Comments on: Making 3000 Sales (or More) on Etsy

By: Michelle Boucher-Garrison

Michelle Boucher-Garrison — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 19:19:02 +0000

Great info. I’ve had an etsy site for nearly 2 years. 1st year, 50 sales, 2nd year, 100 sales. I have a range price points. I am still having issues with pictures. Bought a light box but I’m still not satisfied. (It’s probably my camera but I’m not in a position to buy expensive equipment).
But, my question is: if you have a new site, how long should do you leave an item up for sale if there isn’t much interest?
Thanks
Michelle

By: Ken

Ken — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 04:15:26 +0000

I have a jewelry shop on Etsy that has made over 8000 sales in 2 1/2 years. The things that were important in getting there was:
1. GREAT product photos
2. Great use of RELEVENT keywords in titles, descriptions, shop announcemment, about profile and anywhere you can. Don’t over do it though.
3. PROMOTED LISTINGS. I currently have a spend rate during the holiday season of $300 per day and the 3 weeks before Christmas I average 50-70 sales a day @ $35 average sale.

By: Deirdre

Deirdre — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 06:48:04 +0000

Thanks for the great article. I had to rename my shop since another artist was using my name, so I am using the opportunity to rebrand, take better photos etc. It is difficult to compete on etsy, but I still think it is worth it. I am looking for another site or my own domain for some of the more artisan pieces. Social media is a good way to drive interest to your site, especially instagram.

By: Sayoko Bunch

Sayoko Bunch — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 14:03:35 +0000

Great article. One facet you don’t mention in your article is the breadth of the Etsy buyer base. I realize you don’t sell on Etsy, but Etsy does a good job of bringing in buyers from abroad. I recently scanned through my 2015 sales and quickly noticed buyers from at least 15 countries.

As you mentioned, hot selling items can make an Etsy store. I have been amazed at how many of the same item I sell on Etsy. Thanks again for the great article.

By: Carla Garro

Carla Garro — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 17:12:10 +0000

What great tips! Thank you for this information. I have a website and an etsy shop and just started really working with etsy over the past few months. I am sure I will re-visit this information and apply it to both websites! I think it is so important to always listen to what the customer wants …. good & bad feedback can always be helpful. Thanks again, I always enjoy reading what you post!

By: shayzecreations

shayzecreations — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 17:58:38 +0000

Thanks for this write up. am planning to start selling on etsy and this post has been helpful so i can tidy up things well. Photography for me needs to be improved cos that has been a little challenge for me even on my facebook page. Hope to improve by posting frequently. Got some encouragement here too. much love.

By: Andi

Andi — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 18:19:26 +0000

Great information. I would add that etsy features the same jewelry stores over and over again. When I log onto etsy it always suggest that “I may like these stores” The stores they keep recommending are always the same few stores which have the 3000+ sales. It is huge advantage to certain shops.

By: May Thompson

May Thompson — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 00:49:05 +0000

This has really helped and inspired me for my store

By: V

Sun, 22 Mar 2015 16:06:13 +0000

Dear Sarah:
How many of those relatives are currently running successful jewelry businesses? Isn’t it incredible how much “advice” you get from people who only shop for jewelry at Wal-mart or the mall, who haven’t the slightest clue how to build a piece, ship it, or pack it, build it again, etc. who think they have any qualifications or insight what so ever to tell you what to do! Congratulations. You already have the most important piece which is to line up with and listen to yourself. Once you’re in that good place, you’ll know what good advice is coming to you. You are already a success. Go get ’em!

By: Brenda Spiekermann

Brenda Spiekermann — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 18:26:09 +0000

I sold a total of one item in 6 months on etsy. This was my second try with them. I noted that the majority of the best selling shops are from China and not by crafters like myself. My comments were not welcome. In fact I was spoken to harshly in an email from Etsy. I have no problems at craft shows selling my jewelry.

By: Slavic Sun

Slavic Sun — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:15:41 +0000

We are trying to sell beautiful handmade fashion jewelry on etsy and finding it hard to make sales. Though it sells itself very well at retail stores.

