What is the biggest tip you could give about Etsy?

[Former_Member]

So loving returning to Etsy - and I am slowly filling up my shop again, but what would be your biggest tip on selling here? Not just to me, but in general. Would love to hear your thoughts! :) I have friends who want to come to the mad world of Etsy so this thread if for the newbies as well as the old timers (like myself) too. Hope everyone has a good night!

Grace

xx

[Former_Member]

Know your product inside and out and make sure that the world knows about it as well through your marketing efforts.

It doesn't matter how nice an item you have if the world doesn't know that you exist.

[CelesteCraft]

Look for yourself on every possible search. If you can't find your items using search phrases that describes your item, do some revising to your tags and the title, wait a couple days, and search again.

[PiecesofMeCardsnMore]

Learn SEO.
Fill out your policies section completely.
Educate yourself about shipping costs & methods before you list an item.
Learn how to take good photos.

[dalystudios]

Weather the storms and don't get discouraged. There are times when you feel as if you dropped off the face of the earth. They pass. Keep improving.

[Former_Member]

Don't let the slow times get you down. Stay positive and just keep working on your shop -- marketing, listing items, SEO -- go in and revamp every now and again.

And customer service. I don't mean the pasted plastic smile on your face when a customer has a question -- I mean genuine kindness. Go above and beyond what your customers expect.

[SageNThymeDesigns]

Sell something that people actually want to buy. Know your customer and where to find them. The easiest customers to reach are those who come to Etsy looking for XYZ... Babies, brides, personalized things, eco-friendly, birthday parties- those are things people come to Etsy specifically looking to buy.

[Former_Member]

This was the best quote I've read so far posted in the Discussions forum the other day.

"Take picture like there are no descriptions and describe like you have no pictures."

[PieceByNumberQuilts]

Be creatively original and develop your own products in your own style. The world already has a Disney, a Sanrio, a John Deere… give expression to your own sensibility, intelligence, taste, and ingenuity!

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much everyone!! xxx Lovely shops and advice :)

[TheFamilyJewelsWI]

Never, ever, EVER give up!

[PAPERFLORISTS]

I can't add to the photo, tags, SEO advice. Be patient especially waiting for the first sales. Give the best customer service possible. Let your personality show through in convo's so buyers know they are dealing with a real person. Show that you care about their satisfaction not just their money.
Also, join teams. Great advice and moral support.

[MountainGoth]

Good inviting photos and Good SEO.

[Former_Member]

Been here almost a year so not a veteran Etsian giving advice but here's mine:

Give yourself some grace. There may be days where all you do is clean up cat puke, play barn with your toddler, forget to take something out for dinner, discover an appointment you forgot, etc. By the time you collapse on the sofa you're feeling guilty for doing nothing Etsy related all day. Those days just happen. Life just happens. Don't do it every day but don't beat yourself up for ignoring the business for a day to be who you need to be that day.

(not that I've ever had a day like that.....lol)

[Former_Member]

I just opened up shop, so all of this is super helpful, thanks all xx

[PrairiePrimitives]

It's already been mentioned a few times, but learn about SEO and relevancy.

[PithAndRootStudio]

Put yourself into your products and weave your business into your life. Set a pace working on your business that you can keep up, year in and year out. You have the rest of your life to build this thing that is 100% yours and yours alone so don't burn yourself out right after you leave the gate. Also, don't fall into the trap of chasing after every trend or going for the sale at the expense of making a profit.

The other thing I would say is to keep learning forever. You can always improve your craft or art by taking a class or learning a new skill from another professional. THAT is the most important advice I have to give.

[Former_Member]

I am also new to Etsy. These are wonderful tips!
Thank you everyone for sharing.

[iszaa]

I just came back in May, I started last year but without success (and less engagement) but now I have a clearer view of what should be in the shop or not, even though for now it is still a bit limited, but at least I had five orders, so I am happy, I am studying as well so I don't know if I would be able to do more notebooks given the amount of time they take to make :)

[KiltedWoman]

If something isn't selling, don't focus your time making more of that thing. Pay attention to what is selling. Keep expanding, try original items. If they bomb then you have Christmas presents for your friends!

If there are hundreds of sellers making what you make, think of how you can be different. If you find a certain charm, fabric, yarn that is unique and sells well, stock up! Invest in your shop but also know when to stop and let the profits roll in. More than one month I have spent all my profits because I am having fun creating. Try reworking what you already have. Try taking new pictures.