Is Etsy still turned on?

[#1]

It's been like the dead zone this week.  Activity has been waaaaaaaay down.  All cobwebs and dust here.

[That70sChickVintage]

I have read in past forums that Feb/March tends to be slower for vintage shops. I’ve also read that it’s slower in general due to US tax time approaching. 

What I am wondering is how to actively change or combat the Feb/March Doldrums.

This is what I’ve been working on:

-I’ve been listing as much as possible to appeal to a wider audience with eclectic finds. 

- Started a two week Spring Deals/Miracle March sale in my shop. (I’d rather make a little less on each sale than have no sales at all!)

- Signed up for faves campaign and abandoned cart, plus a 15% off coupon for repeat buyers ( this one I haven’t had any luck on, but I have seen an increase in “direct views.”)

- pinning all items on Pinterest ( I don’t use other social media)

😍 Would love to hear what other shops are doing during the slow periods to increase sales. (though I know some shops are still busy!)

Any effective tips to share?

Specific to vintage, are there any shops that are kicking butt right now? 

[EclecticBeadWorks]

I love all your suggestions.  My shop came to a screeching halt after my last order March 1st.  Otherwise I had been busier then I ever have been from late October until now.  I have thought about having a March sale and calling it March Insanity Sell because we can't use March Madness.  I too would rather take a hit financially on my items and get sales rather then get none at all.  I'm still trying to build my shop up.  It's a little over two years old by 3 months.  I already have my abandoned cart going, which it's been on for a while now but if people don't opt in to receive email from Etsy they will know nothing about this.  I also offer a 15% off coupon to buyers and I have had some repeat buyers with this and they have made a killing! LOL  I pin on Pinterest daily but Pinterest never does much for me to the best of my knowledge.  Instagram is my go to place and finally after a year and a half working on IG every day I've been getting sales from it and gained a big following and now it's snowballing and I'm up to 5,000+ followers.  It's a lot of work but worth it.  I sell highter end boho jewelry.  All handmade by me.  It's a tought market there are so many boho jewelry sellers.  I have quite a few repeat customers but they come and go.  I think when I do my March sale it will be for 20% OFF.  I did this around the Christmas holidays and it worked great.  Although Etsy was behind some of those sales and so they were promoting as well as they were having their commercials on TV, a lot!  I believe this really helped.  I've done 15% in the past and didn't have nearly as good of luck as I do with 20% Off.  I am new posting here and I look forward to sharing ideas and helping when ever I can.  

[That70sChickVintage]

@EclecticBeadWorks ... you have a lovely shop! 

Im not sure about Pinterest either... I keep thinking about Instagram, but haven’t gone there yet- thanks for sharing your positive experience there. I didn’t know you can’t use the term March madness... is it trademarked? I had thought about that name too, lol... but Miracle March sounded better to me since I’m from California... and we have been getting a lot of precipitation this year! 

Interesting on your noted difference between 15 & 20%. Thanks for sharing your experience, and I hope you get a Sale soon! 

[EclecticBeadWorks]

Hi!  Thank you so much!  I just checked out your shop and when I get more time I'm going back to look at all your cool offerings.

I'm from California!  Raised in Gardena and was a total beach girl.  Since moving away in the late 70's I ended up in Oregon in 1987 and have been here ever since.  My sister lived in West Los Angeles her whole life near the Farmers Market so I spent a lot of time in that neighborhood which I loved.  I've only been to San Diego a few times.  Beautiful there!  

Yes, I actually Googled March Madness to see if I saw any sales and it's a trademarked sports thing so yes, I am really glad I checked!  I love that, Miracle March!  I just made my graphic and I guess I'll do the sale.  March Insanity, lol.  I really hate having a sale only because I worry that it will belittle my offerings.  I don't want people to think I'm desperate.  I'm not desperate yet but I like getting sales on a regular basis.  I mean, I've gone 5 days without sales before many times and no matter what I tell my self about not freaking out, well, I always freak out!  I can't help it.  I start to doubt everything about my shop.  I guess it won't hurt to have the sale and if it's not working I'll just stop it.  I do know that there are quite a few of my pieces in peoples carts.  When I offered Free Shipping, I couldn't see this.  Now I can.  I like it!  

Have a great day may we both get lots of sales.  

[That70sChickVintage]

@EclecticBeadWorks  I totally get what you’re saying about having sales.... I don’t freak out as much as I think “I’ll never get a sale again” when I have a dry stretch. haha, I guess that is freaking out! I love Oregon too! I lived in Ashland/ Talent for a bit, and some other small towns when I was traveling for work. I miss it there! It’s lovely here and all, but the traffic! Sooo crowded now too! 

I wish you much success with your sale! :)

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