going off the site

[TiganiSoul]

Your titles should be readable to a human and make sense to a human. Titles are better off as a sentence or two, with the most important words first.

I would do something like: Adult Slouchy Hat for Animal Lovers, Support Pet Rescue, Color Black

Then use the tags to bring in additional keywords to your listing.

[helgahutchens]

I agree with Anita, why don't you bring back the baby items. These items are similar and that way your shop has more merchandise,
Good luck and hang in there. You do have sales, so that is encouraging.

[Former_Member]

Thank ALL of you for your input!! I have taken it all to heart am going to keep plugging away, whether that be bringing back the baby items or staying with what I have. I am going to rework my titles, too, maybe this weekend when I have more time. I would be very sad to close my shop, and I just haven't figured out why it isn't more successful but will keep trying! :) Thank you!

[Former_Member]

Hi Susan. The links that the original poster has included in this thread are great resources for people struggling with their shops:

https://www.etsy.com/teams/5002/etsy-success/discuss/16149239/page/6?ref=team_page

[Former_Member]

Hi all
I have a fairly new shop also, and am trying not to get discouraged. Some great people from this team and others have given me advice about my photos, prices and a few other things that I am trying to carry out. I also work full time, but have had lots of success selling my jewelry in person for many years. I use excellent quality materials, and wouldn't want to change that even if it meant I could lower my prices.

I advertise my new listings to my contacts on Facebook, use LinkedIn, and participate in teams here.

There seem to be quite a few views, but not carry through sales...

I do want to make this work, so I will keep at it, but it is hard when nothing is happening. I sympathize.

[Former_Member]

I would suggest putting your baby items back in your shop to start with.

And then, when you revise your titles please make the 'human readable'. By that I mean write them as if you were asking for that specific item in your local B&M shop. If the title is 'human readable' rather than a bunch of words strung together I've found that people more often have a tendency to hit that 'add to cart' button.

Just my 2 cents.