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Story by
modish
Published on July 16, 2009 in How-To |
Photo by |
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.
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.
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.
| Tags | advice, blogs, Business Tips, Guest Blogger, How-To, HOW-TO, Jena, Modish BizTips, Modish Blog, Seller Handbook, Seller Help, selling, tips |
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178 comments Login to add your own!
aBreathofFrenchair
SusanFaye
Very good food for thought as I eat my breakfast oatmeal. Thanks!
3squares
edor
lilipadcreations
Great article and great words of wisdom! I am an offender on several of these!! Thanks!
shopgoodgrace
THIS is a fantastic article.... bookmarking the blog right now. Thanks for sharing and for giving a little "boost" of encouragement with great tips to put to work right now. :)
enhabiten
Modish- this is such a sweet, positive and sympathetic post. I LOVE it! Great tips and attitude. I think a lot of etsy shop owners can get so much out of these upbeat and right-on reminders. Yay you! thanks.
whichgoose
LisaFerinDesigns
beautifulbridget
blackbirdtees
Lots of great advice. Love the vintage adding machine by sassboxclassics!
beesbureau
BowAccessories
VintageEyeFashion
uglypants
GollyBard
wiredoriginals
evihan
ParadiseBodyShop
As a new seller, I will take all the information and advise I can get! I'm going to read and digest this information. Thanks for sharing!!
alexkeller
great post, Jena. i've been following your wisdom for a little while now - thanks a bunch
LUVICTOR
AWESOME article !! It's wonderful to read an article that inspires one to take things slow, focus & maintain yourself in specific situations. Happy Days ;)
pandawithcookie
My psyche has been tolled lately. And yet I feel good today!
Isette
LaveMeSoapCo
projectspeaklove
great tips...i'm choosing to distract myself and read the full articles! thank you.
sewlola
VixVintage
Good advise that I needed to hear, as a newbie I am often comparing myself to others. Can be very frustrating sometimes...Thanks
jorgensenstudio
GlassElements
Asianexpressions
PrimaryRedux
stilettoheights
spacejam
breadandroses
Excellent reminders and positive reinforcement! It's so easy to loose perspective. We're not machines.
kenjiku
nomadcraftsetc
ethanollie
KOALACaddie
I'm going to revisit this advice whenever I start to get all wrapped up in my underwear! I love to convo other Etsy sellers when their wonderful work is highlighted in GREAT Storque articles such as this one. It makes me feel happy and connected, and I usually get a nice reply saying they feel the same. I'm off to tell MadameCupcake how much I like her Seamstress Tape Measure Pouch that appears in the Storque today!
elizabethwrenvintage
Floridity
very inspirational! great to know i'm not the only one who thinks those things!
momochas
I love Modish tips!. These are very inspirational and wise advices. I´ll try to follow some of them. Thanks a lot Jenna!
EJPcreations
These are excellent tips!!! Really honest ones that do effect etsy sellers. Thank you so much for sharing!
BPyarns
BlueShoeStudio
StilettoHeights summed it up for me exactly. Thank you, Etsy, for the collective pep talk.
JessicaPoundstone
Mymothersgarden
This was a really great article on so many levels...thank you!
travellingcircus
Really fantastic article to bring things back into focus. Thanks so much for posting this one:)
gemmawithag
Great article Etsy, as always! Many thanks for sharing these tips with all of us :)
munieca
peaseblossomstudio
JAdamsDesigns
AchAchLiebling
As always, Jena, your advice is both practical and nurturing. Thanks for sharing your insight.
lovelygifts
paramountvintage
i've been selling online for over 5 years and i can say that these tips really help!
great article!!!
cowgirlheaven
modish
Wow, thanks everyone for your kind words! WOW! So glad I could help in anyway. I need to be reminded of all these things too! ;)
owlandbunny
GinaParnell
livingstonandporter
Always appreciate and enjoy these articles! CHEerS and happy etsy-ing to all!
themefragrance
cottonbirddesigns
Girl216Designs
Such great tips, modish! Sometimes we need to be reminded to just breathe.
KnitFrekkles
KalliopeJewelry
VintageinBohemia
Thank you! It was nice to read all that and realize I am not alone in the pressures of my business :)
rctees
WOW, such helpful, much needed words of encouragement and wisdom.
Many Thanks!!
littlealouette
nowvintage
cutiepiecompany
zombuki
Love nice, concise tips! :3 Even reading all the advice out there can feel overwhelming at times!
