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?

[ErinRoseDesign]

My goal is NOT to freak out about the holidays and have fun prepping. This is what I want to do forever...so I want to breathe this year and enjoy the ride. :)

[AudMod · Accepted solution]

So great hearing about all of your holiday goals! For anyone still seeking a buddy, check out this thread packed with posts from sellers looking for their match! https://www.etsy.com/teams/5002/etsy-success/discuss/10980639/?group_id=5002&group_slug=etsy-success...

And look out for this week's Boot Camp tips about stocking your shop for the holidays.

[Former_Member]

My goal is to have 100 items in my shop by November 1st.
I would like to double my November and December sales of last year.

I am looking forward to learning and growing from everybody's wisdom! :)

[Former_Member]

This is my first holiday season with Etsy. My main goals are pretty much to be totally prepared...have lots of cash on hand for shipping costs, lots of package material and scotch tape, and lots of holiday sales and promoting! I also want to have 50 items in shop by November, and 75-100 items by December. The more items I have, the better my chances of being seen and making a sale! I imagine I will make a few mistakes, but I will learn from them for next year.

[Former_Member]

I want to really get prepared for the holidays, and also do well enough to establish myself both on Etsy and at craft shows. I so want to make this my full time love and be able to devote practically endless hours to crafting and not my current day job! :)

[Former_Member]

OMG... hopefully I can get my shop in order with some items before the shopping season is over... :O

[Former_Member]

My holiday goal is to have 20 new custom house portrait orders! I am already well on my way. So excited to have another "boot camp" year. :)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/105623021/house-portrait-9x12-whimsical-home-music

[Former_Member]

My goal is making a big seasonal collection. Not just postcards, but all those other items I keep on jotting down all year long! :)

[Former_Member]

My goal is simple. Sales and happy customers.

[Former_Member]

Some of my Goals for Boot Camp 2012:
- get on Facebook.
- Pour my best into every day!
- Continue to grow in faith and health.

[Former_Member]

The holiday season coincides with my shop's anniversary, and this year is the first one so my goals are pretty simple: expansion! And making new versions of existing ideas. Basically I just want to kick my butt in gear and get back to really trying to make this work.

[Former_Member]

Hi! I've had my shop for a while but this is my first time participating here. My goal is to finally get focused and learn what I need to make my shop a success. I'm thinking this is the perfect time. I'm really looking forward to getting to know other artists here and sharing the learning experience.

[Former_Member]

I've been on etsy for a while but have not been able to align the right approach to marketing my work with my target market. I'm hoping that this year's holiday boot camp will help me do that.

Now that the Jewish High Holy Days are over, I am ready to get started!

:)

[Former_Member]

Last year I was a bit haphazard with Boot Camp. I'm hoping to stay on track and get some sales this year!

[Former_Member]

This will be my first holiday season on Etsy. Am hoping to create more listings and then generate more sales as it comes along. Touch wood it all goes well!

[AppalachianWoodHome]

Like several earlier posters, this is my first holiday season in Etsy! I am trying to figure out what to make, how much to make, and how on Earth I can package and ship some wreaths I've made but have been nervous about listing.

[hennyseashell]

This gonna be my 2nd holiday boot camp. Hopefully this year would be better than last year.

[loveofdrawing]

Last year I got my cards out too late! I was so unprepared! This year I have things ready and I am way more organized! Looking forward to this boot camp. Should be great!

[Former_Member]

This is my first holiday season on Etsy too and I know I have a lot to learn! I'm excited to dig into the bootcamp, and the first thing I need is a great selection of products, so I'll be working hard on that while trying to learn as much as I can.

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone, this is my second holiday season. But my first time particapating in the holiday boot camp. I'm excited to see what this season will bring, working the boot camp program. I'm hoping that this boot camp will help me to become more organized.

[Innov8iveKnits]

This year I'm going to make it a goal to actively participate in the bootcamp since I didn't last year! I'm in a transition of my line to streamline it so another big goal is to get the new line up and running in time for the big season. I made a big investment in a machine that will help cut my production time in half so another goal is to sell at LEAST double of what I did last season through the bootcamp and the ability to produce faster. I'm so excited! I hope to make enough so I can plan on quitting my day job completely by this season next year!

[LizzysStudio]

I would like to be able to make some more sales and up my game. I turned from hobbiest to business this year and have added more products and artwork

[Circa810]

This is my first boot camp since I started on Etsy at the end of Nov. last year. I would like to definitely up my sales but also take my shop to the next level but also increase my shop visibility and build and obtain repeat customers.

[Former_Member]

Hi There!

Last year I did not take advantage of the Holiday Boot Camp program on Etsy. This year I am definetly going to participate in the Holiday Boot Camp and partner up with my sister, owner of Blue Lace Boutique.

My goal is to move my regular vintage out the door since I only want to focus on vintage bridal. Good luck everyone!

[FromNancysHeart]

Well Audrey, I'm so sorry to say that for me, not going too well at all.
I did spend most of the weekend updating tags & etc for my holiday ornaments - and now with all the new category changes, I am now totally confused on how to correctly market my ornaments.
Unfortunately for me, there's no "cute" category - because trying to narrow down my style is very difficult. Especially if you could see my ornaments.