I am writing a weekly spot on my South East Idaho Etsy blog called Friday Featured Shop, in which, I talk with fellow etsy sellers about their about their achievements on their etsy shop. I ask them a variety of questions, questions I believe new shop owners would be asking, had they the chance. And that's when it hit me! I am one of those new shops! I had the answers I needed right in front of me. These veteran shops were telling me, straight to my face, what needed to be done to make MY shop a success. Needless to say, I was feeling a little silly. Here I was, packing up shop, when I had awesome people sharing their stories of profit and success with me, and basically,handing me a blueprint for a winning business strategy. So, after I removed my dunce cap and unpacked my tulle, I decided my revelation should be shared! Let's jump right in!
1. PATIENCE
Katy was OUT! ......... Wrong! Patience is something I sorely lack. I was thinking that success was as simple as clicking 'Publish', and the sales would just come rolling in! But, if no one knows about my shop, how can I possibly hope to make a sale? And what hope would I have if I CLOSED my shop? Zero! Statistically, if you can brave the slow months when it seems all customers have disappeared, you will be rewarded later on. When you feel like giving up, like I did, ask yourself, "How may sales can I make if I have no shop for people to buy from?"
But patience isn't just sitting around and waiting and hoping that a sale will cross your path. You must be an active shop owner. Which brings me to number two in this blueprint.
2. NETWORKINGBut patience isn't just sitting around and waiting and hoping that a sale will cross your path. You must be an active shop owner. Which brings me to number two in this blueprint.
This as been the number one piece of advise I have gotten from almost all the shop owners. Using social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Pintrest are excellent (not to mention free!) ways to promote your brand. You would simply be a fool to pass up on the opportunity to share your product on high traffic sites like these. Starting a Facebook page featuring your items is so simple and gives all your friends, family and everyone who 'likes' your page an update every time you create something new. There is also an option to post your new material straight from etsy to your Facebook page. I have personally not entered the Twitter scene, as I am a bit daunted and a little confused by the whole thing, but I have heard from those who are familiar with it that it is a very effect marketing tool. Blogging, like this one you are enjoying now, is yet another totally effective AND completely free way to advertise your brand. I am slowly entering this high-tech world. Contributing to this blog was just one more tiny step I made to help myself get more comfortable with using the internet to my advantage. You too can create a customer base using this very effective tool. If you want your product to succeed take a deep breath and dive into the internet.3. JOIN AN ETSY TEAM
You aren't the only one who wants you to succeed. Your family, friends and your fellow etsy teammates want to see you make the most of your business. Use this resource to help get your name out there. Give free product to your family and friends to wear around town and let your free walking billboards do the hard work for you. Participate in your etsy team by liking their items and adding people to your circle, they will almost certainly do the same for you. I am encouraged daily by my family and etsy teams members. Now, when I am feeling down, I turn to my family and etsy teammates for encouragement and answers. Use this valuable resource!
In conclusion, I would like to say that I have learned a very valuable lesson. Running a business is no cake walk and if you want it to be a success, you have to put hard work and a lot of time into it. These are just a sampling of the things that need to be done. Be creative and seize opportunities when they arise. You and your business will thank you for it. Preferably in dollars!
