I wonder if listing on Etsy is really worth it. I know you all are going to say it takes time and it's only 20 cents per listing. That 20 cents per listing adds up and so does all the cost of materials I need. I opened shop in December and haven't had a sale yet. Oh, I get views and favorites blah, blah, but what good do those do me? They aren't paying my Etsy bill or helping me buy more material. I do all the things that everyone says you should do to get noticed.
I have been in several vendor markets. You have to pay rent every month. Usually, if I don't make at least enough to pay my rent for 3 months in a row, I pull out of that shop. Why should I keep paying Etsy and not getting anything in return?
I would love to hear from you and would also like you to post your advice for other readers.
How long was your shop open before you got your first sale? If you are only selling one item here and there and are spending more money than you are making, what makes you stay with Etsy?
Well, I got my first sale pretty soon, about 10 days after I listed a few items but the second one was 4 months later! There is a lot of work in achieving success on Etsy and it is not guaranteed. But the more you work, the more you learn, and the better you become, not only as far as Etsy is concerned. So, as long as there is room to grow, you should be happy!
ReplyDeleteIt took about three months before I had my first sale, but then I had a few within just a few weeks. I now have six sales I think, but in the last couple of months I have not been very active on Etsy. As I stopped being active I also stopped making sales. As of yet I have earned more than I have paid Etsy, but not a lot more. My shop is more of a hobby for me, I don´t need that income so I´m just glad when I do make a sale! I find Etsy to be a very inspiring place and I have met a lot of wonderful people there. Making treasuries and being active in teams has also brought me a lot of joy! So I guess I´m there for the people and the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI am very active on Etsy and like to do all things things too. I like seing hoe creative people are.
DeleteIt depends on how much you put into it. I also suggest reading the Sellers Handbook, joining teams, making Treasuries and promoting on social media.
ReplyDeleteAlso, use dimensions in your listings so people know the sizes.
I do all of this thank you for the advidce though.
DeleteI recieved my first one pretty soon. Selling online, in some cases, I do think is harder than in person. Pictures need to be perfect, tags need to be done well, prices need to be comparable, and so on... Most of which you don't need to worry about when you're selling in person. If your target market is broad, if your product is not particularly unique, if most of the pros of your product need to be touched or smelt, then selling online will be much harder than offline. So it depends. Do you think, based off your experience in both, that you could make more sales if you spent the time selling in person rather than on Etsy? That answer will be different for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI do sell more in person. I am one of those that like to be able to use my 5 senses when buying things.
DeleteMost of us are on Etsy, because we LOVE be creative and make things, not just to sell them. We love the community, making new team friends, chatting away and getting inspired! It does take WORK, as has already been mentioned. Treasuries and treasury events always help, as does social media. But all of it has to be consistent, including your photography, tags, and descriptions. I've been on Etsy since 2008 with several shops and I love the experience!
ReplyDeleteI like Etsy, I just wish something would happen soon.
ReplyDeleteI've been on Etsy now for three years (registeed) and active for about 2-1/2. My first sale was not made until 6 months in, and since then have made about a couple of sales a month (which I'd like to increase - and am working at doing via building my Follower base (formerly Circles - do wish they wouldn't change things, without warning!). I'm on 16 different teams, but they don't seem to do much for me - but to be fair, I don't use them to chat really. The increase in Circling - oops, Following - has intoduced me to some wonderful new contacts (and enabled me to keep many old friends, too). I like the international aspect of Etsy, and have toys with homes all over the world - which is exciting, even though I'd like more.
ReplyDeleteAlso do renovating of old stuffed animals (mainly bears) which seems to have a mainly local following, but don't despair of working with Etians.
On the whole I like Etsy, but am definitely going to build my own website too, as I suspect (and have been advised) that such activites definitely boost sales. Interested to hear what other's find.
Isobel: www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com
I have been thinking of making a website but, I need to build my inventory first
ReplyDelete