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I'm curious to read what others say. I tried selling handmade jewelry on Etsy for a while, but advertising was exhausting. There are also soo many other people selling jewelry on there. I used Twitter, Facebook, business cards, word of mouth, etc. I sold very little and eventually stopped altogether.
I would also love to be able to bring in a steady income from it.
You can get buisness cards for cheap. Then just go around, maybe you have a bridal shop in town, leave the buisness cards on their windshield.
Put an add in the paper. Go to the mall. Actually approch people.
My friend owns an etsy, and she makes jewelery, and hers was all word of mouth.
My friend sells a lot at our work. And she just asks them to go on etsy and comment about her stuff.
When I opened my shop (photography) a year ago, it took about 3-4 months for me to make 1 sale. I did no advertising. Once I hit that one sale, I took off. I have since made 50 sales (which to me is pretty good, seeing as I still haven't done any advertising).
I do include business cards with every purchase and have had repeat customers. I would just give it time.
Great ideas, all! I just ordered a ton of postcards and business cards to start.
I'll definitely be leaving them on windshields and mailing them out, etc.
@MrsMaine: O don't do the windshields thing. I HATE when crap is left on my windshield and I would be less likely to use that service because of it.
@KateByDesign: Yeah, but we have a ton of bridal dress shops and wedding places in my area - I think if I limit myself to those, people will be more accepting of them!
@KateByDesign: I second the no windshield thing. I seriously despise it when people put stuff on my car.
I make jewelry and I just opened my Etsy shop a few weeks ago!
From what I've heard, January, June, and July are the slowest months on Etsy (I have no actual proof of that statement! Just word of mouth from other sellers).
I've found that the more time I take getting to know people in the Etsy community, the more sales I make. Grantid, I have made a whopping 8 sales, and 2 of them were from people I actually knew, however the other 6 sales were from people I have never met.
My FI just purchased business cards for me from vistaprint, so I plan on handing them out with purchases as well as possibly asking to leave them in artsy/craftsy type shops in town. After you get your business cards, go around on foot to businesses like wedding shops, photographers, and possibly even florists and see if they'd be willing to keep your cards out on a table.
I've also been looking into signing up for craft and art shows, possibly even some wedding shows.
I'm still just starting out, but I've learned a ton by getting involved with the Etsy community. Joining teams, participating in BNR/BNS's, etc.
Hey Ladies I LOVE this thread. If I can make some suggestions before dropping in to a bridal shop assuing they will advertise for you do a little research online and see if they have preferred vendors. If they are doing any kind of bridal show during the winter (this is the norm) ask if you can have your pieces included/showcased.
DON'T STOP THERE-----YOU'RE ALMOST THERE....
Link up with a local wedding planners who also does staged photoshoots that feature fake brides and groom (again typically done in the winter during down time for business depending on where they are located). Ask ahead of time if you can have a few professional pictures from the photographer to display on your site.
When I first started my business (almost a year ago) I didn't have a slush of money to do advertising and this is exactly where I started. Although I had 7+ years of experience I know needed to go out and get my own pictures to promote and you are all brides---would you hire a planner that didn't have prof pictures of their work? I wouldn't either....so I threw a "staged" wedding at my home and those were the first pictures to go on my website, facebook b.page. In my first year as a wedding planner I've been able to bring in 15 paying clients!
I used up-and-coming photographers who were just on the cusp of making it---so it was a win/win. One quick thing when you're going out and asking ppl for things you have to consider the wiifm (what's in it for me/and them) people are more likely to help you if they see the benefit too.
Good luck!
Also does everyone have social media (facebook, and twitter)? I can't even tell you how important this is in the growth of your business. I put up pictures of weddings twice a month and I'm always interacting with my followers. If you don't have one get one ASAP! Annoucne your grand opening there and keep your audience engaged.
@melodicsighs1: Yah, and I can't imagine bridal shops would be too happy with it either. I'd venture to say it would be considered loitering if you did it multiple times.
