Monday, 27 February 2012
Thank You!
Friday, 3 February 2012
Quit Your Day Job: Maejean Vintage
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/quit-your-day-job-maejean-vintage/?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=What+was%C2%A0Maejean+
Vintage%27s+biggest+small+business+mistake%3F&utm_content=etsy_success
_020211&utm_campaign=etsy_success_0202
Tell us about your shop and the idea behind it.
Our shop is MaejeanVINTAGE, it is run by my sister and me. Our shop carries an assortment of vintage fashion, accessories, supplies, and décor!
Tell us how you discovered Etsy.
My sister and I discovered Etsy a few years ago from one of her friends who raved about it. We decided to list this adorable 1980s black jumper to see what the selling experience was like here. The jumper sold in about a month and we were instantly hooked on Etsy! We sold on Etsy for a few years as a hobby, under a different shop name, then we opened MaejeanVINTAGE in May 2010.
What steps did you take to prepare for transitioning into full time Etsy selling?
My previous job was teaching full-day kindergarten at an urban school in Pennsylvania. I loved it, but last June my position was eliminated. Many schools in PA (and throughout the U.S.) are laying off teachers due to budget cuts. So I began substitute teaching full time, just as I did right out of college, which felt like a big step backwards. However, since I didn’t have all the grading and lesson plans to tend to in the afternoons and evenings, I started putting a lot more time into our Etsy shop. The results were amazing! I couldn’t believe the amount of sales and traffic our shop was starting to get. Our listings were being featured in countless treasuries, and we even had items showing up on Etsy’s homepage. So, I made the decision to stop substitute teaching and see what things would look like if I worked full time on our Etsy shop. After a few weeks, I made the decision to permanently take my name off of all the school’s subbing lists and work full time on our vintage Etsy shop. Our shop just kept on getting busier!
The transition felt very natural. I didn’t prepare for it months in advance, but my sister and I consulted one of our family members who is a certified public accountant to assist us with making the jump from selling on Etsy as a hobby to selling on Etsy as a full-time business. He was very helpful with explaining bookkeeping and legalities. We are also fortunate that our mother has tons of bookkeeping experience. She makes sure to lovingly nag me at least every week to make sure I am keeping up with all the paperwork. It is good she stays on my case, though!
What is your favorite part of the process in sourcing and selling vintage goods?
Oh my, we love it all! It honestly doesn’t even feel like “work.” One of our favorite parts of this is probably going to estate sales and public auctions. The hunt of vintage and antique items is quite a thrill!
What is your favorite era to score finds from?
To us, each decade has its own special appeal. I have been into early 1900s art deco jewelry recently — probably a little too much because I have been keeping most pieces for myself! My sister Amanda is really into 1980s short floral dresses. She also has a soft spot for fascinator hats.
Any tips for hunting down great vintage items?
We have had some of our best vintage finds at estate sales, public auctions, thrift stores and yard sales. No matter where were find our treasures, there is a lot of digging involved. I think remaining patient is essential for finding vintage goods. Sometimes we spend an entire day at an estate sale. Typically, when we go to thrift stores, we spend a minimum of two hours searching. Unfortunately, sometimes you go home empty handed, but next time you could be going home with a car full of amazing items.
What are your best marketing tips?
Utilize social networking sites! We have had plenty of customers who joined Etsy and made a purchase from us because they found us elsewhere.
We are big on customer service. We both have the Etsy app on our cell phones, so we try to answer customers’ questions immediately.
We offer a discount to all return customers. Many of our customers do come back and shop with us again! We love repeat customers and actually getting to know them.
We spend time analyzing our shop statistics, looking at popular keywords, which items are getting the most views, trends in sales, and so forth. It is helpful to know which items are in the highest demand and try to meet that demand.
We also try to stay active in Etsy Teams. We ended up being featured on Etsy’s homepage and Etsy emails a few times, due to being involved in Etsy Teams.
What’s been your most popular item or line of items to date?
Our best sellers are vintage costume jewelry, mid-century jewelry boxes, and retro purses. The vintage jewelry boxes are in such high demand, it is hard to keep them in stock!
Made any business mistakes you regret?
