Search results (tags) for: "advice"

Quit Your Day Job: lulubugjewelry

2009-11-30T16:00:00-05:00

Sue of lulubugjewelry began her Etsy shop as a way to help support her newfound passion for jewelry making using Precious Metal Clay (PMC) jewelry supplies; she never imagined it would be a means to quit her day job. Her previous jobs lent her skills not only in jewelry design and manufacturing, but also the business know-how to eventually run her own business. While she couldn't be happier being her own boss, Sue had to cut expenses, such as her love of motorcycle racing, to make her dream a reality. Her tip for others considering taking the plunge is to be prepared for less free time and to make sure you love what you do — as you will most likely be working much harder than you ever did for a regular paycheck.

How did you originally get into the business of making things?
I’ve always loved making stuff. I went to art school but didn’t discover metalworking until after I graduated. I loved it so much that I got a job at a small manufacturer of cast gold, silver and bronze jewelry. I’ve worked at several small jewelry companies since then, doing all aspects of manufacturing and most recently design. Working in manufacturing was a great way to build my skills, but grinding, filing and buffing someone else’s jewelry for eight hours a day left me with little desire to do my own work.

Tell us about your previous working situation.
My most recent job was as the designer for a small fabricated jewelry manufacturer. I was the entire art department — I designed and drew plans (in Spanish) for all the jewelry, set up photo shoots (experience that is coming in very handy now), designed and produced all the print materials (including a large 4-color catalog with over 800 photos every year) and designed, built and maintained the company website. Phew — I’m tired just writing all that. It should have been a dream job, but for a variety of reasons was pretty much the exact opposite. Despite the misery, anger and despair, I did learn a lot in the seven years I was there that is very helpful to me now.

When you first started selling on Etsy, did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?
No, not at all! I’ve always liked having a regular paycheck and never thought about being self-employed. I started doing my own work again after discovering Precious Metal Clay (PMC) about two years ago, and saw Etsy as a way to hopefully help pay for my PMC habit. As my Etsy sales grew and the dissatisfaction with my job increased, I figured that after seventeen years in the jewelry industry, maybe it was time to see if I could do it on my own.

Did you do anything to prepare ahead of time?
I did all the basic business setup (business license, bank account, resale number, etc.) before I opened my shop. The first thing I did when I decided to start working towards leaving my job was to take a hard look at my finances. I haven’t balanced my checkbook since Reagan was in office (seriously) so paying attention to money doesn’t come naturally to me. I knew that if I was ever going to work up the courage to quit, I needed to have a nice cushion in the bank to fall back on, so I looked at ways of cutting my expenses. I’m fortunate in that I had a huge expense I was able to cut — my unusual hobby, motorcycle racing. I raced motorcycles for seven years, and though it’s great fun it’s also ridiculously expensive and takes up a large amount of time. I knew that it had to go (at least for now) so I didn’t race at all this year. I researched health insurance costs and made sure I could get it, and started buying my materials in bulk. Those of us who work with precious metal have the added challenge of following the various metal markets, which have been quite volatile for the last couple of years. In the end I just couldn’t take my job anymore, so for my sanity I quit about three months earlier than I had planned. It felt great to leave on my own terms, and was the right thing to do. I haven’t been in a blood-curdling rage since then!

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business? What's your best marketing tip?

I pay more attention to my product design and development than marketing, because all the promoting in the world isn’t going to work if your product falls short. I started off with a variety of different styles, and let my sales determine which concepts and styles to develop further and which to leave behind. If there’s a design that I really believe in but is not selling I try modifying it in some way, perhaps the size or shape, and see if that helps. It often does.
I find craftcult.com to be a great tool for seeing which products are getting a lot of attention but are not selling and may be in need of a bit of tweaking.
Introducing new designs regularly is a great way to keep your audience interested and encourages repeat customers. Repeat customers are the ultimate compliment, in my opinion.
I do have a blog (which I need to pay more attention to), and I recently set up a Facebook fan page. I’m always surprised when I look at my Google Analytics and see how much traffic comes from my blog, so it’s a worthwhile thing to have.
My best marketing tip is to read this excellent blog post from Etsy seller eyeful, these are great marketing tips!

What have you found to be an unsuccessful promotion?
I have to say that I do not like Twitter. I come back to it every so often and give it another try, but I just don’t care for it. I know some people have great success with tweeting, but for me it’s just one more thing to take me away from creating that has dubious results. And I prefer reading and writing in complete sentences, with correct spelling, punctuation and capitalization. I guess I’m just old fashioned that way.

Walk us through your typical workday.
It’s long, not least bit glamorous, and involves lots of coffee.

I get up a bit before 7 and join my boyfriend Kelly at our favorite local coffee house until 8. I don’t especially like getting up, but I enjoy this morning ritual that we’ve been doing for years and it’s good for me to get up and get my day started.
I return home and do all my shipping and any other business stuff that has to get done before doing anything else. I have to make chains and do a bit finishing work to just about everything before it ships, so if there’s a lot going out this can take awhile. I relist anything that has sold, answer Convos and do some renewing too. A varying amount of time is wasted on the Internet during this period, and more coffee is consumed.
I go to the mailbox (or the post office if shipping internationally) in the afternoon and run errands while I’m out. This is when it’s nice to have gotten dressed and presentable first thing in the morning.
If I’ve been up late the night before (which is usually the case) a short power nap is in order about now, and then more coffee, and perhaps a little more internet time wasting, depending on the work load.
I might do photography, new listings, work on custom designs, or do finishing work for the rest of the afternoon. I check my Convos throughout the day and try to respond as quickly as I can.
At some point in the early evening some exercise and dinner will likely happen.
I’m a night person and like to do the bulk of my creative work at night. I tend get going around 8 p.m., and will usually work at my bench until midnight or 1 a.m. I like doing design work at this time too. If I’ve had a lot of sales during the day, I print invoices and shipping labels to get a start on the next day’s shipping work.

What do you enjoy most about not having a day job? Is there anything you miss?
I enjoy the fact that my talents and hard work are fully benefiting me and that I’m responsible for my own success or failure. I like the fact that I no longer have to do something I disagree with just because the boss said so. I love not having to go to long, pointless meetings anymore. I can’t say that I miss one single thing about the job I left, other than a few of the people there.

What's the hardest part about running your own business?
Pretty much all the business stuff! I went to art school and not business school for a good reason, but having worked at small companies my whole life I’ve actually picked up quite a bit of small business knowledge. I don’t have the temperament needed for accounting (see earlier checkbook comment) so I figured out early on that it would be very worthwhile to pay someone else to do this for me. I also have someone else do my taxes. My time management is not quite as good as it was when I had a job, so I keep a small whiteboard on my bench and keep a running list of what needs to get done when. Finding balance between work and personal time is much harder now too. When this was not my only source of income it was much easier to take time off.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself? What advice would you give someone else?
To be prepared for even less free time. There’s an old joke about how you only have to work half days when you’re self-employed, and you even get to choose which 12 hours you work. This is very true! I would advise being sure that you really love what you do, because you will be doing a lot of it, and you will most likely be working much harder than you did for your regular paycheck.

What goals do you wish to accomplish in the coming year for your Etsy business?
I hope to do some higher-end, one-of-a-kind pieces and finally start doing some wholesale. I hope to keep my customers happy and returning to my shop and to keep creating whatever ideas pop into my head.

Thanks to Sue for sharing her story. If you have questions for Sue come by the VIrtual Labs on Wednesday, December 2 at 3 p.m. ET. You can see some of Sue's beautiful work in the Related Items. Check out previous Quit Your Day Job posts here.

Quit Your Day Job: littlealouette

2009-10-19T16:45:00-05:00

Joe and Amy of littlealouette are successfully supporting their family selling their simple natural wooden toys on Etsy. With backgrounds in carpentry, furniture making, education, and politics, this duo melded their collective skills into a business they never dreamed would take them this far. They both admit being their own boss is the toughest work they have known, but find balance in taking time out from work each day to spend quality time together with their children. Keep reading to find out why Joe misses his daily lunch outings at bistros and pubs and why they both claim a British accent and wicked grin have been one of their best marketing tools to date.

How did you originally get into the business of making things?
Joe is a master craftsman who apprenticed in the North of England where he grew up. He became a self-employed bespoke furniture maker. When he moved to the states he worked in carpentry. I worked in education and politics after university, but always found myself spending time on artistic projects and volunteering in local art charities or working with local arts councils. Joe made me furniture and I would create gifts for family and friends. I would write poetry about Joe’s hands and what they could make. I still do. Joe began making simple toys for our first child and the rest is history.

When you first started selling on Etsy, did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?
Not really. We thought it would be extra money for our family; we were in the middle of a very hard financial time as we juggled two mortgages while trying to sell an investment property in a very still market here in Ohio. We knew that our family and friends loved what we were making for our kids and for others so we thought we would make some money, but never did we realize that we would make a whole new life.

Did you do anything to prepare ahead of time?
Always adapting and growing, it has been an organic process and a juggling act with two small boys and a passionate marriage. While it's been quite fluid, we have learned that sometimes you just have to roll with it. It requires loads of paperwork and time, so planning ahead is important. We stepped down our spending and live with frugality and perseverance. Lastly, asking for advice and help was and is so important!

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business?
I am a blogger and this has helped me a lot with meeting others and spreading the word. We have a Twitter account (@littlealouette) and a cool Tumblr blog for Little Alouette with daily parenting tips and inspiration (we are always looking for guest parents)! We have a Facebook page and I have a big mouth! Joe is not a big Internet individual. He has a smart phone and sometimes uses Facebook, but he relies on me to work the magic on the Internet. He carries a stack of business cards, his British accent, and a wicked grin. We get a lot of sales from him. I like to work with other bloggers for giveaways from time to time and there are a lot of really great blogs and sites you can advertise on to find your audience. Etsy has been incredibly helpful with the light it has shined on us. The whole world is in love with Etsy and it is amazing to be a part of this family of artists.

What have you found to be unsuccessful promotion?
We came up with an idea of keys and key sets that we named after a great customer's daughter. The keys were a big hit! You know how babies and kids love to play with and chew on your keys? Well, we also thought that kids love other everyday items like remote controls — so we made a remote control rattle and no one bought one. We may try again in the future for some everyday life items. You have to try things!

What's your best marketing tip?

Believe in yourself.
Know that you are amazing and groovy and smashing!
Be able to talk about your business freely and with anyone.
Changing up photos and keeping the shop full works well for us!
We like to offer our customers free shipping and codes and deals.
I think Twitter is excellent for this type of promotion, but just try and remember that Twitter is a give and take and it is a great place to interact and get to know your customers — not just a place to hawk your wares.

Walk us through your typical workday.
Most days are different — some days in the indie life are diamonds and some are not. Yesterday was like this:

6:30 a.m.: Blaise, our two-year-old screamed, "Mama! Mama!" for about ten minutes until we brought him into our bed. We woke up Finn, our five-year-old, and had breakfast and the first of several pots of coffee together. We walked Finn to half-day kindergarten and then we all went off to the gym for an hour. We played with Blaise after a good stress-relieving workout until time to collect Finn from school.
We had lunch as a family and then Daddy went to the workshop. The kiddos had naps and I worked on Little Alouette.
I talked to people all over the world, mailed samples, answered emails and Convos, and worked on new packaging.
I made a cake while doing this all. I love working from home!
The kids got up and I took off the Wood Queen crown and became Mom again. I rolled to the playground and then to the post office and then hosted a play date at our house. I used my BlackBerry to relist some items and chat with customers. I taught my children about Jackson Pollock. I sketched a new toy while the kids went down the slide.
One thing that is constant is that when Joe comes home from work in the evening, we are diligent about putting the work away. The kids get us all. They get the attention and energy and everything. When they go to bed we must work more and it takes a lot of effort, but we must if we want to keep this balance. We do not have TV. This is a big help!

What do you enjoy most about not having a day job? Is there anything you miss?
My family has eaten most meals together in the last two years. This is amazing. When we both worked outside the home it was rare that I got home before 7 p.m. We ate in shifts and smashed quality time into 1.5 hours. I missed some milestones of my oldest son. I rushed. My husband drove far too fast in his truck. We raced through life. Now we are slower. More deliberate. This is important. The way it feels to just go to the park on a Wednesday at 2 p.m. with my whole family. The freedom to schedule out a day that works for you is exhilarating. The way it feels to know that we are instilling hard work values and an entrepreneurial spirit into our children. We are showing them that even in the middle of your life, you can change gears and do something that makes you feel good. You can follow dreams big or small. Telling strangers about Little Alouette feels stellar!

I miss tons of people and the energy all around me. I worked with so many people in my old career. I miss adult interaction. I often find myself discussing new ideas and wholesale accounts with my five-year-old. He looks at me funny. Joe says he misses lunching out at bistros and pubs. I make him eat healthy lunches at home now. We miss our old insurance. But nothing can take away the reality of being with each other so much. It is gorgeous.

What's the hardest part about running your own business?
Heavy shoulders. The paperwork and responsibility that come with this lifestyle are quite hefty. Organization is a sick and dirty word for me. We are learning to keep receipts and may even graduate to a file system this winter! We never stop working. The fatigue is tough at times. No one tells you to stop. You may not sleep properly.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself? What advice would you give someone else?
Listen to advice and take it! My pal took me out for drinks last fall and told me my business was going to take off and I should get myself in order. I remember laughing about it then, but it has taken off. Be ready for what you want because you may well get it! Find good business folks like cool insurance agents, lawyers, and smart fellow artist mentors. Surround yourself with goodness. Stay in the light. Be kind and open. When times get tricky, keep focused and believe. Be happy and optimistic and acknowledge that you are lucky to be making art and living off of it in these bleak times.

What goals do you wish to accomplish in the coming year for your Etsy business?

Work on loads of new ideas and toys.
Grow the business.
Perhaps gain an employee.
Keep babies happy throughout the world.
Meet more cool Etsy folk in real life.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Thank you so much to Etsy and our customers. We are so blessed and we thank you! We love you! Smooches. Each product is made by hand and usually all the wood is surrounded by cups of tea, laughing children, and disco music so each product will come to you infused with love and bliss!

Thanks to Amy and Joe for sharing their story. Have your own questions to ask? Come on by and chat with them Wednesday, October 21 at 5 p.m. ET in Etsy's Virtual Labs.

You can see some of their beautiful work in the Related Items. Check out previous Quit Your Day Job posts here.

Etsy Success for Beginner Sellers

2009-10-01T13:15:00-05:00

Welcome to selling on Etsy! When you're getting started, it feels like there are so many things to do for your new shop. You'll also want to check out the Seller Handbook — it contains links to lots of great articles to help you sell. Other posts to get you started include Welcome to Your Online Presence and A Beginner's Guide to Starting a Shop on Etsy. Consider this article the quick-start guide, with the most important things to consider for getting your shop in top shape!

Your Name

Having a great, memorable name is one of the more important things you can do to brand your shop and encourage sales. Having a shop name that people remember will encourage them to find you again! You want it to be easy to pronounce, easy to spell, interesting, and it should speak to your style or what your shop is about. Shorter tends to be better than longer. Avoid common words like "designs" or "creations," as well as number strings and consonant strings that don't sound like a word in your name — these make your exact shop name hard to remember. Avoid generic-sounding names; something unique, different, or unusual will be more memorable. As Danielle says in this post, "Make sure it's 'Google-able!' Sure the name 'FriedChicken' might be memorable, but if you go to Google and search 'Fried Chicken,' your shop will be a needle in a greasy (yet delicious) haystack!" Do some research on the Internet to make sure that another company doesn't already have the same name.

What shop names have drawn you in? What about these names interested you? Think about this in your brainstorming for the perfect name.

Your shop name and your Etsy username are one and the same. While you can't change your shop name on Etsy, if you don't like the name you have, you can start a new shop. Simply register for the new shop, and then put a link to your new shop in the Shop Announcement, item listings, banner and Profile of your old shop, and then list your items in your new shop. Here are some more tips on shop names.

Shop Setup

The Shop Setup Help Guide will give you step-by-step instructions for getting started.

