Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Starting your Etsy shop


I think it is the dream of many women to have their own little shop. I know it is one of mine. Here is what i have learned so far about the process.

  1. You need to have a design and a product that nobody has, copying is not cool and most products have a copyright. You don't want to waist money and time making something and have bad publicity coming back to you. Do you homework.
  2. If you design, copyright it. See the top right of my blog and click on the copyright website. My blog is all my invention and copyright. I want to protect it. You can protect your invention with a picture of it too.
  3. Start small. finding the same material for a lot of pieces is hard and will take time. If you can, that's great. Do not invest too much money in it. You want it to be a good experience, even if it takes some time to start.
  4. Take great pictures.
  5. Start your Etsy boutique. It is very easy.
  6. Have a great photo representing what you sell.
  7. Start your shop.
  8. Etsy will advertise for you and you can also ask your friends with blogs to talk about it, have a giveaway on a blog to celebrate.
  9. Be patient and don't give up.
Hubby has started and has been successful with all his businesses. I know by experience that a business takes about 5 years to start paying bills. You have to be passionate, believing in it, work hard, patient and have a great idea to start. Make friends with your crafter community and partner with them...And follow your guts...You can't go wrong...Life is a learning Journey, there is no failure, just learning..:)

this is a learning experience for me too and a fun one....I can do it watching Tom and Jerry with my 2 year old. HAHAHA
I am almost there.....

10 comments:

Jackie said...

I was just on my way over to Etsy, when I saw your post. I've been wanting to do it for awhile. Still in the planning stage. Thank you for your advice!

Julie Harward said...

Lots of good pointers here...I don't have to worry about it though..I have no crafting talent at all! LOL

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Great post and lots of good pointers. I always wanted to do it but never took the leap.
I am excited about you being my next guest...not sure what day but when its up I will shoot you an email..
I always enjoy stopping by your site.
Love
Maggie

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

Hello there! Your advice is good with the exception of thinking Etsy will promote or advertise for you. It is pure luck to end up on the front page, which is the most coveted form of Etsy promo. You need to promote yourself..morning, noon and night. No one is going to knock down your shop door...you need to aggressively drag them into your shop. I have learned this from experience. It has been about 18 months and I am just now carving a niche for myself, which is fine..you need time to settle in and get your Etsy feet wet...so to speak. Advertise your listings on the forums, Facebook and Twitter. I warn newbies to stay away from the Critique section of the forums. I have gotten more bad advice than good..thank the lord I never followed the 'bad'.

Ronda Laveen said...

Thanks for this information. It is really great! Good luck.

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

Oooops..did not mean to publish so quickly..wanted to add..Have a good week and thank you for the post ;-)

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

That is all very good advice!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

At the encouragement of my blog followers, I opened my etsy shop just a few months ago. I'm still learning and your post today really helps.
Thanks for the good tips.

hugs
Sissie

Unknown said...

Janet, Thank you for more advise...Sissie, i am so glad you did :)

Tracy said...

Interesting!! Good Luck!! Can't wait to see your "goods"!! :-)

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