Welcome to Holiday Boot Camp!

[#1]

Nothing says the holidays are approaching like the return of Holiday Boot Camp! Over the next 10 weeks we’ll share weekly tips on how to make the most of the holiday season.

This page will act as your Holiday Boot Camp hub:
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/holiday-boot-camp-2012-get-ready/

Also make sure you’re signed up for the Etsy Success newsletter, where we will share Boot Camp tips (and yes, it wouldn’t be Boot Camp without a little homework):
http://www.etsy.com/emails/success

Don't want to go it alone? Team up with a buddy here: https://www.etsy.com/teams/5002/etsy-success/discuss/10980639/

We can’t wait to read about your progress here in the weeks to come!

Now, let’s discuss -- what are your goals for this holiday season?

[Former_Member]

I've been on Etsy for just about a year. My hope this season is to learn a lot about what will actually bring buying customers to my shop. I'd like to be really busy!!! :>

[Former_Member]

Getting some consistent sales.

[Former_Member]

my goal is to be prepared this year and have plenty of inventory by the end of October.

[jocaledesign]

Really looking forward to being part of the Boot Camp.

My goal is to at least double the number of listings that I have. I am also considering how to make lampwork glass beads into a popular choice in the holiday season.....

Count me in!

[Former_Member]

My goals are to figure out how I got so far behind this time around and how I will ever catch up. Last year at this time I was much better prepared and customers were already doing some holiday shopping!!

[Former_Member]

I can't wait. This is my first holiday selling so I'm a bit nervous. Don't want to run out of stock, but I don't want to be over-stocked and have to store them until next year either.

[PaperFinchDesign]

This is my second holiday season on Etsy, but my goal this year is to be more involved! I was still figuring things out last year, so I didn't see a lick of difference in the holiday season. This year, I'm hoping I can't say that!

[Former_Member]

I am hoping to get my store stocked up a little more than it is now. I don't know what to expect because this is my first year on Etsy (I joined in January). Being a shop that sells baby and toddler items I am not sure how busy it will get since I don't have holiday items.

[Former_Member]

My goal is to sell enough bags to actually make a profit (over all) this year.

[ckstitches]

Last holiday season was good for my shop (relative to the rest of the year)- somewhat unexpectedly, as I was still somewhat learning the ropes of selling on Etsy and didn't really do much at all to promote my shop. This year I'm hoping to surpass last year in terms of revenue... and to be slightly more prepared with adequate inventory! Really excited for the Boot Camp series- didnt know about it last year.

[Former_Member]

this is my first holiday season on etsy. my goals are to learn, to survive, and hopefully to gain some sales (its pretty slow at my shop, lol)

[Former_Member]

My goal is to be ready for customers. I'm going to make sure that I have enough product for people to choose from at the right prices. I want to be a successful business woman

[AngleAh]

My goal this year is to have more inventory than i did last year.

[EmotionalOutletShop]

MY goal is to have plenty of items in my shop that would make good gifts. I have a lot of vintage jewelry in my brick and mortar that I think would fit this bill, so I am going to make a big effort to get it listed. I know jewelry is highly competitive here on etsy and I've never sold it before, nor do I know too much about it. So it will be fun challenge and good learning experience.

Goal number two is to visit the descriptions and tags of all of my pieces and see if I can tweak them for holiday shoppers.

[Former_Member]

My goal is to produce daily in both halves of my work life. I'm a grad student, too, so I need to keep a balance and not let school responsibilities crowd out my goals for my creative side. And I need to make sure I don't let research and grades slip while I'm in the zone with colors and textures and such.

I've been working on getting product and supplies on hand. I've redesigned my workspace to be more efficient and comfortable. I added a couple of improved or new tools. I'm also working to simplify the design process and learn when to abandon an idea that's not working and move on to something else. I guess it's all about staying aware and self-disciplined for me so my customers will get my best.

[Former_Member]

I'd love to come up with custom packaging for my items to make sure they're the perfect gift.

[VINTAGEGIFTSSS]

Oh, I hope to get really prepared with listing more holiday outfits and finding a way to incorporate in my shop my jewelerry collection. Or maybe I should open another shop for that? Dont know dont know.. but hope Boot Camp will help!

P.S. Just joined the team - nice to be here!

[feltmeupdesigns]

Last year was a mad scramble when I ran out of packaging last minute due to an unexpected rush! My goal this year is not to get caught short of anything so this week I am stocking up on packaging... I already have my boxes and tissue paper and I just need to custom stamp them.

Also I have 6 shops and galleries which want supplying and last year they all left it to the last min so I have been contacting them and getting their orders made in advance before the crazy begins!

This year I will be organised! lol
(probably not!)

[Former_Member]

Hi!
My goal for this season.... get the shop packed full in time for early Christmas shopping, and pretty much in the best shape possible.
I want this shop to become a viable source of income, and I want to make it happen :)

[Former_Member]

I want to be prepared. I have no idea what to expect as this will be my first holiday season here on etsy. I need more items in my shop and I need more time in the day LOL

[Former_Member]

This will be my first year of really trying to give it a go in my shop, so I would love to make some sales!! and make my shop more cohesive:) Cant wait to try and put all the tips into action!

[Former_Member]

My goal is to get my shop to 100 items by the end of the year.
It seems to be my goal every year lol.

[Former_Member]

I would just like to get through it with my sanity intact!

[RoughMagicCreations]

Hooray! I've been looking forward to Boot Camp all year!

Thanks to last year's Boot Camp I reached my goal and have grown more than 100% since then!

My goal: To increase my sales by 30% in each of my 3 shops.
*polishing up my boots*

[Former_Member]

My goal is to add "ready-made" items to my store. I already provide custom ordered gifts.