Banner: If your shop was in the physical world, your banner would be the sign above the front door. Choose something that looks professional and that will give shoppers a sense of the mood or feel of your shop and makes them interested to scroll down to see more! Here are instructions for creating your own banner. If you have nice product photos, you can use these in your banner if you like. If you're not a great graphic designer, you can save time and frustration by buying a ready-made or custom banner from an Etsy seller.

Photo by rikrak

Avatar: If you plan to use the community spaces such as the Forums, Chat, Virtual Labs, or The Storque, a well-lit, well-cropped 75 by 75 pixel photo of your most interesting item can make a great avatar. It's the equivalent of wearing your pieces when you go out, and it advertises your shop while you are interacting with others. The other sellers and Admin (Etsy staff) in these spaces have the power to feature your items in Treasuries, on their own blogs, and around other spaces on Etsy, so show 'em what you've got!

Avatars by: spiderbite, beadsinthebelfry, greeniemarie, shrimpsaladcircus, studioelan, tissage, magicjelly, ThePaperAddict

Shipping: Set up Shipping Profiles in Your Etsy > Shipping Options to save time while listing. Ship internationally — international orders comprise a big chunk of the market on Etsy! Here is a good Forum thread for U.S. sellers on how to set up international shipping. More shipping and packaging how-to's can be found here.

Shop Policies and Profile: Fill them out! Policies define the rules for your shop and can answer buyer questions. The Profile page personalizes you; Etsy shoppers love that they buy directly from the artist, so tell them about yourself and your craft to get them interested in your work. Having these sections filled out will help build trust for your buyer, especially if you are a new seller and don't have feedback yet. Here are some tips for your Shop Policies and Profile Page.

Item Photography

Item photography is perhaps the most important aspect of your shop. On Etsy, you have one main photo and you may upload four additional photos. Use them all! Here are some tips below and explore these posts for further, in-depth suggestions.

Lighting: Use natural lighting. Either morning or early evening light works best. Avoid direct sunlight and harsh mid-day lighting. Inside, near a window, or outside (but not in direct sunlight) both work well. If the lighting is still a bit dark, increase the EV balance on your camera menu. This increases the "whiteness" in the photo. Avoid using the flash. If the photos look washed out, turn away from the sunlight.

Photos by ecosilver, moop, locallibrary

Backgrounds: Shoot against a background that will complement your item. Think about color: What color background will create the mood that you are going for? If you're going for a sophisticated look, perhaps your dark brown item will look great against a pale brown background — think tone-on-tone, but make sure that your item stands out and is not swallowed by the background. Funky? Maybe try a color that is opposite on the color wheel, so a pale orange for your blue item. Modern items might look great with neutral colors, while natural and bohemian looks might look great next to natural materials such as plants, stones, etc. Maybe you'll have a collection of backgrounds with your color palette, and you can choose the best one for each item. Simple white backgrounds can be great for just about any type of item as well, and this will put the focus on your item.

For smaller items like jewelry, try placing these on props such as papers, old books, and tabletops. You may have a variety of materials in your home that will work well.

Photos by msbelle, SeaUnicorn, stamp

For larger items, look around the inside and outside of your home for good locations. Think interesting architecture, beautiful natural settings, walls with interesting textures, or even plain white walls. Is there a location nearby that would look great — perhaps a church, library, or abandoned building that would capture the mood of your items?

Photos by NHWoodCreations, sarahseven, arlenewatson

Consider including a photo that shows the item being used. This will give the potential customer important information, such as what the item is and how big it is. It will also allow them to envision the item on themselves or in their home.

Photos by CombustionGlassworks, MiaBeads, woodtec

Close-ups: Use the macro mode (flower icon) on your camera when shooting close-ups of jewelry and other small objects. This creates a sharp outline of your item. If the photo is blurry, try adjusting the zoom, or getting closer to or farther from your subject.

Angles: Most people start out taking product photos in the same way: They take the photo directly above, say, a piece of jewelry, and surround it with white space. You can make your photos more dynamic by taking the shot from a variety of angles and distances, and then choosing the one that best complements your item. Take a look in the Gift Guides to see how sellers have created interesting shots by using angles.

Photos by ZerbenaBoutique, firewoodfurniture, kjoo

Cropping: Photos that crop in interesting places create movement in the photo. It may allow you to get closer to the item for a detail shot. If your item is symmetrical, do we need to see the entire thing to understand it? Or would cropping off 1/3 of the item let us see more detail and look more interesting?

Avoid crops that are too "tight." This is where just a bit of the top and bottom of the item are cut off — it looks squashed! Take the photo from a bit farther away if this is the case. Even better, turn 3D objects like handbags a bit to the side for a more forgiving crop. Try taking 2D objects like notecards diagonally — this makes the photo more interesting, and will almost always make for a nice crop.

Etsy will automatically crop your photos for the thumbnails when you upload them. Consider while you are taking your pictures that vertical shots will crop mostly from the top, and a bit from the sides, and vice versa for horizontal shots.

Photos by shoofly, makalewakan, atelierBB

Grouping: Try arranging small items such as pouches, soaps, notecards, and cookies into a group shot. This can make the photo look rich and beautiful. Be sure to specify in the listing how many the customer will receive with their order.

Photos by SucculentsGalore, palomasnest, SunshineandRavioli

What is it?: If at all possible, show what the item is in the gallery (first) photo. If it's not possible, put what it is in the first few words of the title so that it is not cropped out when the customer is browsing in "gallery" (large photo) mode.

Additional photos: Your potential customer can't touch your item or try it on. Show them everything they want to know in the photos!

Show size by showing the item next to an object that everyone knows the size of. Human hands, flowers and objects that it would "belong" next to (such as a decor object on a bookshelf next to vintage books or some foreign money spilling out of a pouch) are great. Avoid unattractive items like paperclips and pennies unless they make sense. What does it feel like? Show the texture of your yarn or baked goods with a macro shot. What flavor or scent is it? Some blueberries and vanilla beans next to your blueberry-vanilla soap will look gorgeous and convey to your customer what it smells like.

Your descriptions may have some great ideas about what you might show in your additional photos. If you say in your listing that your scarf also makes a great belt, then show a picture of that to drive the point home!

Photos by karenssoaps, dolittledesign, OnTheRound

Upselling: Would the item be perfect with another item in your shop? Show two necklaces worn together to encourage your buyer to get them both! Would your art prints look great in a grouping of three? Show the customer a photo of that to get her excited! Even better if you offer a small incentive such as free shipping for additional items. Just make sure to be clear about what exactly is for sale with this listing.

Editing: Use a photo editing program to touch up your photos if necessary. Gimp is a free download that you'll love if you know how to use Photoshop, Picasa is a great all-around free program for mid-level skills, and an online photo editor like Piknic is perfect if you're not particularly computer savvy. If the photo is too dark, increase the brightness *and* the contrast. You can do this using "curves" in Gimp.

Getting Exposure

Categories: One of the best hidden gems for getting more exposure for your items is placing them in the correct Category. If your items will fit into more than one Category (for example, Knitting and Accessories), try putting some in one and some in another for maximum exposure. Once you have chosen your Category, choose from the related tags and/or look in the Category Browser to see what subcategories are available. Add any that accurately describe your item exactly as written into your tags, and your item will appear in all of them. Do the same with any sub-subcategories beneath the subcategories that you've chosen.

Tags: Tags, along with titles, are your search terms. Using keywords that buyers will search for will help put your item in front of them! Here is an article with a list of types of tags to help you brainstorm.

List Regularly: Right now, the default for Search and Categories on Etsy is reverse chronological order — newest on the top. If you have several items to list, try to space the listings out a bit. Here's a super-secret hack that a seller figured out if you want to make your listings go live later: create your listings, and go to page 5 of the listing process. Copy the URL from the address bar, and email it to yourself. You can then return to this later and click "FINISH." Test it first to be sure you are doing it right before prepping a bunch of listings!

Renewing: Renewing normally refers to reactivating a listing that has expired. Some sellers figured out that they got more hearts, views, and sales on days when they listed an item. When they did not have an item to list that day, they renewed an item. Renewing will move your item higher in the Category Browser and search results, and it costs the same amount as creating a new listing. We recommend that you only use this method if it is effective for you. (Learn more about how renewing works technically on Etsy.) Before using renewing as a technique for gaining exposure, first get your shop into tip-top shape and have "enough" items in your shop to promote!

Showcases: The Showcase is Etsy's advertising program. The Main Showcase is linked from the homepage of Etsy, and there are Showcases for each Category, the Gift Guides, and The Storque. Additionally, there are regularly specialized Showcases throughout the year. As with renewing, you will want to get your shop into great shape by using the tips in this article before you purchase a Showcase spot for maximum benefit. Having good item photos, descriptive listings, and enough items to make the promotion worth it are most important.

Getting Featured: Your item may be featured in several places around Etsy: in Treasuries, which are chosen by Etsy members, and on the homepage, Gift Guides, Etsy Finds emails, and The Storque (Etsy's blog). The key to getting featured in all of these locations is having great item photos, using tags well, and being an active member of the community. Additionally, you may look at the merchandising articles each month to learn about upcoming themes and holidays that will be promoted. Use this information to help you tag your listings, or as a reminder of upcoming events for which you may want to create items. If you are featured in the Gift Guides, and you are able to make more of the item, you may increase the quantity of your listing so that your item stays in the Guide when it sells!

Your Items and Product Assortment

Creating a cohesive shop: Create a great assortment of products that work together. Think about the types of items that are sold together at retail stores. Some examples are: a women's fashion shop, a baby shop, a crochet shop, a home goods shop, a bath and body shop. This is not to say that you should *never* have items that don't at first seem to go together in your shop — there are a few sellers out there who are making this work because their aesthetic binds all their items together. The point is to be intentional about what you are selling.

Think of every item listing in your shop as an ad for all of your other items. Every time a customer finds one of your items, now they have access to the rest of your shop. Will that customer who is looking for a baby shower gift who you've brought in with your knitted baby hat want to stay to browse in your shop? If your other items are more baby clothes, accessories, toys or children's art, she most likely will. If she has to sift though your dish towels and nature photographs, she may lose interest, no matter how lovely they may be! Consider focusing on what you find most interesting or what's most popular in your shop. You may set up another shop for your other interests, but be aware that it is a lot of time and effort to try to market two shops. You may be better off focusing on one shop.

Having a cohesive shop will make it memorable! If I see a fabulous, feminine vintage-style necklace in a shop full of jewelry of a wide variety of different styles — everything from fun 'n' funky to sophisticated — I will probably not remember the particular shop. Conversely, if that same necklace is surrounded by jewelry in a similar style with an appealing color palette (and photographed in a similar way), it is much more likely to stick in my mind.

You may be worried that this will limit your creativity. Au contraire! you might find that this frees your creativity. It is very enjoyable to create a look and style that is uniquely "you" and to share your vision with the customer. Your style can (and probably will) change over time...but at a given moment, try to have a style that can be summed up in a few words. As you bring your unique style to your product photos and descriptions, your shop itself will become a work of art. Try it!

Photos by theblackapple, paradisehilldesigns, ruffeoheartslilsnoty

What to sell, and how to stand out from the crowd: There are so many wonderful shops on Etsy, that many newbies wonder how they can make an impact. Here are some tips for making your shop shine:

What to do in crowded markets: If you notice that there are lots of others sellers with items similar to yours, say, children's hair bows, you may try creating the items in a different and surprising material, or creating a new style of hair bow to stand out. You may stand out with fabulous photos, a great shop assortment, and lots of items for your buyers to choose from.
Find a niche: Better yet, find an undeserved niche to establish yourself in. Look around in the Categories and subcategories for inspiration...are there any where you might make a mark? For example, if you can make great gifts for men, you will find a market that is hungry for new sellers!
Create a new product, or find a new way of making something that's been around for a while. Some great examples are neawear, who became Etsy-famous with her "Wall Wear," a modern art incarnation of cross-stitch samplers, and girlsavage, who reinvented taxidermy as "Feltidermy" — stuffed animal creatures on trophy boards.

Relisting: Successful sellers use the "relisting" technique to create a profitable business. If you sell an item and can make the same item again, you can "relist" it by using the link at the top of the sold item page. This copies your listing and costs the same as a new listing. You will save time since you do not have to make, photograph, and create a description for your item before selling it again. Try to make items that you will be able to make again. If you prefer to only make one-of-a-kind items, be sure to price them accordingly (read: more expensively).

Pricing: Check out this series of articles for help with pricing. Most Etsy sellers who are new to retailing set their prices too low. Many find that they sell more when they raise their prices! Your price gives your customer a hint of the quality of your item, so make sure you are selling at a fair price! Ask for the price that your time and skills are worth. You will want to consider your material costs, fees and other costs associated with selling, and time spent making items, creating listings, and communicating with customers. You may consider using a combination of pricing equations and then comparing these prices with what the items would sell for in a boutique, or how successful sellers are pricing similar items.

Other Tips

Set up your shop stats: go to Web Analytics in Your Etsy. You will also want to set up Site Search to see what search terms shoppers are using to find your items on Etsy. See #2 on this article for instructions.
Enter your items into Google Base so they appear in the Google Shopping results. It only takes about 20 minutes!
Optimize your Etsy shop for Google.

Helpful Links

Etsy Hacks: This site provides time-saving tools that give you special functions for your Etsy shop, such as the ability to copy one of your current listings, or the ability to upload up to five photos at once while you are listing.

Craftcult: View your hearts in an easy-to-see list format. Also, see when you have been featured in the Gift Guides, The Storque, and on the homepage.

What are your top tips? We'd love to hear them in the comments of this article! ...But there are so many comments now, it's slowing down the page load. So please join the discussion in this Forum thread.

Top Modish BizTips for Etsy Sellers

2009-07-16T11:00:00-05:00

We all know that marketing and promotion are vital in order to make your shop a success. However, the constant focus on sales, marketing, photography, etc., can start to take a toll on your psyche. It's easy to get overwhelmed, and often we can work so hard we zap the very spirit that set us into self-employment in the first place. So, my goal today is to remind you that to truly make your shop a success, you need to go easier on yourself, don't get discouraged when you're feeling overwhelmed and above all, to remember that you're not alone. Here are my the top tips I have for Etsy sellers, all from my blog Modish BizTips.

Dealing with Distraction

How can you possibly focus on your Etsy Shop when there's family and pets and laundry and flickr and sunny days to think about too, not to mention your day job? Phew! I'm tired just thinking about it! It's easy to be distracted, but to get your business into gear, you need to get on course. If you're too distracted, pull yourself out of the situation to refocus. Make a list of all your to-do's (a really big one) to get them out of your head and where you can see them. And above all, don't be too hard on yourself when you find productivity is just not in your favor. A day of too much distraction can be your motivation to make tomorrow better.
Read on for more tips on dealing with distraction.

Photo by angrypenguin.

Are you Selling Your Creative Inspiration Away?

Turning one of your favorite creative hobbies into an income source can blur the lines between business and fun. What used to be your artistic escape gets tangled up with marketing, money, deadlines, and the constant feeling of needing to produce. Suddenly, it isn't where you escape to anymore; instead it's the job you wish you could escape from! It helps to keep a creative pursuit: make things just for yourself or friends, keep some of your favorite thrift finds for yourself. Don't always gear towards sell, sell, sell. Remember the passion that brought you to your work in the first place and make sure you don't successfully over-sell yourself into a creative rut. More BizTips here.

Photo by CosmicFirefly.

When you Feel Like You Just Don't Measure Up

As an Etsy seller, it's easy to constantly compare yourself to others, as you are literally surrounded by a hotbed of creativity and talent. The more people you discover and admire, the more you may feel like you just don't quite measure up. But remember what brought you to Etsy — you're creative and talented too, you have something special to offer that no one else can, and you only have yourself to answer to. Work at your own pace. Realize how much you've achieved! Give yourself a moment to feel accomplished and proud of your efforts — you deserve it. And remember, you're worthy of admiration too. More on this topic.

Photo by MadameCupcake.