A business mistake I have made several times is underpricing our goods. I really love giving customers awesome deals, but I have to be fair to myself also, especially since this is my full-time career. I recently sold two Lucille de Paris crocodile purses for about a fourth of what their retail value is. My sister was on my case about that one! We have also made a few uh-ohs at auctions by accidently bidding on different lots than we intended to. We have ended up with some very interesting items from this, as well as some lofty donations for Goodwill!
What is the biggest challenge you face during your daily schedule?
I have a fairly short attention span, so staying focused can be an obstacle for me. Sometimes I will list a few items, then get distracted with something unrelated to the business. I now use a stability ball to sit on which helps me focus (a trick from the teaching world!). The exercise ball forces me to sit upright, engages my muscles, and when I need to, I can bounce around on it.
What’s the hardest part about running your own business?
Although we love being entrepreneurs, sometimes sales will plummet for a few days and it can be a bit discouraging. However, things always come around again and we keep figuring out more efficient ways to do things. Additionally, being self-employed has been a lot less stressful than any of the 9-5 jobs I have worked, hands down.
What do you enjoy most about not having a day job?
I enjoy virtually everything about not having a day job; there are countless perks! I oftentimes work in my PJs, and sometimes even with a green tea avocado mask smeared on my face. However, my favorite part is the flexibility. I can see my friends and family more, volunteer, play with our chihuahua, and spend more time with my wonderful boyfriend. I do try my best to work 40 hours a week, but it is amazing to pick exactly when I want to work. Of course, it is also amazing not having a boss to report to!
What is the most exciting thing that has come out of selling your goods through Etsy?
Hearing the heartfelt stories from customers we have done business with. It is so fulfilling to hear how meaningful items from our shop are to customers. We have had customers buy vintage jewelry that their great-grandma used to have. We have even worked with customers who lost a precious piece of vintage heirloom jewelry and were able to replace it with a virtually identical item from our shop. We have also worked with individuals in charge of costume and design for major films and theatre productions. The customers we have worked with are so friendly and grateful!
What advice would you give someone considering a similar path?
I would suggest trying it as a hobby or part-time job, and seeing what it can expand into. Check and gauge if it is something you could see yourself doing every day. It takes a lot of self-motivation and passion! Luckily, there is demand for vintage and antique goods and I don’t ever foresee that changing. I also think that selling online (especially on Etsy!) is a lot more cost-effective than opening an actual storefront downtown. In the last few years, it seems more and more individuals are doing their shopping online.
What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?
A short-term goal we have is to have at least 500 items listed in our shop by February. A long-term goal is for my sister Amanda to start working with me full time after she graduates from college. She will have a degree in business, so she will really help take our business to the next level. Another short-term goal is to do more advertising — my sister is already working on this! We are also considering opening a second shop which would specialize in vintage supplies: beads, repair jewelry lots, mismatched earrings, findings, and so forth.
Anything else you would like to share?
I have a wooden plaque right on my work desk that says “dream.” Every morning while drinking my coffee, I look at that sign and smile because my dream has become a reality! Furthermore, we want to give a huge thank you to Etsy for providing an awesome online marketplace for handmade, vintage and supplies!
Vintage%27s+biggest+small+business+mistake%3F&utm_content=etsy_success
_020211&utm_campaign=etsy_success_0202
Tell us about your shop and the idea behind it.
Our shop is MaejeanVINTAGE, it is run by my sister and me. Our shop carries an assortment of vintage fashion, accessories, supplies, and décor!
Tell us how you discovered Etsy.
My sister and I discovered Etsy a few years ago from one of her friends who raved about it. We decided to list this adorable 1980s black jumper to see what the selling experience was like here. The jumper sold in about a month and we were instantly hooked on Etsy! We sold on Etsy for a few years as a hobby, under a different shop name, then we opened MaejeanVINTAGE in May 2010.
What steps did you take to prepare for transitioning into full time Etsy selling?
