Insecurities BEGONE!

[Former_Member]

Hi all.

This is my first month as a seller on etsy. I had my first sale from someone I didn't know a couple of weeks ago- how validating! Nonetheless, I am filled with insecurities that I saw echoed in a lot of new sellers. It was something of a relief to see that others are struggling with the same stuff. I am going to articulate mine here in hopes of purging them- feel free to add yours!

My ultimate goal is to replace my part time salary so I can get out of a very dark office doing soul-deadening computer work. My husband has committed to being patient for this year to see if I can make it work. He keeps saying, "well, what if it doesn't," which really doesn't help...

Here's the list:

1. No one will like my products.
2. I can't make this work and I will have to give up because I can't work 2 jobs forever.
3. I am too scattered.

That's all I can think of right now.

[Former_Member]

Well.. I am feeling low and stressed at times too. I have a small baby and I want to stay home to take care of him but since my hubby is studying now we're both jobless.

What I want to tell everyone feeling disheartened is to BE DETERMINED! Stop worrying so much and invest that energy doing stuff you like!
It does take time and effort.. but just look at it like a real job. You would be working your *** off in the office for a boss... here you are working for yourself. maybe for more hours and with more dedication...

It will eventually pay off :)
I am happy to see some sales in my shop that will allow me to buy some groceries or formula milk for my son. So I am praying that they keep it up! :)

Good luck everyone!

[Former_Member]

Even though I opened my shop Sept 2010 I really "officially" opened this month as well since I didn't pursue or really understand etsy last year when I started. Congrats Elaina on your first sale. I am still waiting for mine :-( and am not sure how to be seen. My views are very low. I would appreciate any tips. I am trying much harder this go round, with teams and daily listings and I'll be working on some treasuries soon. I've had some great comments but it has not translated into sales yet. In other words, I am trying to be much more patient than this time last year.

[SimplyMadebyStacy]

Hi all.

This is my first month as a seller on etsy. I had my first sale from someone I didn't know a couple of weeks ago- how validating! Nonetheless, I am filled with insecurities that I saw echoed in a lot of new sellers. It was something of a relief to see that others are struggling with the same stuff. I am going to articulate mine here in hopes of purging them- feel free to add yours!

My ultimate goal is to replace my part time salary so I can get out of a very dark office doing soul-deadening computer work. My husband has committed to being patient for this year to see if I can make it work. He keeps saying, "well, what if it doesn't," which really doesn't help...

Here's the list:

1. No one will like my products.
2. I can't make this work and I will have to give up because I can't work 2 jobs forever.
3. I am too scattered.

That's all I can think of right now.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First off, your bags are lovely. You are off to a great start. Here are things you might want to work on(mind you, I've not a one sale to speak of, but this is just what I've observed myself).
1) you have no banner, which isn't a deal breaker, but it's a great way to quickly show what your shop is about.
2) No shop description--this is very bad because that is how google searches look for your shop. Work on getting your shop description going. And make sure you use the first line to really state what your shop is, and don't change it, since that is what google uses.
3) Post a few more pictures of each product. One of the inside of the bag would be great. Also, the hanging one is a great idea, but it's poorly lit, so try and take shots where you can have better lighting. Sales are made by the pictures first!
4) Work on your tags. Etsy lets you use up to 13 differant tags, make the best of them.
5) Think about making a facebook page and linking the two together.

Good luck hun :)

[SimplyMadebyStacy]

Connie, I like your pictures!

As far as your shop goes, I would list the prints and the cards seperately. You have the two prints sizes in each listing, which is great. But you may be missing out on potential sales since you aren't listing the cards seperately. You can mention each listing in the description, even post a link to the other listing.

Also, in the titles to your pictures, you need to put that they are pictures, otherwise it leaves them wondering what it really is. I would say Print 8.5x11- and then the rest of the title, and then in the description say also available in whatever other size, if interested convo me for a private listing or reserved listing.