Dealing with Competition, Resentment and Your Ego

On the flip side to being surrounded by all those other creative people, you may have moments when you feel jealousy or resentment towards others' apparent successes. These are moments when you can't understand why they are getting all the sales and attention, and you're not. That's your ego popping in to say "Hello, what about me?" We don't want to let our egos guide our actions. So, what do you do with ill feelings of competition towards your fellow sellers? How do you quiet the hater voices in your head? You need to stop comparing yourself to others. Realize that you can't control anyone else's actions or the success they may receive. Let things go. Find the joy in what you're doing and try not to let competition and comparison distract you. More words of wisdom on this subject here.

Photo by BigHelmetHead.

Learn to Say No

When you're in business for yourself, it's easy to say yes to any opportunity that might help you get more exposure. Saying yes to opportunity is a good thing. But when you say yes to too many things, you may find yourself in up-all-night and tired-all-day zombie work sessions that can lead to burnout. Whether your Etsy shop is your full-time gig or a way to make some extra income, it's important to find a balance. Weigh what you realistically can and can't get done depending on your other commitments. Don't take on too much at once. Don't feel bad saying no to someone if you need to. It'll make for a happier, healthier and saner you, which can only benefit your business in the long run. More tips for "When to say yes" on Modish BIZTips.

Photo by shesells.

Well, hopefully this post will be a little morale boost to help keep you going even when the going gets tough. You can catch me over at Modish BIZtips for more creative business tips.

Check out the Seller Handbook | Visit the Virtual Labs

Quit Your Day Job: 5 Tips from 50 Who've Done It (and Counting!)

2009-06-01T14:34:00-05:00

Over the past several months we have shared the stories of over 50 sellers who have been able to quit their day jobs due to their selling success on Etsy. We're far from finished and are thrilled at the response we've seen with this growing series. We've scoured past articles to find out just what it is all of these successful sellers seem to have in common. We've compiled a list of the most frequently given advice below, as well as other similarities we've noticed from other sellers who have been able to make Etsy their full-time gig.

Top selling tips and traits from Quit Your Day Job features:

Sellers making their living full-time often stress the importance of taking great product photographs. You don't need to hire a professional photographer or be one yourself in order to take great shots, and can find some great photography tips here.
Successful sellers know how to stay visible on and off Etsy. They recommend listing new items frequently and renewing best selling and popular items if you don't have new products to list each day. These sellers develop relationships with bloggers that write to their target audiences outside of Etsy, and suggest talking about your business in a professional way as much as you can in the real world.
Another common trait among full-time sellers is their expert level of customer service. They feel excellent, quick, and friendly communication is vital to the success of their businesses. These sellers take great care in the packaging and branding of their products and will do what it takes to make their customers happy. Excellent customer service has been one of the keys in these sellers gaining repeat customers — who in turn tell their friends where to shop.
Time and time again we see full-time sellers explaining how they treat their Etsy shops like a full-time business. These sellers take the time to get their business licenses, set up expense accounts, and have learned how to manage their time accordingly. While many of these sellers tell tales of 12 hour work days, they attest to never feeling more fulfilled.
Finally, the most common trait we've gathered from our 50 featured Quit Your Day Job sellers is the fact that they absolutely love the freedom of being their own bosses and working under their own schedules, but the one thing they miss the most about having a day job is the social interaction with their friends and co-workers.

For additional selling tips and more advice for a successful Etsy shop, please have a look at our Seller Handbook. We'd love to hear your tips for selling success on Etsy; please share them in the comments section below.

If you've quit your day job and want to be featured in this series, you can get in touch by sending a convo to marymary with information about your story.

Shop Makeover Series: Google PageRank Tips for Your Etsy Shop

2009-01-09T19:00:00-05:00

The following article on Google PageRank was originally written by Aprilrobin for TimothyAdamDesigns' blog (a great resource for Etsy sellers!).

I've seen the question so many times on the Etsy forums, "Why isn't my Etsy shop showing up in Google when I search for XYZ?" While that is actually a very complex question, in a nutshell: to get seen, you need to optimize your Etsy shop for Google and increase your "PageRank".

Google's PageRank is the designation from 1 - 10 of an algorithm that assesses how important your website is (10 being the most important). Here's the kicker: it’s machines making this determination. You may have heard these machines referred to as "spiders" or "robots". I prefer to think of them as robot spiders merely because it amuses me. These robot spiders crawl the web hunting for information and bring it back to the Googleplex. This is known as indexing. If your information is good and full of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), the robot spiders will come back often and give you a higher PageRank, therefore greatly increasing your chances of top search results.

PageRank for any website can easily be viewed by installing the Google's Toolbar. How do you get this PageRank?

If you search the web for SEO techniques you'll find plenty of them — too many. Unfortunately, a lot of the information you'll find is either not applicable to current versions of the algorithm, spam techniques, or not applicable to Etsy. Etsy is not the same as your regular personal website and I'm not going to suggest you obtain a personal website today either. Baby steps.

Inside Your Etsy Shop

The best thing you can do on Etsy is provide good titles and descriptions and use all of your tags. When writing your titles and descriptions, think of key terms. “Key terms” in this sense simply means that you are using descriptive language that includes words and terms buyers might use to find products like the ones in this listing.

If you were searching for items such as yours in Google, what kind of language would you use? Put yourself in the mind set of the searcher and write accordingly. Keep in mind that Google likes change. If you re-list the same items again and again, change your titles and descriptions up every once in a while. Try some slightly different verbiage and new key terms each time.

Outside of Your Etsy Shop

Link, link, link! As in, get people to link to you (inbound links/ IBL). To start, use links to your Etsy store in your signature on any blogs, forums or message boards you belong to.

One of the biggest factors in boosting your rank is inbound links from sites with a high PageRank. Not only is Google more likely to index these high ranked sites quickly and repeatedly, but you're more likely to get click though traffic to your site and more people linking to you. Site click through rate (the people following these IBL to visit your shop/CTR), is another important factor to determining your PageRank. Inbound links from a low ranked site won't necessarily hurt you, so don’t freak out on your friend for linking you from his low ranked site. Ignore reciprocal link services and engines that litter the web. These are spam and Google hates spam.

Relevant Links

There is some argument among web developers on the topic, but many, myself included, agree that your IBL should be “relevant” whenever possible. Relevant refers to the relevancy of your IBL to your store.
An example of relevant IBL: If your Etsy shop containing crocheted face scrubbies is linked to by a cage fighting website, Google is going to see that and be sort of “Ok, what the...?” If your Etsy shop containing crocheted face scrubbies is linked to by Martha Stewart, Google is going to see that and be all “WORD!” Your store is now associated with high-ranked information on crafts and handmade goods. You’re also bound to attract higher click through traffic. Consider how relevant IBLs are to your shop before investing time pursuing them or paying to advertise.

Hyperlinks

A hyperlink is when you use words to link to your Etsy store instead of graphics, or in addition to graphics. Remember, the robot spiders can’t see pictures, so do not rely solely on graphics when you link to your shop. Use descriptive key terms in your hyperlinks. Creating a link to your shop that says “buy handmade crocheted face scrubbies” is going to be more valuable than a link that‘s your shop’s name. “Daisydoodle’s Boutique” might be the perfect shop name for you, but how the heck is Google supposed to figure out that has anything to do with handmade crocheted face scrubbies?

Tips

1. Don't try to trick Google.
Google’s main purpose is to weed out spam and garbage content and organize legitimate content. Google also carries a grudge. Even though we’re dealing with robot spiders here, they’re a lot smarter than you may think. Filling descriptions and links with nothing but irrelevant key words and trash can get you on the blacklist or “sandboxed”.

2. Be realistic and don't obsess.
Get this through your head right now. Say it out loud… “I WILL NEVER RANK A 10”. Say it again and believe it. PageRank is global compared to all other websites in the world. At the time I’m writing this, Etsy’s homepage has a PageRank of 7 and Amazon ranks a 9. Those would have to be some very magical face scrubbies for your shop to have a PageRank like that!

Find other Etsy shops to look up to and compare yourself to those. Figure out what it is that they’re doing right. Your ultimate goal might be a 4. That’s completely OK and likely very appropriate. As part of my business — I run very popular statewide real estate websites — if I can rank a 5, I’m over the moon.

3. Be patient.

New shops might take a while to be indexed at all and jumping an entire number is an enormous job.
Keep up with ethical SEO: write organically, be thoughtful, network for relative IBL, DO NOT SPAM, and in time you’ll get there. The cream always rises to the top.

4. Keep your eye on PageRanks.

Download Google's Toolbar to find out the PageRank of any site your browsing (including your own!) Learn more about this here.

Seller Handbook | Shop Makeover Series

Virtual Labs Schedule: October 13th - October 17th, 2008

2008-10-12T17:34:00-05:00

The Virtual Labs are Etsy's interactive classrooms, a place to hang out, throw paper airplanes and share skills. This week we have some guest speakers talking to us about their craft! Also, keep an eye out for some specific Virtual Labs events this month to help sellers and shoppers get prepared for the Holidays.

Alert! Alert! Want to keep up with the Virtual Labs schedule? Make sure you sign up for the Etsy Success mailing list. We're going to be sending the schedule out via newsletter from now on!

The following schedule covers October 13th to October 18th, 2008 (all Eastern Daylight Time). The schedule posted in the Virtual Labs is magically in *your* time. If you are confused, just click here to see what's coming up in your real time.

Monday

Newbie Chat with Danielle and Julie — 3pm in the Treehouse. Newbies! Get your questions answered here! Julie and Danielle can help get your shop started on the right foot.

Craft Night! — 5pm in the Treehouse. Fall is in the air! This week we'll be making pumpkin pincushions. We will demonstrate how to hand sew and embellish these lovely little creations. These pincushions make wonderful gifts and decorations for the fall. This project is open to people with all levels of sewing experience.

Tuesday

Show and Tell for Sellers — 7pm in the Lounge. Come share what you are working on! Everyone will get their own time to talk about a project they are working on and get feedback. Come with links to pictures of your work in progress, or if you have a webcam, you can show us live!

Newbie Chat with Danielle and Julie — 4:15pm in the Treehouse. Newbies! Get your questions answered here! Julie and Danielle can help get your shop started on the right foot

Wednesday

Show and Tell for Buyers: Keeping Warm — 4pm in the Lounge. Hello Shoppers! Let's find the best Etsy items that will keep us warm this Fall! Together we'll make a Treasury!

On-The-Fly Critiques with the EtsyLabs ladies — 5pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

Thursday

Weekly Teams Meeting with Sara and Danielle — 12pm in the Teams Room.

Fan Art Talk in the Virtual Labs: Special Guest Professor Henry Jenkins - 3pm in the Storque Room. Join in for a discussion about the history and meaning of fan art with MIT professor Henry Jenkins. Invite your friends! Anyone is welcome — you just need an Etsy username.

How-To For the Holidays — 4pm in the Treehouse. Every week we'll be hosting a How-To for sellers to help you get ready for the holiday shopping season. This weeks topic: Social Networking for the Holidays.

Helping Others Street Team Trunk Show — 7pm in the Treehouse. 10% of the proceeds from the sales of this show will go to charity. Here's what this Team is all about: "HOST is a group of Etsy buyers and sellers with a mission to help other Etsians in need. We offer basic financial support, or we can suggest options if your need is greater than we can meet. We also offer emotional support and friendship, and a warm welcome awaits new members!"

Office Hours: Mary (Etsy Community Advocate) — 7pm in the Lounge.

Friday

Polishing Techniques for Metal - 1pm in the Treehouse. Join Etsy sellers Metalicious and onegarnetgirl for an informative chat about polishing methods. Not to be missed!

On-The-Fly Critiques with the EtsyLabs ladies — 3pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

Saturday

All About Encaustics - 1pm in the Treehouse. Join Etsy sellers, and encaustic enthusiast, newbyart and kbean for more info about encaustic techniques and materials.

Learn more about the Virtual Labs here! Apply to hold your own meetings or online workshops in the Virtual Labs here! Or send me a convo. You can also check out the Events Calendar in the Storque!

And now — a few of my favorite metalwork and encaustic items on Etsy! Enjoy!

Virtual Labs Schedule: October 6th - October 10th, 2008

2008-10-06T10:04:00-05:00

The Virtual Labs are Etsy's interactive classrooms, a place to hang out, throw paper airplanes and share skills. Keep an eye out for some specific Virtual Labs events this month to help sellers and shoppers get prepared for the Holidays.

Want to host your own workshop or meeting in the Virtual Labs? Fill out an application here!

The following schedule covers October 6th to October 10th, 2008 (all Eastern Daylight Time). The schedule posted in the Virtual Labs is magically in *your* time. If you are confused, just click here to see what's coming up in your real time.

Monday

Newbie Chat with Danielle and Julie — 3pm in the Treehouse. Newbies! Get your questions answered here! Julie and Danielle can help get your shop started on the right foot.

Craft Night! — 5pm in the Treehouse. Fall is in the air! This week we'll be making pumpkin pincushions. We will demonstrate how to hand sew and embellish these lovely little creations. These pincushions make wonderful gifts and decorations for the fall. This project is open to people with all levels of sewing experience.

Tuesday

Show and Tell for Sellers — 7pm in the Lounge. Come share what you are working on! Everyone will get their own time to talk about a project they are working on and get feedback. Come with links to pictures of your work in progress, or if you have a webcam, you can show us live!

Newbie Chat with Danielle and Julie — 4:15pm in the Treehouse. Newbies! Get your questions answered here! Julie and Danielle can help get your shop started on the right foot

Wednesday

Show and Tell for Buyers: Halloween Party Items — 4pm in the Lounge. Hello Shoppers! Throwing a Halloween party? Come see what fun Halloween items Etsy has to offer! Together we'll make a Treasury!

On-The-Fly Critiques with the EtsyLabs ladies — 5pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

Thursday

Weekly Teams Meeting with Sara and Danielle — 12pm in the Teams Room.

Office Hours: Vanessa, Alison, Tara and Bre (Storque Admin) — 1pm in the Storque Room.

How-To For the Holidays — 4pm in the Treehouse. Every week we'll be hosting a How-To for sellers to help you get ready for the holiday shopping season. This weeks topic: Shipping and Packaging for the Holidays.

Office Hours: Mary (Etsy Community Advocate) — 7pm in the Lounge.

Bead Art Originals Trunk Show - 7pm in the Treehouse. Hello, Shoppers! Come join the Bead Art Originals Street Team as we show off our unique, original jewelry and bead designs. Artists include beadweavers, lampworkers, polymer clay artists, and more; and several of the participants are offering special promotions for the Trunk Show.

Friday

On-The-Fly Critiques with the EtsyLabs ladies — 3pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

Learn more about the Virtual Labs here! Apply to hold your own meetings or online workshops in the Virtual Labs here! Or send me a convo. You can also check out the Events Calendar in the Storque!

And now—a few of my favorite Halloween Party items on Etsy! Enjoy!

Quit Your Day Job: aromaticbodyoils

2008-09-29T14:58:00-05:00

Each Etsy seller's circumstances are different. In the case of Zaidat of aromaticbodyoils, the income from her Etsy shop allowed her to quit her 9-5 job, go back to school and spend more time with her young family. She was skeptical of Etsy when she first tested the waters. She dabbled in listing items over a period of several months, and with a few quick successes realized that Etsy just might be a venue where she could work for herself. Zaidat has come a long way with the evolution of her business; she's learned the importance of professional packaging and photography when selling online, and if she could give one piece of advice, it would be understanding the importance of patience. Keep reading to find out more about her journey into quitting her day job for selling full time on Etsy.

When you first started selling on Etsy, did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?
When I first joined Etsy, I never imagined it taking me anywhere. I thought it was just another everyday venue to list your items and maybe you might get a few views. I have joined sites where this happens, so my expectations about Etsy were very low. I had a very limited inventory and funds to really promote my business as well as I wanted to. I was hoping to get a few sales on Etsy to have a little spending cash in my pocket.

How long were you selling on Etsy before taking the plunge into selling full time?
I have to admit that I sold my first item on Etsy a month after I joined, which was in 2006. Then I did not come back and list anything for 5 months after that, and that item also immediately sold! It was not until a full 6 months after that before I really loaded up my shop. Why I took all that time to really get into Etsy, I really do not know, but I wish sometimes I could take that lost time back.

