Monday 11 March 2013

Etsy Extaordinaire #2: Make Something Worth Selling

Etsy extraordinaire


PIXIE’s Guide to Becoming An Etsy Extraordinaire, Or How To Run a Successful Online Shop

Here's the second edition to my 10-part series on running and Etsy shop. Click here to follow the series!

#1. Make Something Worth Selling

This one seems pretty basic but is probably the most challenging! To have a successful Etsy shop you're gonna have to make some pretty amazing things! Make it so people have to have your special goodies because they're just that fabulous. Now, this doesn't mean you have to be selling diamond encrusted chocolate-scented underwear (too many positives make a negative?)!

You're gonna have to put a tonne of hard work into designing, developing and creating whatever amazing things you'll be selling! A good rule of thumb is to make something that you'd pay good money for. Make something unique. Take care to make it special and beautiful. 

If you want to get a high number of sales (which as a shop owner you should!) it's a good idea to make your products easy to make and not too time consuming. Sure, it's nice to have some things that take extra time to create and these can big your 'big ticket' items but mostly you should aim to have affordable products that don't take hours to make. If something takes a hour to make and you're only charging $10 for it then something is wrong! 

Your customers are gonna be handing over their hard earned cash so make sure what you're selling not only deserves it but is also so amazing that everyone just has to have it (and in every colour too!). 

So, what are you waiting for? Get creating!

Gabi
x

6 comments:

  1. But what if you do make items that are worth money but no sales are coming in?

    xoxo
    -Jemima

    https://www.etsy.com/shop/happyflowerdesigns?ref=si_shop

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    1. Hi Jemima
      You have such a lovely shop! It's so well set out and has really great, clear photos, too.

      I went to a free etsy shop critque thing at the end of last year and the first thing the lady said about my shop was that I needed photos on people. I've been working on that (and still have a lot more to do!) and it is really time consuming but is priceless for the customers as they really need to know about how it might look on them. Buying over the interent makes it unable for people to look closely and try things on,

      I recommend taking a few simple photos of your beautiful hair ties and head bands in use. Your products are really unique and so I'm interested to see how they would look! It's a good idea to use as many of the 5 photos you're allowed as possible. These pictures are all people see before they commit to buying from you so make sure you give all the details and make them fall in love too!

      I'll be doing a post on photography in a few weeks. I hope this was helpful for you

      Gabi
      x

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  2. I understand that selling vintage is a little different (eg. not made by you). But do you think the same rules apply, like finding good quality items?

    Thanks,

    Zara
    https://www.etsy.com/shop/crowningstore

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    Replies
    1. Hi Zara

      Vintage is a little different because you aren't making something from scratch but I think the same principles apply. Whenever you're curating stock you should try and think about a general look for your shop and get things that are cohesive and in good condition. I think you've done this really well with your shop. Your photography is really nice and clear and the items all look lovely! As your shop is fairly new it can take time for people to find you so definately do a bit of internet socialising. I'll be posting about this soon too so hopefully that might be of use to you.

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  3. thanks for this series Gabby, you literally started when I just opened my shop and was about to email you for advice. I guess one issue I'm having (but maybe you will address) is getting more traffic and also learning more about branding.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Melina! I'm definately gonna be covering traffic in the coming weeks. It can be really hard and is always something I'm working at!

      x

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