How do you balance everything...

Hey Guys,

So recently I became employed again. My sister and I both run the online Etsy business. Before I was employed i did at lot of the Etsy stuff because she was working full-time. Doing the shop full-time was only temporary until I could find another job (it is not doing well enough for me to quite my day job) But, now that I am employed and working 40 hours a week, I am finding it harder and harder to promote and keep up with our shop.

I was hoping to hear some advice from my fellow team members on how they balance work, Etsy and promoting? I feel like I am working three jobs...
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Re: How do you balance everything...

You are working three jobs.

This IS my full-time job, and I still can't get it all done. Not even a fraction of what I'd like to do. If I were three people, maybe I'd be caught up.

Set yourself a time limit for your different activities, or you'll really feel snowed under. And don't feel guilty if you can't do it all, because no one can.
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Former_Member
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Re: How do you balance everything...

No clue :)
this is my day job and I'm home with a 1.5 year old.
Balance is the number one point of conversation around here.

Some things we are trying is to have specific times to do specific things
ie, convos and treasuries over breakfast, photography during the afternoon nap, production and packing in the evening. There is a schedule on the wall for everyone to see.

No computers at the table (except breakfast), Late afternoon/before dinner is family time dinner prep. Iphone is not invited.

I find it very difficult. Its hard to be at a play date and hit the front page with only your iphone to relist, but it seems worth it in the long run. Today I have some extra time, hence being here.
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Former_Member
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Re: How do you balance everything...

I am wondering the same thing, and this is my full time job as well. I'm at home I can't get everything done. I would love to hear what others have to say. I can't imagine trying to balance an Etsy store and have another full time job in the "real" world.
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Re: How do you balance everything...

I work full time and try to take care of 3 shops online.... I could use some tips on finding time to promote AND time to create new items. I struggle with this daily.
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Re: How do you balance everything...

Though everyone will tell you it's multi tasking and time management --I too am struggling with this myself. I work for my husband full time, run Etsy shops part time, am on 4 teams, (captain of one) and write and travel constantly. Truth be told, there's not enough Etsy time--and of course, since we love Etsy most we want to find time to maximize our Etsy time!

I have decided to make small adjustments in my day:

SAVE TIME PROMOTING: Try to set up networked blogs, or an application that if you post to a blog, it will auto-post to facebook. In turn find out how to link in Twitter to one of these.

I start with a blog post, then post to my Tweetdeck, which posts to my facebook and tweets it to everyone. I use TweetDeck thanks to texasvintage.etsy.com who taught me how to use it. I can launch this (free service) and post one update to multiple twitter accounts and several facebook accounts including standalone pages. This has been a huge timesaver.

QUALITY TIME:
It's better for me to hit Etsy hard for an hour in silence than 3 with the tv on.

RELIST:
If you can't list new items, relist some old ones but change the tags and update keywords and titles for maximum exposure. Looking at something now rather than 4 months ago may give you new ideas or keywords. This will also gain you exposure by relisting if using team tags you will be on the first few pages in and hopefully nabbed for a treasury.

I will write more about this later.*see i'm time managing myself* Hope some of these may help.
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Former_Member
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Re: How do you balance everything...

Yes, I too share this pain! I work part time 3-4 days a week for my father. I do ETSY the other 100% of my free time, when i'm not working with my dad.

I mean to the point of exhaustion, neglecting my housework, my animals, my husband, not eating meals, sometimes I stay up till 6 AM crocheting - then crash with exhaustion into bed - only to get up 4 hours later....

its crazy!
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Former_Member
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Re: How do you balance everything...

Another thing I just cant understand as newbie to Etsy, is how do some people get 3000 views in only a few days??!!! WOWOWOW

i'm lucky to get 1 view a week.
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Former_Member
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Re: How do you balance everything...

by the way, Broken Buddha, I love your shop. It looks really great. I love the macrame dog leashes :)
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Re: How do you balance everything...

Thanks Chainone! We are hoping to post new dog leashes soon too :D

Retro Charlet...thanks so much for your suggestions! I think I will try some of them out.

Can you give me more information on tweetdeck? How does it work...
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Former_Member
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Re: How do you balance everything...

I agree. It's a real juggling act. I work full time, have 2 kids and my Etsy shop (and I've committed to losing some weight) so I know what you are talking about. Wish I had some answers.
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whyte
Post Crafter

Re: How do you balance everything...

This is a huge issue for me, I work over 40 hours a week at 2 part time jobs and in the evenings I'm just too tired to muster Muse. She's pooped too.

I can't add too many time-manager tips because I'm the worse. Luckily I am a type A personality, sitting idle is torture for me. So I've devised a plan that includes brain-taxing etsy chores for the weekend, like writing descriptions, my mixed media art and then in the evening when the brain is on vacation I list (using weekend written descriptions) I crochet for that shop, which is relaxing and often can do while watching TV, or I'll hand punch some of my blank tags.