By: Peggy Heckman

Peggy Heckman — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 04:09:44 +0000

Thank you for all of your advice. I have also read through a few of the comments and have found that information helpful also. I have also read Etsy sellers need to increase their SEO…so I have been looking into doing that and trying to make better use of my tags…also posting my photos on places like flickr…when I do that I drive a lot of traffic into my shop almost instantly….it’s so exciting to watch the number of views rise so rapidly.

By: Suzanne Day

Suzanne Day — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 03:09:59 +0000

Hi, I’m a new seller to Etsy. I don’t find the process hard because I am having fun and wanted to make items anyway, regardless of having an Etsy store. I’m excellent at promoting and marketing but still working up listings in the shop. Good post! One thing I noticed is that when first building your shop, you need to do variety to find out what it is the customers want. When you know the answer to that, then you make more of it.

By: Mindi Ellis

Mindi Ellis — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 21:13:06 +0000

Hi All! Some very good points and questions here,Rita/Rena! Thank you for taking the time to share with those of us who seem to be struggling to become way more successful than we have..I have a pet peeve right now,and not even sure how to do a search..on the subject of how do you come up with good ‘tag’ names..I bet it takes me an hour just to upload an item on Etsy,for instance,just trying to create good descriptions,and tags,which for the most part,I am in the haze about,,no idea if I am doing it right or not..I’m guessing ‘NOT’..as I do not make many sales..I have been with Etsy 3 years now,and probably made 6 sales..3 from relatives!! 🙂 I think the idea of uploading up to 100 items/a cycle at .20 a piece,is pretty expensive,especially if your don’t make the money back that it cost to list your item…Many of us,I know,have less than a shoe-string budget,,especially with todays’ material prices..[which have totally become absurd!!]But,as of today [10-2-14] silver for instance was at or below 17 dollars/troy oz..so,,hopefully,this will reflect in lower prices for the rest of the year! [crossing my fingers!!]..And agreeing with a poster from the U.K..and ‘Anonymous’…indeed! what we do is very labor intensive,again,,the time it takes to photograph,AFTER trying to come up with a good background to showcase your item,unless you have one of those pricey new gadgets,like a mini-studio,,then,edit your photos,,next,think about what you want to ‘title’ your item,etc,etc..I truly am exhausted after managing to list 1-3 items!! I do wonder about some of the stores not having many variations..you say,and selling lots..it seems a contradiction in providing a variety,,?? Confused here,lol! Many of us are really ‘serious’ about learning our trade,and love to do what we can to improve ways to sell…but I have found many times,that most ‘free’ information is just a way to get you to buy those ‘secrets of selling’ dvds/tutorials…just don’t have the extra money,or time..Just a few simple basics like your provided here seems the perfect remedy..However,I don’t know where one finds out what a customer wants??
And to the person who wondered how to ad a review to your listing,,I’m not exactly sure,but I think you would copy and paste it onto your description page??? I’ll have to try that myself and see..so much to learn,every day.it is daunting,and hopefully will be rewarding in the long run…Great comments here all! It is really very helpful! I am so happy I found this page!
Best Wishes All ! 🙂

By: Brenda Spiekermann

Brenda Spiekermann — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 20:05:16 +0000

Great information. Etsy did nothing for me I suppose due to the fact that my photography was not the best. I love making different designs and think I will stick to local venues for now as I am a retired nurse as of this year. I want to have a Christmas in July sale at my home. Does anyone have ideas for this type of sale? Thank you so much for sharing all the selling points. Brenda’s Beads.

By: Sue Henne

Sue Henne — Wed, 28 May 2014 10:42:38 +0000

I have learned so much from this article and comments. I, too, am on Etsy and am just beginning to experience regular attention and sales. Heather, one way I’ve gotten 5 star reviews posted by customers is that I accompany each sold item with a personal note that guarantees total satisfaction with my piece. I also offer to do any repairs for free should it ever become necessary. Then I ask them to give me a good review if they are happy. It is also very valuable to learn how to make a Treasury on Etsy–many more views afterward.
I also spend $6 a week on Etsy ads–that gets more folks to my site. If I just make one sale a month, it is worth it!
Thanks for all these great tips, everyone.

