etsy

4 Reasons to Sell Your Crafts on Etsy

April 25, 2016 by S. Denise Hoyle Leave a Comment

Craft fairs are a wonderful way to both market and sell your crafts—but some people simply do not have the time or the money to put up a booth at such fairs. More and more entrepreneurs are beginning to sell their items online. One website very popular among small businesses and hobbyists is Etsy.com.

Here are some reasons why, like other crafters, you too might want to sell your items on Etsy:

1) Etsy is a marketplace for all things handmade.

Unlike other online marketplaces, you won’t find mobile phones, DVDs or various retail items for sale on this website. Etsy.com is a website specifically for both buyers and sellers of handmade items, vintage items, and all sorts of craft supplies.

2) You are catering to your target market.

There’s no guarantee that you’ll make a sale on Etsy—but you can at least be assured that people who browse Etsy love crafts and all things handmade and vintage just as much as you do.

3) Buying and selling on Etsy is easy.

It only takes a few minutes to set up your Etsy shop. You can even choose to customize your online store with your profile and a banner image. Uploading your product descriptions and images are easy and will not take up a lot of time.

4) You are joining a community.

By choosing to sell your items on Etsy, you are not creating just another account, but are joining a community, as well. You can ask for feedback or suggestions from other knowledgeable sellers on the Etsy forums, or even collaborate with other people on Etsy whose style or products complement your style or items.

Similarly, purchasing items on Etsy is also easy. Prices of items appear in the buyer’s local currency, making shopping convenient, fun and quick. Thousands of people shop on Etsy on a daily basis because it is the go-to online marketplace for all things handmade. If you want to start selling your crafts on the Internet, Etsy is truly the best place to start.

The above information is an excerpt from our book “How To Sell Your Handmade Items” – this book is full of information on HOW and WHERE to sell your handmade items! We have some wonderful places to sell your products that I’ll bet you’ve NEVER heard of — and they are some great places to sell!

5 Tips to Selling Successfully on Etsy

July 26, 2012 by S. Denise Hoyle Leave a Comment

Thousands and thousands of users from all around the world have been very successful at selling their handmade items on Etsy, and you can be one of them. Whether you’re selling jewelry, paper products or even furniture, here are some tips you may want to keep in mind:

1) Build your brand.

One way for you to get noticed on Etsy is by properly and effectively building your brand, including putting plenty of thought into your shop name, banner and avatar. Put time and effort into fixing up store and your image, and people will stop to pay attention.

2) Prioritize product photography.

Taking photos of your products may seem like an easy task, but you may want to put a little more thought and effort into your product photography. Online shoppers aren’t able to actually hold your items, so your photos need to be the best possible representations of your products. Take clear, detailed photos of your items—and from various angles. If you aren’t too handy with the camera, then ask a photographer friend to take your photos for you or give you some pointers.

3) Don’t forget the descriptions.

Once you have great photos ready, it’s time to write your product descriptions. Make it a point to be as specific as possible. List the product’s dimensions, color and size options, and even all materials an item is made of.

4) Price properly.

There are a lot of factors involved when it comes to pricing your products, so be sure you understand everything from how much it costs to create a single item up to how much shipping charges, Etsy fees and even PayPal fees will cost you. You also need to take into consideration the amount of time it takes you to create each item. Shop around for similar products so you can gauge an amount that is competitive, realistic and profitable.

5) Remember the customer service.

Customer service is a very important factor when it comes to selling products. Answer inquiries promptly and politely—no matter how many times you’ve been asked questions that are clearly stated in your shop listings or policies. Also, don’t stop communicating with a customer once the payment has been made. Let a customer know when you’ve shipped the item and follow up to ensure that the package has been received.

It also helps if you make your packaging a little more special. Add a nice thank you sticker or note, or add freebies for large orders and repeat customers.

Interview with My Bearded Pigeon from Etsy – Associated Content

April 26, 2011 by S. Denise Hoyle Leave a Comment

Interview with My Bearded Pigeon from Etsy – Associated Content
There is lot of searching for vintage maps and then, sewing. Answering emails and packaging orders How do you want your craft and business to evolve? I am not sure. I never really had a business plan. Obviously I would like to reduce my (other) work

Friday Finds: Thank You Veterans!

November 12, 2010 by S. Denise Hoyle Leave a Comment

This week I saw my dad cry for the first time in a decade when my six year old son’s class sang at a Veteran’s Day celebration. I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all active duty and retired military and their families for supporting them while they serve. This week’s Friday Finds feature will highlight our favorite red, white and blue sewn, crafted or otherwise handmade products! Have your own product or a favorite item you’d like to see posted here next week? Submit your Friday Find for consideration through the widget in the right sidebar.