etsy tips

[Vanitha]

This was passed to my group that i belong to..I am gonna follow this after my little break!Thought it might be useful to you all!
1. List daily - one item in the morning, one in the evening works well. Or at least list as often as you can...but one item at a time will keep you from running out of inventory fast, and will also give you the most exposure. The categories aren't as broken up as they are on eBay, and listings are always in the order of most recently listed first. When you list, your things will be on the first page of the category you listed in. People tend to go to a category, and search the first 10 pages or so (unless they do a "tag" search). People list a LOT, so your item that you may have listed 10 minutes ago, might already be on page 4 or 5. The key is to stay on the first 10 pages, as often as you can.

2. Make full use of your "tags" and use key words in your descriptions. You get 14 tags to describe your item, so use them all. Unlike eBay, you don't need to put key words in your title - you can name your item something cutesy in the title, and it won't matter if you fully describe your item in your description and tags.

3. You also get 5 FREE pictures for each listing - use them all if you can! Show close-ups, different views, seams, etc.

4. Promote your store. There are so many ways to do this, and I can't say I've done them all, but maybe I will! Post in the forums - there is a promotions section there, and you can join in to any thread that has a "theme" that your item will fit in. Or just join in on the chatter in the other forums. Be aware though, that Etsy is much more "free" in what they allow in their forums....there are some very opinionated people there, and they have the right to free speech. Be careful as to which topics you post in! ;-) I have participated in a few threads, but they have mostly been "fun" ones to avoid any controversy (but the controversial ones are FUN to read LOL). When you post in the forums, BELIEVE ME, people will click on your shop name or avatar, and go look at your shop!
You can join Flickr groups - a place to post photos. They are really popular with Etsy people, and there are Flickr "groups" that Etsy people participate in. If you decide to get a Flickr account, I'll send you links to some of the groups I'm in.
Of course, a website, blog, web ring or mailing list is good too....but I really think that the forums give you the most exposure. There's a lot more....I'll think of them as I get more coffee in my system.

5. I would start with listing some items that are low priced....maybe some things you've had for a while that you are willing to "clearance", or small items that you can make up quickly. Just as with any other place, we all start out with 0 feedback, and need to build it up. Buy some small items from other sellers too - it builds up feedback, and shows a good working relationship. My 2nd ID on Etsy has only one seller feedback - the rest are all from things I bought from others.

6. Be sure to fill in the information in your profile, even if your intro is short and sweet, it's better than nothing. Use a banner and avatar, fill in your location, etc. (People REALLY want to know your location!) The only things I haven't done are my gender, birthday and favorite materials - everything else has something filled in.

thx

[Amber427]

Those are all excellent tips!

I do everything listed ^^^ and it really helps.

[slmmm]

Great tips thanks!

[Princess Babies Bowtique]

thanks! that's a great list!

[Wendy523]

Thank you! I've been using most of those tips except for the flicker and myspace kind of stuff.


Could I get permission to copy that info and post it to the HGDT forum?

[Kimm57]

Thanks- those are helpful tips. I am trying to get my shop up and running as soon as I can create an avatar and banner!

[Vanitha]

hey wendy!the member said it was passed to her by one of her friend! So i think it shdnt be a problem! but to make sure i will ask her! thanks

[Vanitha]

hi wendy! she is so happy to know abt this..It is for all the "etsy members", you can use them in your forum! thanks