My previous job was teaching full-day kindergarten at an urban school in Pennsylvania. I loved it, but last June my position was eliminated. Many schools in PA (and throughout the U.S.) are laying off teachers due to budget cuts. So I began substitute teaching full time, just as I did right out of college, which felt like a big step backwards. However, since I didn’t have all the grading and lesson plans to tend to in the afternoons and evenings, I started putting a lot more time into our Etsy shop. The results were amazing! I couldn’t believe the amount of sales and traffic our shop was starting to get. Our listings were being featured in countless treasuries, and we even had items showing up on Etsy’s homepage. So, I made the decision to stop substitute teaching and see what things would look like if I worked full time on our Etsy shop. After a few weeks, I made the decision to permanently take my name off of all the school’s subbing lists and work full time on our vintage Etsy shop. Our shop just kept on getting busier!
The transition felt very natural. I didn’t prepare for it months in advance, but my sister and I consulted one of our family members who is a certified public accountant to assist us with making the jump from selling on Etsy as a hobby to selling on Etsy as a full-time business. He was very helpful with explaining bookkeeping and legalities. We are also fortunate that our mother has tons of bookkeeping experience. She makes sure to lovingly nag me at least every week to make sure I am keeping up with all the paperwork. It is good she stays on my case, though!
What is your favorite part of the process in sourcing and selling vintage goods?
Oh my, we love it all! It honestly doesn’t even feel like “work.” One of our favorite parts of this is probably going to estate sales and public auctions. The hunt of vintage and antique items is quite a thrill!
What is your favorite era to score finds from?
To us, each decade has its own special appeal. I have been into early 1900s art deco jewelry recently — probably a little too much because I have been keeping most pieces for myself! My sister Amanda is really into 1980s short floral dresses. She also has a soft spot for fascinator hats.
Any tips for hunting down great vintage items?
We have had some of our best vintage finds at estate sales, public auctions, thrift stores and yard sales. No matter where were find our treasures, there is a lot of digging involved. I think remaining patient is essential for finding vintage goods. Sometimes we spend an entire day at an estate sale. Typically, when we go to thrift stores, we spend a minimum of two hours searching. Unfortunately, sometimes you go home empty handed, but next time you could be going home with a car full of amazing items.
What are your best marketing tips?
Utilize social networking sites! We have had plenty of customers who joined Etsy and made a purchase from us because they found us elsewhere.
We are big on customer service. We both have the Etsy app on our cell phones, so we try to answer customers’ questions immediately.
We offer a discount to all return customers. Many of our customers do come back and shop with us again! We love repeat customers and actually getting to know them.
We spend time analyzing our shop statistics, looking at popular keywords, which items are getting the most views, trends in sales, and so forth. It is helpful to know which items are in the highest demand and try to meet that demand.
We also try to stay active in Etsy Teams. We ended up being featured on Etsy’s homepage and Etsy emails a few times, due to being involved in Etsy Teams.
What’s been your most popular item or line of items to date?
Our best sellers are vintage costume jewelry, mid-century jewelry boxes, and retro purses. The vintage jewelry boxes are in such high demand, it is hard to keep them in stock!
Made any business mistakes you regret?
A business mistake I have made several times is underpricing our goods. I really love giving customers awesome deals, but I have to be fair to myself also, especially since this is my full-time career. I recently sold two Lucille de Paris crocodile purses for about a fourth of what their retail value is. My sister was on my case about that one! We have also made a few uh-ohs at auctions by accidently bidding on different lots than we intended to. We have ended up with some very interesting items from this, as well as some lofty donations for Goodwill!
What is the biggest challenge you face during your daily schedule?
I have a fairly short attention span, so staying focused can be an obstacle for me. Sometimes I will list a few items, then get distracted with something unrelated to the business. I now use a stability ball to sit on which helps me focus (a trick from the teaching world!). The exercise ball forces me to sit upright, engages my muscles, and when I need to, I can bounce around on it.
What’s the hardest part about running your own business?
Although we love being entrepreneurs, sometimes sales will plummet for a few days and it can be a bit discouraging. However, things always come around again and we keep figuring out more efficient ways to do things. Additionally, being self-employed has been a lot less stressful than any of the 9-5 jobs I have worked, hands down.
What do you enjoy most about not having a day job?
