Need Advise or maybe just some encouragement

[LynnFogel]

Hi all,
I put up my shop in Oct. 2010 and have only made 17 sales so far. I was really hoping my shop would take off. My best friend who also sells her lovely prints of her paintings started at the same time as me and has sold double of what I have. I know I shouldn't compare but it makes me feel there is something I am missing. I get an average of 50 views a day consistantly, but for some reason they leave my shop and don't buy. My prices are very reasonable and I think my presentation is good, from put tons of hours I put into it. If you'd take a look and let me know your honest first impressions I'd truly appreciate it. I will be happy to do the same for you if you desire.
Cheers!
Lynn

[FairyArmoireElegance]

Hi lynn Im new on here, so not sure im that well qualified to to give a critique but I took alook at your lovely site I think your shop looks professional lovely banner your pictures photos look great to and your price seems ideal
I would like to know a bit more about you and your likes, life in your profile I love that you've got pictures in a hospital
I think may be just more advertising is what you need to do posting in teams doing treasury's (havent done one myself yet but I think this would be a good idea) are you with many teams posting im them is good checking out what people in your circles have done and liking them and advertising through face book twitter althoughs medias Im going to print out leaflets and post around my town to.
Try not to compare with your friend put all your lovely precious energy into you and yourshop but ask your friend what or how she does her shop
I had a lovely lady, chat with me, when What I do is when some one likes my item I always reply with a thank you and that it helps keep me going most of the time you'll get a reply and have a lovely chat, Bev from ALLYOUWANTISHERETODAY repled saying she went through a rough patch it was more getting interactive with people on the site she told me and the free media and your circles adding the team site to your info allso I think helps so thats what i've tryed to do I still havent done a professional banner yet im still work in grogress I know and I do have my low points but just by having a chat and thanking people liking my items that helps and just keep going also I find each month renewing your tags to suit the time of year any key dates that are relavent just by putting spring in my heading of some items got more views I hope some of this has helped in some way sorry if it sounds alover the place just getting over a bad cold sniff sniff x : ) your welcome to come and have a look at my shop and critique any time or even just for a chat lovely to meet you speck soon jadie poppy milner

[FairyArmoireElegance]

lots of spell checks forgive x : )

[FairyArmoireElegance]

also I do go on I know! join a team that connects with your art I do fairy fantasy so have joined these type of teams like minded groups that like fairies youve join good business groups but may be some arty ones that are like your work I'll leave you a lone now : ) x

[Former_Member]

hello !
I looked at your site and it looks fine and your work is very good.
It would be useful to see your friends site in order to make an informed comparison . It would help us all I think .
Nil Desperandum ! ..you have sold

[Former_Member]

I think your shop and your work really is beautiful. You have a broad range of things for sale and a good price range and truthfully I don't get it either. I truly loved some of your stuff. I have a dear friend on Etsy who is stunningly successful and she told me (I am not successful) that she thought that teams, treasuries, circles, etc were all a waste of time. Her advice was to focus on titles, keywords and photos, anything that made it "easier for her customers to find her". And then there's that "x" factor that I just don't get. As she says, art is notoriously hard to sell.

[LynnFogel]

Gosh, So sorry that I'm just looking at all these replies now! I totally forgot to look after posting and thank you so much for taking the time with your advise, opinions, compliments, etc. I do know that art is notoriously hard to sell since it's not a neccesity and especially in this economy my sales at my art shows are extremely low. I get at least 40 - 60 hits (views) a day, and I just need to figure out why they leave. Maybe some do come back. I will try changing my tags from time to time as an experiment, but I do feel that I'm getting the "looks" just not closing the deal.
I know that if I was selling jewelry or some kind of comsumable item, these sell best and see that most on the site who are making hundreds or thousands of sales are selling clothes, purses, soaps; things that get used up and have to be bought again. But, I'm not going to change being a painter to something else; too late in life for me and also painting is my passion. I'll hang in there and again, thanks to all of you for your support!
xo

[Former_Member]

Thanks for helping! What great participation!
xo Michelle
misanthropycreations.com