[Former_Member]

Thanks Stacy for your comments. Yes, I was wondering whether it was better to mix things up (potential for sales on items the buyers weren't primarily looking for) or to make it more shopper friendly. I'll work on getting it more organized and user-based. Also, have you noticed a spike in views when you promote items? Do you feel the $7.00 per listing to promote is worth it? I appreciate your input!

[SimplyMadebyStacy]

You're welcome Connie. I have done the "promote item" thing yet. At this point, for what I sell, I don't feel it's right for me. But I will say that I've seen some say it works for them and others say they don't. So I think it really is 50/50 on doing it. I know though that I've gotten view I wouldn't have just by makind some creative treasuries and adding people to my circle and items to my favorites.

[SimplyMadebyStacy]

Okay, I bit the bullet and did a showcase for the 29th. Figure that is when people are going to start looking for the fresh look for the new year. I'll try and let you know how it goes :)

[Former_Member]

wow- awesome comments Stacy! Thank you! I have a friend that is working on a banner for me for both my website and for etsy. She's kind of my go-to girl for branding.

I have to say that a lot of my "views" are probably my friends on FB. I posted a link to them on my personal page, but I think I am going to have to make a facebook page specifically for OneBlueEgg so that I'm not bombarding my poor friends with unnecessary links to etsy. I'd like to keep them as friends. :)

I can't wait to hear how the showcase goes!!

[SimplyMadebyStacy]

Oh for sure go with the facebook page, it offers unlimited potential really. Especially once you start getting friends from etsy to like your page, the people you reach really grows. I went from 21 likes to 26 likes today just by doing a shout out today on a friends page. that is 5 more people I am now reaching.

And I'm so hoping the showcase was worth it. I'm gonna work my little but off to get some new banners and cards up. I'm going to be offering blog designs shortly too. Before the showcase if I can get them up in time.

[Former_Member]

GO you!!!! I can't wait for the holidays to be over. The time commitment to a second job is sooo difficult this time of year. I'm sneaking in an hour here or there as I can, but cripes! I really need a solid few days to really finish up some of my projects. I have grocery totes that are all cut out and mostly assembled. I have supplies coming in from all over the place. I have purses and ipad bags that I committed to friends in exchange for other things from them. I'm so dang busy! Drowning.

[Former_Member]

This is my first team. It just sounds right.
I have another etsy shop where I sell vintage items and supplies, it is starting to do well and I enjoy it.
I somehow have a harder time promoting my own creations than someone else's even though I have been selling my jewelry locally for several years.
I have only listed a few simple designs and have been trying to get motivated to get to work on this shop for a couple of months.
I am thinking that making the commitment to create and list an item a week in front of others might be the motivation I need. I am waiting for my first sale also,looking forward to the validation I know it will provide.
It's good to find a group of shop owners with similar issues.
My goal is to think positive and move forward!

[SimplyMadebyStacy]

ok, well I did the showcase thing yesterday, and had two hits because of it, and still not one sale. So I don't think it's worth it at all. But then again, it may work for others.

[Former_Member]

BUMMER! I'm sorry to hear that. I had my own set back today. The ONE item that I sold on etsy was to a woman who bought it for her daughter who wants to return it because it doesn't quite meet her needs. I've offered to take it back either way, but to make her something similar that does meet her needs in exchange. What a blow.

[SimplyMadebyStacy]

Oh Elaina, that's too bad. I'm sorry to hear that. But maybe that will be a good word of mouth thing, ya know....she'll tell her friends how good your service was and they'll come check out your shop too.

[KATdesignstudioShop]

I just read this whole thread, and I a very glad I joined this team!

1. I understand the insecurities issue completely. It seems like a lot of creative types have this.

2. I need the extra motivation given here to list more items!

3. I applaud Stacy for helping out with good but easy tips to implement.

4. Elaina, after reading the original post, I had to go read your profile. Love it! You ve put yourself "out there" and I wish you success! BTW, your bags look great!

[Former_Member]

As with Kathy above, I'm so glad I joined this team. Thanks for this post, it's just what I needed. I've got my own and I really hope that we can help each other get motivated and stay on course for our goals.

I saw your bags in a treasury we were in together - very nice and I like the way you've photographed them too.