BlackStar
dbabcock
girltuesdayjewelry
Great advice! I've gotten a lot of good info from Modish Biz Tips. Thanks!
Divanni
It's nice to take a step back and look at how much has been done and just enjoy it. A reminder we can all use every now and then. Thanks a bunch :)
Katlandia
louloudo
HibouCards
Wow all these advice are right on the money! I think these are all feelings we have at one point or another as Etsy sellers. The one that particularly hits home lately is the one about feeling that I don't measure up, especially when I spend time on Flickr or here and see all these wonderfully talented people and I think "why am I even thinking that I could be in the same pool?"
Thank God I go on with my craft and give myself a chance every day anew!
Thanks for sharing :)
BelleMereBelleFille
What an AWESOME surprise to see my pre-war Pinwheel calculator featured in with the 'related items!' What a thrill! Equally thrilling are the fantastic tips on how to keep us Etsy members in equilibrium!
HoneysuckleLane
This article really hit the nail on the head. Great advice!
I have a little cash register like the one in the lead photo from when I was a little girl... only mine's pink!
norakaren
tubbytabby
Great information, and that part about the eco, yeah, that's me. I'm always worried my things are good enough, that they look amature compared to others, and why aren't people buying mine! Right at this moment I am going to stop that way of thinking. You're right I am a unique talent and I need to just stick with what I do, someone will notice.
Thanks for the advice.
tubbytabby
If I could only get my typing skills up to par, lol I meant to say ego!
steinschmuckdesign
Thank you very much for you sharing,
well, I feel myself understood:)
SweetGoods
lemonadehandmade
It's always so lovely to hear that others are going through the same trials and tribulations, and the great advice is icing on the cake. Heading over to the blog STAT for a second helping of Biz Tips. Hooray for Modish!
BigHelmetHead
Thank you for a wonderful article and helpful advice. I'm feeling much better already by just reading it :)
spaceagedesigns
I needed this,- I haven't had any luck with sales and am overwhelmed by advertizing. This could be a new beginning!
ThingsUnseen
CocoaBeadDesigns
OrdinaryMommy
LaLah
thank you for all of these articles...SO ENCOURAGING!!! feeling creative right about now.
PipocaHandmade
All great tips...it's good to have an objective voice out there! Thanks for this article.
MetroGypsy
outtahand
great info, it is easy to get discouraged. It helps to see articles on how other etesians feel.
soggybottomflats
Thanks so much for sharing...I think I needed this set of articles today! It is easy to become critical of ones self and to wallow in discouragement. I feel better already!
AnniesWearableArt
Plenty of mirror-reflecting reality checks and important issues here that we all need to remember to stay grounded and keep our own creative fires kindled...thank you for such an honest, informative article!
2ReVert
Wonderful article... thank you so much for sharing.
Greatly appreciated,
2ReVert
betsyandiya
Jena, YAY!! It's so nice to see your advice on here. You are so inspiring and such a rock star. xoxo!
kidacollective
Brilliant advice. And now I've read that, I'm going to get back to the making. ;)
vintageavacado
Fabulous! Love the validation of our own thoughts. Thanks.
thecraftpantry
SkylarkVintage
This is a great article- It addresses all my worries! Thanks for the inspiration and advice. ;)
BeadsInTheBelfry
samsstuff
Thank you for all the positive advice! We can all use a little positive reinforcement, no matter what the current business environment.
TodaysBaby
So many things you said are just what I need to hear at this time. I love wisdom. Thanks.
LoverlyMiss
Paddywackles
Great insight! I love her down to earth, positive ideas for dealing with the many things etsy sellers deal with. Everything from the business standpoint to the emotional standpoint as well. Thanks, can't wait to read Modish Biz Tips!
Nushkie
kathiroussel
thanks modish
very user friendly advice. i'm going to take some days out for some big time slacking... and then get cracking--- :)
voleurdebijoux
babinka1981
Tina669
Wireplusjewelry
You hit it on the head. It is so easy to take what was fun and relaxing and turn it into a unbearable job. Keep up the wise words of wisdom. We all need to be reminded of what it's all about.
eva429
GlassCherry
thedaydreamer
These posts are just awesome! Esp, the ones about selling your creative inspiration and not measuring up. I SO need these tips. Thanks! :-)
moonangelnay
For a person like myself that constantly gets the concept of time and making it wrong, this is a little gem! I'm still at the start so I'm not as busy as I hope to be so the pointers regarding doing what you enjoy full time are useful to have read in advance! thanks again! xxx
replicca
great tips... learning to say "no" is sooo hard, and multiple "no"'s later they still come with a pile of guilt, but its been the key to my sanity...