What was the deciding factor resulting in your pursuing Etsy as your full time job?
My family was my #1 deciding factor. I was not spending enough time with my family. Working on Etsy allows me to have all the time I need with my toddlers, and not have to run to a 9 to 5 job every day. Another factor is that I really started enjoying the day to day orders that I was receiving and processing. I thought to myself, hey, this would be cool to do full time and not even have to leave the house! I am a true hermit!

Did you do anything to prepare ahead of time before taking the plunge?
I already had the business license, insurance and everything else I needed in place. I did create a bit of inventory, mainly some solid perfumes, rollerballs, whipped shea butter, whipped body wash, and soaps. Back then I had less than 15 varieties of soap, and less than 50 fragrances. I also had a small skincare line. My packaging then, compared to my packaging now, was mediocre, and don't let me get started on my labeling skills! I took some courses, learned some new techniques, and researched a lot about skincare. (I also decided at that point that I wanted to become a Dermatologist.) As of today I have over 150 varieties of soaps and my skincare line is being enjoyed by many all over the world.

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business? What's you're best marketing tip?
I promote on my blog, and I am part of quite a few Teams which I try to pop in to at least once a week. I participate on Ning, Facebook, Myspace, and Flickr. I also have a newsletter campaign that is doing very well. I am also featured on a regular basis on other blogs and websites. I do tutorials sometimes about some of my techniques and that gains exposure for my store. I am currently working on some videos to get the business on Youtube. I leave comments on other blogs when I can. My best tips for other Etsians are to keep your store fresh and lively, rotate your featured items in your store, and invest in a great camera to take decent pictures, preferably near a bright window. Natural lighting is an online seller's best friend! I do not think I would be successful if my pictures were not up to par. I really work hard on the pictures of my products.

What have you found to be unsuccessful promotion or something that's just not working for your shop?
Pay per click advertising never worked well for me; people would click away and not buy anything. I got tired of wasting a lot of money each month and not reaping any rewards. I tried running a few contests too, and that just did not work for me. I must not have that contest thrower's touch!

Would you walk us through what a typical workday might entail being your own boss?

Each day starts at approximately 6:45. Kids get a bath, breakfast is made, and we prepare for school and daycare.
8 - 11: I answer emails, print labels, and pack orders.
11:30 - 6:30: I am in school (my major is Biology and my minor is Chemistry. I try to do most of my studying in between classes.)
7: Back at home, I spend time with the family, have dinner, and check my emails.
9 pm -11 pm: I either make soap, pack more orders, or relist items.
I head to bed at around midnight.

The above scenario of course would be the perfect day. Each day around here does not always go as planned! And now that my daughter has started school, I plan on being an active part of her PTA and volunteering in her class for at least 3 hours a week. I am also going to start volunteering at a local hospital and shadowing a Dermatologist to get on the right track for those medical school applications!

What do you enjoy most about not having a day job? Is there anything you miss?
I really am a homebody. I love being at home: it is my haven, and working outside the house just takes me away from my haven. I do miss the interaction with "real" people, but I have made a lot of online friends too over the years. I love being at home with my kids (my daughter just started kindergarten, *sniff, they grow so fast*) and being able to have an active role in their lives that I would otherwise not have if I worked outside my home. I also love being able to be creative and not have to worry about getting someone else's approval for it first. Being your own boss is the best.

If you could go back in time before you took the plunge, what advice would you give yourself knowing what you know now?
Be patient; do not expect success to happen overnight. With other people I am so patient you could feel a gray hair grow. With myself, however, I am not so patient. I am very hard on myself. My advice to myself would be: Do not give up because no one is looking or buying your products. Never compare yourself to anyone else or their work: only believe in yourself. And do not worry about who might be copying your work! At times I would get so discouraged and think to myself, "Why would anyone buy from me where there are so many other bath and body sources?" And I would crash and give up. After awhile I realized that I would never know if I could be successful unless I tried. My motto is "I Can!"

What advice would you give someone else thinking about taking the plunge to sell full time on Etsy?
Take the plunge; you will be glad you did! Etsy is a wonderful community full of wonderful people. It might be intimidating at first, but you won't know how you will do unless you try.

How's it going so far? Are you supporting yourself?
I am happy with my success here on Etsy. Of course, with any business there are ups and downs, and some months do much better than others. There are days where I can see tumbleweeds going across my shop and Etsy feels like a ghost town. You have to get used to it and just learn to expect those slow times every once in awhile and prepare for them in advance.

What goals do you wish to accomplish in the coming year for your Etsy business?

I would like to double my sales
Work on listing more of my fragrances and...
Getting as much of my stock online as possible.
I am also thinking of hiring a professional photographer to help my items really stand out.
Last year I was totally unprepared for the Christmas season, so this year I am starting early and working on preparing myself now.
I am also looking for ways to get more exposure.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I would definitely like to share a big thank you to all of those who stand by me and support my crafts. I really appreciate my buyers, other sellers on here that I interact with and admire. And I want to say thank you to Etsy for creating this space for us to come and share our creativity and enjoy the creativity of others.

Thanks to Zaidat for sharing her story and business with us! Check out the related items below to see some of her items. You can find some of our previous Quit Your Day Job posts here.

Virtual Labs Schedule: September 29th - October 3rd, 2008

2008-09-28T16:10:00-05:00

We are starting some specific Virtual Labs events this month to help you get prepared for the Holidays. Not familiar with the Virtual Labs? Now's the time to learn! The Virtual Labs are Etsy's interactive classrooms, a place to hang out, throw paper airplanes and share skills.

Want to host your own workshop or meeting in the Virtual Labs? Fill out an application here!

The following schedule covers September 29th to October 3rd, 2008 (all Eastern Daylight Time). The schedule posted in the Virtual Labs is magically in *your* time. If you are confused, just click here to see what's coming up in your real time.

Monday

Show and Tell for Sellers — 7pm in the Lounge. Come share what you are working on! Everyone will get their own time to talk about a project they are working on and get feedback. Come with links to pictures of your work in progress, or if you have a webcam, you can show us live! This week, you'll also get a peek at what crafters are working on at open craft night in Brooklyn.

Tuesday

Newbie Chat with Danielle and Julie — 4:15pm in the Treehouse. Newbies! Get your questions answered here! Julie and Danielle can help get your shop started on the right foot!

Wednesday

Show and Tell for Buyers: Scary Items — 4pm in the Lounge. Hello Shoppers! Come see what bone-chilling items Etsy has to offer! Together we'll make a Treasury with the creepiest items.

On-The-Fly Critiques with the EtsyLabs ladies — 3pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

Thursday

Special online workshop about using the USPS — not in the Virtual Labs but special for Etsy sellers — details here: USPS Seminar: Learn Tips Directly From the United States Postal Service.

Weekly Teams Meeting with Sara and Danielle — 12pm in the Teams Room.

Office Hours: Vanessa, Alison, Tara and Bre (Storque Admin) — 1pm in the Storque Room.

How-To For the Holidays — 4pm in the Treehouse. Every week we'll be hosting a How-To for sellers to help you get ready for the holiday shopping season. This weeks topic: Holding Specials and Promotions with Mary and Danielle.

Etsy's Edible Arts Team Trunk Show - 8pm in the Treehouse. Etsy's Edible Arts Team is having a Virtual Bake Sale! Come join us for games, door prizes, and a chance to win a $10 gift certificate! Great sales and amazing Edibles!

Office Hours: Mary (Etsy Community Advocate) — 7pm in the Treehouse.

Friday

Office Hours: RobWhite (Forum Admin) — 7pm in the Lounge.

Virtual Labs Schedule: September 22nd - 26th, 2008

2008-09-21T12:04:00-05:00

We have some specific Virtual Labs events starting this month to help you get prepared for the Holidays. Not familiar with the Virtual Labs? Now's the time to learn! The Virtual Labs are Etsy's interactive classrooms, a place to hang out, throw paper airplanes and share skills.

Want to host your own workshop or meeting in the Virtual Labs? Fill out an application here!

The following schedule covers September 22nd to September 26th, 2008 (all Eastern Daylight Time). The schedule posted in the Virtual Labs is magically in *your* time. If you are confused, just click here to see what's coming up in your real time.

Monday

Craft Night! — 5pm in the Treehouse. For our Monday, September 22nd Craft Night, we're doing applique! Applique is a surface design technique in which pieces of fabric are sewn or fused together to create images and designs.

Tuesday

Newbie Chat with Claire and Julie — 4:15pm in the Treehouse. Newbies! Get your questions answered here! Julie and Claire can help get your shop started on the right foot!

Show and Tell for Sellers — 5pm in the Lounge. Come share what you are working on! Everyone will get their own time to talk about a project they are working on and get feedback. Come with links to pictures of your work in progress, or if you have a webcam, you can show us live!

Wednesday

Show and Tell for Buyers: Fall Fashion with Alison and Claire — 4pm in the Lounge. Hello Shoppers! Come see what Etsy Fall Fashion picks! Together we'll make a Treasury with the best items.

Thursday

Weekly Teams Meeting with Sara and Danielle — 12pm in the Teams Room.

Office Hours: Vanessa, Alison, Tara and Bre (Storque Admin) — 1pm in the Storque Room.

How-To For the Holidays — 4pm in the Treehouse. Every week we'll be hosting a How-To for sellers to help you get ready for the holiday shopping season. This weeks topic: Getting Organized for the Holidays with Beth and Julie.

Office Hours: Mary (Etsy Community Advocate) — 7pm in the Treehouse.

Friday

On-The-Fly Critiques with the EtsyLabs ladies — 3pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

Office Hours: RobWhite (Forum Admin) — 7pm in the Lounge.

Learn more about the Virtual Labs here! Apply to hold your own meetings or online workshops in the Virtual Labs here! Or send me a convo. You can also check out the Events Calendar in the Storque!

And below — a few of Alison and Claire's favorite Fall Fashions on Etsy! Enjoy!

Virtual Labs Schedule: September 15th - 19th, 2008

2008-09-14T13:02:00-05:00

Want to host your own workshop or meeting in the Virtual Labs? Fill out an application here!

The following schedule covers September 15th to September 19th, 2008 (all Eastern Daylight Time). The schedule posted in the Virtual Labs is magically in *your* time. If you are confused, just click here to see what's coming up in your real time.

Monday

Craft Night! — 5pm in the Treehouse. For our Monday, September 15th Craft Night, we will be making lip balm! We will demonstrate the melt-and-pour technique of lip balm making that is perfect for creating fun promotional items for your own Etsy shop, as well as gifts for friends. We'll also cover tips on labeling, sealing, and packaging your lip balm containers.

Tuesday

Newbie Chat with Danielle and Julie — 4:15pm in the Treehouse. Newbies! Get your questions answered here! Julie and Danielle can help get your shop started on the right foot!

Show and Tell for Sellers — 5pm in the Lounge. Come share what you are working on! Everyone will get their own time to talk about a project they are working on and get feedback. Come with links to pictures of your work in progress, or if you have a webcam, you can show us live!

Wednesday

Show and Tell for Buyers: Costumes — 3pm in the Lounge. Hello Shoppers! Lets get together and talk about our favorite costumes and Halloween accessories on Etsy. Together we'll make a Treasury with the best picks.

How-To for the Holidays — 4pm in the Treehouse. Every week we'll be hosting a How-To for sellers to help you get ready for the holiday shopping season. This weeks topic: Selling Wholesale Through Etsy.

Thursday

Weekly Teams Meeting with Sara — 12pm in the Teams Room.

Office Hours: Vanessa, Alison, Tara and Bre (Storque Admin) — 1pm in the Storque Room.

Office Hours: Mary (Etsy Community Advocate) — 7pm in the Treehouse.

Friday

Office Hours: RobWhite (Forum Admin) — 7pm in the Lounge.

Virtual Labs Schedule: September 8th - 12th, 2008

2008-09-07T09:00:00-05:00

Want to host your own workshop or meeting in the Virtual Labs? Fill out an application here!

The following schedule covers September 8th to September 12th, 2008 (all Eastern Daylight Time). The schedule posted in the Virtual Labs is magically in *your* time. If you are confused, just click here to see what's coming up in your real time.

Monday

Craft Night! — 5pm in the Treehouse. For our Monday, September 8 Craft Night, we will be making instant books! This instant satisfaction method of making simple books is a fun way to make your own books and zines out of a humble sheet of paper or scrap of fabric.

Tuesday

Newbie Chat with Danielle and Julie — 4:15pm in the Treehouse. Newbies! Get your questions answered here! Julie and Danielle can help get your shop started on the right foot!

Show and Tell for Sellers — 5pm in the Lounge. Come share what you are working on! Everyone will get their own time to talk about a project they are working on and get feedback. Come with links to pictures of your work in progress, or if you have a webcam, you can show us live!

Wednesday

Show and Tell for Buyers: Gems! — 4pm in the Lounge. Hello Shoppers! Lets get together and talk about our favorite jewelry on Etsy. Together we'll make a Treasury with the best picks.

How to Get Featured on Etsy with Michelle — 9pm in the Treehouse. There are many places to be featured on Etsy- the Front Page, the Treasury, Gift Guides, and the Storque. We'll talk about what you can do to get your items featured!

Thursday

Weekly Teams Meeting with Sara and Danielle — 12pm in the Teams Room.

Office Hours: Vanessa, Alison, Tara and Bre (Storque Admin) — 1pm in the Storque Room.

How-To For the Holidays — 4pm in the Treehouse. Every week we'll be hosting a How-To for sellers to help you get ready for the holiday shopping season. This weeks topic: Rocking Holiday Craft Shows. (Accompanying article coming soon!)

Office Hours: Mary (Etsy Community Advocate) — 7pm in the Treehouse.

Friday

On-The-Fly Critiques with the EtsyLabs ladies — 3pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

Office Hours: RobWhite (Forum Admin) — 7pm in the Lounge.

Virtual Labs Schedule: September 1st - 5th, 2008

2008-08-31T13:21:00-05:00

O.M.G., it's September! Time to start thinking about the holidays! We have some specific Virtual Labs events starting this month to help you get prepared. Not familiar with the Virtual Labs? Now's the time to learn! The Virtual Labs are Etsy's interactive classrooms, a place to hang out, throw paper airplanes and share skills.

Want to host your own workshop or meeting in the Virtual Labs? Fill out an application here!

The following schedule covers September 1st to September 5th, 2008 (all Eastern Daylight Time). The schedule posted in the Virtual Labs is magically in *your* time. If you are confused, just click here to see what's coming up in your real time.

Monday

NEWSFLASH: Craft Night is canceled this Monday, September 1st, 2008 for the Labor Day holiday. Join us the following Monday, September 8th for another night of crafting festivities!

Tuesday

Newbie Chat with Danielle and Julie — 4:15pm in the Treehouse. Newbies! Get your questions answered here! Julie and Danielle can help get your shop started on the right foot!

Show and Tell for Sellers — 5pm in the Lounge. Come share what you are working on! Everyone will get their own time to talk about a project they are working on and get feedback. Come with links to pictures of your work in progress, or if you have a webcam, you can show us live!

Wednesday

Show and Tell for Buyers: Fall Picks — 4pm in the Lounge. Hello Shoppers! Lets get together and talk about our Fall favorites. Coats, scarves, jewelry, anything you have your eye on. Together we'll make a Treasury with the best picks.

Shop Critiques with Michelle — 9pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

Thursday

Weekly Teams Meeting with Sara and Danielle — 12pm in the Teams Room.

Office Hours: Vanessa, Alison, Tara and Bre (Storque Admin) — 1pm in the Storque Room.

How-To For the Holidays — 4pm in the Treehouse. Every week we'll be hosting a How-To for sellers to help you get ready for the holiday shopping season. This weeks topic: Marketing Yourself Online for the Holidays. (Accompanying article coming soon!)

Office Hours: Mary (Etsy Community Advocate) — 7pm in the Treehouse.

Friday

On-The-Fly Critiques with the EtsyLabs ladies — 3pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

Office Hours: RobWhite (Forum Admin) — 7pm in the Lounge.