[Former_Member]

Love this Team!
Such beautiful shops that deserve all the best!
Just checking in today has given me the motivation needed to get something done on a difficult day, so hey, this works!

Enjoy seeing everyones thoughts and experiences, Makes me realize we all struggle, must be part of our creative process!
Thanks to everyone for helping me stay positive and get on with it :)

[Former_Member]

Isn't it great to have a team like this one?!
I'm also new and felt almost "good" reading the above; thank you all; it's so helpful and all sounds so similar to what I've been feeling! Getting sick three months ago, made me decide to give up my part time job and stay at home and do what I really love doing most: creating kid's art and accessories for my Etsy shop oKIDDo. Although we can't live of my income (yet..!), I just know this is what I want and this is what makes me wake up every morning with a smile on my face, ready to start the day!!
Ok, so we don't have bucket loads of money, but I feel happy and motivated again "doing my thing"! So, please stay positive and keep believing in yourself and never, ever give up!!!

A few tips I can give you, which made my views and sales go up:
- make treasuries; it's just so much fun AND other sellers/shop get to know you too!
- make sure you photo's are good (I'm still struggling with that, (except when my daughter, who's a photographer is home...) but there are many great tutorials and information on Etsy about this!)
- just recently I started looking around at all the teams here at Etsy; another great way to get to know people and support!

From what I've seen, I really like your shops! So, like Lisa said: please let's stay positive and get on with it!! Our time will come!!!!

Good luck to each and every one of you!!

Ellen

[KATdesignstudioShop]

Looks like everyone is keeping very positive with the start of the new year. It's great to have a goal, and encouragement reaching it!. Step by step, one a week, (at least!). Keep it going!

I still need to post my one for the week, two more days!

[Former_Member]

I've decided that in addition to one of my own postings per week, I'm also going to try to do one treasury per week. I really do have fun doing it. It's my birthday today, so I did one with that theme. I am going to try to include at least 1 from a member of this group each week.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTIxNjM2NjB8MTc4NDczMTM3OA/its-a-winter-birthday

[lonecorndog]

SO glad I read this thread. There is even validation in feeling likeyou're not good! AND to have people tell you that you are!

I try to remember that this site is like a needle in a haystck. There are 7 MILLION listings. There is a lot of crapshoot in being chosen, and I think etsy's algorythms (sp?) favors those with more sales. Then again, you have to spend so much time on descriptions, renewing, folliwng stats. I assume everyone uses google analytics? it can be super helpful. And network the heck out of yourself! Good luck, all!

[Former_Member]

Hi Day. I haven't started using google analytics yet. I'm hoping to get another dozen items posted in my shop first. I'm looking forward to trying it. What feature do you find most helpful?

[Former_Member]

I joined etsy quite some time ago but became impatient and let it lapse until December (2011) when I got more serious. (It's too bad that we don't have the option to re-date our shop's "actual" opening door date.) I've listed a lot of my photographs, joined teams, I make treasuries pretty much every day (not a hardship, believe me...so fun!). I have yet to have a sale even though I am able to sell locally. We always want the sales to validate what we do, but I have met some wonderful people here and being on etsy has pushed me to think about my art every day so that's the upside. The downside? I don't feel my photography is "etsy" material which is more pastel, light, and over exposed work but that's not my style and duplicating style for sales is not my modus operandi. My shop & listing views have increased due to my efforts and I'm told patience is a virtue but if anyone can offer suggestions for increasing (or getting your first) sales, I'm listening. Thanks.

[Former_Member]

Wow! I am so glad I joined this team! It is so nice to know that I am not the only one feeling this way - still have to break that first sale barrier and wondering if I am wasting my time and money. Just read this thread today and find it to be very helpful. I am going to try some of the suggestions and see what happens. I have been getting more views and faves since joining this and a couple of other teams but still no sales :(

I enjoy creating treasuries but they seem really time consuming to me (maybe I am doing it wrong :). Also, other than posting on team lists and FB is there anywhere else to post a treasury?

Thanks for all the support! Hope everyone does well in the new year!