Any Etsy sellers want to chat / share tips?

[SinkGirl]

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve restarted my Etsy shop (well it has been up and running for five years, but I was pregnant when I started it then I had twins who are both disabled so I haven’t touched it in four years - I’ve just been selling digital downloads, so it’s just been ticking over with very very few sales (about 40 last year).

I’ve added lots of new items including a kit and have been trying to get back into the swing of social media as my pages had died a death. It’s hard going but feel like I’m getting somewhere (have turned over as much in the last month as I did all of last year).

I have a mammoth to-do list including taking all new photos, and restarting my shop selling finished items to run alongside my templates and kits.

I’ve been out of it for so long that I feel like I’m starting from scratch.

Would be lovely to talk to others about how they are doing, share tips on getting the best results, making listings as effective as possible, share info on things like where to order packaging and stuff like that.

Anyway, I’m here if anyone wants to chat :)

Yeah, free delivery to the US just isn’t going to happen for us is it! I wish they’d do it by country since there’s all the banging on about “shop local”.

@UnitedRoad

I’ve never paid to advertise either, and I’m amazed at the people in Etsy Facebook groups who do. Sometimes the people are new sellers with under ten listings! I’m sure there must be a better way.

Do you all use erank? I’ve only just discovered it, and I’m going through each listing checking my tags!

It’s worth it for me especially with my digital listings as the work is already done - I have the lowest budget set and it does lead to sales.

Haven’t tried erank yet, will give it a go.

Hello. Can l join in too! Have a Etsy shop that I really need to get going again, it’s full of allsorts too like the previous poster ( sorry, can’t check your name as it will delete this!)while I find my feet, and like op, and everyone else I suspect have a to do list that’s confusing, long, and a lot of mental blocks! JustGah! Very nice to hear everything being discussed - being on my own I find little challenges get bigger than they need be , and can be resolved so easily with a chat!

I’ve just designed myself the most insanely complicated piece to work on so I can put off taking photos longer... I’m ridiculous 😬

Oh @SinkGirl I feel your pain. Product photos are the hardest part.

I love sewing, and I like packaging up orders, but I hate everything else. To be honest, I get my husband or children to take most of my photos, but they’re not very enthusiastic! There’s nothing worse than creating a new product, and just wanting to get it listed, but first you need to get decent photos.

I joined a Facebook page yesterday where can send your product to a photographer, and they get to keep it in exchange for keeping the product. I thought it might be the answer to my prayers, but I can’t see everyone falling over themselves to take my products on. Most of them cost under £10.

If you want the Facebook page let me know and I’ll find it. I’m probably not going to ever look at it again!

I don’t think it would work well for me either but it’s a good idea!

I’ve started an instagram photography course on Domestika - only a short way in but it’s really helpful so far. It’s just the thought of it really - I’m limited in how I can frame paper cuts for photos due to the annoyance of reflections, framing up loads of things is a pain in the bum at the best of time.

But hey, the pieces I’ve just designed should take at least 90 hours so I will probably have lots of points where taking a few photos seems wise 😬

I've followed you on etsy and Instagram - beautiful papercuts 😍
I find renewing a few listings each day and using the shop updates to share to social media is easiest. I get most traffic via Pinterest.
2 shops, jewellery and crochet items - they both do ok, the crochet is more seasonal though.

Thank you! I don’t do shop updates very often so I need to get on that! I need to bite the bullet and get my photos done. I’ve rewritten most of my listings which definitely seems to have helped (I just looked at people who had much more successful shops than mine!). My conversion rate has definitely gone up and is quite good for Etsy now, but I’m not getting enough visits.

Think I need to go back to selling the finished work but wanted to get all the templates that were partially done listed first. But now I’m obsessed with maps and making too many 😬

@SinkGirl I looked at your Etsy page earlier and wow! Your designs are amazing. You must have incredible patience, and such a steady hand! I love the maps

My shop is ChilliPepperByEmma I’m not putting a link because my shop is really unprofessional compared to yours!!

Love your shop OP I've just liked it!

Mine is www.etsy.com/uk/shop/NamasTClothing

I've got more designs but I've had a tough week and haven't been able to focus.

