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Entrepreneurship:  Etsy, Still worth it?  |
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mandymcar
True Blue Farmgirl
73 Posts
Mandy
Montana
USA
73 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 07 2010 : 4:05:20 PM
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Hello,
I was wondering if you Etsy veterans have found there to be a change in Etsy? I don't seem to get as much traffic as I used to and not near the interaction with others. I think it is because there are so many more people using Etsy, and I sell photography which is cutthroat competitve (it is just a hobby for me) but I want to open a little online antique shop, not sure if I should just put up my own site, or stick it out with Etsy. Thanks for any opinions in advance!
http://www.haystackstudio.etsy.com |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2010 : 5:34:30 PM
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I dont find etsy to be effective unless you can add new product several times a day to keep you popping up on the front page. HOWEVER, I do think you get more of a chance of someone coming across your shop than you do if you have your own website because they are so well known and take care of the marketing and advertising for you.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.eggsandherbs.com
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OneCraftyBugger
True Blue Farmgirl
626 Posts
R
USA
626 Posts |
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Violets November
True Blue Farmgirl
342 Posts
Violet
Exeter
California
USA
342 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2010 : 7:55:36 PM
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I'm not an Etsy veteran, so I'm not sure if there's a change or not. Even though we joined Etsy early in 2009, we just became active in February 2010.
We sell hand forged jewelry that my husband creates, and jewelry like photography is a very competitive category. We're sticking with it. I love Etsy and I love to work on our shop often.
I visited your shop and I LOVE your photography. I'm your newest hearter!
~Violet~
Farmgirl Sister #1669
My blog, http://hiddenacre.blogspot.com/
Our Organic Jewelry, http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaelicForge |
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Patti Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
177 Posts
Patti
Portland
Oregon
USA
177 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2010 : 8:24:01 PM
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I would invite you to send your information to FarmgirlProductsUSA to become a vendor for the site if you havent already....it will be a place to hang your farmgirl hat and be celebrated in all sorts of ways! It will run very similiar to Etsy. The roll out date is sometime in August with a pilot group from MaryJanesFarm as Mavericks to lead the way. I am so excited for everyone! Our newest farmgirl being Aimee from the island of Rota near Guam who was featured in the MJF magazine just recently!Yeah!
God Bless You! |
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Violets November
True Blue Farmgirl
342 Posts
Violet
Exeter
California
USA
342 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2010 : 8:45:14 PM
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No, I'm not signed up, in fact I just now got back from reading about it after seeing your above post. I am honored by the invitation and would love to be a part of this exciting endeavor! Thank you!
~Violet~
Farmgirl Sister #1669
My blog, http://hiddenacre.blogspot.com/
Our Organic Jewelry, http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaelicForge |
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mandymcar
True Blue Farmgirl
73 Posts
Mandy
Montana
USA
73 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2010 : 08:06:11 AM
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Thank you Violet, if I can get some notecards made I will try your site Patti Ann!
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sherone_13
True Blue Farmgirl
2460 Posts
Sherone
Evanston
WY
USA
2460 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2010 : 09:28:55 AM
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I just had my first sale yesterday (a cute vintage boho necklace), so I'm not much of an expert. It does help to have a place to direct potential customers to, ie; on your business cars, envelopes, letterhead. It looks good on the business plan too. I use it in conjunction with craft fairs, art shows, festivals and boutiques. Move over junk dealers, the real businesses/artists are comin' in! Also, I am finding that the Etsy community is alot of fun. Not as fun as MJF, but still fun. Re-listing items frequently is said to increase your sales, but also costs. Haven't tried this yet.
Sherone
Farmgirl Sister #1682
My Blog - www.annapearlsattic.blogspot.com
Etsy Store - www.annapearlsattic.etsy.com
Women are angels. When someone breaks our wings, we just jump on our broomsticks and fly! We are flexible that way! |
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Ga Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2355 Posts
Karen
Meansville
Ga.
USA
2355 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2010 : 12:36:40 PM
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I love etsy, I try and post at least one thing everyday or every other day to keep things up front more, I normally sell at least one item or more per week, when I do this. I have pretty good luck with it, I guess its just whatever you feel more comfortable with. Blessings,Karen
Create in me a pure heart,O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10
Farmgirl sister #1156
www.KKJD1.etsy.com
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mayamade
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
maya
minneapolis
minnesota
30 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2010 : 08:53:21 AM
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| i think that etsy is going thru a transition stage right now. yes, there are some problems that the seller are having, glitches in the way things on the front page, some of the sellers are NOT real handmade products. but over all i like etsy. |
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JennyJKerr
True Blue Farmgirl
55 Posts
Jenny
Kenosha
Wisconsin
USA
55 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2010 : 11:11:53 PM
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I love Etsy! I've been using it since 07, but recently changed my shop name so had to get a new shop. I find my traffic increased greatly when I joined an Etsy Street Team (under community and teams) They have a farm girl team, bt if I remember right their membership is closed at the moment. My team is one for military spouses. Everyone cross promotes each other and it gets you a lot more traffic.
