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Entrepreneurship:  I am weighing possibilities...  |
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Prairie Princess
True Blue Farmgirl
1075 Posts
Jodi
Washington
USA
1075 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 09 2008 : 2:50:46 PM
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I've recently started school full time for interior design, on top of my already crazy work schedule. Like most students, I'm so broke, lol, and trying to make ends meet, covering tuition and all. I've been brainstorming some ideas to bring in a little extra moolah, to help out a bit, and thought of how you all seem to enjoy your Etsy shops. I've got a couple questions about them...
1) Is actually managing the site overly time intensive? Or are you finding it's a practical way to list your items for sale?
2) What types of items seem to be successes? Are there certain catagories of products that seem to be more popular or sell faster?
Thanks for a bit of input here! I appreciate the help. :D
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 08:17:08 AM
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Here are MY thoughts on Etsy
If you expect to sell enough to make money you need to put in a lot of time. Etsy had about 75,000 sellers, I believe, so you are competing with them. You have to promote not only on Etsy in their forums but also lots of other places. If you just list your items and expct them to sell themselves for most cases that will not happen.
Lot's of things are popular. Jewelry, bags, and baby items are probably most popular but are also hugely competetive. Your ideas have to be unique and creative and you have to take REALLY great pictures of your stuff!
I love my Etsy shop but it is a hobby for me. Most of the people who do really well are putting in hours a day to work on it. You have to make your produc, list it, promote it and then hopefully sell it.
My personal opinion is that Etsy is NOT an "easy" way to make money. Of course that is my opinion. Others here might disagree with me.
Do I think you should have an etsy site? YES!!! They are fun and it is great when you make a sale.
Do I think you should depend on Etsy for income? Not unless you are willing to put in a lot of time an effort.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
Felt and Fabric Crafts
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com
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Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 11:59:26 AM
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Julie,
That is great feedback. I'm looking forward to hear from others too. I'm setting up my esty shop right now - for fun and exposure more than major cash. I have questions though too. I posted one question under marketplace. How do you decide what to charge for shipping when you really don't know who will buy and how far you will have to ship too?
I was just excited to get my banner to work!
Thanks for your feedback!
Ann
http://annforrester.tohe.com
http://forresterfarm.etsy.com |
Edited by - Forrester Farm on Jan 10 2008 12:00:16 PM |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 1:03:13 PM
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Most of my items are light weight so I just do a few dollars for shipping. I include what it costs for the envelope, the actual postage and a little extra to cover my travel to and from the post office. I have a few larger things and I just kind of guess. Personally I would rather pay more for an item and less for shipping. So if I feel like something might actually cost $10.00 to ship I would add 5.00 to the price of the item and keep shipping only 5.00. For some reason that always looks more appealing to people!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
Felt and Fabric Crafts
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com
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Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 1:06:50 PM
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Ok, that helps. All of my items at this point are glass, and would need to be packaged very well.
Have you received orders out of the country?
Thankfully, with TOHE, I don't do any of the shipping myself! Just enter orders. It's perfect.
Ann
http://annforrester.tohe.com
http://forresterfarm.etsy.com
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prairielandherbs
True Blue Farmgirl
690 Posts
Maggie
Iowa
USA
690 Posts |
Posted - Jan 18 2008 : 2:13:19 PM
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| I ship liquids in glass bottles - have done so in years. I can definately be done, just be sure to use lots of bubblewrap and peanuts. If you ask around at local stores you can probably get that for free - I haven't paid for peanuts EVER, just get them from other people who don't need them. I ship overseas too - do NOT neglect that as a market, especially with the strenght of the EURO against the dollar. We get quite a bit of business from Europe and Asia as well as Canada. :) Good luck!! |
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Entrepreneurship: I am weighing possibilities... |
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I am weighing possibilities...