[quote UnitedRoad]@SinkGirl I looked at your Etsy page earlier and wow! Your designs are amazing. You must have incredible patience, and such a steady hand! I love the maps

My shop is ChilliPepperByEmma I’m not putting a link because my shop is really unprofessional compared to yours!![/quote]
I’m sure it isn’t - and mine isn’t that professional, I desperately need all new photos rather than the haphazard snaps I’m currently taking! Also bear in mind this shop has been there for years with very few sales comparatively but I have made it better over time :)

Please all share your links so I can come and add some favourites!

Oops - posted under my special Line of Duty name by accident 😂

I’ve asked for it to be deleted because it autocorrected and I didn’t notice

www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ChilliPepperByEmma

What are you on about?! Your shop is gorgeous! Beautiful items, too. Looks like you’re doing well with sales too!

Just wondering if anyone here does print to order? Considering expanding to this but not sure who I would use as a print service.

@UnitedRoad your items are so cute!!

Thank you! I know my photos are awful though. I’m slowly updating them but making the items to photograph takes ages

I don't think they are! You've got tons of sales must be doing something right ❤️

Hello! Can I join in?! I have a couple of Etsy shops, one is art prints and print on demand but isn't doing great, I've had it only about 8/9 months. I recently set up a new one selling mock ups for other people to use for their print on demand shops and it's got quite a decent start. I still find Etsy difficult to navigate sometimes and sometimes have good days and then nothing the next!
Chillipepper your shop is gorgeous, I love it! OP, you're very talented!

@weegiepower

Hello! Can I join in?! I have a couple of Etsy shops, one is art prints and print on demand but isn't doing great, I've had it only about 8/9 months. I recently set up a new one selling mock ups for other people to use for their print on demand shops and it's got quite a decent start. I still find Etsy difficult to navigate sometimes and sometimes have good days and then nothing the next! Chillipepper your shop is gorgeous, I love it! OP, you're very talented!

Thanks! Are your prints decent quality? Would love to know who you use, if you’re happy to share! I’m just finally getting more to grips with Illustrator and feel I could design some decent prints but no space for stock!

Your mock ups shop sounds great - this is the route I’ve tried to go down more (templates rather than actual finished pieces, passive income and all that). I think kits, patterns and templates are a really good option. Unfortunately it seems there aren’t that many paper cutters out there - or I can’t get in front of them! Those who buy from me come back, it’s just finding them in the first place that’s really tricky.

I think I need to move into SVGs for cutting machines as there are so many people with them now. But I’ll need to buy a machine to test them which is a big outlay. Plus I really need a new laptop. And to start buying more of my supplies wholesale which is a big investment upfront. Sigh.

@UnitedRoad

Thank you! I know my photos are awful though. I’m slowly updating them but making the items to photograph takes ages

Oops, did it again - keep forgetting!

Your photos are lovely. Photos are the things I dread the most as the light in my house is so bad. Been trying to wait for some better weather so I can take them outside but apparently it’s raining tomorrow and I’ve been too busy today :(

@SinkGirl I got some money for birthday last year and bought a good printer, it wasn't extortionate (£130) but really good quality, and did research into the best paper stock to use, so I think they're good quality! I also offer digital downloads of the same prints. I needed a printer in general otherwise I wouldn't have bought one. My sister gets her stuff printed externally but her stuff is very bespoke and all hand painted so she gets very high quality prints for wedding invites etc!
I did graphic design at uni but after so long away (kids, tough divorce!) I can't really remember how to use illustrator properly, so I use procreate on the iPad! It's much more straight forward but not sure would do what you need to for cutting stuff. But you can design svg's on it.
I think the mock ups are more popular because there's a huge rise in people doing print on demand so people "need" mock-ups, but we'll see! It's a very saturated market!!

@SinkGirl I've found with taking photos which helped is on the floor by the back door, I bought 4 a1 foam boards from hobby craft (click and collect at the mo!) and made a make shift light box, open on the side the door is to let the light in, does that make sense?! The light in awful in my house too and this really makes a big difference!

Thanks I need to experiment! Problem is that I want to take framed photos on the wall but none of my walls get much light. Will try some things tomorrow. Currently working from our teeny round dining table - hopefully we can move next year and I can have my own room!

I’ve actually just bought an A3 printer just so I can print larger templates without having to get them done externally. Do you use gloss paper? I’ve only been using it on my special cutting paper but it’s all just solid colours and black lines so haven’t tried anything fancy yet!