Tips on Making Etsy Shops Successful

[Former_Member]

Hey everyone,

I thought we can start a new discussion on tips for a successful business/shop on Etsy. If you have any tips or tricks post them here!

Thanks,
Cristy

[Former_Member]

I'm all ears. I'm getting traffic, but few sales. Not a ton of favorites either. Suggestions are welcome!

[Former_Member]

I'm far from successful, but I've been here 4 weeks, and made one sale each week. And I can definitely attribute THAT to being active in teams, and reading every critique I can find. Sometimes looking at other shops and seeing what they are doing wrong helps you realize that you are doing the same thing! On the other side of that, looking at shops that are doing something well, can make you realize you should be doing that! Hopefully some (actually) successful people can bring some real tips and tricks here- because I need them!! lol :)

[Former_Member]

Jennie your shop has some really cute stuff! Have you participated in giveaways with blogs? How's your Facebook numbers?

[Former_Member]

Right now I just have a blog but I'm opening up a party shop soon. I really wanted to build a social media presence before I started a shop. I know pinning your stuff helps too. Pinterest and Facebook are where all my traffic comes from.

[Former_Member]

So far my success has come from offsite marketing to friends and family. I've started submitting photos to decor blogs, and use Facebook frequently, and am going to focus on Pinterest more. My keywords bring a good amount of traffic to my site, but so far I've known every buyer personally.

[Former_Member]

Titles and tags really help me. After I redid all my titles to be longer, my views started going up. What I do is "group" my title words in three word phrases. I separate with a comma (make sure there is a space after the comma). Then, I repeat the same words in my tags. That's the important part. This will increase your chances of being found when someone searches with those words.

Example:

Title: Star Paper Banner, Blue Party Streamer, Newborn Nursery Stars, Brown and Blue, Hanging Star Decor, Boy's Photography Prop, Children's Room

Tags:
Tags
Housewares
Wall Decor
star paper banner
blue party streamer
newborn nursery
nursery stars
blue and brown
hanging stars
star decor
boys photography
photography prop
childrens room
room decoration
star bunting banner
reusable banner

Hope this helps.

[Former_Member]

anyone know of any free promotion sites? I need help :(

[Former_Member]

Cristy-
Glad you thought my shop was cute! Since joining teams and facebook sharing pages, my FB numbers have gone up considerably. I'm close to hitting 100 likes (mid-January I was just under 30). I haven't participated in any giveaways, but I'd love to start. Any suggestions?

I'm concerned that my pricing is off. I've tried creating and promoting #5dollarprintables so that buyers can easily browse a section of my shop knowing that those items won't be more than $5.

[Former_Member]

Jeannie,
I used this site for my giveaway. It got some likes to my page. Some likes are real and some are fake, they only like to win then unlike.
http://www.facebook.com/FreebiesandGiveaways?ref=ts&fref=ts
------
I wanted to drop a little suggestion to other shops similar to mine. Try selling to local shops. This week I have picked up some possible long lasting customers at local florist shops. My boyfriend owns a plant nursery and delivers to florists. He actually offered to propose the idea of my banners to some of his loyal customers. I couldn't believe he wanted to do that for me! He had some success and some are going to think about it. This could possibly be very good for my shop, even if it's only a few sales a month. They would be repeat customers. Most florists are privately owned, which means they make the decisions for themselves. He said most of them like the idea of supporting a privately run business too.

[Former_Member]

Something happened today that made me think of this conversation. I was at the pediatricians office with my boys when one son pulled handfuls of my molded crayons from his pockets, he had swiped them from my supply when I wasn't looking ;). They proceeded to draw on the disposable paper that covers the doctors bed. When their doctor came in he said he was thinking of offering crayons in the exam rooms to keep kids occupied and can I supply them. He is installing bins in each room where I will supply a small amount if crayons as well as my business cards. What better promotion! Parents and kids locked in a room for up to 45 minutes at a time with no entertainment aside from my fun shaped crayons! This got my wheels turning and, like Jenni mentioned, I intend to brainstorm to see how my products may be able to fit in with other local businesses. To see howcwe may be able to work together. Will a local caker be interested in my non edible cupcake toppers or cake bunting? Can my decor supplies coordinate with a cake design? My immediate goal is to network locally as well as with my Etsy community.

[Former_Member]

LinensAndLaceStudio from LinensAndLaceStudio says
Will a local caker be interested in my non edible cupcake toppers or cake bunting? Can my decor supplies coordinate with a cake design?
-----
Yes and YES! Of course. It doesn't hurt to try.
One thing I am concerned with is quality. I'm picky about my items and never send anything out that isn't close to flawless. But, around here, most of the florists are very nit-picky. I guess I would be too if I sold a $15 arrangement for $80. I hope that never gets in the way.

[Former_Member]

Cristy, What are you going to be carrying in your shop? Will it be on your page or Etsy? When is your big debut? I am excited for you!

[HowieandIce]

Hi, my shop is a month old today!!! I've had a steady flow of traffic and a few favourites but no sales as yet :-(

Please can you take a sneak peek at my shop?

[DallinsPaperie]

I think patience is one of the keys...don't give up, keep working, do what you like and your sale will grow. First month, I sold very few and then it started growing more and more every month.

[HowieandIce]

Thanks Sally :-)

[CharmedByWine]

Carren,

You may have a lot of views, but are you getting the RIGHT views? You obviously would want to be found by brides-to-be and other wedding-related buyers. To do that, put yourself in THEIR shoes, go to the etsy homepage, and act like you want to buy invitations. What do you search for? Where do you browse? What photos catch your eye?

Then, make sure YOUR items fit. For example, many of your tags are missing.... fill those up! I'm not sure you'd get many people searching "Beautiful Stationary", but you MIGHT get people searching "Printable Invitations", "Custom Invitations", Custom Wedding Invites", "Personalized Invitations" etc. Make sure you have those tags!
the more you can think of what your target market would be looking for, the better you can be seen by the right people =)

[HowieandIce]

Hiya Mary,

I have made the changes you suggested. I didn't realise that I had so many tags missing and the ones which were there were a bit pointless!!!

Thanks very much for taking the time to have a look, I appreciate your feedback :-)

[Former_Member]

Just wondering if any of you join up with bloggers to bring people to your shop?

[CharmedByWine]

Hi Mattie -- I am a part of the "Blog and Sponsor Connection" team on etsy, and every so often i see a good opportunity for my shop. I've been a featured shop on 2 blogs so far! It gives me a little spike in views...so - yes! its quite helpful. Just be sure to give credit where credit is due (share the blog to drive traffic to it, and thank the writer for including you/your shop)

[LucyLovesPaper]

I'd also love to hear some tips! I opened my shop a month ago and my views and favorites are increasing steadily, but so far only one sale...

[Former_Member]

Mary, thanks for the tip! I'll look into it!