Welcome to Holiday Boot Camp!

[AudMod]

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?

[ChristianaOdum]

My goal is to be prepared. Last year was a scramble!

[WintergreenDesign]

Looking forward to the holiday season on Etsy and the bootcamp!

[sunshineandvodka]

I've been working on everything BUT holiday stuff... I better get my butt in gear!

[Former_Member]

My goal this year is to be Prepared! Not scramble and do last minute goof ups!

[Former_Member]

I'm waiting to hear back about a possible magazine feature - other than that, I've been starting to add more new items, look at tags and titles to make sure my listings are optimized, and making sure all three of my shops are spruced up and ready to go! I've been reshooting all my items on a white background, and man, oh man, does it make a difference!

[ShereesAtelier]

Hello!
I have never participated in any activities here on Etsy, so I am looking forward to this boot camp. My main goal this year is to actually have inventory ready for the Holiday shopping season. I do have a brick and mortar shop, but am wanting to get my Etsy shop going stronger. It is easy for me to tag things and just put them on my shelves here in the shop. I need to get a plan together for taking photos and listing things on Etsy more regularly.

[greengrass2]

Last year's Boot Camp was such a great help. I am looking forward to doing it again this year!

[SimpleJoysPaperie]

My goal is to have plenty of inventory ahead of time. I'm working on that during all of October and into November if needed. Last year I was swamped with made-to-order items and I finally had to turn away customers!

[ShopDeliciousThreads]

This will be my first holiday season on Etsy. I'm excited!

I'm so glad to have Boot Camp to help get prepared. :)

[JanJat]

I can't wait! I've been reshooting photos for what seems like forever and trying to get my stock levels up - a little bit goes a long way if you do it everyday!

[Former_Member]

It's also my first holiday season here on Etsy. I am so hopeful that I have the same problems of being too busy!!!

[Former_Member]

I've been really busy sewing getting ready for the mad rush. (I hope), lol

[RowanSongCrafts]

Hoping to be more organised this year. Last year was my first year and I just didn't prepare, so didn't make the most of it. This year I already have holiday stock in my shop, so hoping to have a better time! Looking forward to all the tips and guidance from Boot Camp :)

[Former_Member]

This is going to be my first holiday season with items in my shop! I'm really excited!!

[Former_Member]

Woot! I'm excited for this series! It's my first holiday season with Etsy. I also have my first show coming up the Saturday after Thanksgiving! I have no idea how much product I need to have, so I'm just constantly making as much as my hands will let me! I work full time too, so it's all nights & weekends... my dining room table looks like a paper bomb went off :-)

[Former_Member]

It's also my first holiday season on Etsy! I've set up "mini goals" along the way and I'm hoping to have 50 items stocked by mid-November. I'm hoping that will be enough, but I will be busy with custom orders I'm sure!

[Former_Member]

I'm not sure what to expect! This is my first holiday season on Etsy and I'm also going to be preparing for two big holiday craft fairs in November and December. Hopefully I'll have to bring a coffee pot up to my studio because I'll be so busy filling orders!

I'm definitely going to get lots of holiday cards ready, and my paper curls ornaments, too. I'd like to get a bunch of beaded sequin ornaments made ahead of time, but they're made to order, and I already have 20 on my docket that I have to make...YIKES!

Good luck everyone!

[BethWold]

I started right before Christmas last year - and got no sales. I've done a lot to improve my shop... so my goal for Christmas is to have many sales! :-) I also am planning to add more ready to hang items such as canvases as that might be preferable for gifts.

[Former_Member]

Last year I sold one item.....so, this is pretty much my first holiday season since figuring out more what I'm supposed to be doing. I've worked a lot on tags, pictures and lots of stocking up. Really wanting a busy busy Christmas time!!

[Former_Member]

Yes, I'm ready! :-D

[Former_Member]

I am hoping to have a successful 1st holiday season on Etsy! So excited about the Holiday Bootcamp...I'm prepared to learn a lot!!

[Former_Member]

Christiana Odum from YarnDarlin says

My goal is to be prepared. Last year was a scramble!
-------
I definitely started singing Be Prepared from the Lion King after I read this.

[Former_Member]

This will be my second holiday on Etsy, and my shop has evolved so much! My goal is to balance (hopefully) Etsy holiday sales with the holiday craft shows I am also doing. I work steadily to increase supply, and am continuing to evolve my product lines and price points too. OH, and I am adding some holiday themed/seasonal items this year as well. I found boot camp last year to be a lot of fun and quite helpful!

[Former_Member]

I haven't been a very disciplined camper in the years past, but will try to participate in as many happenings as I can this year.