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I have an Etsy shop, but it's for my collage work (I have a stamping shop, but haven't listed anything yet). Feel free to look around at http://collageobjects.etsy.com. Here are my suggestions:
Have a great header/banner. Mine has evolved through the years, but I like my current one the best because it's clean and catchy. I also have business cards with that image, and notecards for "thank-you" notes. Try to keep JUST your Etsy address on your cards, so they HAVE to go there, rather than a blog, etc.
Cross-promote. Link your blog in your "info" section at the top of your shop, and vise-versa. I don't have a collage blog anymore (I have too much work to do on my SU! blog, lol!) but I do have a Facebook fan page for my Etsy shop. That info is in my intro as well.
If you're outside a metro area, use the metro as your "location". I live in Round Rock, Texas, but I put "Austin" since that's nearby. People often search by location, so they can save on shipping (if you're willing to meet somewhere) or just to shop locally.
Once you have a blog/FB page/etc. always comment to blogs with that address. Comment to LOTS of blogs, both in your field and outside.
HEARTS - if you find a shop/item you personally like, "heart" it. I always try to go and look at the shops of those who have "hearted" me. If I like their stuff, I'll "heart" them. This keeps them in your favorites, etc. I've had lots of sales from those hearts, both ways.
If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. Good luck!
I personally LOVE Etsy! It is a great way to find very well made and unique gifts and treasures for yourself!
I have a shop that is actually rubber stamps and I find you have to list daily at a peak time(two times if you can) to keep your items viewed often! If not you will fall to the back of the bunch in some catagories.
The forums are a plus for selling within the community.
I find people looking on Etsy are looking for something well made and different and are willing to pay a fair price unlike Ebay where folks are looking for a bargain. In the long term I think you can do better with Etsy and a set price as long as you try to add new items several times a week. The best success you can have is with daily listing.
If no one has mentioned it use Google Analytics with your Etsy account and you can track viewing trends to your shop and you can figure out which days are best for you to list and what times of day are best to list. This will add to your success.
I have a shop for rubber stamps, hand drawn designs by my mother, they are cling mounted to acrylic and I find the best time to list these and paper projects like cards, scrapbooking layouts, papergoods is about 9am and 7pm everyday and definitely around 9am Friday and Saturday and Sunday.
If you start a shop at least list the weekend for the most views! Goodluck to everyone that is interested in starting a shop! It is really FUN!
Stop by www.octoberpumpkin.etsy.com
if you like trying new rubber stamps... we have some cuties!!!
octoberpumpkin--THANKS so much! that is exactly the information i've been waiting to come across! i've been pondering an etsy store and have determined which items i want to create and sell, but didn't know enough about etsy to get started. now i feel like i won't be stumbling around in the dark.
as soon as i get an account set up i'll look you up to 'heart' (?) you! ;)
I've had an Etsy shop for about 1 1/2 years now and have been happy with my sales (over 200 now) but I mostly sell my collage work and alot of soldered art glass pendants with collage or vintage illustrations. I've not had alot of luck selling stamped cards but I've sold a few and have sold quite a few ATC's (or ACEO's as they are known on Etsy).
I think most people have hit on the most important things when selling with Etsy. You really need to bring people to your shop (i.e. advertising, blogging, forums, join teams, flickr, etc.) it's rare that you just list and watch the sales roll in, you have to "work" your shop. Great photos are a must, a nice banner and consistent look to your store helps, make sure all the shop policies are filled out, location, where you'll ship too, resonable shipping rates, good customer service. I re list alot because it's so easy for items to get buried quickly, a listing last for 4 months but there are so many items on Etsy it won't easily get seen if you don't re list and "bump" it back up on the search engine.
Etsy is really easy to use, in my opinion and the fees are very reasonable, Etsy fixes problems quickly, I've had non payers and they'll refund your fees quickly, etc. I tried shophandmade for 6 months with no sales and gave up on that, also tried another place (which I won't mention) and had an absolutely horrible experience there and left.
Wow, a lot of great advice on here! I too, have been VERY interested in starting an Etsy store.
The things I've been trying to decide: Prices (ugh!), and a name! lol
As to a name...do you go by what is recognizable in the crafting world, or in the "real" world (wink), lol?
For instance, use my handlename from here? happy2stamp4ever. People from SCS would recognize it....but then, people on SCS make their own cards, and wouldn't buy, right? lol
I think your name is pretty important and before you sign up to Etsy be sure you love it because you can *not* change it later. You can call your store a different name from your Etsy name but I find that's really confusing and hard for people who want to search you out. I named my shop the same as my blog, it is also my name on Flickr. I think consistency can help, you want to "brand" yourself so people recognize your name/logo/avatar etc. no matter where you are.
