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I've had one for over a year. It's so easy to do, and free to set up. You get charged per ITEM that you list, then Etsy takes a % of your sales each month. But your listing stays up for about three or four months, so it's a really nice time frame.
Tips would be start slow- get a banner, organize your shop, decide on name/policies, etc. Then add a few items on a daily basis. Also, to get your rating up you might want to think about making a few purchases from other sellers. People sometimes don't want to buy from someone who has no reviews/ratings yet.
I've been selling at Etsy for over 2 years. To be honest, I don't think stamped things are really hot sellers there. I've found that over the last year, my sewn things have gone over better than my paper goods. I'm thinking about letting the paper things go altogether, and just concentrating on my sewing.
It's a very young crowd over there for the most part, and the top paper sellers seem to be graphic design type cards, labels, journaling spots, etc.
I sell on etsy, I have 2 shops, one for cards and one for digital images. I have more luck with my digital stamp company then selling cards. I personally think there are so many card seller on etsy that your cards would really really have to stand out in order to sell. I also read somewhere that if you are active in the etsy forums you get more viewers and sales. I haven't had time for etsy forum, so I can't tell you if that is true.
- how does 3-D stuff sell - like notebooks, candles, ornaments, clipboards etc. does that sell better than cards?
__________________ -- diane visit my website/blog.
"I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.
- - Vincent van Gogh
Last edited by blueyes; 03-27-2009 at 07:17 AM..
Reason: typed cards - CRADS - hehehe - i don't know how to make crads - but maybe they would sell???? lol
- how does 3-D stuff sell - like notebooks, candles, ornaments, clipboards etc. does that sell better than cards?
I've sold a few journals.
Definitely consider the cost of packing and shipping. Candles are pretty heavy and need sturdy packaging, so I think they'd be a hard sell due to high shipping costs.
A real eye opener is to go on Etsy's Time Machine 2 and click on "Just Sold" where you can watch a scroll of items that have sold. You'll notice that a huge percentage of the items, up to 90% or so will be supplies as opposed to finished items. Just another thing to think about ;)
Hi, I just recently opened an etsy store selling my handmade wedding stationery. So far, I've been pretty happy with the results....I've sold 18 items and I have been favorited by 16 people.
It's really really easy to set up and they also have a blog that can help too with any questions you have.
Definitely consider the cost of packing and shipping. Candles are pretty heavy and need sturdy packaging, so I think they'd be a hard sell due to high shipping costs.
A real eye opener is to go on Etsy's Time Machine 2 and click on "Just Sold" where you can watch a scroll of items that have sold. You'll notice that a huge percentage of the items, up to 90% or so will be supplies as opposed to finished items. Just another thing to think about ;)
hmmm - will have to check out the time machine thing - that might be helpful. thanks!
__________________ -- diane visit my website/blog.
"I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.
Hi, I just recently opened an etsy store selling my handmade wedding stationery. So far, I've been pretty happy with the results....I've sold 18 items and I have been favorited by 16 people.
It's really really easy to set up and they also have a blog that can help too with any questions you have.
I just started using ETSY. Right now I have some quilted items listed and am working on papercraft items to list too. I've already sold 2 table runners!
I'm still learning the ins and outs of an ETSY store, but like anything else it has its learning curve.
I just opened on Etsy. It's been a slow, frustrating start. I sell REALLY well at shows and to friends/co-workers. I think you really do need to work the forums on Etsy and promote your shop. You can't just open up and expect people to find your stuff (my mistake!)
do you need to have a blog as well when you sell on etsy?
all of this info is very helpful!!
thanks in advance,
lori
I don't have an Etsy shop however, from my perspective if I look at your shop and you only have a couple of listings at the moment if you have a blog link I can look at your body of work and contact you about making something.
I have looked on there a few times and you see people putting things up for a specific person to purchase because they have already agreed everything as it is custom.
I use to sell on etsy. My shop did fairly well. I sold mini albums and some altered items. The one thing that I found is that you have to drive the customers to your store. Don't sit back and wait for them to find you. The competition is huge, so you have to really market your store if you want a lot of sales. I had my store for about 10 months and sold almost 200 items in that time. However, between my full time boring bill paying job and other life things, I couldn't devote the time my store needed in order to be truly successful.
I have had my Etsy shop open for nearly 6 months, and have had 7 sales. Just recently (the last week or so) started adding my handmade cards.
My big seller has been my hand painted slates...I am trying my hardest to spend time in the forums and get my name out there.
There are a lot of great tips in the forums over there, about how to catch the eyes of customers, etc...
Tags are VERY IMPORTANT!!
My link is below..
Keri
I have a question about Etsy and postage - do you let the customer choose especially when we are talking one off not easily replaceable items or do you insist on something like UPS?
I have an Etsy store too. I've only been up for about 2 weeks. I have sold one card. I have had several suggestions from friends, so very soon I'll be adding to the types of products I offer. You can visit my store, head over to my blog and I have a link on the left side.
I have a question about Etsy and postage - do you let the customer choose especially when we are talking one off not easily replaceable items or do you insist on something like UPS?
I use stricly USPS-priority or regular mail, depending on the item, and what the customer wants.
I suppose if they wanted UPS I would do it, but USPS has been working well so far.
Actually, I have been using the flat rate boxes lately, the slates I paint are quite heavy, and the flat rate is cheaper.
I alway insure, too. So far, no slates have been broken.
I just sent my largest one yet, a 10x14, and it arrived safely yesterday!
I use stricly USPS-priority or regular mail, depending on the item, and what the customer wants.
I suppose if they wanted UPS I would do it, but USPS has been working well so far.
Actually, I have been using the flat rate boxes lately, the slates I paint are quite heavy, and the flat rate is cheaper.
I alway insure, too. So far, no slates have been broken.
I just sent my largest one yet, a 10x14, and it arrived safely yesterday!
Keri
I bet that is such a relief to know. I know I just get panicked sending normal stuff through the post and waiting to hear.
I bet that is such a relief to know. I know I just get panicked sending normal stuff through the post and waiting to hear.
It is a huge relief. Although, I am getting better. And I have a very specific way of packing the slate pieces, so at this point, I am equally as afraid of LOSS of the package as I am damage..
Now if I could just sell MORE!!
LOL
keri
I just opened my shop up yesterday. No hits yet... I have premade scrapbooks, fabric gift bags, and 1 set of cards. How do we get customers to look at our shop.... Here is my shop:
Hi! Good luck with your Etsy shop! I think it is worth trying...you don't have to make a huge commitment to trial your product. The listing fee is reasonable...but usually you have to take into account your Paypal fee too, most people pay that way. Also, I figured out you have to stay current on the listing pages or your shop will get lost pages away and most people don't go through more than 10 pages per item search. This means you need to renew a listing at .20 at least once a day or post a new listing at least once a day. That can sometimes eat away at your profit if you are selling a 3.00 item. I have a blog, that I post cards that use our stamps to give folks project ideas...I think blogs can be fun and help folks spur their creativity. If people like your cards they will really enjoy your blog and you can do some promotion from your blog. I sell rubber stamps at my Etsy shop and have had many visits to the store, so it is a way to get yourself out there but I would recommend other sales venues also.
If anyone is interested take a peek at my shop at Etsy -type in seller name as octoberpumpkin or look for me as octoberpumpkin in the rubber stamps section
Hope to see your shop soon!
I have an Etsy shop and I love Etsy! I�ve tried Dawanda but it didn�t work for me.
I love the talented artists and crafters and the forum there, you must try it ;)
do you etsy???
thanks