I enjoy virtually everything about not having a day job; there are countless perks! I oftentimes work in my PJs, and sometimes even with a green tea avocado mask smeared on my face. However, my favorite part is the flexibility. I can see my friends and family more, volunteer, play with our chihuahua, and spend more time with my wonderful boyfriend. I do try my best to work 40 hours a week, but it is amazing to pick exactly when I want to work. Of course, it is also amazing not having a boss to report to!
What is the most exciting thing that has come out of selling your goods through Etsy?
Hearing the heartfelt stories from customers we have done business with. It is so fulfilling to hear how meaningful items from our shop are to customers. We have had customers buy vintage jewelry that their great-grandma used to have. We have even worked with customers who lost a precious piece of vintage heirloom jewelry and were able to replace it with a virtually identical item from our shop. We have also worked with individuals in charge of costume and design for major films and theatre productions. The customers we have worked with are so friendly and grateful!
What advice would you give someone considering a similar path?
I would suggest trying it as a hobby or part-time job, and seeing what it can expand into. Check and gauge if it is something you could see yourself doing every day. It takes a lot of self-motivation and passion! Luckily, there is demand for vintage and antique goods and I don’t ever foresee that changing. I also think that selling online (especially on Etsy!) is a lot more cost-effective than opening an actual storefront downtown. In the last few years, it seems more and more individuals are doing their shopping online.
What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?
A short-term goal we have is to have at least 500 items listed in our shop by February. A long-term goal is for my sister Amanda to start working with me full time after she graduates from college. She will have a degree in business, so she will really help take our business to the next level. Another short-term goal is to do more advertising — my sister is already working on this! We are also considering opening a second shop which would specialize in vintage supplies: beads, repair jewelry lots, mismatched earrings, findings, and so forth.
Anything else you would like to share?
I have a wooden plaque right on my work desk that says “dream.” Every morning while drinking my coffee, I look at that sign and smile because my dream has become a reality! Furthermore, we want to give a huge thank you to Etsy for providing an awesome online marketplace for handmade, vintage and supplies!
Noted: Brown Is the New Green
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/noted-brown-is-the-new-green/?ref=fp_blog_title
My freshman college days were spent frequenting a sandwich shop near campus, where fresh, local ingredients could be had between two slices of wheat bread, all for just $4. When one of my friends started working there, the deal became even sweeter. However, this friend soon became an informant; the day she revealed that the shop’s wheat bread was exactly the same as their white bread, save for a few drops of food coloring, I was crushed. This was my first inkling that color, even in food consumption, is a powerful selling point for consumers. My deli-centric experience proved that our associations with colors often lead to blind assumptions — just because the bread was brown instead of white, I assumed I was making a healthy choice. It doesn’t stop with my faux wheat bread; an article on GOOD reveals how brown is the choice color when companies seek to convey a wholesome, eco-friendly message.
If you want proof of this trend, just take a look at fast food restaurants, where disposable napkins, once blindingly white, are now oatmeal colored. The Wall Street Journal highlights Seventh Generation, a company who adds brown pigment in the process of making disposable diapers. “[It's important] not so much that it’s brown, it’s that it’s not white,” says Louis Chapdelaine, who directs the fibers department of the company.
For a while, “greenwashing” was the buzz word du jour, wherein companies would repackage a product to appeal to eco-conscious consumers. Everything from tote bags to cleaning products are now smacked with green-colored labels, insinuating an environmentally friendly product. When we so heavily depend on visual cues to make shopping decisions, this is extremely misleading — how do we know when green, or brown, truly indicates an Earth-friendly product?
Sunday, 29 January 2012
What can I sell on Folksy?
Thank you for thinking about using Folksy and making it the best place for quality handmade items and craft supplies.
Below, we’ve outlined the criteria for what is allowed to be listed on Folksy and also some specific examples of what is not allowed. Thank you for taking time to read the criteria (we know it’s a drag).
Handmade goods
At least one of the following criteria must be met to list an item on Folksy:
Majority Handmade: The item is handmade by you through a craft practice, for example knitting (either using a pattern you have created or one that you have permission to use) or woodturning or sewing.
