Whats the secret to making Successful Business

[NatashasDesignz]

Any tips please ;-)

At moment doing everything at once (creating, advertisings, photo taking etc) as well as running round after my toddler, lol

Anyone got any tips on how to make a business constructive and easier to manage?

I want ot be a success one day so any tips you have will be welcomed

Have lovely weekend

[NatashasDesignz]

Success Tips from anyone?

[seemomster]

Tasha--you do beautiful work. Lots of people don't pop into the forums on the weekends...so don't be discouraged if your post doesn't get lots of responses.

You're doing pretty well with of the tips I'd have suggested...good photos, enough items listed...I didn't spend much time looking at your SEO...you might go join one of the SEO teams and ask for critique.

How much time do you spend off-site promoting? If you have little children it may not be practical--but those of us in jewelry cannot expect for people to find us via search. Ours is probably the most saturated market on Etsy. I find that when I spend lots of time promoting off site I get more views and sales. Twitter, Stumble, Face Book, Pinterest, Wanelo--these are your friends.

Also--it takes TIME. I didn't really get my shop cranked up until about a year ago...and I'm FINALLY getting some traffic. I'm hoping I'll break even this spring...

Good luck!

[NatashasDesignz]

Thanks for your comment Melanie, its hard at times not to get dis-heartened. I'm already advertising on Facebook and Twitter but wonder if need to change my tactic when advertising there as feel like over advertising? I'm on Pinterest but still pretty new and not really sure if using it right. I have created my own album but also find things that interest me on Pinterest as well as Etsy as I also love to promote other designers too as we are all in the same boat. I also do lots of treasuries again to promote others.

I totally agree that Jewelry is so saturated sadly, thats why I making the flowers myself (which I really enjoy doing) then making into Jewelry and Accessories mainly aimed at the wedding market and special occassions

I really hope you have lots of sales and are very successful, best of luck and thanks again :-)

[seemomster]

Natasha--
Just a suggestion:

I know you enjoy making jewelry and such...but you know where the REAL money is? Supplies. Also--not nearly so crowded. You might want to think about setting up a second shop and selling your flowers as a ready to use supply.

Do a little research on the supply shops around here. You could offer individual pieces as well as a discount for bulk--that way you get crafters who buy onesies/twosies as well as jewelry/wedding/etc makers who would buy in bulk.

[laurastark]

I agree with Melanie's suggestion of a supply shop. Your flowers are beautiful and could be used in many areas besides jewelry. Good luck!

[Former_Member]

Your flowers are truly so beautiful! I think Melanie and Laura have you on the right track with the suggestion of selling them as supplies in addition to your
jewelry. Also, I think there might be more projects you yourself could use your beautiful flowers on... adorning picture frames, recipe boxes, journals, etc. for the folks whose taste doesn't include flower jewelry. Those who don't want to wear flowers still love to have them in their possession. :0) You are so very talented - keep going!!

[NatashasDesignz]

Thankyou very much all for your fab suggestions :-) I personally don't want to go down the route of wholesaling my Flowers in general, this is simply and only because I like to make the flowers then enjoy creating my work with them.

It I feel gives my shop that extra uniqueness that I crave, I get such a good feeling when I have converted my flowers into beautiful Jewelry, Hair Accessories etc.

Jenny I really do like your idea of expanding my creations, I did start decorating Photo Frames that did get interest but thought it wouldn't be a big seller so gave away :-/ I have also in the past had a go at making Cake Toppers (but little cute clay figurines that I made, even made Rod Stewart as a birthday Cake Topper, lol) I might give this a go with my flowers, have some ideas that maybe I should give a go

Thanks again all, I would just be happy to start selling on a regular basis but I geuss we all feel the same way

Good luck to you all :-)

[Former_Member]

I agree with the supplies suggestion. I've had customers ask me if I would sell the lace that I use in my garments, so I listed some pieces and sure enough, they sold!

There are some sellers who deal in yarn and fabric that sell a LOT. I don't want to do that (turn my home into a warehouse) but if I get a few extra sales from product I have here anyway, why not?

People probably have ideas for using your clay pieces that you can't imagine! Maybe they want to make a garden for a child's dollhouse....

[NatashasDesignz]

I appreciate what you are saying Janet but this is not where I want to go with my business, as I already know that if I did this I will be get orders but won't get the satisfaction like I would make I have made something myself.

I don't want to have it that I am bogged down with orders of beads and don't get to create anything myself if that makes sense?

When I started making Jewellery it was around 4 years ago as a hobbie just using beads that I brought on ebay etc, even though I enrtejoyed making the jewellery I didn't feel I was doing what I wanted to. Then I realised I had an arty side of me and started making my own flowers, I come up with lots of ideas and want my business to work by selling my creations, not making beads for wholesale. Hope that makes sense :-)

I would much rather expand my creations and look into making household gift ideas maybe with my flowers