Esty successful shop suggestion newsletters had advice from one crafter

@writersedge (22563)
United States
January 17, 2010 10:01am CST
whose shop sold $500 in a few months. AT first the person didn't sell much of anything, but now the shop is doing well. The person said to put a new item on every day or renew an item. That keeps one item out there on the new item part of the page. Of course the newsletter has many other suggestions. I'm thinking about this particular suggestion. No, I don't have a shop on there yet. I'm studying up so if and when I do, it will be successful. I think it would be hard to put a new item out every day as a completed craft and even every day as a new supply. As a gatherer, maybe spring, summer and fall I could. As a person who can make swags and wreaths, maybe between Thanksgiving and Christmas I could. Even as a recycler, maybe once in a while when I take beads and do-dads off clothes I could resell zippers and beads that I reclaimed. Even with gathering, recycling, making things, reclaiming things, something new 365 days of the year would be hard. But the person also said renew. Postings are for 4 months. If things didn't sell, renewing a post for them could take some of those days out after 4 months. But I would hope I had sold many things by 4 months. Probably not, but one would hope. At any rate, what do you think of this advice? Could you make it work? Have you ever pondered advice and tried to figure out how to make it work? Do you have a successful craft shop? At home? On the road to show? Online? Have you had to think about ways to make it work? Have you made it work? Are you still trying different things to make it work? Did something work for a while, but not now and you're searching again? Where are you in the continuum of becoming a successful shop owner? I'm in the research phase.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@GardenGerty (169591)
• United States
17 Jan 10
I have not even tried that. I appreciate the fact that you are sharing this information, as I may want to do that in the future. I actually have a pretty simple idea for something that I could put up that often. I may have joined Etsy, but this year has been so awful as far as time goes that I probably did nothing with it. Where did you find this newsletter? I may have some original greeting cards to sell. I have wanted to do that for next year for Christmas. Wow, I am excited this morning about some of the things I am reading.
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@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Jan 10
What things have you read that are exciting besides this? Quit your day job has a bunch of articles about how people became full-time crafters or artists, another thing you may want to read. The very different success stories are cool.
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@GardenGerty (169591)
• United States
17 Jan 10
I have a friend on another site who had a showcase or something on Etsy and was in a contest. It seems like it is a friendly site to sell on. Have you heard of Redgage? I have friends who are successful there as well. I do not have stuff on hand, but I do have things that I could easily put together. I am waiting to hear from another writing site, as well. Overdid it yesterday, and I am needing a nap today. Look forward to hearing how you are doing. Thanks for your tips. I sent your discussion on to another friend from here who is needing work. I like the fact that I have made such good online friends.
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@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Jan 10
I forgot to tell you, creativerobin's profile has some of her shop here at Mylot and you can link to the rest of it. Good luck and I hope you do a lot there some day soon.
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@celticeagle (190074)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Jan 10
You really have to have a nack. That's why so many don't make it. You have to have a feel for what is coming up, what the fads are or assured of your own nack for making people happy with fashion. It takes alot of work and staying in the know of what people like and want to buy. Right now retro is very popular but who is to say what be 'in vogue' in the months to come.
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@writersedge (22563)
• United States
18 Jan 10
You are really right! That's what's part of sooo cool about Etsy. They have different promotions and newsletter articles to keep you "in the know" about that kind of thing. My problem is that I do a lot of crafts, but they don't seem to be at a quality that I think people would buy. I'm still working on that. Thanks and take care.
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@writersedge (22563)
• United States
19 Jan 10
True, very true. That's where I'm at a disadvantage. NY State and CA are the most expensive states in the Union. To compete, I often have to price things too low for living in my state.
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@celticeagle (190074)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Jan 10
You either try or you don't. If people like them you are on your way! Becareful how you price things too cause than sure turn people off at first.
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@cutepenguin (6430)
• Canada
18 Jan 10
I think it would be difficult. Unless you built up a stockpile first, you'd have to be constantly making things. It might work if you didn't have a regular job, I guess. it is a good tip though.
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@writersedge (22563)
• United States
18 Jan 10
I agree with all that. Something to think about. Stockpile first during maybe the days there isn't any school and then go for it. It's an idea. Thanks and take care.
@venshida (4836)
• United States
19 Jan 10
The new item everyday is difficult. I think the person who can do that like someone else mentioned have to stockpile. I don't have a successful craft business. I have some of my craft in a booth at a flea market. I am always pondering how to make it more successful, but no success yet. I love to read about people who are successful crafters. I have not checked out Etsy in awhile, but will check it out so I can get some pointers.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
19 Jan 10
There are some good ideas from successful people. The newsletter tells some ideas and what's hot, what people are looking for,etc.