Monday 4 March 2013

Etsy Extraordinaire #1: Ready? Set? Go?!

etsy extraordinaire




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

Hi! This is the first part of a 10-part series, in which I’ll let you know all the snippets I’ve learnt in my first year of running and Etsy shop. You can find the post introducing the series…here!


#1. Ready? Set? Go?!

My highschool Accounting teacher used to say ‘failure to plan is planning to fail.’ It’s a whopper of a cliché and more than a little bit cheesy but, as a long-time lover of all romantic comedies ever, I can a few cheesy clichés.

Before you open your amazing shop you’re gonna have to do your homework first. Research shops you admire and those targeting a similar demographic, write lists, create beautiful moodboards, dream up your collections, go crazy on Pinterest and make as many brilliant products as you possibly can! (More on this next week!).

In your preparation, try to develop a clear aesthetic and unique branding for your shop. This sounds pretty heavy but these are probably things that you already half decided on. Things like colour schemes and overall branding just come with developing your shop. It’s your ‘vibe’ and you’ve got to kind of exaggerate it so customers know exactly what you’re all about at just a glance.

You don’t have to perfect this right now. I’ve learnt that branding tends to develop itself. I’m still forever tweaking my shop and trying to develop my very own cohesive brand. Although, my photography ‘skills’ have improved, placing the handwritten logo in the centre of product photos was in my very first listing and it is still something I use to this day! Come up with a colour scheme and aesthetic that makes your listings immediately identifiable, makes your products pop and your heart flutter. 

x

9 comments:

  1. Thank you Gabriella! I really can't wait to read all the lessons!
    xxxx

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  2. I've gotten so many messages asking me for shop advice and always feel a little frazzled when I try and answer. Now I know where to send them to! This is a super great and helpful post :0) xo

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    1. Thanks Jenny! I'm no expert (or extraordinaire, haha) but I thought it would be nice to share what I've learnt. Do you have an etsy shop too?

      x

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    2. Yeah I do! I'm hoodratroughdiamond ^ . ^ I got a Spice Girls cameo bracelet from your shop, and it's beauteous xo

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    3. Really! I didn't even realise, I freaking love your shop <3

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    4. Thank youuu. I love yours too! I've had my eye on your Freaks and Geeks zine and some pom-pom socks for a long time now. I wanted to do my own zine but I can't find the confidence yet, wahh xo

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    5. :))) You should do one! I've wanted to do loads for ages but it is kind of weird. It seems really personal to me, I don't know why, but I was re-watching the series and just got overcome with my love for it, haha.

      It's so gratifying to finish one though, I definately plan on making more x

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  3. Looking forward to reading these.
    Fellow etsian.

    www.louiseandco.etsy.com

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