Search results (tags) for: "help"

The Etsy Seller Handbook: All Our How-Tos about Selling

2008-11-24T08:19:00Z

Dear Sellers!

Below you'll find a handy index of all the useful How-Tos about Selling on Etsy. We're calling it the Seller Handbook. We'll be adding all new how-tos for sellers to this index.

You can also search the Storque tags for "Seller Handbook" for a chronological list of all our published how-tos related to Selling.

Your Shop 101: How-Tos for Getting Started on Etsy
Please also see the Setting Up Shop Help Guide, Selling Dos and Don'ts, Selling FAQs, Listing an Item Help Guide.

[photo by Artsy]

Photography How-Tos

[image by TwoHiddenHeads]

Alchemy and Custom/Reserved Listing How-Tos

[image by moxiethrift]

Shipping How-Tos

[photo by missplum]

Advertising How-Tos
Please also see the Showcase Help Guide.

[photo by Earmark]

Business and Pricing How-Tos

[image by NewDuds]

Promoting & Marketing How-Tos

[image by DancingMooney]

Craft Show & Events How-Tos

[image by MiNDJACKET]

Social Networking, Blogging, Podcasting & Video-making How-Tos

[image by houseofharriet]

Legal Info for Artists

[image by jessgonacha]

Tagging How-Tos

[image by Anda]

Team Tips

[image by iheartmoustaches]

All about Etsy & Site Features

Comment below and let us know what other topics would be helpful for sellers! If you'd like to write a how-to for the Seller Handbook, pitch to the Storque editors.

Tech Updates: New Tools for Flagging

2008-11-19T15:00:00Z

Today we released an update which will make it easier to flag an item on Etsy. If you notice an item listing that violates Etsy's site policies, you can "flag" it to notify the Etsy Support admin who work on Content. Previously, the "Report this item to Etsy" link would lead you to contact Support by email; now the link leads to a simple form you can fill out and submit right on Etsy.

If you're new to flagging, here are some FAQs:

What is flagging? How do I flag an item?
If you find an item on Etsy which appears to violate the DOs & DON'Ts or Terms of Use, you can bring it to the attention of Etsy's staff by clicking "Report this item to Etsy" in the right sidebar on the listing page. Just complete the simple form by selecting a reason and adding any additional information in the message field.

What happens when I flag an item?
Etsy admin review every flagged item. If the item appears to violate Etsy's policies, admin will contact the seller by email. In extreme cases the item may be removed from the site immediately. Flagging is confidential; only Etsy's staff will know who flagged an item.

Oops, I flagged an item by accident! Can do I undo it?
There isn't a way to undo a flag, but don't worry, each flag is reviewed by a human being. If you flagged an item in error, it will be cleared when the Content admin reviews the shop.

Will I know right away if one of my items gets flagged?
Etsy admin review each flag before notifying the seller. You will only be contacted if there is something you need to change about the listing or if Etsy's staff have questions about the item or shop. If you do get an email from Content, it's important to respond promptly so the issue can be resolved quickly. Etsy admin will email you at the address on file in your account information (Your Etsy > Account Info), so be sure that info is up-to-date.

What else do I need to know about flagging?
You can read more about the people who work on Content here at Etsy in this previous Storque article: Meet the Content Folks on the Support Team. You may also want to familiarize yourself with Etsy's policies for flagging from the DOs & DON'Ts.

All about Etsy FAQ Series| TechUpdates | Help

Seller How-to: PayPal Coming to Etsy Virtual Labs!

2008-11-13T11:00:00Z

blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes

UPDATE: Please download the PDF file so you can follow along with this audio podcast of Deb Popek's Paypal Virtual Lab. It's a very thorough resource for sellers who use Paypal. Thanks for listening and thanks to Deb for doing this! Below, we've typed up some highlights from the talk as well as some other tips Deb shared with us while visiting the Etsy Labs.

Web Accept Express (WAX Payment): Paying with a credit card without a PayPal account
Sellers have the option to offer the WAX payment through their PayPal account settings. There are spending limitations for buyers who use WAX. The spending limit follows the specific credit card they selected to use for a period of four months. At the end of the four month period, the limit will be reset to the standard pre-verified (by PayPal) spending limit. The buyer may use a different card, which will have it's own four month period and spending criteria.

PayPal Mobile: Manage your business by phone
* Check balance
* Send and request money
* Buy things from mobile websites

PayPal Shipping Labels: A convenient service for Etsy-sized businesses
* Create postage-paid shipping labels in just minutes
* Pay for shipping and insurance with your PayPal account, with no monthly fees or surcharges
* Create and print a pre-filled packing slip, detailing what you are shipping to your buyer
* Ship internationally with PayPal-provided Customs forms
* Track and confirm the arrival of your shipments with delivery confirmation
* Void your shipping label and get a refund for misprinted labels canceled within 24 hours
* Print multiple U.S. Postal Service labels at once with MultiOrder Shipping

Benefits of using PayPal:
* Free for Buyers
* Fast
* Financial information is kept private
* Payments are deposited instantly
* Seller Protection Policy
* Transfer money from PayPal account to bank accounts
* Fraud prevention protection

Business or Premier Account?
Both accounts offer all of the following services with the Business account offering one additional feature: Multi-user access.

