my whining self pity (Etsy)

it's been around a month, I've taken and re-taken pics, post on the forums, tell people about it and wear some of my pendants, I try, try, try.....and nothing yet.
I've read so many of the etsians on the forums telling newbies not to complain, not to ask why no sales, telling them their products are not worthy, pics are bad, etc. So, I am whining here!

I love making polymer beads and stuff, and love crocheting, but I really dont love the technical stuff that is needed to have a successful shop. Good sellers say you have to spend 50/50 time crafting and promoting your stuff.

There are like 33000 shops on Etsy. So many people making stuff that we get lost in the river of things. I don't want to give up because I love making stuff and would like to make a little money at it.

Thanks for letting me wallow in self pity.

 

I know what you mean. I work two jobs, so I don't have the time I need to craft and promote my shop. I try to do all of the little things. For example, you could have added a link to your etsy shop. If you are active on hipforums, that is a great way to get a few more hits. I am involved in a few online communities, and I always put my link in my profile. Also, I'm not sure what state you are in, but here in Indiana we have an Etsy Street Team called the INcrowd. I have just joined this group and it is lots of fun. It's all about helping promote each other and getting the public to find etsy. You would be surpirsed how many people have never even heard of it.

So......instead of wallowing in self-pity....get motivated to do all of the little things that could help you.

 

yarrow, I know exactly what you mean... but as cliche as this may sound, it takes time for things to pick up.

Realistically, when you start a business, it takes a year to take off.

Secondly, there's no guarantee that anyone would sell anything during their first month, irrigardless of where your business is (online or at the mall, etc). I've had an etsy account since last october, I've seriously been posting things since July, and didn't make my first etsy sale until last weekend.

It's discouraging when weeks or months go by and sales are low or non-existant, especially when you first start out. The best thing to do is persist. The bigger variety of stock you have, the more likely you'll find a buyer who'll be interested in something!

Stick it out Vent when you need to, but chin up nonetheless!

 

I'm kind of iffy about online crafts right now. I'm going to shoot for fairs and flea markets. I've had some stuff listed on etsy for a few months now...it doesn't really matter if I get any hits-the views are good enough for me-haha. I want to expand my crafting abilities before I go and sell tons of stuff.

 

It took me a few months to get my first sale..but once I did the sales started pouring in..you'll get there! chin up!

 

Stay Positive and Manifest it~
Also....promote yourself elsewhere

 

I'm trying to take all the advice I read on Etsy forums and go with it~~ you know if you've read- how confusing it is:

" stay active in the forums" "make more, list more items and re-list daily" "get more done by staying off the forums"....."myspace is a must have. blog, blog, blog" ..."myspace and blogging has resulted in no buyers for me"... "focus on one or 2 items so there is a more professional appearance" " list a bunch of diverse items to attract more buyers" and on and on. I am setting up myspace, but it is drudgery for me!

 

arghh!

As an experiment, I googled the name of one of my pendants with various combinations of my tags. Although there were all kinds of hits for similar pendants, none were mine!

 

That's the cost of trying to start up your own business, unfortunately. If it were as easy as just whipping up a few crafts and plopping them unto etsy, we'd all be making much more money. Keeping active in as many forums as possible - like hipforums and myspace and blogs among others - is what gets traffic to your stuff. You never know which set of eyes that stumble on your crafts winds up becoming a sale.

The more you put your name out there - as infuriating as it may be - is worth it when you get around to making the sales.

lol, I've had that too with many of my things. There's a market out there that we're all competing with, which is why it encourages us to strive to be as unique as possible.

For example, if it's jewelry that you make, it may take a while before finding the audience looking for your particular style of pendants and whatnot. Once you get it, much of your business will come from your self promotion, but also from their word of mouth.

The truth is, the more you put yourself out there, the more likely you'll get a sale. It's all about advertising.

 

views-I too was alarmed when we lost our viewed numbers a couple of weeks ago. It did seem rewarding to have an increasing number of views (not 300, but large for me). Then I realized, the more views I have on an item, that is the number of people who looked at my item and did not want to buy it. The more views, the more people who have seen my item and don't want it.


I am noticing a pattern- I am optimistic in the morning and pessimistic in the afternoon.

 

I don't understand--your etsy feedback shows that you've already sold 20 items...???

Other than that, I think you should increase your stock of knit/crocheted goods, especially with fall coming up. Your fingerless gloves for example, really caught my eye (I would totally buy them if I could afford it right now!).

 

feedback ratings are from both sales and buys. she probably bought 20 items and got positive feedback for that. Scroll down and it says 0 items sold.

 

^Ohhh now it makes sense, thanks.

 

Not only that, but if it were easy-BILLIONS of people would be throwing cheap nonsense up and getting sales. If someone realized that someone else is making so much money on crafts-they'd whip something up quick and flimsy and sell it cheaper than you. Then, for all of the hard work and effort you put into yours, they are reaping the profits because they're items are less expensive.

It's tough trying to start anything. I'm trying to start my business of selling all natural cleaning products, vitamins, personal care-and so far I've only had people that are "slightly" interested. It takes time.

 

The number one rule about running a business is to promote yourself. If people don't know you are there, they will not be buying from you.

As far as other Etsiers telling you to " stay active in the forums", I personally don't think that does anything. Sure people there will get to know you, but honestly, I don't think it brings the type of sales you need, if you were promoting to places outside of Etsy.

Sadly, those who just go to the forum all day long on Etsy are only selling to other Etsy sellers and it's only 1 or two sales here and there. The whole idea is to sell to a wider market.

Do craft shows, pass out business cards or flyers, network with other crafters/artists, join a street team, contact local shops to see if you can sell there, by ad spaces.....

There are lots of ways to make money selling what you make, you just have to be proactive and work hard at making a name for youself.

 

thanks hipmoon. I'll just have to come out of my shell and start telling everyone about my store.

Do all craft fairs cost a lot to set up a booth (that's the only kind I know about).
I've been wondering if anyone just goes to events and kind of sets up nearby?

 

The prices of booths at craft fairs varies widely, yarrow_sun. There is one coming up in a few weeks here that costs $200 for a booth (eek), but another a little bit later where a booth is only $50. Of course, the one with the $50 booths is smaller scale but it still draws a ton of people and can be a great starting point. I'd look around your area for a small festival to get started.

Going to an event and setting up nearby is a bit of a crafter's faux pas and unfair to those that actually DID pay for a booth.

 

lace- I may try it. our little town just had one (didnt know til it was over though!). I would never try to set up near a craft fair- that would be cheap.
I was wondering about other venues, like concerts, etc.

Good news- I did sell a couple of pendants over the weekend!

 

Hey congratulations on the sales!

Oh ok I see; yeah that would be a bit different.

 

They arrived today and I must say they exceeded my expectations! the pendants are beautiful, everyone must run out and buy these beads!!! Seriously they are so nice and the packaging was lovely. I felt like I was opening a present Thank you for the extra pendant I think it may be my favorite! I'm sure mine is the first of many future sales for you! thanks so much. I love my pendants!