I admit, I'm feeling just a bit discouraged..

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by sunrise on May 12, 2008 at 7:00pm

You have a cute shop! I like the variety of items. I think you are doing all the right things. It's just hard to get noticed. I'm finding it difficult also. I live in a small town and have a very small family. So I'm trying to reach out and promote as much as I can through the internet. Things will get better. Right? :)
dawn

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Liz Davis on May 13, 2008 at 7:44am

Your aprons are very cute! I feel the same way you do too - it is hard to get things rolling and my items have lots of hearts and tons of views. I guess we just have to keep on hanging in there and hope all our efforts will pay off! I think a lot of people are struggling right now. Keep your head up! :)

Etsy Buy Handmade FrayBabyBibsandMore

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carmen on May 13, 2008 at 8:03am

It takes a while to get noticed on Etsy. One week I had 4 sales then it took a month for another one. You won't get noticed just by re-listing items. You have to promote, promote, promote. When you relist it only takes two minutes for your item to be pushed to the 10th page. You're promoting now while your on indiepublic, start a blog, go to other websites and promote your items. The top sellers on esty will tell you that sells come from connections make more connections and get more hearts. Don't give up, you have a great product. Keep pushing forward. Good Luck!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by katelynjane.etsy.com on May 13, 2008 at 10:47am

I dont' think your pictures are TOO bad, but there is definately room for improvement! I love your items and I think you'll do well, it does take some time and a lot of effort though! Don't get discouraged, everyone is in the same boat!

Make sure that you use a lot of natural light in your pictures. Also, try downloading Picasa and alter your pictures. It's really easy to use and will make a huge difference in your shots! And it's free, which is always helpful (:

Try to get a treasury, or treasury west, have a contest, comment constantly in the forums and in the chat rooms, buy showcases (I suggest the main showcase because they get much more views!). Just keep doing all you can, because...that's all you can do!

Good luck!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ticklebones Soap Company on May 13, 2008 at 1:45pm

I have been feeling the same lately. I am rather new to etsy, less than a week. I sold one bar of soap.
;o)

Etsy Buy Handmade Ticklebones

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by fugsly on May 13, 2008 at 3:31pm

That's such a shame about the craft show, I bet you were really excited about that too. Bound to be discouraging but don't let it get to you! You've already been given the main advice, promoting yourself and such like. Have some business cards made up too. Whenever I use one of my bags I tend to gets comments and people ask where I got it - i'm planning on getting cards made up so I can hand them out.

About the photography - just practice. Play with light and setting until you find something that works for you. A good plain background and lots of light. As we're selling online the photographs really have to sell the product. To be honest your photo's are by no means the worst I've seen - i actually saw one shop where the photos were obviously taken with a mobile phone (I shall name no names)!

Your products are really good, the aprons are (as someone else mentioned) especially cute and i bookmarked them for my mum. So anyway, you know your products are worth while, just need to convinve everyone else and get them to notice!

erm, i wrote an essay, sorry about that!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by LuAnn Smith on May 13, 2008 at 3:50pm

Compared to this time last year, my sales are really slow. So don't take it personally. I love your variety and your items look well made. I'm going to work really hard the next few weeks. If sales continue to be this slow. I'm having a big Christmas in July blowout for all my neighbors and friends. Hang in there and good luck!

LuAnn

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by cristinaamador on May 14, 2008 at 2:10pm

Hi! I am also very new to the whole online selling thing and yes, it can be discouraging...
I don't think your pics are bad either, but I had an idea looking at the fabrics and bibs you sell... why not take a creative pic that captures people's attention? For example, take a picture of the bib put on a doll, or a something funny. And then you can have another one of your pics be more detailed. Or maybe place your fabric like a picnic blanket on the park... I don't know if this will work for you, but it's just an idea that came to me. Good luck selling!!

▶ Reply to This