So, I've managed to juggle 3 part time jobs, I just haven't figured out where to work-in the rest of the family, cleaning and shopping, a trip to the beach.....I am working on making sleep a non-requirement.
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Re: How do you balance everything...

Oh my gosh you guys are amazing! I've never had a job, and just crocheting for etsy and two consignment shops keeps me really busy. I can only imagine how you guys are coping!
I guess maybe you figure out how many hours you have when you're not working, and write a schedule out? But I don't really have any experience, just trying to imagine how I would do it.
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Former_Member
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Re: How do you balance everything...

I'm looking for a part-time day job. I like having the two venues - etsy and a job so that I don't get so caught up in one or the other.

Stop by and see my new work: chelsearainbow.etsy.com
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Former_Member
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Re: How do you balance everything...

I've just read all of the posts and I don't feel so alone anymore! I work full time (40 hours a week) and often take work home with me. I work on Etsy as much as I can, but still it's never enough...Time management, got it! I think I'm going to try to do most of my work on the weekends to make up for misses during the week.
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PepiDesigns
Inspiration Seeker

Re: How do you balance everything...

Yes, I'm in the same position as you - working three jobs. In addition, my day job is not a typical 9-5 job, and it gets really demanding at times, which means that I totally have to drop the other two for a period of time.
It's hard. One thing is for sure - no matter how hard you work at it, you cannot compete with the full-time Etsians. They have time to promote, market and list new items every day, make more every day, etc.
This is NOT a bad thing, but I think you just need to adjust your expectations and goals with it. It will make it much easier to balance it all!
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Former_Member
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Re: How do you balance everything...

I also work a full time job while I grow my shop. I read a book that helped me learn to deal with this type of schedule and thrive. It's called the E-Myth...

http://www.amazon.com/-Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=12...

Hope this helps!

xo,diane
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Re: How do you balance everything...

I wonder the same thing. I'm new as a seller on Etsy and am a stay at home mom to 3 kids (2 are in school) and I find the dishes piling up or several loads of laundry waiting to be folded, and I just can't find the time. I rely a lot on my husband to help out with those things because when inspiration hits me, I can't possibly do anything but work. (I'm lucky to have a very supportive husband).

I have been on here reading tricks and am learning a lot. It is nice to know I'm not the only one feeling like this though. :)
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Former_Member
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Re: How do you balance everything...

I have two full time jobs. The 'day job' (where the goal is to quit one day), and the 'art job'where I spend all my hours not at the day job - pursuing. It's something else. I've given up the social life to commit myself 100% to creating art - and, unfortunately - doing all the administrative stuff that goes with it. I need a partner, lol. Anyway - you do it because you love it. You power through no sleep because you have a passion.

I've been going strong since December and seem to be getting some things done (although, no social life. Kissed that goodbye when I committed myself to art). I guess a girl can't have it all...yet. :o)
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Re: How do you balance everything...

Haha, I read this hoping someone had the magic solution- but I guess if they do they are not telling :) I guess then the only plan is to work our butts off- let go what can be let go (laundry, please?) and do our best. and sleep at some point :)
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Former_Member
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Re: How do you balance everything...

My art is a hobby for me. My full time day job is what makes my hobby and lifestyle possible so yes, etsy takes a back seat. I don't have time to promote as some do but I'm not trying to make etsy a full time or second full time job. Your sales might drop a little if you are not "promoting" as you were before. Promote as much as you can when you can. And that is the best you can do. Etsy is suppose to be fun. Your art is suppose to be fun. Don't turn it into something that makes your life more stressful than it needs to be.
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Re: How do you balance everything...

thanks everyone. it seems as SunnyLeeStudio has said that there is not magical solution. I love what I do and that is why we do it. I will keep plugging away, its just that somedays it is a lot harder to get things done than others! Good luck to you all :D
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Former_Member
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Re: How do you balance everything...

Right now it's not too hard because I don't have another job to go to, but I'm looking for a part-time day job and just looking takes a long time and a lot of effort. So I try to intersperse my job hunting with my work on Etsy the best I can. Sometimes that means staying up late to catch the last twitter post (tweet?)

Also, I'm waiting for a mailing label from my broken light that needs to be returned and I'm going to tryi and borrow a light next week from the art teacher because I have a whole bunch of pictures to take.
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LazyNathalie
Inspiration Seeker

Re: How do you balance everything...

marking for tips.
I am actually a stay at mum, but looking for a job. My partner just retired and it is not my sales that put food on the table. SO any tips welcomed!
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Former_Member
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Re: How do you balance everything...

Right now this is my day job too, but I am looking for a day job to supplement my Etsy work. I balance my work by getting up an hour early so I can get an extra piece made or some marketing done

Stop by and see my new work: chelsearainbow.etsy.com
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