PawPawsWorkshop
shecological
Thanks so much for the positive attitude and the good, clear advice!
QuercusSilver
I have stepped back, taken a deep breath and smiled at my achievements. Thanks for the fillip(love that word)
MelroseFields
Sometimes it is in your better interest to say no...great advice
thebestvintage
tldgrainwear
Helpful tips, I'm a newbie around here ... and sometimes I feel a bit like it says on the article but then I try to re-focus and it's ok. Still learning to deal with it but it's great to be a part of this. Luv!
Nomsa
Gosh...I can't wait to read all the wonderful tips. Thanks so much for the great resources!!
MarcellasExcess
JustLiv
This is fantastic! Such a great pick me up when I needed it most! Thanks!
TheNightjar
nanasue
sweetsmilesbaby
Great tips. Love that PinWheel calculator, I would feel smarter being able to use that than to be able to calculate in my head.
LilSpooks
Thanks so much for this article Modish :) I can relate to everything, especially having only just started selling on Etsy. It's really helped me to keep things in focus and at the same time, knowing that I'm not alone!
GoMakeMe
SecondHandNews
amye123
Ahhh... Thank You so much. Maybe now I won't feel guilty about actually sitting down to drink my coffee!
papercharms
newsprout
What a nice reminder: to love what you do and to do what you love!
jenharruff
Oh, I am so grateful that you posted this blog and that I read it when I needed it most! I was just starting to hit panic mode and feeling like I will never be up to the level of great shops. I still have a long way to go, and there are loads more items I will be working on, but it was so good to be reminded that some perspective is always necessary. Thanks a ton!
LushPunk
Wonderful article - I bookmarked some of the links to the blog! Thankyou :D
blendastudio
wondra
TheSparklingCocktail
ArtMind
GlassTortoise
glad to hear I'm not the only one getting discouraged once in while. Good article.
ThePaintedPonyEH
I knew that I wasn't alone in my feelings of "inability to measure up", but I had no idea just how many shared shared those feelings. WOW! Thank you for those wonderful words of encouragement! They come at a most needed time!
koodelah
karaskraftykreations
MeadowbelleMarket
All of this is so true! I think one might be prone to feeling down about a streak of no-sales, but that time should be used as a welcomed opportunity to re-group, re-energize your creativity, and re-lax!
prettynshrink
Mmmmmmmmmm...that was just the easy going encouragement that I needed!
klacustomcreations
prettyartzy
anakim
HoneyBoo
bellecamicie
Thank you for posting this. I think this is important for everyone to remember no matter how hard it gets.
funtoprint
dahliacouturejewelry
Thank you for this great advice, it very difficult to stay focus and true to your artistic style. So many times I have wanted to change who I am as an artist just because I feel I an not good enough or not confident enough to make a sale. I am new here at etsy so I guess I need to ride it out and be patient with my self and wait for people to see me for who I am as an artist. Reading your article this morning gave new hope to stay focus and most important to be true to my self as an artist. Thank you for your words of wisdom, they are god sent.
myJellyBean
Inspiring!! I will try and keep this info in mind when I get discouraged or think my store is not good enough. I will keep my focus on my craft and do all I can to improve and work on my confidence. Thank you so much!!!
junkyjunk
Great advice! Don't we all know what that's about, getting a little distracted at times...
perpetual3
thank-you. great to step back and take a deep breath. enjoyed reading your articles.
SilverNutmegStudio
cellophaneFlower
ChicInfinity
This lifted up my spirits quite a bit.. was becoming discouraged and disheartened but now am going to keep waiting it out and hopefully a sale will come along!
OwlandMouse
Sooo glad I found this! The blog it leads to looks like it's stalk full of more useful info.
japonicas
jaroslava
mystic2awesome
Love the article! It was very informative with lots of feeling and inspiration.
KendraRenee
JewelsofSaraswati
lassandaliasdeana
fireflyforge
I'm so glad to have found you! I'm reading everything after dinner...
lovebirdladybird
So much to read but such an abundance of great information! Thank you!
heartcity
theweddingcontessa
Awesome information! Thanks for taking the time to share your insight and good luck to everyone!
SelfAssured
TheArtOfJoy
EAGems
ToletallyPainted
pearlwedding
battyhead
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