By: Pilar

Pilar — Sat, 10 May 2014 04:47:11 +0000

Thanks for the advice :o)

By: Heather Toepfer

Heather Toepfer — Wed, 07 May 2014 21:42:33 +0000

Good insight! I do sell on Etsy also but my sales are not near where I would like them to be. I currently do not work and have been putting my time and effort into my shop to make it better every day! I wish there was a way I could know what to do to make my shop better to get at least 1 sale everyday.
Thanks!

By: Kendra

Kendra — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 17:34:15 +0000

Hi 😉 great post and info. I appreciate your sharing the research! :-)))
<3 <3
Kendra

By: Rocks Delux Jewels

Rocks Delux Jewels — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 10:34:02 +0000

Hi! Thanks for this! Always love reading about tips & I try to be active on Etsy but so far not so great so am always open to help tips like these!

One question:
You mention: “Post feedback about your products on your store; it gives credibility”
How do you post this ‘yourself’? I thought this was only done by people who have purchased from you?
I ask customers but they don’t always do it 🙁
Thank you!

By: Angela McDougall

Angela McDougall — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 09:58:41 +0000

Rita Juhlin,

THANK YOU so very much for being so kind and thoughtful in trying to help us out there trying to make it!

Your information was very well presented and was very very IMPERATIVE to creating a successful business online!

I too have summed up these points in what I have noticed to be successful ON ETSY …….and am FINALLY gearing my shop towards this gathered research!!

THANK YOU AGAIN

LOve and LIght

ANgela

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 10:35:50 +0000

Some friends of mine have suggested that I sell on Etsy when I first started making jewelry. I stayed away from Etsy because I felt that there were so many, almost too many, jewelers and it would be difficult to stand out in that crowd. I have also read recently that Etsy has delivered somewhat of a low blow to the homemade market. Specifically, Etsy is going to allow sellers to outsource manufactured products. Which I think means that competition will be against mass produced , big business products. Don’t know exactly what the impact of this will be.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 17:36:30 +0000

That you for your article Rita, that is certainly food for thought, and makes me think I should certainly consider using Etsy for my products on my own personal jewellery website, I have only just started, and it is very difficult with so much competition for personalised jewellery on the internet. But on the second hand, I want my website to stand out from the others, not blend in with every one elses products – so something to think long and hard about.
Jackie
The Design Station Ltd

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 03:18:31 +0000

Thanks for the great article! I am constantly looking to improve my shop. I have only had my site open for a couple of months, but I had almost 6,000 views. I think interacting with others in groups, making business cards and letting people know about your site works well. Also, whenever I add a new listing I post it to facebook, twitter, instagram, and pinterest…I think the social marketing aspect helps tremendously as well.

Thanks,

Amanda

By: Ji Davis

Ji Davis — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 14:52:43 +0000

I have had my ETSY shop open just a couple of months now and have 4 sales under my belt. I have a looooooong way to go but am so excited to have gotten things up and running. Articles like this one help me stay excited and motivated to continue pursuing my goals and dreams.

By: Giftbearer

Giftbearer — Sat, 03 Aug 2013 05:24:30 +0000

This blog post has much more specific information than many of these other articles about selling on Etsy! Thanks!

By: Elizavella

Elizavella — Wed, 10 Jul 2013 14:49:21 +0000

Thanks for the insight 🙂 I have been on Etsy for awhile now and every little bit of info helps.

By: Elaine Mingus

Elaine Mingus — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:44:29 +0000

I’ve just started selling on Etsy and offline at local markets. I have learned a lot by having a booth near this guy who had a “Bolivian” theme. We both signed up at the same time (near the end of sign up time) and got crappy locations at the Fourth of July festival. Despite all odds he did well (probably not as well as he could have given a better location). Our booth was behind others and totally not visible. I posted a sign that said “more vendors” with an arrow (which helped). But he had this theme going that no one else had going. There were many jewelry vendors at the fair but he had a theme that transported people (metaphorically) to Bolivia. He played his flute to accompany his music he was selling which drew a crowd (as they passed me completely up…despite my super cute booth). He was selling a couple items that I was selling…at the same price, but people still bought from him because he was giving them “an experience” that made them feel they were supporting his family in Bolivia (despite some of his items being wholesale). His flutes were starting at $35 and his purses were $20…people didn’t even flinch at the price. It amazed me. I didn’t lose money that day, luckily, but the true value of being at the fair was seeing what I was doing wrong. I had a front row seat to what HE was doing right. I was something NO class could have ever taught me about marketing for having a booth at a fair. It was amazed and humbled. I have come away a better salesman because I will be looking for something my audience is asking for…an experience…not a sale.

