My Etsification

So, I broke down and started an Etsy shop. And now I'm hooked. It really is an addiction: the thrilling endorphin rush when you've made a sale, the constant checking to see who "hearts" my shop, the shakes that come from too many hours spent away from the Internet, and the crushing downers of a week with no sales.

I crochet constantly: between classes, in bed, on the bus. It's a positive feedback cycle. Etsy creates an outlet for my love of crochet, and the fact that I'm now selling my work and managing a shop drives me to crochet even more. At this rate, statistics predict that I'll have gnarled evil witch hands by January 1, 2010.

I'm far from an expert, and I'm certainly not a seasoned seller with 2,000 sales under my belt. But I can offer some advice from my few months in the Etsy "biz." Take these ten points as the crazed cat-lady rantings of someone who is now, perhaps, a bit too obsessed with Etsy and spends waaay too much time on the site. For the record, I've learned most of this stuff the hard way...and the rest from other sellers who've learned it the hard way, and shared their tales in the forums. For the most part, the joke's on me.

1. Take cool pictures.
Seems obvious, right? Don't take a picture of your pretty scarf in front of a cluttered background. It doesn't look so great when a prospective buyer sees your product displayed proudly in front of a pile of dirty dishes and a stained ashtray. Don't upload fuzzy pictures (the macro function is your best friend!). Natural light is gorgeous. Show a live model using whatever it is you're selling (and be sure to mark it "mature" if you're selling hand-sculpted wooden dildos, ok?). Create a nifty avatar and shop banner-- even if you have to recruit a friend who's skilled in the art of Photoshop.

2. Market yourself.
When I first opened my shop, I had a two-sentence shop description and pretty boring descriptions of all of my items. I went about two months with no sales. Then one day, I decided to flesh out my shop's description: my background, my aesthetic inspirations, and my philosophy. I emphasized my use of recycled and vintage materials. And in my individual item descriptions, I went into greater detail about materials, my inspiration for creating the item, and potential uses. I added sections to my shop (scarves, accessories, etc.). Later that day, I made my first two sales. Now, the sales may not have been related to the changes I made in my shop. But the coincidence is striking, no?

3. Tag wisely.
Make full use of the 14 tags you can give every item. Color, texture, style, use, aesthetic (steampunk, rave, gothic lolita, etc.), gender/unisex, etc. If you sell a lot of knitted items, mix up the first ("category") tag you apply to your products. For some of your items, categorize them under "knitting"; for others, use things like "accessories."

4. Advertise.
Build a following for your work. Start a Facebook page, link to Twitter. If you keep a blog, connect it to your shop. Use the Etsy showcase to publicize the items you're most proud of.

5. Offer deals.
Free shipping, package deals... Especially around the holidays, these will draw people to your store and hook them in!

6. Keep a budget.
Keep track of your supplies, shipping, packaging, shop upkeep fees, Paypal fees, sales, etc. It's super-easy to do with Excel, and it will help you plan ahead.

7. Don't price yourself too low.
I really screwed up on this one at first. I think that as a new seller, you often assume that you need to under-price your products. Maybe it's insecurity, maybe it's out of a desire to build a following. But make sure that your price takes into account both materials and labor. Besides, low prices often imply low quality, and higher prices suggest just the opposite!

8. Connect with customers.
Follow up with people who make purchases from your shop. Say thank you; add extra things to your packages to show that you care (a thank-you note, a little trinket, a business card, a hand drawing). The great thing about Etsy is that it connects to you to artisans around the world. It's more personal than shopping at a department store. So capitalize what makes Etsy special and build connections. Make sure to get feedback on your sales and your purchases: potential buyers are more willing to make a purchase when they see that you have a good feedback record.

9. Custom work, etc.
Offer custom designs. If someone you know wants a project on commission, ask them to go through Alchemy on Etsy. That way, even special projects will show up in your sales.

10. Chill the f*** out and enjoy yourself!
It's fun to run an Etsy shop. Have fun experimenting with new, quirky designs. Don't freak out if you haven't made a sale-- everything takes time. And don't forget why you went into business in the first place: because you love to create.

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I sell handmade crochet and felted accessories. Check out my shop, Risque Crochet! For more info, visit my blog: The Vintage Glue.

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