Words of advice

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone,

If you could give only one piece of advice about being successful on etsy what would it be?

Thanks!

(I'm new and just trying to learn all I can--there's so much information it can get overwhelming!)

[WhatCandySays]

Try harder

[DesignsBySamra]

Research the Etsy Seller Handbook and Etsy Blog when you need an official answer or just encouragement. :)

[JMSjewelryandgifts]

You can *always* improve something. Do at least one thing everyday to improve your shop.

[MariasWorkshop]

Persevere.

[FreshFromtheFlame]

Do not give up.

[Former_Member]

Re-do, re-do photos

Promote on social media. Learn how to promote on social media.

[Former_Member]

Sing to the tune of the Seven Dwarves' "Hi ho, hi ho..."

"SEO, SEO, it's what makes our sales grow..."

That's Search Engine Optimization, and it's how to write your listing titles, descriptions and tags so that your customers can find you. There is a whole team dedicated to it. "Etsy Relevancy, SEO and Stats"

Join this team. There are lots of really smart people on it who generously share their knowledge:-) I am still new, but the experienced sellers all say the same thing. SEO is really, really, important. Just take one bit at a time, and it's kind of a second language, so keep re-reading things and try a bit, then come back, and it will make more sense the more you read.

https://www.etsy.com/teams/10713/etsy-relevancy-seo-and-stats

Also, when you have questions about anything, go to "Forums" first https://www.etsy.com/forums/?ref=ftr and try a search. Before posting a new question on a team, search first, as the veteran types understandably get tired of answering the same questions over and over. If you've searched the forums and the Etsy Success team AND the Etsy Seller Handbook https://blog.etsy.com/en/2013/the-seller-handbook-archive/ with no luck, then post your question and lots of really nice people will answer. Etsy Admin is very helpful as well.

Welcome!!

[KiltedWoman]

Be unique.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Becoming a successful online seller of handmade products involves a lot of hard work, creative talent, business talent, passion and dedication.

And the realization that you're never done: you always have to keep up with new developments, design new products, improve your listings, improve your marketing, etc.

[UrbanCoutureJewelry]

Provide great customer service.

[BirdiesLab]

Be passionate about you do and improve your SEO and marketing skills to the max!

[Former_Member]

Thanks everyone for the tips! I really appreciate it!

[NeatoKeen]

Patience...even the most successful sellers have slow times. Sometimes the first sale is the hardest. As cliche as it sounds, hang in there!

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Etsy has good tips too:
https://blog.etsy.com/en/2013/top-10-tips-for-starting-an-etsy-business/
It says for starting businesses, but every business owner can benefit from these tips.

[atelierblaauw]

Make what you like to make because a shop is hard working. I'm day and night busy with my etsy shop to make the jewelry, make sketches, to improve my photo's and text etc.

But because I like what I'm doing, I don't care to work that much!

[DreamyPatternsShop]

Do your research. There's so much to learn in a lot of area's.. Pricing, Marketing, Photography, SEO.. Etsy has a lot of tips and tools on the blog and in the Seller Handbook..

And do'n't forget to enjoy the adventure!!

[Former_Member]

diligence and hardwork and creating the best product you can

[Former_Member]

Great photos! Always working on this. Find product shots to be so tough to pull off!

[Former_Member]

Keep going and enjoy the journey.

[Former_Member]

SEO - for selling online that has got to be the kicker in my opinion. What good are great photos or customer service if people can't find your items when they do searches. :)

Working on, and maintaining, a good SEO can be a lot of work (at least at first), but it is worth it.

I am still working on optimizing my SEO and know I still have a lot to learn and improve upon, but have already seen improvement with what I've done so far. So, SEO it!

[LaLatoneria]

Network as much as you can

[CraftyJoDesigns]

Keep working at your page. Use social media to ask questions like 'how would you describe this item - what colour etc. I find quite often, people will come up with descriptions I haven't thought of.

[StuckOnSilver]

All the above!! Love what you do and do what you love!

[Former_Member]

Develop a work ethic of persistence. Successful online sales is much like farming, you have to prepare the soil, plant the seed, water, and then after time you will get a crop.