By: Chan

Chan — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 01:51:40 +0000

Great post – with some really valuable advice and tips 🙂
Really inspires me to work harder on my shop!

Chan

By: Terri Sands

Terri Sands — Sun, 23 Jun 2013 03:39:29 +0000

First off thank you for another great article. I learn so much from your postings. In this case thank you also to those who have replied as I have learned even more :). I just wanted to add something that I have started to do that has increased my Etsy store views. I began to promote my items within Etsy using the offered “search ads” and I chose the listings that I have that correspond to specific holidays. Just recently I promoted my Mothers Day items and for June I promoted dads, grads and brides. I always pick up a sale or two from doing that and I recommend trying it. I believe that the more that you are seen then the better you are remembered. But number 1 thing that really helps my sales is that I have a very quick turnaround for custom pieces…….1-3 days! My competitors are all booked for the last minute and that is the market I am shooting for. One other thing is I am very responsive to any inquiries and I try to engage my potential customer in very friendly and professional way. And don’t give up……I barely sold anything the first year and somehow within two weeks just before Mothers Day I was blessed with over 100 sales. Hang in there, always look for ways to improve and stay connected 🙂

Terri

By: Brenda

Brenda — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 20:11:29 +0000

I’m just getting over the 2600 sales hump. It’s good to read advice but it’s impossible to follow everything, it’s best to try different methods and see what works for you. I rarely advertise other than word of mouth and consistently increase my sales each year (I don’t look too closely weekly to monthly because it can vary so much, it will drive you crazy) at a steady pace.

By: Shanna

Shanna — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:02:30 +0000

Thank-you for taking the time to share your research. I am trying to build my Betsy shop : Mommies and Beyond. I spend many hours advertising, networking and studying the niche that Ian interested in. I began my shop two years ago, featuring primarily antique and vintage items. I found the experience to be frustrating. Hit and miss at best. I didn’t have a passion to focus primarily on that type of an item. I finally discovered the market that I enjoy. I need to beef up my stock, express creativity and upgrade my offerings. Your research has provided me with solid information that is valuable. Thank-you.

By: Jim Davis

Jim Davis — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:06:40 +0000

I just opened my shop on ETSY a couple of days ago and the points being discussed here have been extremely valuable. It has given me, and I am sure others too, lots of areas to look at and improve.

Thanks so much

Jim Davis

By: Brett

Brett — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:46:13 +0000

Hi, Rita – thanks so much for sharing your research with us! I’m a new shop owner on Etsy. My goal isn’t to quit my day job, but to be able to sell a few things here and there that will help justify the time I spend on my hobby, and will give me an excuse to buy more tools! I found your article and research very helpful as I venture into the world of jewelry on Etsy.

Thank you!

–Brett

By: Pamela

Pamela — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:34:47 +0000

Great information Jennifer! What are your websites? I would like to take a look.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:32:22 +0000

Thanks for this article. Great jump off point to get people sharing ideas. I have found the most important piece for me (over 1500 sales in one year) is to market outside of Etsy. I post my items up on as many pin board type sites as I can find, Pinterest.com, Wish.com, Wanelo.com, Loveit.com…… The list goes on.

The second best driver of traffic to my site is the proper use of tags so people can find you.

Find blogs to do reviews and offer give aways. People love free stuff and bloggers are always needing content.

Finally, having something unique. It is tempting to copy but having your own style makes your shop stand out.

By: Judy Rosmarin

Judy Rosmarin — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:07:00 +0000

Thank you for all your wonderfull comments. It’s inspiring and very helpfull. I just started making jewelry – decideing to retire (maybe) from my current job in real estate. Following this conversation I was wondering if you could explain how to sign up and get started on Etsy. Thank you

By: Pamela

Pamela — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:52:14 +0000

Great information and insight. I tend to agree with “anonymous”, Etsy seems like it is a lot of work for not much profit. There are so many people selling jewelry on Etsy it can be a daunting task to stand out in that crowd. I do not have an Etsy shop and may consider it.