Virtual Labs Schedule: August 25th to August 29th, 2008

2008-08-25T09:49:00-05:00

The Virtual Labs are Etsy's interactive classrooms, a place to hang out, throw paper airplanes and share skills. We've also started Show and Tell for Buyers, so if you have a bit of an Etsy shopping addiction, these are your peeps. Hope to see ya around the Labs!

Want to host your own workshop or meeting in the Virtual Labs? Fill out an application here!

The following schedule covers August 25th to August 29th, 2008 (all Eastern Daylight Time). The schedule posted in the Virtual Labs is magically in *your* time. So if you are confused, just click here to see what's coming up in your real time.

Monday

Craft Night! — 5pm to 7pm in the Treehouse. For our Monday craft night, we will be demonstrating how to etch glass. To find out what supplies you need to follow along (or bring to the Labs if you are in Brooklyn) check out this article.

Tuesday

Newbie Chat with Danielle and Julie — 4:15pm in the Treehouse. Newbies! Get your questions answered here! Julie and Danielle can help get your shop started on the right foot!

Wednesday

Show and Tell for Sellers — 4pm in the Lounge. Come share what you are working on! Everyone will get their own time to talk about a project they are working on and get feedback. Come with links to pictures of your work in progress, or if you have a webcam, you can show us live!

Shop Critiques with Michelle — 9pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

Thursday

Weekly Teams Meeting with Sara and Danielle — 12pm in the Teams Room.

Office Hours: Vanessa, Alison, Tara and Bre (Storque Admin) — 1pm in the Storque Room.

Show and Tell For Buyers — 4pm in the Lounge. Come share what you have purchased on Etsy! Come with links to your purchases in their new home or directly to the items you have collected this week!

Office Hours: Mary (Etsy Community Advocate) — 7pm in the Treehouse.

Friday

On-The-Fly Critiques with the EtsyLabs ladies — 3pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

Office Hours: RobWhite (Forum Admin) — 7pm in the Lounge.

Learn more about the Virtual Labs here! Apply to hold your own meetings or online workshops in the Virtual Labs here! Or send me a convo. You can also check out the Events Calendar in the Storque!

And now—for no reason at all—a few of my favorite colorful Etsy items! Enjoy!

Virtual Labs Schedule: August 18th to August 22nd, 2008

2008-08-17T14:40:00-05:00

Want to host your own workshop or meeting in the Virtual Labs? Fill out an application here!

The following schedule covers August 18th to August 22nd, 2008 (all Eastern Daylight Time). The schedule posted in the Virtual Labs is magically in *your* time. So if you are confused, just click here to see what's coming up in your real time.

Monday

Craft Night! — 5pm to 7pm in the Treehouse. For our Monday, August 18 craft night, we will be demonstrating how to make paper boxes. These boxes are wonderful to use as gift boxes, storing your favorite trinkets, using in displays at craft fairs....The list goes on!

Tuesday

Newbie Chat with Danielle and Julie — 4:15pm in the Treehouse. Newbies! Get your questions answered here! Julie and Danielle can help get your shop started on the right foot!

Shop Critiques with Michelle — 9pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

Wednesday

Show and Tell for Sellers — 4pm in the Lounge. Come share what you are working on! Everyone will get their own time to talk about a project they are working on and get feedback. Come with links to pictures of your work in progress, or if you have a webcam, you can show us live!

Shop Critiques — 5pm in the Lounge.

Thursday

Weekly Teams Meeting with Sara and Danielle — 12pm in the Teams Room.

Office Hours: Vanessa, Alison, Tara and Bre (Storque Admin) — 1pm in the Storque Room.

Show and Tell For Buyers — 4pm in the Lounge. Come share what you have purchased on Etsy! Come with links to your purchases in their new home or directly to the items you have collected this week!

Office Hours: Mary (Etsy Community Advocate) — 7pm in the Treehouse.

Friday

On-The-Fly Critiques with the EtsyLabs ladies — 3pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

Office Hours: RobWhite (Forum Admin) — 7pm in the Lounge.

Learn more about the Virtual Labs here! Apply to hold your own meetings or online workshops in the Virtual Labs here! Or send me a convo. You can also check out the Events Calendar in the Storque!

And now—for no reason at all—a few of my favorite handmade undies! Enjoy!

Service Tips for Sellers: The Buyers' Perspective

2008-08-14T13:43:00-05:00

Dear Sellers,

It's impossible to predict what each and every shopper will want from customer service — that's why sellers (and Etsy admin too) listen to buyers in order to glean insights into the shopper's experience. Etsy admin and sellers alike realize communication with our members is crucial to our businesses and to the community we all support. We want to discuss some tried and true pointers below as part of our ongoing education in Service. There's a lot the admin are learning from this Service Tips for Sellers series too!

As part of this series, we collaborated with members to gather some input about buyers' experiences here on Etsy. We've asked buyers what they want, and to summarize, expectations usually surround the following key elements: communication, honesty, follow through, and a human connection. Etsy admin are reflecting on what this means for the larger Etsy business.

Below, we're sharing some of the tips and testimonials from everyday Etsy buyers. We hope this slice of research helps our sellers out!

Communication: Communicating with your customer can make or break your buyer's overall experience. Communication does not mean you need to hand hold through every step of the transaction, but it does mean letting your buyer know you are there if they need you. Most buyers are looking for a well rounded item description, clear and accurate item photos, quick answers to convos, an acknowledgment of their purchase and an estimate of when their item will be shipped.

lovelaurie says: The thing I enjoy most when purchasing an item here is the seller who sends that warm friendly convo or note thanking me for the sale — that feeling that I not only purchased a great item, but I also made a new friend. It is what makes Etsy such a unique place to shop and keeps me coming back for more!
juliepeach explains: I expect the seller to be easy to get a hold of. That is, perhaps, the most important thing that sellers here can do: be available. It gives everyone a REALLY bad name if a buyer has a bad experience due to a mysterious, unavailable seller that silently ships out the order a week after it was placed. So spooky!
appleoranges says: I expect a ship date to be emailed or convo-ed, EVEN if the seller has checked the "item shipped" box. It gives me peace of mind.
WinchesterLambourne says: Above all, I expect communication. I adore Etsy because it fosters amazing personal relationships between sellers and buyers, which I have yet to find elsewhere.

Honesty: Being candid with your buyer can help you in a difficult situation and build a trusting relationship that may turn your first time buyers into faithful repeat customers. If a buyer feels like they are in safe hands, they will be more understanding and willing to work with you in the event the transaction doesn't run as smoothly as you had planned. We are all human and most shoppers on Etsy are looking for that human interaction. That being said, most shoppers will be most receptive and satisfied when they feel that they can trust you and your brand.

turtleparktots says: Please don't make money on shipping. As a seller and a buyer, I know how much it costs to ship something. I'd rather pay higher prices and lower shipping/handling costs, because it just seems more honest. Above all, please be professional. How a seller conducts him or herself not only affects the buyer but every other seller on Etsy. I've found that being a buyer (on Etsy) has made me a better seller.
BeadsInTheBelfry says: As far as pet hair or smoke is concerned, communication once again is key. Please let me know that there is a possibility that your pet hair or a smell of smoke could *adorn* my package. I will be more upset to find out later than to be forewarned up front. I like to make informed decisions. If I really like something, pet hair or smoke won't deter me for certain purchases.
nlbenj says: Right now it's taking a month for packages to get from Canada to here in MA. I am happy to say that a couple of the Canadian sellers have been kind enough to check in with me and explain they've heard about delays, and what the updated expected arrival time frame is. That's very nice!
slvrlily says: If you aren't going to ship within two business days, PLEASE make sure you put that boldly in your announcement and/or listings. It should jump out and smack me in the face that you only ship such and such day. Finally, the biggies—honesty and respect. Deal with me squarely and I'll do the same. Treat me well and I'll be back, probably with friends.
greygoat says: I do like to know if anything is going to be shipped late (don't mind, just want to know so I can stop harassing the postman).

Follow Through: Also a part of being honest, following through with what you say is very important. Create shop policies that you know you will be able to follow, no matter what circumstance may come about. Steer clear of making customer promises you simply cannot keep, even if you have all the best intentions in the world. Repeat buyers patronize shops time and time again when they can predict and feel confident about their experience. When a buyer is provided with false expectations, in most cases they do not visit again.

dianedesign says: I would like a prompt delivery, meaning don't wait a few days before you decide to ship. And let me know you have shipped. I really don't care about fancy packaging just as long it is secure. It's always nice to get a thank you and thanks for your order. Having good shop policies is nice, too.
BrandedButterfly says: I want my "Ready to Ship" item shipped within a few days and I want my "Ready to Make/Custom" item made and shipped in the time agreed upon. I do not want to hear about packages not showing up, or lost packages when there is no receipt of the postage. The post office gives you a register receipt. Also, build the cost of insurance and tracking into the product or shipping charge.
bubbletime says: Please make sure the item is as much like the photo as possible. I understand why you would keep the same photos if the item is made to order—but if there is a particular part I like about it and it arrives with a different part there, it is disappointing.
KreatedbyKelly says: I expect sellers to do what they say they are going to do (for example, if part of my order is missing and the seller says they will issue a refund, I don't want to have to write you again in a week to remind you).

Human Connection: We have found that the typical Etsy buyer is looking to feel good about the purchase they are making. They are looking to connect with the maker of the product and therefore, expect the shopping experience to show a human element. A human connection can be achieved in a simple convo, the way you package your items, the note you include in the shipment, and any extra steps or touches you might take to go the extra mile. Most shoppers do not expect a grandiose presentation, but do remember and appreciate those sellers that put their own personality and special touch into the shopping experience. Adding the human element to your buyer's experience allows them to relate and connect with you, shows them that you believe in your brand and respect their purchases. This will in turn help them to believe in your brand.

touchofavalon says: I think what separates Etsy sellers from the herd is the personalized shopping experience. I look forward to my Etsy packages because they're so full of the seller's personality, usually. So, I've come to expect the personal touch that Etsy sellers are known for.
sarahkamsler says: When I buy from Etsy, it's because I want to support an individual artist, not a huge corporation. On Etsy, individualized attention is important because you almost end up feeling like you know the seller. That's uncommon in this day and age and that's why I love it here!
annashoub says: I love when people go the extra mile with a little personal note or pretty packaging. One of the nice things about shopping on Etsy is that it feels more personal, so it's nice to have those details. I guess something that shows is that it's a real person who made the item you are buying.
littleworm says: I want to feel special. I don't need an extra gift (although they are very nice), but I love it when my order shows up looking like a pretty gift. It's nice to know that extra time was taken and I wasn't just one part of a huge mass.
jeweledblossoms says: I'd love to feel connected to the artist. It always makes me want to return to the shop. Make me feel as though I can participate in your work.

The key to great service is realizing that when your buyers are satisfied with their experience, they will return and better yet, they will feel confident sharing with others how great you and your business are. Follow the key points above and you will be well on your way to satisfied buyers each and every time. GreenSpaceGoods explains: "All in all, buyers remember a good experience, and they will never forget a bad one. I'm a repeat buyer. I collect items from a few sellers who have never failed me, and I expect never will." Sometimes, you might need to put in a little extra effort or even tone your service down to suit the needs of individual shoppers, but in the end if you have tried your best to meet each customer's needs, you will come out on top.

For more Etsy buyer testimonials, please see this related forum thread and feel free to share your own expectations when shopping with an Etsy seller.

More about Service Tips for Sellers Series: Running an online business has many perks, like the ability to remain somewhat anonymous behind a computer screen (and maybe even working in your 'jammies). But that computer screen does not preclude interaction with buyers. Good online customer service may be even more important than offline: good service gives buyers the peace of mind that they are buying from a trustworthy and reputable seller. As an online entrepreneur you have the opportunity to provide excellent communication, create a friendly face for your shop, and promote repeat business.

Art of Pricing | Legal Info for Artists | Shop Makeover Series | Service Tips for Sellers

Virtual Labs Schedule: August 11th to August 15th, 2008

2008-08-11T11:18:00-05:00

Want to host your own workshop or meeting in the Virtual Labs? Fill out an application here!

The following schedule covers Monday, August 11th to Friday, August 15th, 2008 (all Eastern Daylight Time). The schedule posted in the Virtual Labs is magically in *your* time. So if you are confused, just click here to see what's coming up in your real time.

Monday

Craft Night! — 5pm to 7pm in the Treehouse. This week we are pleased to announce a very special edition of Monday Craft Night. The Etsy Labs, the EEAT Team and Sweet Tooth of the Tiger join forces to create a recipe slam! Click here for all the sweet details.

Tuesday

Newbie Chat with Danielle and Julie — 4:15pm in the Treehouse. Newbies! Get your questions answered here! Julie and Danielle can help get your shop started on the right foot!

Shop Critiques with Michelle — 9pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

Wednesday

Show and Tell for Sellers — 4pm in the Lounge. Come share what you are working on! Everyone will get their own time to talk about a project they are working on and get feedback. Come with links to pictures of your work in progress, or if you have a webcam, you can show us live!

Shop Critiques — 5pm in the Lounge.

Thursday

Weekly Teams Meeting with Sara and Danielle — 12pm in the Teams Room.

Office Hours: Vanessa, Alison, Tara and Bre (Storque Admin) — 1pm in the Storque Room.

Show and Tell For Buyers — 4pm in the Lounge. Come share what you have purchased on Etsy! Come with links to your purchases in their new home or directly to the items you have collected this week!

Office Hours: Mary (Etsy Community Advocate) — 7pm in the Treehouse.

Friday

On-The-Fly Critiques with the EtsyLabs ladies — 3pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

Office Hours: RobWhite (Forum Admin) — 7pm in the Lounge.

Learn more about the Virtual Labs here! Apply to hold your own meetings or online workshops in the Virtual Labs here! Or send me a convo. You can also check out the Events Calendar in the Storque!

And now—for no reason at all—a few of my favorite foxes! Enjoy!

Virtual Labs Schedule: August 4th to August 8th, 2008

2008-08-03T13:34:00-05:00

Want to host your own workshop or meeting in the Virtual Labs? Fill out an application here!

The following schedule covers Monday, August 4th to Friday, August 8th, 2008 (all Eastern Daylight Time). The schedule posted in the Virtual Labs is magically in *your* time. So if you are confused, just click here to see what's coming up in your real time.

Monday

Craft Night! — 5pm to 7pm in the Treehouse. This week we are pleased to announce a very special edition of Monday Craft Night. The Etsy Labs, the EEAT Team and Sweet Tooth of the Tiger join forces to create a recipe slam! Click here for all the sweet details.

Tuesday

Newbie Chat with Danielle and Julie — 4:15pm in the Treehouse. Newbies! Get your questions answered here! Julie and Danielle can help get your shop started on the right foot!

Shop Critiques with Michelle — 9pm in the Treehouse.

Wednesday

Show and Tell for Sellers — 4pm in the Lounge. Come share what you are working on! Everyone will get their own time to talk about a project they are working on and get feedback. Come with links to pictures of your work in progress or if you have a webcam, you can show us live!

How-To: Creating a Great Blog with Mary — 2pm in the Treehouse.

Thursday

Weekly Teams Meeting with Sara and Danielle — 12pm in the Teams Room.

Office Hours: Vanessa, Alison, Tara and Bre (Storque Admin) — 1pm in the Storque Room.

Show and Tell For Buyers — 4pm in the Lounge. Come share what you have purchased on Etsy! Come with links to your purchases in their new home or directly to the items you have collected this week!

Office Hours: Mary (Etsy Community Advocate) — 7pm in the Treehouse.

Friday

Community Chatt with Matt - 12pm in the Treehouse. Join us for a live, online discussion of topics of interest to the Etsy community. Our intention is to give buyers and sellers alike the opportunity to speak directly and candidly to Etsy Admin.

On-The-Fly Critiques with the EtsyLabs ladies — 3pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

Office Hours: RobWhite (Forum Admin) — 7pm in the Lounge.

Service Tips for Sellers: What We Can Learn from Great Service Companies

2008-07-31T16:35:00-05:00

Dear Sellers:

What is great service? Who defines it? How do you know if you are delivering great service to your Etsy customers?