My Blog ~ http://www.travisandjennykerr.com/kerrfect
My Etsy ~ http://www.etsy.com/shop/beletvieux |
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knitnpickinatune
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Sherrie
Gardena
California
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - Aug 11 2010 : 11:42:27 AM
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I just started selling on Etsy again and I think it's a good place to be. In my experience,I think buyers are more apt to buy from you if you're on a well known site like Etsy,because the buyer knows there's some accountability if something goes wrong. I have a prostores right now,and have for a few months,and not one sale. But the eBay store does the best-a bummer as their fees are the highest also.
http://www.mandolinbabe.info
http://www.mandolinbabe.net
@MandolinChick on Twitter
mando pickin & fiddle sawin' Farmgirl #702 |
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Violets November
True Blue Farmgirl
342 Posts
Violet
Exeter
California
USA
342 Posts |
Posted - Aug 12 2010 : 4:19:20 PM
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I agree with Sherone that the Etsy community is a lot of fun and very helpful also. Depending on my schedule and time, sometimes I re-list throughout the day, other times not. Doesn't always transfer to sales but does get you noticed more.
Etsy does work to keep out ready made stuff and encourage you to report it. That's a good thing.
I love my Etsy shop and I work on it as often as I can.
In fact, as I'm visiting here, I'm uploading new items to my shop on another tab!
~Violet~
Farmgirl Sister #1669
My blog, http://hiddenacre.blogspot.com/
Our Organic Jewelry, http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaelicForge |
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ZenGoddess
True Blue Farmgirl
613 Posts
Cindy
MO
USA
613 Posts |
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corrabelle
True Blue Farmgirl
71 Posts
Corrabelle
Hamilton, Morrowville
ontario, Kansas
71 Posts |
Posted - Aug 17 2010 : 2:00:53 PM
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This is a pretty slow summer on etsy. I have two shops, both of which are doing ok, but summer is always REALLY slow. Wait for autumn before making a decision. The recession has really changed the way people shop, and etsy has also made some *not-so-stellar* moves that have really taken a toll on searches.
I've just gotten back from visiting home (kansas) and I do have some catching up to do, which is a good sign. I found that I have more custom orders than anything.
It's local orders that have really picked up, which is great. A year ago, hardly anyone from around here had even heard of etsy!
Corra
My shop... http://corrabelle.etsy.com
A Kansas gal living in Ontario. Sigh. |
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Bearclover
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
Bunny
Gig Harbor
Wa
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2010 : 2:43:36 PM
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I found a new site similar to Etsy that I'm going to try. It's called Zibbet.com.
You pay a monthly fee instead of a listing fee and when you sell something. I have a blog and will link my products from there to hopefully increase traffic. I haven't put anything on the site yet as I'm getting ready for a shop hop in my store.. but you might check it out if you have a way to get people there from a blog or other advertising.
www.bunnyrose.com |
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City_Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Christina
Omaha
Nebraska
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - Aug 30 2010 : 5:00:27 PM
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If you are not real happy with Etsy you may want to check out Big Cartel. One of my favorite bloggers uses it and I am getting ready to start a little biz of my own and I have been looking at them compared to using etsy. Although, I may give them both a try and see which performs better. They have a free one or monthly paid subscriptions. You can check out her store here...http://maggiewhitley.bigcartel.com/
Christina
Farmgirl Sister #195
City Chick & Friends Chapter Mama
http://thecitychicks.wordpress.com/ |
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quiltin mama
True Blue Farmgirl
436 Posts
Heather
Crescent City
CA
USA
436 Posts |
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bluebellequilts
True Blue Farmgirl
72 Posts
Teresa
Georgia
USA
72 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2010 : 07:42:07 AM
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Heather -
I have also thought about using an Etsy shop to sell the boatload of vintage patterns/notions I inherited and possibly some other small home dec & accessory items I'm currently working on.
Would you be willing to answer a couple of questions via email?
Thanks,
Teresa
"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Caras
Farmgirl #1357 |
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knitnpickinatune
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Sherrie
Gardena
California
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2010 : 08:07:47 AM
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I started an Etsy team for crafters who make musical instrument accessories or are luthiers and it seems to be helping sales for those of us who exchange biz cards/mini flyers to place in outgoing orders. Perhaps the Etsy sellers could join an Etsy team that's to their liking and see if it boosts sales? BTW Etsy is putting a hold momentarily on any new teams forming.
http://www.mandolinbabe.info
http://www.mandolinbabe.net
http://www.mandolinbabe.biz (Etsy Store)
@MandolinChick on Twitter
mando pickin,uke strummin, & fiddle sawin' Farmgirl #702 |
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marjean
True Blue Farmgirl
3857 Posts
Marsha
Deltona
FL
USA
3857 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2010 : 09:02:01 AM
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I like etsy because the fees are low. Ebay is ridiculous in my opinion now and I can't afford to sell anything on there with all there fees.
I invite all of you to join my Sunshine Farmgirl Co-op and website that will be launching soon. We are set up to get high traffic through google and will do tons of things to promote the co-op and all the members in it. You may contact me via email if you are interested. It will be low cost and a win-win for all of us.
It will operate on a monthly basis, so you can opt out at any time and back in at any time.
Farmgirl sister #308
handmade cards, vintage organizer bags and more at www.jeanpatchbymk.etsy.com
http://jeanpatch.blogspot.com
www.fullerdirect.com
id#0920150
www.watkinsonline.com/rjaramillo |
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knittingmomma
True Blue Farmgirl
106 Posts
Tonya
Vermont
106 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2010 : 09:07:12 AM
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Hi,
We have two etsy shops and are selling quite a bit. We are nearly supporting our family of eight modestly. It does take consistent work, however, like listing or renewing at last a couple of items each day.
I am not crazy about some of the offerings on etsy and hope that my customers do not go looking around etsy too much.
Warm wishes,
Tonya
Homemaking, Homesteading Mom of 6
http://www.naturalearthfarm.com |
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Entrepreneurship: Etsy, Still worth it? |
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Etsy, Still worth it?