* Send money
* 24-hour fraud surveillance
* Customer Service availability
* eBay Tools
* Merchant Services
* Accept credit or debit cards
* PayPal Debit Card

Fight Phishing Emails:
PayPal is working with Iconix eMail ID, which can reduce phishing by confirming whether or not an email is really from Paypal. It's FREE, and it works with most major email services. More information: http://www.iconix.com/paypal/

PayPal Resources:

Merchant Support
1-888-221-1161

Merchant Tech Services
paypal.com/mts

PayPal Radio
paypal.com/paypalradio

Online Merchant Network
onlinemerchantnetwork.com

PayPal Blog
thepaypalblog.com

[the following was originally published on October 30th, 2008]

Dear Sellers,

We are very excited to announce that PayPal customer service representative Deb Popek will be hosting a live Virtual Lab on November 6, 2008 at 3PM EDT. She is here to answer your questions and walk us through some of the features and tools that PayPal offers.

A few of the topics she plans to cover include:

1. The benefits of using PayPal

2. Survey results

3. Premier/business accounts vs. personal accounts

4. Maximizing your global footprint/new world marketing

5. PayPal account settings and security

6. The many ways to send/receive payments

5. WAX (Web Accept Express) payments, i.e. using a credit card to pay without a PayPal account

6. A review of PayPal resources

This is also a unique opportunity to get your PayPal questions answered directly by an expert. Please bring your queries to the Virtual Labs, or better yet list, them in the comments below!

Seller How-To: Packaging Ideas

2008-11-12T13:00:00Z

Since I started working for Etsy I turned from a full time seller to a full time buyer. (Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating. I'm not shopping all the time...Sometimes I've spent all my money and I'm just adding to my favorites.) My very favorite thing about buying on Etsy is getting packages — it's like a little mini party each time, thanks to the thoughtful packaging Etsy sellers put together! Ribbons, stickers, stamps, extra little goodies, oh my. What a delight!

So, dear sellers, why not show this off in your item listings?! Use one of your photos to let your shoppers know how beautiful your handmade items (and packaging!) are! With the holidays around the corner, it's also good to let your buyers know your items will come ready for giving. I've selected a few sellers who do this already, and do it quite well. Click the items to see the gems that are hidden inside!

Want some more tips? Come check out our Packaging Workshop live in the Virtual Labs Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 5pm EST.

Cup of Rosee by jewelera, $18.50

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Calling Cards of Mysterious Ladies by charmfoundry, $18.00

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Cats Gift Wrap/Padded Envelopes by PickalaPoopa, $5

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Master of the Universe Slug by lullabylily, $11

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Orange Octopus Screenprint by LittlePaperDog, $13

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Natural Girl Earrings by handsinpockets, $6

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Slim Stacking Rings - Set of 3 by PaysonWinters, $27

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Single Ox Rox Ring-Sterling Silver by ruralabandon, $12

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

slightly unsightly soap bars all wrapped up in a pretty little package by sweetpetula, $6.99

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

I recently received the sweetest handmade package in the mail from kitsandcaboodles! (See the main image for this article, up there at the top.) She offered to share the template to make your own — so here it is! Just print it on a heavy duty kraft paper, cut, fold and glue!

Click to download the PDF and print your own!

Don't forget to check out the Seller Handbook - all our how-tos about running your Etsy business!

Let me know in the comments below if you've seen an item that includes a photo of the packaging!

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

2008-10-12T17:34:00Z

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

2008-10-06T10:04:00Z

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!

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

2008-09-28T16:10:00Z

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

2008-09-21T12:04:00Z

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!

Holiday How-To: Wholesale on Etsy

2008-09-17T12:03:00Z

Have you ever received an inquiry about wholesaling your work from a boutique owner and wondered how to respond? Also, what should you charge? And how do you handle the increased volume of this kind of order? So many questions spring to mind!

With the holidays around the corner, brick and mortar shops are looking to stock up on the perfect gifts! (And where better to start their search than Etsy?) Read on to find out more about wholesaling your work to shops and galleries. Have an experience to share or want to learn more? Leave it in the comments below or join us this Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 at 4pm Eastern in the Virtual Labs (our live online classroom!).

Why Wholesale?

Why should you wholesale your work when you can sell it for more online? There are a few reasons. First, consider the time it takes to photograph, list, promote, package and ship your own work. When you are sending a larger quantity of items to a wholesale account, they do this work for you. Secondly, wholesaling is an opportunity to create a consistent income from recurring wholesale orders. If you wholesale to multiple buyers, this can bring in a steady and large portion of your income.