Good service solves a problem, even before a customer knows that they have one. It is delivering what people expect to receive. To achieve great service is to get below the surface of the an issue and deliver solutions that no one expects.

Great service is listening, learning, assessing, and ultimately refining your approach.

We looked to a few companies known for their customer service to see if there are any themes or similarities between them that you can in turn, adopt for your own Etsy business practices. All strive for excellence, with a strong set of core values. Some of those values include:

Integrity – Providing useful and ethical assistance
Social Profit – Producing benefits beyond marketing goods and services (benefits to the environment, etc.)
Joy – Making your surroundings a joyful place for both you and your customers
Respect – Respect for the customer
Innovation – Changing what exists into something better

Below are only a few of many great customer service companies that embody many of these cores values.

Zappos.com

This is a recent favorite. It is hard to find someone who isn’t thrilled with Zappos' service. Zappos.com takes customer service very seriously, and employee interviews and performance reviews are based 50% on core values and culture. Here is a list of Zappos.com’s core values:

Deliver wow through service
Embrace and drive change
Create fun and a little weirdness
Be adventurous, creative, and open minded
Pursue growth and learning
Build open and honest relationships with communication
Build a creative team and family spirit
Be passionate and determined
Be humble

Zappos.com states that it is committed to providing the best service and online shopping experience possible. Fast fulfillment, free shipping both ways, 365-day return policy and fast, friendly and expert customer support are just a few ways Zappos.com strives to live up to this commitment. As Tony Hsieh has stated, “Zappos is a service company that happens to sell shoes, clothing, handbags, eyewear, watches (and eventually a bunch of other stuff).”

Container Store

The Container Store sells storage and organizational products; products that many, many other retailers sell as well. What has made the Container Store one of the most successful retail chains is because it focuses on helping customers solve problems and hires employees who believe in that mission and give them freedom to do so. Stories such as these below are not unusual:

Above and beyond: A woman comes into the store looking for packaging material for her child’s science project that needs to be shipped across the country. Not only does an employee greet her immediately and help her find the material she needs, that employee spends an additional two hours helping the woman pack the project in the store.

Guidance: During a frantic move, a person called the Container Store for help with an item she just purchased. She spent 40 minutes on the phone with a Container Store employee as that employee coached and encouraged her as she put her metro system together. The customer was incredibly grateful.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com’s customer service is known to solve problems, particularly shipping mishaps and lost items. An author earlier this year described his situation with his lost PlayStation 3 he purchased last Christmas in the New York Times.

His neighbor signed for the box, but left it in their lobby. It vanished. After reluctantly calling Amazon, he was pleasantly surprised when Amazon replaced the package, on time, for Christmas. Intrigued, he looked further into what Amazon was doing.

The author noted, “There is simply no question that Mr. Bezos’s obsession with his customers — and the long term — has paid off, even if he had to take some hits to the stock price along the way.”

LimaMike reports she had a terrific experience with one of Amazon.com’s retailers. She purchased a tool for her jewelry class, and when her back was turned, one of her students took one of her week-old wire cutters to cut a stiff, unforgiving wire that the cutters were never meant to cut. Before giving the cutters a decent burial she decided to send the company an email to see if they could refurbish the cutters, expecting to pay for the service.

A few days later the president of the company emailed asking for her address to send her a brand new pair of cutters. He suggested I keep the old ones to show my students what not to do.

LimaMike was so excited she posted in several Yahoo beading groups telling them about the great cutters and the phenomenal customer service. She heard from many that day who bought cutters, who had wanted them previously but hesitated because of the expense. After her story, they felt more comfortable laying out the cash for a great product.

As LimaMike stated, “Word of mouth marketing is one of the best ways to get new customers. People often listen to their friends and colleagues more so than a slick ad in a magazine.”

Great service isn't easy to achieve. Every customer is different. Every problem is different. No one can anticipate every situation or every personality on the other end of the computer. Ultimately, great service requires sound judgment every day to adapt to the needs of the customer. The process of assessing what good service means — and figuring out how to deliver it — never stops. This is a process Etsy.com is constantly refining as well. We're learning from these other companies too!

More about Service Tips for Sellers Series: Running an online business has many perks, like the ability to remain somewhat anonymous behind a computer screen (and maybe even working in your 'jammies). But that computer screen does not preclude interaction with customers. Good online customer service may be even more important than offline: good service gives buyers the peace of mind that they are buying from a trustworthy and reputable seller. As an online entrepreneur you have the opportunity to provide excellent communication, create a friendly face for your shop, and promote repeat business.

Art of Pricing | Legal Info for Artists | Shop Makeover Series | Service Tips for Sellers

Service Tips for Sellers: Building Bridges

2008-07-17T14:44:00-05:00

Dear Sellers:

As an online business owner, you may occasionally have a non-responding customer. They may have made a purchase from you and not specified the custom requirements in order for you to complete the transaction. They may have placed an order and not sent an immediate payment, with no explanation. They may not have left you any feedback for the transaction. There might have been other confusion, like a language barrier. All of these situations have the potential to be sticky, and in order to help we have gathered some tips and advice to handle the situation gracefully and professionally. We've talked with sellers, buyers and our customer support team to summarize the following responses that you can adopt and customize to your business needs.

Customer that is not responding to your emails: Keep in mind that not all internet shoppers check their email regularly and there might be an unforeseen circumstance keeping them from responding in a timely manner. It's always best practice to take a deep breath and remind yourself that no response does not mean they are uninterested.

Try communicating with your customer via both conversations and the email address the customer provided to you on the receipt page. Sometimes, emails from unknown addresses can get caught by the customer's spam filter and never read. Additionally, be sure to add their email address to your own email address book to be sure the spam filters aren't blocking their attempts to communicate with you.
Allow up to 2-3 business days to hear back from your customer. This may seem like a long time, but realistically your customer might be working a long shift, may not be near the computer, or may even be away for the weekend. If you do not hear back within that time frame, it is safe to send another message.
Provide as much information as you can in your message to your customer. If you do not hear back within your time frame, send another polite message with the same information and make sure to let them know in a friendly way you are waiting for their reply. Your third message is a good opportunity to give your customer a timeline of when you expect to hear back from them and alert them that you may cancel your sale and relist your item if no contact is made. If there is still no word, it is a safe time to cut your losses, given you tried your best.

Customer that ordered a custom item without giving you any of the specifications you require: There are a host of reasons a customer might have forgotten to contact you with the information you asked regarding the order. It is important to keep your cool, remain friendly, helpful, and professional when contacting your customer to ask for additional information.

Try sending your customer a friendly email thanking them for their order and asking for the specifics at the same time; this way you can kill two birds with one stone. It may sounds something like "Hello xxxx, Thank you for your order and for helping to support (yourshopnamehere). I am excited to start work on your custom order and will need the following information from you before I can get started: (list of information goes here). Please contact me with any questions and I look forward to working with you."
If you do not hear back from your customer within 2-3 days, follow the same steps for contacting your customer as laid out above.

Customer that has made an order, but has not sent an immediate payment: It's important to keep the mindset that a customer who has not yet paid is not out to get you. They are most likely a brand new customer, maybe a little confused, or possibly misunderstood that immediate payment was required.

"Hello xxxx, I have your recent order of xx item (link to transaction receipt goes here) packaged up and ready to ship out as soon as I receive your payment via Paypal. Please let me know if you need any additional help during the payment process or if you would like me to send you an invoice directly to your email address from which you can pay with your credit card. Thanks again and I hope you love your new xxx item. Keep in touch, (your name)"
RightAsRainCreations uses this tactic: "Thank you for your Etsy purchase from Right As Rain Creations! My PayPal shows that you have not completed the payment. There is a payment link on your Etsy transaction page. [Insert link to transaction here.] Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or if you'd like to use another payment method, I am happy to help!"
earlybirdcreations advises: Regarding payment reminders, I also send a short friendly email or convo (depending on whether they are new to Etsy and therefore might not be aware of the Etsy conversations) thanking them for their order. I always use their name in the email. I also say that I will post the item as soon as payment has been received. This approach has had a 100% success rate with people making payment within the next 24 hours. Communication is the key I think!
MabelMcBee uses something similar: "Thank you for purchasing 'item name.' In preparing your order for shipment, I realized that payment had not yet gone through to my Paypal account. You may complete the payment step by clicking the 'Pay through Paypal' link here: (and I give the link to the invoice). If you are having difficulty with your Paypal account, please let me know how I can help you."
heartworksbylori: "Thanks so much for your order! I'd love to get your jewelry order out to you asap, so as soon as the payment process is complete, I can do that. Here's the link to your invoice (provide link) Feel free to ask me any questions if you need help and I'd be happy to accommodate! I look forward to serving you. ~Lori"

Feedback reminders or inquiries: It's important to remember that leaving feedback on Etsy is optional, so keep an inquiry to one convo and refrain from asking again if you do not receive a response. A buyer may find the tactic a little too aggressive.

"Hello xxxx, I hope you received you recent order of xx item (link to transaction goes here) safe and sound and are happy with it. If all went well, I appreciate and enjoy getting customer feedback in my shop, if you feel comfortable doing so for xx item you purchased. You can leave me feedback on Etsy by logging into your account and selecting the feedback option in Your Etsy. If there were any problems with your order, please let me know before leaving feedback so we can work out a solution to make you happy. Keep in touch, (your name)"
Artbynaomi suggests: "I prefer not to make it sound like it's expected of them. I try not to sound too demanding or forceful, but just convey thanks for their support and mention that leaving feedback is appreciated and helps me in providing quality product and service. I then mention how the buyer can leave feedback through the Etsy system."
bddesigns says: "I also wanted to ask you to take a moment, after receiving your package, to leave some honest feedback about your transaction — that lets me know that you received your package and I did my job well! I will also leave feedback for you so that other Etsy sellers know that you are a great buyer to do business with!"

Customers with language barriers: Keep your sentences simple and avoid using any words that are slang or could be easily misunderstood.

"Hello xxxx, I realize English is not your primary language and want to make sure we both understand the order/your question/your concern. (Repeat to the best of your ability what you think their question/concern/order is). Is this correct? Thank you and I look forward to hearing back from you, (your name)"
bamabelle suggests: "Hi! I'm having a little trouble understanding , let's double-check our communication by using Babelfish.com. Thanks!"

Do you have a no fail reliable response that you use when faced with these types of potentially sticky situations? Feel free to share them with us in the comments section of this article below.

More about Service Tips for Sellers Series: Running an online business has many perks, like the ability to remain somewhat anonymous behind a computer screen (and maybe even working in your 'jammies). But that computer screen does not preclude interaction with customers. Good online customer service may be even more important than offline: good service gives buyers the peace of mind that they are buying from a trustworthy and reputable seller. As an online entrepreneur you have the opportunity to provide excellent communication, create a friendly face for your shop, and promote repeat business.

Art of Pricing | Legal Info for Artists | Shop Makeover Series | Service Tips for Sellers

Service Tips for Sellers: Creating Policies That Work

2008-06-26T17:12:00-05:00

Dear Sellers,

Recently, a shop policy section has been added to shop profiles, creating an easy to find, centralized place for individual shop policies. Although creating shop policies is not mandatory, it may be a good option for you. Clear policies let your customers know what to expect; it's is a good way to earn trust and confidence. Specific information about shipping, returns, etc. will help customers feel at ease.

The following are some tips, advice, and seller testimonials on how to craft a shop policy that works:

Create fair policies —
Offer a policy that you yourself would most appreciate as a customer. Policies are meant to protect both you as a seller and your buyers as well. Consider that a customer who is reading your policies is looking for assurances that it is safe to do business with you.
- jenngee uses her shop policy page, "...but I've felt free to 'break [my policies]' when needed (accepting a return long after the return window closed, for example). The rules simply give me something to fall back on, but if I feel that good customer service requires that I bend the rules a bit. I'm not afraid to do that at all."
Stay positive —
Steer clear of negative or concerning phrases like “buyer beware," or “I don’t take any responsibility.”
Keep policies simple —
Policies that are overly wordy can sometimes be confusing and may turn a customer away. Craft your policies in clear, concise sentences.
Refunds and exchanges —
Your buyers will want to know if you accept exchanges or returns. Make sure to include under what conditions you will accept an exchange or return and within what time frame. Think about the whole process, including who is responsible for the cost of shipping the item back.
- ChristinaPerdue describes her policies: "I think adding a blurb about...your return policy (including who pays shipping fees if an item is returned), and what happens if a package gets lost is essential."
Describe the payment methods you accept —
Do you only accept PayPal? Do you accept "other" payment methods? Describe clearly how you will handle different payment types and how you will invoice the buyer.
Custom and duty fee polices —
The number of international buyers and sellers is growing everyday. Clearly stating your policies on custom and duty fees, whether you cover them or expect your buyer to cover them, may eliminate future confusion.
- terrain explains: "As an 'international' seller, I find it is vitally important to inform my customers that they are responsible for any charges that importing merchandise might incur. So I have this in my policies: 'Please note that buyers are responsible for any and all duties and customs charges that may be incurred.' It is simple and understandable and covers the gamut of taxes and tariffs that various countries may charge."
Describe your shipping policies —
The policy section has a sub-section for shipping policies. This is the place to describe when you ship; for example, every Tuesday, or within 2 days of purchase. If you offer upgrades or alternative shipping options, be sure to describe them here. If you accept special requests, describe how the buyer should contact you to discuss.
Note that your item is handmade —
Even though most items are handmade on Etsy, it's good to remind buyers that your items are unique and no two items are alike.
- BeadsInTheBelFry notes: "I think it's important to emphasize the handmade nature of one's items. I have this little bit in my policies. 'PLEASE NOTE: All pieces are created by hand, so no two items are identical. That's the beauty of the product! Please allow for slight variances from what is shown in the made to order photos.'"
Describe your packaging —
Let your customers know how you package your items, if you use recycled materials, etc. It will help them know what to expect.
- AbbaDabbaBags describes her packaging policy: "I added the specifics of how I package my bags. I have had a person specifically request a brand new box, so I'm glad I put that choice in my policies. Personally, I appreciate it when people re-use them for my purchases. 'I place each bag in a plastic bag and ship in a box so they get to you in perfect condition. I do like to reuse like-new boxes when possible, but let me know if you prefer a brand new box.'"
Other policies and additional information —
Do you offer gift wrapping? Do you have policies that do not fit into any of the listed categories?
Adhere to Etsy rules and the law —
Make sure your Etsy shop policies are in line with Etsy's TOU and Do's and Don'ts, as well as all of your local country and state laws.

For most sellers, developing shop policies is an ongoing process that goes hand in hand with learning what works and what doesn't work for your shop and the types of products you sell. Shop policies are as unique as the handmade items in your shop, so take some time to develop policies that will work for you.

For more great tips, see this forum thread or this shop policy article!

We'd love to hear what policies are working for you and your Etsy business. Please share your experiences with us in the comments below.

More about Service Tips for Sellers Series: Running an online business has many perks, like the ability to remain somewhat anonymous behind a computer screen (maybe even working in your 'jammies). But that computer screen does not preclude interaction with customers. Good online customer service may be even more important than offline: good service gives buyers the peace of mind that they are buying from a trustworthy and reputable seller. As an online entrepreneur you have the opportunity to provide excellent communication, create a friendly face for your shop, and promote repeat business.

Art of Pricing | Legal Info for Artists | Shop Makeover Series | Service Tips for Sellers

Service Tips for Sellers: Promoting Repeat Business

2008-06-19T17:25:00-05:00

Dear Sellers,

Did you realize that the way you communicate with your customers can actually promote repeat business? We've put together a list of tips, tricks, and snippets of advice that we gleaned from the forums, the Virtual Labs chats, sellers, and the admins that are sellers here at Etsy Central. Add these to your repertoire of skills that in turn, promote repeat business.

Communicating on Etsy:

Talk to your customer. Simply acknowledging that you received the order and providing an estimated ship date will go a long way to build customer confidence. This also might eliminate some of those inititial questions your customer might have.
- For example: "Hi SallySue, Thank you for your recent purchase and for helping to support my shop. I plan to ship out your xxx on xxx date via priority mail; you can expect to receive it within 3 business days. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me with a conversation."

