So you’ve decided to start your own Etsy shop? First and foremost, congrats on making such an exciting decision! Etsy has a wonderful community of artists of all mediums and skill levels and a great customer base that appreciates handmade items. But before you start filling your shop with hundreds of items, there are a few things you should really consider before you launch your Etsy shop.
Have realistic expectations for your shop.
No matter what your craft is, having a successful shop on Etsy is not an easy task. Many sellers launch their Etsy shop with the idea that they’ll sell tons of items right away just by listing them. While this is true for some sellers, this is very very rare. Selling on Etsy requires a lot of time and dedication not only in creating new pieces to sell, but also dedicated to listing, communicating with customers and most of all, promotion. Having a realistic expectation for the amount of work you’ll put in will definitely help you with your shop.
Know what your goals are for your Etsy shop.
Everyone’s goals are different on Etsy. Some people start their shops just to get some exposure, others for an internet presence and some to move towards a full-time stay at home job. Whatever your goals are (and I’m sure they will change over time and your success on Etsy), it’s a good idea to know what they are as they will play a role in the amount of time and dedication you’ll put in to your shop.
Have patience.
It’s quite rare that people launch their Etsy shop and immediately start selling consistently. It takes awhile (especially if you do not sell or have not sold anywhere else) to get noticed and establish a steady clientele. Expecting sales the first day, the first week and in some cases, the first month, can really lead to disappointment. Accepting the fact that it may take you weeks or even months to start getting a steady flow of sales will help prevent you from feeling discouraged and disappointed about your Etsy experience.
Have your prices worked out before you start your shop.
There are literally hundreds of thousands of sellers on Etsy. Not every artist is selling on Etsy as a full-time job or to support themselves. Many are hobbyists or are simply working part-time. This means that there is a very very large range of prices for comparable items. Having your own prices worked out can really help you avoid the insecurity of pricing too high or underpricing your items.
Know how to use your camera.
This will save you endless hours of photographing bad pictures and photo editing and listing and really, just a heap of frustration. Learn how to adjust your white balance, EV and macro settings. These things are all key to good photography and good photography is the key to selling on Etsy. Start developing a brand for yourself if you have not already developed one. One of the things I’ve noticed about some of the more successful shops is that they have a consistent look about them, or a noticeable brand. You can see a particular style that is carried out from their banner, avatar, products, photos and even their packaging. This helps make your Etsy shop look attractive to shoppers and more professional, in my opinion. You may not have a complete brand in your mind and it will change as you and your art progress over time, but it is good to keep in mind as you start your shop.
I wish you the best of luck with your new Etsy endeavor! And please, feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
Signing off,
Cathy
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