What to sell - anyone want to be quoted in an article?

[HeyMichelle]

Hi everyone!

I'm writing an article for sellers about your product/what to sell in your Etsy shop. I'd love some quotes, examples, and stories from sellers to include in the article!

Here are some notes on what I think it would be great to address in the article - did any of these apply to you? If you could write a sentence or two or three or four about your experiences, that would be amazing! If your story is longer, please feel free to write it anyway- I may paraphrase you! Thank you so much!

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Sell something that you love and believe in.

Design or curate for yourself- won't apply to everyone, but is a great point of view for a small creative business.

Research the market.

Pay attention to what’s doing well.

Develop a cohesive line.

Go with big ideas- if you have a great idea that you are passionate about, try it!

Keep evolving.

And a common question:

Should I have more than one shop for my different products? What is your experience with that?
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If you have thoughts and experiences about what to sell on Etsy that aren't addressed here, or advice counter to the above, please add them!

Thanks, everyone!

[HouseOfMoss]

Make things that YOU like.

[WatchMeWorld]

Pay attention to what's doing well:

I started with 1 or 2 crochet rings in my store and noticed they kept selling. I decided to add more rings and now probably 90% of my sales is rings. You never know what people are going to like, so just experiment until you find your niche!

[Former_Member]

And don't forget that the MAKING of items is the smallest part of your business ;-)

(<-- looking to the desk where a million of papers is lying around...)

[CopperLeafStudios]

Listen to your customers. Some of my best product lines are spin offs from a commission. When you hear requests, especially when you start to hear the same suggestions or comments repeated, listen to them. That is Your Market talking.

[QuirkyUniverse]

Pay attention to what's doing well. I like to experiment with different ideas. I've come up with two so far that are doing so well I can barely keep up plus they have led to a couple of wholesale deals. You just never know what people are going to love.

[Former_Member]

Make something different!
SO many sellers on here, if you have something unique you will get that market, however small it is, for yourself.

[PosyPop]

Don't be afraid to try new things...the risk is small compared to the potential benefit.

[Former_Member]

Design or curate for yourself- won't apply to everyone, but is a great point of view for a small creative business.

When people ask me, "How do you know your target market?" I realize this is not a problem for me as I am often (quite literally) my target market. I design things I know I (or my peers) would wear and want. It kind of started by accident ( you see I wanted some jewelry and my husband's not much of a shopper LOL)

It has worked well for me even though my market is a bit older, I would say, then the average buyer here on Etsy. They are out there, they have money and they know what they want.... and more importantly I know what they want :) So "It's All Good" Tee hee

[Former_Member]

Hi, Iam a newcomer in Etsy family. It is nice to see the listed photos of some of my handmade items, which have been made with enthusiasm and care.
I hope the enthusiasm will be a factor for being persistant on the success, especially during these difficult times ( I live in Europe,Greece and I think you all know the problems my country encounters!...)
Iam happy being a part of your team.

[andralynn]

If everything in your shop has a common theme or the same style, you don't need to split into two shops. Even if what you're selling comes from completely different ends of the creative spectrum--like beaded jewelry and sculpture, or crochet and paper goods--if it all has the same feel, it can work together.

[DesignsbyCher]

After having worked "out" in the world for many, many years, I'm retired and finally have the time to do something I love every day... designing beautiful jewelry, and Etsy is giving me the opportunity to share it with others!

Someone once said, if you're doing what you love, you never work a day in your life" ... I've finally achieved that goal, and feeding my creative soul in the bargain :)

[Aqsa]

Make friends with other sellers because it's awesome to have support from those who are going through similar ups and downs. Plus sellers are buyers too!

[Former_Member]

I'd go mad if I couldn't create with my hands. When I die they may find everything tucked under my bed....but they'll never be able to say I wasn't productive.

[Former_Member]

I am a huge advocate of sustainable products! Here on Etsy I have a vintage clothing boutique where not only do I get to provide people from all over the world with on trend vintage garments, but I am also providing them with an ultra sustainable way to shop for "new" additions to their wardrobes! Win - win if you ask me!

[Former_Member]

Keep evolving.

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This is so important.

I try to stay open to color trends, style trends and customer feedback. That combination helps me evolve my offerings while keeping creative - best of both worlds.

I have a couple of items that are the same base pattern but have evolved with changing fashion trends. This also helps my shop stay fresh so returning customers are often seeing new things and staying interested and continue to buy new creations.

[dressurdolly2]

It made sense for me to have two (now three) shops. I wanted to be able to utilize my fabric pieces that were too small for doll clothes. My shop name of dressurdolly2 just didn't seem like the place to also sell cup cozies and microwave mitts, so I opened my studiomoi shop for those items.

It was a good move I believe, and I'm super happy that I did it that way. Much more cohesive. Doesn't turn off a customer entering my shop looking for doll clothes only to be bombarded with cozies!

Recently I also opened a destash shop - goes without saying why that's separate.

[HeyMichelle · Accepted solution]

These are amazing, everyone- thank you! Already there are great ideas that didn't think of!

I am LOVING the personal stories! If you can tell your own story, that would be PERFECT! Here's a great example from this thread - WatchMeWorld:

"I started with 1 or 2 crochet rings in my store and noticed they kept selling. I decided to add more rings and now probably 90% of my sales is rings. You never know what people are going to like, so just experiment until you find your niche!"

Keep 'em coming- this is awesome thus far! Thanks again!

[Aqsa]

If you're not getting the support you're looking for from those around you when you first start out, keep creating anyway! Never get discouraged, you started for a reason.

My family didn't believe me when I said I was going to open an Etsy shop. It was pretty much a "we'll believe it when we see it" kind of thing,. Now I take every opportunity to say HA! :) And they are very happy they were wrong, especially when they get freebie jewelry. :P

[tangente]

When I started on Etsy, I tried selling cards and jewelry although my passion had always been sewing clothing. The cards and jewelry bombed but it motivated me to list clothing. The same day I listed some tops I had made, I got my first order for well over $100.

[Former_Member]

I specialize in wall decals which are great for anyone looking to upgrade the look of there home. these are the latest trend out and everyone who find out about wall decals love the idea. when applied they have the look of paint, just without all the mess! they are really easy to apply and anyone can use them they come in many different colors and designs. your imagination is the limit. if you want to find out more please visit my shop!:)

[Former_Member]

Some of my most popular selling items have been created and listed at the suggestion of my close friends (teething necklaces, fertility bracelets, bangle bracelets, cluster rings) So I regularly ask them for advice on design styles and new products. They are my own little R&D department, and I of course pay them in jewelry :)

[Former_Member]

Also just to follow up so many of the items on my "words" section come from things buyers have requested over the years and i will add their stories (in a very general way) to the item desciptions.

[Former_Member]

My organizational printables shop came about with no real intention of opening a shop. I started creating fun printables to use for my personal life and to organize my bath & body business (in which I also have another shop). Then I figured, there must be other people who would like to get organized the fun way and decided opened up shop because I ended up having so many printables!

Great products aren't always planned, researched, and drawn out. They end up being great products because they fill a need and help make life a little easier. Here I am 4 months into my new shop and 300+ sales later.

[livjewellery]

When I first started making jewellery, I let myself experiment with different styles and materials. Over a period of time, a particular style seemed to develop on its own. Now it happens automatically, as soon as I sit down to work. I think that a specific style, just like creativity itself, cannot be forced. It needs time to grow and evolve.