Return convos and emails quickly. Answer them! What may seem like a simple question may not be so simple to your potential customer. Who knows — perhaps they've never bought online before! Treat your computer like a store front. You need to be there and "man the shop" for your customer.
Referrals. If you can't accommodate their requests, but know another Etsian that can, by all means, refer them! You won't go out of business by letting Mrs. Nice Lady know that Shop Over There has just what she wants. This will build trust with the customer and they will likely feel even more comfortable buying from you in the future or recommending your shop to a friend.
Create an opt in mailing list. You can invite your customers to sign up for your mailing list by providing them with instructions on how to do so in your shop announcement, profile, and item descriptions. Some people do not want to sign up for extra emails, so be sure to let them know you will never spam them. Try inviting them to sign up for something enticing, like receiving exclusive sales and shop updates before anyone else.
- For example, "If you'd like to stay in touch with me and my shop, receive exclusive sale invitations, and be the first to know when I'll be listing new items, please join my mailing list. You can click the 'contact seller' link and provide me with your email address to be added to my mailing list."

Start a blog. Blogging about your shop updates, works in progress, sales, and general life experiences will create a sense of style and make your shop a little more human. Many shoppers want to know a little more about who they are buying from and some will want to come back to read the updates and potentially be enticed to shop.
- A few examples of blogs we think are doing a great job of this are Inside a Black Apple and Kitty Genius.
Shop for a cause. Some customers feel good about coming back to shop if they know that some of the proceeds are going toward a good cause. Offering a percentage of your proceeds to an organization you care about might be something to consider. You can also make them feel good about buying from you by making your products as environmentally friendly as you can.
Be honest. If a customer is only able to buy one thing, and they ask you your opinion, be honest. Don't automatically go for the most expensive thing. Go for the thing that is right for them. For example, Mrs. Nice Lady is asking about a bracelet that you can make over again, and then is asking about a bracelet that is one of a kind; let her know which one can't be done again.

Create excitement with your shipment:

Excellent packaging. When you take the time to create a nice package, your customer will be wowed by the entire shopping experience, remember how they felt when they opened your product, and want to shop with you again. Find out some great tips and tricks for excellent packaging in this article.
Include a note. Include a personal thank you note in the package as one more way to say thank you to your customer and let them know how much you appreciate their business. This will help make your customer feel appreciated and they will want to shop with you again to help support your business.
When you can, offer a little extra. Try to add a little something extra in with your package as a freebie. If your customer receives more than they were expecting, they will remember the experience. When sending freebies in your packages, remember to keep them relevant to what they person ordered and useful; for example, if someone orders a large batch of beads from your shop, some extra matching beads of a different design might make a great freebie. Get creative with they types of things you can offer to entice your customer to want to come back and shop with you.
Coupons. Everyone loves a discount! One of the easiest ways to promote repeat business is by including coupons for repeat shoppers within your shipment. It will not only let your shopper know that you care about them and want their business, but they will most likely shop in bulk knowing they will receive some sort of a discount.
Make it worth their while. It's very important to be able to stand behind your products. A unique product that is quality made will be one that your customer can rely on. Make sure your item descriptions are accurate and that you are representing exactly what you are marketing.

Things to avoid:

Inappropriate Freebies. Candy or heavily scented products do not generally make good freebies, unless your customer purchased something like candy, baked goods, or scented products from your shop. There are too many folks out there with allergies and sensitivities to foods, so it's best to just play it safe and steer clear of these types of goodies.
Misrepresenting your items. Never misrepresent your item in your photos, descriptions, or other form of marketing. You want to exceed your customer's expectations, not send them something they thought was one thing, but is really another. This is a quick way to get your shoppers running far, far away.
Writing off unhappy customers. Take the opportunity to try to satisfy your unhappy customers. When you make it up to an unhappy customer, they might just end up feeling valued and return to your shop.

How do you handle a mess up or unhappy customer?

Let's face it: sometimes transactions don't go the way we hoped or planned and we end up with a less than satisfied customer. Before you write them off forever, try to keep in mind that trying to turn their frown upside down is in your best interest. When you encounter an unhappy customer, chances are they are going to spread the word about their shopping experience to their friends and family. Similarly, if you can manage to appease your customer and take an extra step to assure they are satisfied with their experience, you can bet they will be just as vocal about what a wonderful shop you are to everyone they know. So take that deep breath, and see if you can extend a solution to the problem.

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The following advice and personal selling story comes from Lori Anderson of Limamike:

How many times have you been asked, "Can you discount that?" You probably reacted by either:

1) Biting your tongue and then explaining why your price was fair, that you MADE this beautiful piece of art they are now holding, etc, etc, until the customer's eyes glazed over and they handed you their charge card.

2) Caving in immediately and discounting your already-priced-too-low piece of wonderful beauty.

In the first instance, you're doing what we all should do — explain why what we make is worth what we charge. But an opportunity is missed to invite that customer to come back and buy even more of your lovely things. In the second instance, you've started a precedence that you'll have a hard time getting out of. You will now hear, "But you discounted once, why not this time?" I've done both; the biting the tongue, and the caving (Sometimes at the same time — oh yes. It can be done.). I've since come up with a method that works wonders for me and has made my internet stores and my craft shows successful.

When someone asks me if I can cut the price, and they're a first-time buyer, I explain to them that no, I work hard to make my prices very fair considering the time and materials that go into them, but I DO reward repeat customers, and if they would like to either receive an email newsletter, or receive a postcard when I'm in their area for craft shows, they'll then receive 10% off their next purchase.

My email newsletters go out every 2-3 weeks, feature two pieces of jewelry, info on my next craft show, and a fun little factoid (about my blog, a featured artist, etc). People who get newsletters get secret sales that no one else gets, and when I tell them that, it's like Christmas — eyes light up. Everyone loves to be part of an exclusive group, particularly when the words "free shipping" and "discount" come with the package.

If the email newsletter recipient gets tired of it and unsubscribes, I just ask them if they would prefer to keep their discount by getting a postcard instead — and the answer is 99% yes.

For people who hate email, get too many emails, or have just chucked their computer out the window because it crashed for the umpteenth time, the postcard works. I explain that they don't get the secret sales, but they DO get 10% off at my craft shows, and at the end of the year.

The majority of my sales are repeat customers. Those customers come back to my store or my booth, and they bring their discount coupon, but they *also* bring their friends. I've gotten to KNOW these customers, because they come back. They feel comfortable buying from me. Sometimes they forget to bring their discount card, but I know them, and I give them the discount anyway.

I've added up my sales over the years to see if the repeat customer discount has hurt my income. It most certainly hasn't. It's helped. With a discount, people tend to buy more, and buy more comfortably. The new customers now know that they can "join the club" if they like. If they don't want to share their email or address, I won't treat them any less kindly, and I'll still back up my work 100%. But there IS a way to make a discount work for your business — it's all in knowing when to give it.

A big thanks to Lori for sharing her story and tips for promoting repeat business with us! We are looking forward to your feedback and questions. Etsians know the power of sharing best practices, so we want to hear from you. Please share your own tips and advice for promoting repeat business as an Etsy seller in the comments section below.

More about Service Tips for Sellers Series: Running an online business has many perks, like the ability to remain somewhat anonymous behind a computer screen (maybe even in your 'jammies). But that computer screen does not preclude interaction with customers. Rather, good online customer service may be even more important: it gives buyers the peace of mind that they are buying from a trustworthy and reputable seller. Being an online entrepreneur offers the opportunity to provide excellent communication, create a friendly face for your shop, and promote repeat business, all while remaining behind the curtain.

Art of Pricing | Legal Info for Artists | Shop Makeover Series | Service Tips for Sellers

Service Tips for Sellers: Packaging and Shipping

2008-06-12T11:30:00-05:00

Dear Sellers,

Did you ever think that packaging or the way you ship your product says something about you, your product and your business?

Packaging and shipping services are some of the best opportunities you have to communicate with your customers and remind them why they should be shopping with you instead of somewhere else. Offering outstanding packaging and shipping services can promote repeat business for your shop. We've scoured the Etsy forums, Etsy flickr groups, and hunted down advice from some of the most experienced and successful Etsy sellers for the best advice, tips, and tricks about packaging and shipping.

What is your packaging saying about you and your business?
Taking a few extra steps to make sure your product is packaged and shipped with care might make the difference in your customers coming back to shop with you again and telling all their friends and family to shop with you too.

A well thought out, protected, and nicely presented package that arrives on time or sooner will likely make your customer feel confident that you are a professional business owner that cares about the products you sell and your customers.
A sloppy, unwrapped package that arrives later than the customer expected may indicate to the customer that you don't really care about your products and your business might be disorganized. While your products might speak for themselves, it could deter that person from coming back to your shop again.

Etsy testimonial from heartworksbylori: "I did receive a package a while back that I was really disappointed in. It was in a plastic sealed bag and my items weren't wrapped, just thrown in there....no receipt, no thank you note, no business card, no nothing! To me, that reeks of indifference...and makes me feel like my money and business aren't important to them. Packaging is so important to me because the customer gets an overall feel for my business and my ethics by the way my jewelry is presented. I'm thankful for each order and I make it a point to wrap up each order as if they bought something from the most expensive jewelry store in the world! I even go to these great lengths when someone buys a $5 chain....just so they feel special when opening it :)"

Use your packaging to communicate with your customer. The little details count and can make your shop stand out and create an experience to be remembered.
Put yourself in the buyer's shoes. Take a look at your shop and ask yourself "what type of package would I expect/hope to receive in the mail after ordering from this online business?"

Etsy testimonial from catnapcottage: "I have gotten items that made me feel like it was my birthday when I opened it, smiles and happy. I want my customers to feel that way too and that is what I try to do with my packaging. It is simple, neat, and looks professional. Presentation is everything!"

Packaging and shipping tips and tricks
To make sure you give your customers that "wow factor" that will have them coming back again and again, we've put together some tips and tricks you can adopt as your own practices.

Tips for top notch packaging on a budget: Your customers on Etsy are shopping for something that is handmade and a little more special than your average mass-produced products. Making your packaging by hand will not only save you money, but add to that handmade unique feel of your product and business. You can get creative and make almost everything from your own wrapping paper, tissue paper, shavings, confetti, labels, business cards to your very own handmade envelopes to ship out your items (here's a download PDF file with a template). Take advantage of all the different kinds of papers out there: magazine or book pages, menus, sheet music, pattern paper, newspapers, paper from an old sketchbook, etc. Another idea is to turn your used boxes inside out and stamp or use decorative writing to say you use recycled packaging; you could even use materials that they can use again. Check out our videos about branding and making your own packaging, branding and making your own shipping supplies, as well as the little details that go into your packaging.

Etsy testimonials from embellishedlife: "Packaging can cost little next to nothing. I pick up wrapping papers, ribbons and tissue papers at drug stores, Target after the holidays, clearance bins, craft stores. It is always on sale, you'd be surprised. The $1 stores are also great for little knickknacks that can serve as embellishments to the package. We are all crafty and I like that it shows in our packaging!"
PamperingBeki: "Packaging should reflect the feel of the shop. It should feel like a treat for the buyer to open their package! That doesn't mean there has to be lots of wasted papers and materials, but if you get creative the presentation can be fabulous while still using recycled materials."

Personal Notes: Mailing a package is the perfect opportunity to include a personal note. Take the time to write or print out a note even if it's a quick and short thank you. This would be the perfect time to ask them to leave you feedback. You can also tell them any additional information about the item, such as care instructions. Including a note is another chance to get creative with details, so think about how well it fits with the overall look of your package.

Etsy testimonial from Crafterall: "I bought an item from an Etsy shop and opening it was like opening a gift. From inside a big bubble envelope, I pulled a bundle wrapped in tissue paper. It was tied with a ribbon and had a tag with my name on it. Instantly, my purchase felt much more like a gift. Inside was the item, nicely folded, a small gift in line with what the store sells, a business card, and a handwritten thank-you note."

Freebies: A "freebie" is a small item that you include with a package at no additional cost. Freebies aren't something that is required to make your packaging outstanding, but they sure can help your buyer get excited about their shipment and remember their overall experience shopping with you. Think about including freebies with your packages like a promo button, a mini sample of something else you sell, a coupon or two that encourages them to come shopping with you again (or get their friends to check you out), or something small and useful that they can use again.
Other tips: A great way to show off your unique packaging is by using the 5th item photo of your listing so your customer can know what to expect. You should be including info about your regular shipping days in your shop policies and item description sections of your shop, so shoppers will know exactly when they can expect their packages. Try to make packaging details that are truly unique to you, your products, and your business. For some really great inspiration, check out all the photos in this Etsy Packaging Flickr pool that several of your Etsy peers have contributed to. We also made this video about shipping.

Etsy testimonial from toothfairyminiature: "As a seller I often do double box packing together with bubble wrapping, to make sure the package will not be crushed or damaged during its international shipping adventure. I put my first consideration on the safety and then, on the beauty."

We are looking forward to your feedback and questions. Etsians know the power of sharing best practices, so we want to hear from you. Please share your own tips and advice for providing outstanding packaging as an Etsy seller in the comments section below.

More about Service Tips for Sellers Series: Running an online business has many perks, like the ability to remain somewhat anonymous behind a computer screen (maybe even in your 'jammies). But that computer screen does not preclude interaction with customers. Rather, good online customer service may be even more important: it gives buyers the peace of mind that they are buying from a trustworthy and reputable seller. Being an online entrepreneur offers the opportunity to provide excellent communication, create a friendly face for your shop, and promote repeat business, all while remaining behind the curtain.

Art of Pricing | Legal Info for Artists | Shop Makeover Series | Service Tips for Sellers

Newbies Unite!

2008-06-10T11:05:00-05:00

New to Etsy? Just finding your way around? Come on by the Virtual Labs for a Newbie Chat today, June 10, 2008 at 4:30pm EST in the Treehouse. Never been to the Virtual Labs? They are Etsy's online classroom and meeting place — where Etsians and Admins can meet and share knowledge. Check out this past article explaining the Virtual Labs — or just pop by and have a look around! In today's Newbie Chat (which we hold every Tuesday), we'll answer your questions and give you tips and tricks to getting started on the right foot.

Recommended reading: A Beginner's Guide to Starting a Shop on Etsy

To get inspired about today's newbie chat I headed over to Pounce, a beautiful way to shop! When you click on the "Undiscoverd" tab, Pounce lets you check out newbies who have yet to make a sale. I found so many great items! Have a peek! If you like what you see, go on and make that purchase! You'll be making a newbie scream with glee — I can guarentee it!

Service Tips for Sellers: Communication

2008-06-05T15:42:00-05:00

Dear Sellers,

Communication is one of the most important skills necessary to running a successful online shop. Despite never meeting our buyers face to face, there are many opportunities to communicate effectively. In this article, we will outline good times to communicate, tips and tricks for communication, interactions from an international perspective, and words of advice from experienced and successful sellers.

While your personal communication style as a seller helps make your shop on Etsy unique, we want to start a discussion amongst sellers about those just plain good sense tips that can translate across different writing styles. Keep it genuine and unique to you? Yes! Never thought about spellchecking? Nooooo!

When to communicate: Ever wonder when is or isn't a good time to send a convo or email to your customers? The following is a full list of the perfect opportunities to communicate with your shoppers.

Do communicate:

To thank the customer for their purchase: It is also a good idea to provide them with an estimated ship date and an invitation to contact you with any questions via convo or email.
After item ships: Take the extra step to let your customer know you have shipped their item, the method of shipping you used (and a tracking number if you have one). You can suggest that they convo or email you if there are any problems. This can prevent future issues or confusion.
Answer convos in a timely manner: Simply answering your convos may not only help you make sales, but it will reassure your shoppers and buyers that you are around and focused on their business. Always acknowledge their questions and try your best to provide them with specific answers and potential solutions.
When buyer's Paypal and Etsy address differ: A message to clarify which address they would like the item shipped to can prevent potential issues later on.
Estimate a date for a custom item: If you know the order is going to take several weeks, let your buyer know up front and keep them posted throughout the order process to assure them that things are running smoothly. If you are going to miss the deadline, be sure to communicate this to your buyer as soon as possible.
Leave feedback and respond after feedback is received: Let your buyers know how much you appreciate their purchases and leave nice feedback. It is also good to send a friendly thank you after you receive feedback. Just remember to keep it quick, simple, and free of any promotional speak (spam).

