When do you throw in the towel?

[#1]

When is it time to throw in the towel? my shop views have gone down to about 1/3 of what they were a year ago and i've tried changing tags, titles, descriptions etc etc.... it doesn't work. I've been here over 2 years, and struggled the entire time, so is it time to just admit defeat and close up shop? I decided to close last Christmas, but thought I'd give it a while longer. It has made no difference. What do you think? should I stay or should I go?

[Former_Member]

Hi Annica,
yes I'd tried locally and ended up being worse off. I also tried folksy and zibbet but it was as dead as a door nail lol.

[Former_Member]

Sam, so sorry to hear that:( I sincerely hope things will turn around for you soon. Seems such a shame to give up when you have put so much time, effort and love into your shop (it looks fantastic by the way!). I wish you the very best of luck in the future with whatever your next job/project will be If you do decide that this is it!

[PennyBirchWilliams]

Sam, thanks for the kind words. It does sound as though you are not getting any satisfaction through your work anymore; I'm not talking just about making money but also the process of creating, and caring for your shop.

You have certainly done your best and if you believe you will be happier letting go of your shop and moving on to something else, you are right that you don't have to justify doing so to anyone else. But since you posted on the team about it, I guess we are all trying to help you find solutions. But I think it comes down to you knowing what is right for you, and no one can really advise you on that.

Maybe you can stop renewing items and see what sales come in over the upcoming holidays? No harm in keeping it open if it isn't costing you anything additional. I don't sell a lot, but my shop pays for itself and there is usually some left over, so to me that's enough to want to keep it going because I love what I do and love being here. But it's different for everyone, and you are the best judge of what is right for you. Best wishes to you and your kids, Sam. Please keep in touch!

[Former_Member]

I really like your shop and ENVY your sales and # of admirers! :) As a shopper, I would be distracted by the backgrounds a bit, although they are pretty. Perhaps try some pictured in a lovely gift box, or being modeled. Maybe you can market them as READY TO SHIP for last minute gifts?!? I think marketing similar items as wedding/bridal party gifts may be beneficial, since you can then market the whole wedding scene. I understand being disheartened, but your items are lovely and are worth sharing :)

As a side note, have you considered supplementing ETSY sales with sales in local boutiques and bridal shops? Just an idea...

Hang in there! ((virtual hugs))

[TEEsox]

Are you on Facebook or Twitter? Etsy is hard to depend on totally. Do you do craft shows, are your things in shops?
I know it can be frustrating!!!

[KiltedWoman]

I love the "busy" look of your shop. It is happy and different. If you decide to stay until after the holidays, my advice is to just let things be. Don't work on tags and titles. Relax. Let things sell. Renew but don't do anything else. When you are burned out on it why keep putting in lots of work? I would like to see cheaper shipping to the USA in your shop. My favorite UK sellers charge $5.25-$5.75 on their jewelry and supplies.

Other ideas...
A lot of my friends do craft shows and keep a small etsy shop for their customers to buy custom orders or just to keep an online presence. Maybe that would be an option for you. Another friend only sells by word of mouth to friends and friends of friends. You have a great product and it seems to me it would nearly sell itself as long as the right people are seeing it. Have you considered consignment or wholesale in a sweets shop/bakery? It would be a shame to stop creating and selling altogether. You are very talented.

[HandmadeByEvaRose]

Your shop is fantastic! and the photos and products are gorgeous! I would say try to move beyond the descriptive and tag for occasions too. Also, try to get a feature in on-line fashion blogs or a magazine. Your products are quite unique and they will catch the eye of editors.
Finally, which celeb do you think would look good wearing your creations? Find them on twitter and get in touch!
I wish you the best of luck.

[PrairiePrimitives]

287 sales in a bit over 2 years is VERY good!

Sam, I do believe your SEO could be improved, especially with regard to tags. Though I only looked at 2 of your listings, I saw the same pattern in both sets of tags. You have numerous SINGLE keywords which are also part of a keyword phrase. You don't need to do this. Etsy's search engine is smart enough to know that "pink" is included in "pink earrings" for example. For the listings that I looked at, these single-word tags are 4 or 5 tags on each item; if these tag slots were put to better use, it might be more helpful!

[Former_Member]

Sometimes the uncertainty of trying to eek out a living off our creative talents is wearing. I relate completely.

I really like your work.

I don't make a living off my art (or writing), and it's maddening feeling like we're waiting for an income to come in (just speaking for all of us here). ;-P

It is tough to find that balance between a steady paying job and well-run Etsy shop. Right now I am run off my feet working on fishing boats because I need the $$$, and of course that's when the Etsy orders start to trickle in.

If there is a way you could leave your shop up, but keep it fairly low maintenance while you pursue other income--would that work?

[Pennyjanedesigns]

Wow! You have a lot of sales! I clicked on your shop and realised I'd favourited you ages ago. I totally loved what I saw. I think it underlines what a lot of the others have said about promotion though as I haven't seen you since! I also agree about other income streams. I am a bit of an anorak and a while ago did a bit of a tot up of some shops who have 'quit their day jobs'. Their Etsy sales alone, even though they were a lot, would not be a full time income so they must have other income streams, ie other sites, stuff in shops etc!

[Former_Member]

Sam,
Sounds to me that inyour heart you know what you want to do. Sometimes a step back does help. Like you I'm going to wait til after the holidays are over and make a change. Hate to say it but maybe Etsy has run its course.