Honestly, what's worked for me is having at least one niche item. Try to think up something VERY specific and not available on Etsy right now. I have one key item at a low price that brings people into the store, and then they usually stick around to look at other items. I've had one girl make three purchases, she's my favourite ;)
Also, good photography. I was lucky enough to have a product photography lesson and what she told me was this: Make sure every photo you include tells something important about your product. Texture, quality, detail, intricacies. What makes it different? Get a roll of white paper or even cheap wall paper (like the paintable white kind with texture on it, but don't paint it). Push a table next to a window (natural light is your friend) and prop something up behind the table. Clip your paper to the top and roll it down over the table to create a backdrop. Take your photos, look for soft shadows, not hard lines. Seriously, taking decent photos has made a world of difference for my shop, it's worth the time and effort. I had three sales yesterday and I'm up to 53 sales now (I opened in February I believe). I'm hoping it'll keep growing each day!
I own my own business, but not on Etsy. One thing that has helped me a ton is joining my local chamber of commerce. You get tons of free advertising there, and opportunities to network. Also, like another has said, do research and see what bridal shops in the area use as other vendors. Work bridal shows, open a facebook page, get a twitter account. Hand out business cards, but definitely talk to owners around bridal shops before you advertise there. I would also advice against putting anything on people's cars. Also, post your things on Pinterest
I second Bakerella's point about good photography. I won't even look at anything on Etsy that has a bad photo. It might sound snobbish, but I won't buy something I can't accurately see. On the flip side, I'm always attracted to shops that have good photography. When I can see the product I assume the seller took extra time to photograph and edit their pics, and I'm more inclined to buy!
Ladies, I need to re-emphasize the good photography point. I just re-vamped my shop with new photos and a more cohesive look and literally today after my previous post, I got a convo for an amazing opportunity that's going to open a lot of BIG doors for me. She literally said in her convo "How did I not see you before?!?!" Easy. Because my photos were okay, but not great. I was easy to miss and I didn't look professional. Seriously, all my hard work was made worthwhile today. Spend the time and effort, it's 1000% worth it. That's right, more than 100% ;)
These are all wonderful ideas! Thank you all so much!
And, I also revamped my entire shop today with new pictures. I hope it's okay to post a few here since I'm not promoting anything but my new (self-taken) photos!
It really just popped into my head to hang my bouquets from my dining room chandelier! I absoltuely love the way they came out!
it's tough. I've been open for 1.5 years and have had 60 sales. I advertise a lot on classified sections on wedding blogs. :)
I plan on advertising more locally now by participating in craft fairs in my hometown.
@MrsMaine: I really love the lighting and feel of the second photo. I would take one from the reverse angle to show the handle using the same lighting/settings you used on that one :)
@MrsMaine: TWINNY! Everyone keeps telling me to open my own shop with all my DIY stuff. Too bad we aren't closer, or we could try to do something together!
@MrsMaine: I started a jewlery shop in April. I can't really afford adverts, so I've been using FB/word of mouth. No sales yet, but a few vews/faves. Too many sellers I guess. :/
Shop Owners: Please go to the Ideas section and vote for my idea for an Etsy Shop Advertising Thread!
http://ideas.weddingbee.com/topic/etsy-shop-advertising-thread
@vmblai1019: Have you tried getting involved within the Etsy community? Joining Teams is what has been getting my jewelry out there for people to see. It's fun too- I'm constantly meeting new people! I've had my shop open since the end of July and I have 19 sales so far. By no means and I rolling in the dough, but it's better than nothing! ;)
I've been to a few craft sales/farmers markets, and if I can't justify the product right then and there, I always pick up an Etsy shop business card.
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Etsy Owners!
I just opened a wedding related shop (without self promoting, I make silk wedding bouquets and arrangements) about a week ago and I'm bummed because I haven't had any sales yet :(
I know I just opened, but I really want this business to take off, and I'm looking for this to eventually be my sole income (once I'm pregnant and a SAHM, etc) to bring in extra $$ once I'm unemployed. We're not talking 10's of thousands here (although there's one competitor on Etsy which looks like they do!) but enough to cover some bills.
So for those with booming businesses, what did you do to advertise? How did you get the word out? Or do you just sit by and wait for orders to come in?
Any thoughts or advice is welcome!! :)