[Monkey Series - Phone Booth by DripStick]

Don't communicate:

When you are angry. When writing in anger or frustration, it is difficult to remain objective or create a solution to the problem. The other person will likely pick up on your tone, which usually exacerbates the problem. Instead, take a deep breath and step away from the computer, and come back to the message with a fresh perspective. Remember: Your goal is to come up with a solution that works for both of you.
Too much. Sending too many convos, emails, promotions, or reminders might be perceived as a nuisance to your buyer. Be careful to strike a balance when sending messages.
To demand feedback. Take care when asking for feedback. Remember that leaving feedback on Etsy for a transaction is optional. If you do ask for feedback, be friendly and polite.

Tips and tricks for communication: Here are some quick and easy ways to communicate like a pro.

Consider setting up a dedicated email address for your shop correspondence to keep your personal emails separate. This is a great way to keep all of your business related communication in one place, keep organized and prevent mix-ups.
Carefully word the subject line of a conversation or e-mail. The subject line is one of the most important parts of your message. It tells the recipient what to expect at a glance.
Use all of the public places in your shop to give customers an idea of how they can expect to hear from you. Places in your shop to do this include your shop announcement, profile, policy page, item descriptions, and your outgoing transaction message.
Create your own internal service policy where you outline communication expectations and stick to your own service goals.
Create convo templates for your most frequently asked questions and convos that you send the most often. Always add a personal touch to each message. We will go over tips and tricks for convo templates later on this series.
Be simple in your explanations to customers. Too much information can confuse people. Focus on the information will most help the customer.
Set your convos to forward to your email address. This is another way to ensure you know about the message and it gives you a chance to preview the message.
If you plan to be away, post the details about the dates and changes to your service in your shop announcement and use auto-responses with info about when you will back and when your buyers can expect to hear from you.

[momma bird sets her little one straight by corid]

Communication from an international perspective: Oftentimes we forget that Etsy is open for international sales; keep these tips in mind to make shopping in your store from another country a breeze.

Shoppers outside the U.S. can oftentimes find it very confusing and frustrating to encounter words or phrases that are unfamiliar to them. Sometimes your choice of words could be inadvertently offensive.
Steer clear of slang or idioms, including: nuts and bolts, ballpark figure, kick off, take it easy, get in touch.
Steer clear of buzzwords: Mickey Mouse, no strings attached, across the board, touch base.
Steer clear of cliches: Beat a dead horse, rule of thumb, full steam ahead, easy as pie, all over the map.
Steer clear of Etsy jargon: Some people may not be familiar with all the terms we commonly use on Etsy, so spell out in clear language what you are trying to say rather than using abbreviations.

[Dear Talking Deer Notecards by karenondracek]

Words of advice from experienced and successful sellers: The following sellers left comments in the intro article of this series outlining some of their fool-proof strategies for excellent communication with their buyers.

YaelFran: I leave feedback as soon as I receive the payment. Always convo my customer to thank [them for the] transaction and to let her/him know when I will deliver. I always answer the convos.

Palomasnest: The rules I live by in my business are Quality, Communication, and Kindness...always demanding the best from yourself and your product in any transaction — if that means sending convos at 2 am, going to the post office twice in one day, or remaking a piece over and over until it is perfect. Always put yourself in the place of your buyer, and make decisions based on how you would expect to be treated. Excellent service and excellent design both go a long long way in creating happy customers. And happy customers means being able to sell on Etsy full time! How great is that?!?

metalheartdesign: Policy of responding to communication within 24 hours. One of the most frustrating things is when a seller does not respond to you, especially when you've already purchased the item. Include a simple "Thank you" in your packages. It's a simple way to acknowledge a buyer, and give the sense that there's an actual person on the other end of the transaction.

We are looking forward to your feedback and questions. Etsians know the power of sharing best practices, so we want to hear from you. Please share your own tips and advice for providing outstanding communication as an Etsy seller in the comments section below.

More about Service Tips for Sellers Series: Running an online business has many perks, like the ability to remain somewhat anonymous behind a computer screen (maybe even in your 'jammies). But that computer screen does not preclude interaction with customers. Rather, good online customer service may be even more important: it gives buyers the peace of mind that they are buying from a trustworthy and reputable seller. Being an online entrepreneur offers the opportunity to provide excellent communication, create a friendly face for your shop, and promote repeat business, all while remaining behind the curtain.

Art of Pricing | Legal Info for Artists | Shop Makeover Series | Service Tips for Sellers

Service Tips for Sellers: Introduction to a New Series

2008-05-29T11:20:00-05:00

Dear Sellers,

Running an online business has many perks, like the ability to remain somewhat anonymous behind a computer screen (maybe even in your jammies). But that computer screen does not preclude interaction with customers. Rather, in this internet age, good customer service may be even more important: it gives buyers the peace of mind that they are buying from a trustworthy and reputable seller. Being an online entrepreneur offers the opportunity provide excellent communication, create a friendly face for your shop, and promote repeat business all the while remaining behind the curtain (with the fluffy slippers on).

Throughout the coming series, Service Tips for Sellers, we will be discussing common customer support situations you might face on a day to day basis as an Etsy seller. We will outline tools and suggestions on how to handle your business in a professional way. Our goal is to provide you with customer support tips and advice to help you run the most successful business you can — which will hopefully result in satisfied customers and repeat buyers.

We will cover topics ranging from communication with your customers, packaging tips and ideas, promoting repeat business, creating shop policies that work, strategies for wooing even the most difficult of shoppers, common customer service mistakes, to top notch responses for every situation. We'll take a look at what other companies offer and highlight buyer and seller testimonials.

We are looking forward to hearing your feedback and questions. Etsians know the power of sharing best practices, so we want to hear from you. Please share your own tips and advice for providing outstanding customer service as an Etsy seller in the comments section below. Let's get started!

Art of Pricing | Legal Info for Artists | Shop Makeover Series | Service Tips for Sellers

LittleputBooks Top 10: Keeping up with the Holiday Rush

2007-11-30T11:18:00-05:00

Ryan aka Littleputbooks was one of our first Etsy Sucess Stories profiled here on the Storque. She's also taught a class and offered much useful advice on how to promote your shop. We asked Ryan to give us some hardcore useful info for sellers as we head into a busy December. Here's what she came up with.

Last year at this time I was knee deep in orders and drowning in chaos. I learned a swift lesson about planning ahead and staying organized. Here are a few of the techniques I’ve employed this season. Since I actually have time to sit down and write this out I can tell you, for the most part, they are working.

Plan ahead. If you’re headed out to buy craft supplies or printer ink bring enough money to buy twice what you need. Create an inventory sheet of office and craft materials and be sure you check it before heading out. Running out of anything mid-workday is huge waste of time.
Work in batches. If your product allows, make multiples of each item. This is a time saver twice: it allows you to re-list a sold item without new photos/descriptions and working on multiple items at once can speed along the creation process.
Clean your desk. Having an organized workspace can make life a lot easier. Keep your tools where you need them, your supplies ready and waiting and remember to put everything back when you’re done. When I am disorganized it feels like I lose more time looking for my scissors than I do making product.
Slow days don’t last. If your business has been steady you will experience a few down days, maybe even multiple down days. Keep in mind people are looking and preparing to buy, and they will probably come back all at once. Use the down time to restock or shoot photos of new stock. Don’t let your customers catch you off guard, be prepared for business well into January.
Keep a notepad with you. Often buyers will have an after thought about something they’d like changed or rearranged after purchase. Keeping notes off Etsy for special requests saves time and can help you keep track of who wanted what.
Stock up. I know it is a bit late in the season for some of you experiencing your first holiday rush but if possible use your free time to make more. Having a lot of stock this season has been a lifesaver for me. If I hadn’t been planning for Christmas since August, I would be sold out by now.
Stay one step ahead of your orders. Don’t sell items you haven’t made yet. If at all possible have the items in stock before you list them. If you do custom work put your time frame in your shop announcement. Communicating your time frame with customers will keep them happy and help you keep track of their needs as well.
Keep up with your shipping. You may be inclined to take a few days off (like I did over Thanksgiving) but not shipping regularly can really add up fast. I send items out 4 days a week. This keeps me ahead of the game and it also gives my customers the chance to order more if needed for the holidays. Letting your shipping get behind can be a nightmare and will snowball into insanity if you can’t get caught up.
Avoid the PayPal/Etsy address mess. Most top sellers have a system, here is mine: A. I cut/paste the receipt into text edit and print it out. This gives me a visual of each order plus the address and email. B. I ship only to the Etsy listed address, I no longer bother with the address PayPal lists since 1 out of 3 addresses seems to be wrong. C. I use a shipping service www.endicia.com and avoid PayPal shipping completely. Endicia is much faster & it tracks your package just like PayPal. They’re offering a free trial right now so it is a good time to check it out. D. I mark all ordera shipped so I can make sure no one has been skipped. Shipping is still a pain but this year it is 100 times easier than last.
And lastly, hire help. Don’t be afraid to have someone come help you get caught up. There are always tons of things to be done that don’t require actually making your products. Last year just before the season ended, I hired someone to help me with shipping. This year, knowing I was going to be featured in Parents Magazine, I hired two people. Becky aka daisychains and Lea aka leakarts. They come in and help me a few days a week. Lea packs up my orders and keeps track of what is selling out; she keeps my shipping smooth. Becky adds bales to pendants, organizes my wholesale and keeps me up to date on what else is needed. I could not survive this holiday season without them. Having them here has helped me stay creative and sane despite all the chaos. Thanks girls!

While the holidays may seem like a lot of work, chaos and mess, remember this doesn’t last. It is easier to push myself through the 10-14 hour days knowing I’ll have some much needed play time after the winter season. This is what we have been waiting for and I am so glad it has arrived!

Happy Holidays!

Ryan *girl* Littleput Books

Ask Etsy #1

2007-09-14T08:00:00-05:00

I want to be more friendly with my sister-in-laws. But I’m kinda of shy and intimidated by them. What can I do to get to know them and get over my insecurities? --anonymous

While trust falls and paintball might be the corporate way to go, Etsy of course has a more homebrew suggestion for you.

Find a common enemy.

That's right. Find someone that you all can make fun of together. Maybe you can all tease your husband (their brother)? Or try something more vague like "those annoying people at the grocery store." It's sure to get all you gals cackling together at the expense of someone else—-someone who's not YOU.

Insurance = Reassurance: Etsy Insurance Workshop

2007-06-10T20:00:00-05:00

For many Etsy members, the idea of becoming a full-time crafter and artist may seem like nothing more than a beautiful pipe dream. Aside from the financial security provided by a typical day job, abandoning company-sponsored insurance benefits often seems an insurmountable challenge, especially to those with serious medical needs.

However, for some being without health insurance is not a choice, but an unfortunate fact of life: there are currently about fifty million people living uninsured in the U.S. (And Michael Moore just made a documentary to prove it!) This staggering figure is not as surprising when taking into account the often hopeless costs associated with insuring your health. New York magazine's recent piece “The Young Invincibles" states:

"Those without employer-sponsored coverage are thrown into a market where individual premiums can cost anywhere from $250 (for a bare-bones catastrophic policy) to $900 a month [in New York], among the highest rates in the nation, and likely out of reach for someone just starting out. And so going without health coverage becomes one of those casual sacrifices that come with being young..."

And in the event that medical attention is necessary, the costs involved are the least of your worries:

"According to a report by the Institute of Medicine, the uninsured are far more likely to receive inadequate care in hospitals: Conditions are improperly managed; most bleakly, the uninsured are more likely to die in hospitals than the insured. 'It’s those catastrophe situations where insurance really proves invaluable,' says the United Hospital Fund’s James Tallon. 'Without insurance, you’re likely going to run into a roadblock at every stage of the process. Will you get a referral? Will you get the right tests? What kind of care are you going to get?'"

These bleak facts lead many uninsured individuals to simply opt out of the entire insurance process. Many are unaware of their options or overwhelmed by the cost and the number of plans available.

What can the Etsy community do when so many of us are uninsured while trying to actualize our dreams of being independent artists and entrepreneurs?

Well, first off, we need to get the facts. Etsy sellers Pamela Ward, aka TwistedStitches, and her mother Carmen Luna, aka LunaDesigns, have come together to offer Etsians an interactive Insurance Talk in the Etsy Workshop on June 25 concerning options available to the independent craftsperson. LunaDesigns worked for 18 years as a registered insurance agent. Because of the stressful nature of the business, she's just quit her job and now finds herself in the predicament many of her former clients had faced.

TwistedStitches initially contacted Etsy with a plea to hold a town meeting concerning insurance issues:

"The idea came about after reading the forums and seeing how many of our fellow crafters are going without health insurance either because they can't find the information they need or they just simply cannot afford it at all. I was certainly shocked at the amount of crafters who were going without insurance and racking up huge debts because of medical issues. Since I have been a member of Etsy (October 2005), I have read countless threads about people just trying to get by and pay medical bills.

My mother (LunaDesigns) and I would very much like to help out the crafting community and offer them some solutions and information. We thought it would be a great idea to hold a ... meeting, where my mother, who has been an insurance agent for eighteen years, could offer some information regarding each states' health insurance laws and information about companies in the different states. She will be doing this for no charge at all and will not be selling any policies or coverage or profiting from this meeting ... She just wants people to be informed.

We just feel that it is so important for every single person out there to be able to have proper medical coverage and not to worry about going into debt over medical issues and bills. That way, they can focus their time and energy on their craft, worry free."

[photo courtesy Carmen Luna]

Carmen Luna, aka LunaDesigns :

"I am originally from Mexico, but lived in Tucson, Arizona for most of my life. I have been in the insurance business for over 18 years and I am licensed in both Arizona and North Carolina. My area of expertise is in healthcare. Before I got into the insurance business, I was roaming around the United States with my then-husband and two children, selling everything from Mexican pottery to the Dura Plane (which was created by my husband). We traveled to almost every state working the state fairs and malls, selling all these wonderful products. After we moved to AZ, we opened a small tshirt screen printing business... My girls have seen and done it all when it comes to crafting, selling and traveling.

A few years ago I moved to NC to be near my daughter and her two children (as any good grandma would do). My daughter was the one who informed me about this fabulous place called Etsy and she helped me open my store. My passion is jewelry and making my own beads ... I've been slow in getting that business going because, as those of you who work full time jobs know, life gets in the way of crafting!

Lately my daughter has been telling me about all the Etsy crafters who have been voicing their frustrations over healthcare. Having just gone through that frustration myself (I am going off COBRA in August), I can truly sympathize. I firmly believe that we all have a responsibility to 'Pay it forward'... So in that spirit, my daughter and I came up with the idea for this meeting. I would like very much to share my knowledge in this area. I know that I will not be able to help everyone, but if I can assist just one person in your quest for healthcare coverage, I've done my part. Please know that my only compensation in this is to help the crafting community and their families."

The Insurance Workshop is Monday, June 25 at 7pm Eastern time. The limit for participation will be 100 people. Multiple events can be scheduled to reach a greater number of people (We've reserved June 30 for a second session in case there's a high demand). Attendees should gather at the Workshop Lobby. For more info on what Workshop is, see this blog posting. For preparatory discussion of the Insurance Workshop and insurance issues, visit the forum thread.

Carmen will be taking questions and talking about what to look for, precautions, and what questions to ask an insurance agent. Topics to covered at the workshop will include:

• The difference between HMOs, PPOs, Group Medical, Major Medical, HSA, Short Term Medical, Cobra and Medicare Advantage plans

• HIPPA Provisions in policies

• Prescription Plans (assistance programs for prescriptions and websites to peruse)

• Zero Premium Life scams

Carmen cannot answer sensitive, specific individual questions online, but people can convo her any questions regarding their medical conditions and family needs and she will research and reply. She has state-specific info on all the medical/prescription plans and will happily forward the information.

Note: This was originally posted in the Etsy Garden.