Tip: Creating items in multiples, as is required for a lot of wholesale orders, can cut down on your labor time (per item) and cost of supplies (if you buy in bulk).

Minimums

The shop owner contacting you might ask you what your "minimum" is. If you've never heard this term, what they are referring to is the minimum order they need to place to receive your work at wholesale prices. They are looking for a dollar amount: for example, if they place an order of $200 or more, they have met your minimum. You should decide what your minimum for wholesale orders is going to be based on your costs. What amount makes the wholesale price worth this discount?

Pricing

Retailers interested in your items are looking to sell your items for double their price. This is called a keystone markup. Keep in mind that many interested retailers might assume your Etsy prices are already at their retail price. This means that when they ask you for your wholesale prices, they are usually interested in the price you have listed on Etsy, cut in half. Many sellers find this a bit of a quandary. When they've listed their items without taking this situation into account, they may find themselves severely undercut if they take 50% off their current prices to take advantage of a wholesaling opportunity. In this situation, you can either increase your Etsy prices or let your wholesale buyers know that your wholesale discount is less than 50%. Both have their own challenges: You need to weigh the pros and cons for both situations and figure out which will be most advantageous for your shop. If you are serious about selling your work in brick and mortar shops, I would suggest increasing your Etsy prices. It is always best to have the prices of your work consistent online and off. This will keep your wholesale buyers happy!

Tip: You can keystone your Etsy price + shipping! If a shopper buys your item from one of your wholesale accounts, they don't have to incur the shipping price. This is a little trick that can help raise your wholesale prices a touch.

For more info on this topic, check out Bethela's great article, Preparing for Wholesaling, from the Art of Pricing series.

Terms

Before you send information, such as your terms of agreement, I would make sure you are dealing with a "legit" buyer. You can ask them for their resale certificate, business license or state tax resellers permit. You should politely ask for more information about their business, not only to see if they are "legit," but to make sure your work will fit in with their customers. If they are local, go and meet the owners in person. If not, make sure you have a look at their website, photos, blogs, etc. Remember, this is your business and you set the rules. If something feels odd, investigate!

When a buyer comes to you wanting wholesale information, make sure you set your terms. We have talked about some of these conditions already, such as minimums. You may also want to set a separate minimum for reorders (i.e. $200 first time wholesale minimum, $100 reorder minimum).

Next, let them know what your shipping fees are for wholesale orders. Definitely include the price of tracking and insuring your packages.

You may also like to mention your return policy in your terms. Many artists will only return defective or damaged merchandise for a certain period, such as within 90 days. This is, of course, up to you.

Lastly, let the buyer know how to order from you. If they have found you via Etsy, let them know you can create a reserved, customized listing in your Etsy shop just for them. (Here's how!) It is perfectly acceptable to ask for complete payment up front! By creating a wholesale listing for them through Etsy, you have a transaction record and more resolution options should the agreement go sour.

Tip: Creating a listing through Etsy for your wholesale buyers can increase your feedback and also serve as a small advertising to other shops who are looking to buy wholesale from you!

Packaging

Packaging is just as important when sending out a wholesale order as it is with an Etsy order. Make sure you have tagged your items with your business name! This way your buyers (online and offline) will connect your work with your brand. Cute, thoughtful packaging will impress your wholesale buyers and their shoppers.

Hopefully, this has shed some light on the sometimes daunting topic of wholesaling! It can be an intimidating step for small business owners, but if you are prepared, this can take your business to the next level. You can find out more about wholesale and consignment in the following Storque articles:

The Art of Pricing: Preparing for Wholesaling | The Ins and Outs of Consignment | Let's Trade: Behind the Scenes at the National Stationery Trade Show

We'd love to hear your wholesaling tips in the comments below or live at our Holiday How-To workshop in the Virtual Labs this Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 at 4pm.

Customer Care Tip: Creating a Reserved Listing

2008-09-16T16:38:00Z

Dear Sellers,

Wondering how to reserve a listing in your shop for an inquiring buyer? It's easy as pie! Here's how:

1) Edit your item listing by going to Your Etsy>Currently For Sale>Edit

2) Click the edit icon (pencil) next to your item's title to change the title. Here you want to boldly state that this listing is reserved for your customer. For example, *Reserved for DANIELLEXO only - Diamond Necklace*. Making "reserved" the first word in your listing ensures that buyers can clearly see the item is reserved in the search results, both Gallery and List views.

3) Scroll down and enter this info in the item description as well. (Just in case the title was not sufficiently obvious!)

4) It is optional to use a special graphic or add text to your first photo stating this item is reserved. This is an effective way of visually communicating to buyers that the item is not intended for them!

[Custom order image by CozyMoments]

5) Make sure you complete editing your listing by continuing to Step 5 and clicking "Finish".

And you're done! Now the item is back in your shop and clearly reserved for your customer.

For more support Tips and Updates, check out our CustomerCare Featured Column on the Storque.

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

2008-09-14T13:02:00Z

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.