Original Design: The item has an original design. For example we allow knitted garments made using mass produced wool, handbags made using mass produced fabric or jewellery designs using mass produced beads as long as these are based on an original design. Please see our note about 'assembled' jewellery. Also, the item may not be made by you (e.g. prints of illustrations or decals of original artwork) but must be your original design and not a copy of someone else’s.
For a full list of the crafts we support and examples of what we define as original design see the Folksy Policy on Handmade (PDF )
Craft supplies
You can sell craft supplies on Folksy, whether the items are handmade by you or mass produced. Supplies can be anything so long as they don't break any laws within the country of origin and the sales destination. They must be listed with 'Supplies' as the item type, not 'Handmade'.
Specific examples of things you can’t sell on Folksy
To make things a little easier, we’ve also compiled a list of things that cannot be sold on Folksy, below. Please do read through this list as we won’t be able to refund any items that are listed on Folksy that breach this list of prohibited items. Thanks for looking and helping us keep Folksy the best place for handmade work in the UK.
1. Items which infringe copyright
See our copyright page for information on copyright infringements including a list of known products and terms.
2. Assembled items
We don’t allow items on Folksy that have been 'assembled' from mass produced components with no original design involved, for example:
Nappy cakes, gift baskets etc.
Assembled jewellery, this when the defining characteristic of the item is the charm or mass produced piece on it, for example, a mass produced charm attached to a chain.
3. Vintage Items
Vintage items can only be sold on Folksy if the item is:
Upcycled (it's original function has been significantly altered)
Re-upholstered
Painted or printed with an original design or decorated using decoupage
Refurbishing and restoration of an item such as furniture is not classed as a significant change and therefore not suitable for sale on Folksy, this applies to decoupage, painting techniques, applique, glazing etc.
Please contact us to see if an item is suitable for sale on Folksy.
4. Cosmetics
We don't allow cosmetics to be sold through Folksy with the exception of handcrafted soap products. Soaps may be sold but must abide by The Cosmetics Products Safety Regulations. Regulations require that cosmetic products must undergo a safety assessment by a suitably qualified person before they can be sold. Please include the ingredients and state that your items have been tested in the item listing or we will ask you to delist your item. Please contact your local Trading Standards Office for advice.
5. Handmade items that have not been made by you
You must have had some part in the making or designing of the product you are selling (unless it is a craft supply). Folksy supports individual designers and makers and NOT re-sellers.
6. “Adult” and pornographic items
Items which are deemed to be pornographic or of an “adult nature” (interpretation of which is determined by Folksy) are prohibited. If unsure you are recommended to contact us before listing in order that your account is not suspended.
7. Illegal or hazardous or dangerous Items
Items which have been gained illegally or which are stolen or for which it would be illegal to trade [e.g. drugs, items sold as toys without the necessary license, copyrighted work or reproductions of copyrighted work without permissions]. Harzardous or dangerous such as weapons and knives or chemicals are not allowed.
8. Foodstuffs
As much as we like eating Folksy is not about food!
9. Found Items
Found items from nature such as driftwood, stones or fossils can be sold on Folksy but can only be sold as a supply, not a handmade item. Exceptions to this would be the use of techniques such as lapidary when a stone or mineral is formed by carving or polishing and made into a decorative item. These items can be listed as handmade.
10. Music & Film
We don't allow the sale of music, film, CDs, DVDs, other music-related or film-related items.
Below, we’ve outlined the criteria for what is allowed to be listed on Folksy and also some specific examples of what is not allowed. Thank you for taking time to read the criteria (we know it’s a drag).
Handmade goods
At least one of the following criteria must be met to list an item on Folksy:
Majority Handmade: The item is handmade by you through a craft practice, for example knitting (either using a pattern you have created or one that you have permission to use) or woodturning or sewing.
Original Design: The item has an original design. For example we allow knitted garments made using mass produced wool, handbags made using mass produced fabric or jewellery designs using mass produced beads as long as these are based on an original design. Please see our note about 'assembled' jewellery. Also, the item may not be made by you (e.g. prints of illustrations or decals of original artwork) but must be your original design and not a copy of someone else’s.
For a full list of the crafts we support and examples of what we define as original design see the Folksy Policy on Handmade (PDF )
Craft supplies
You can sell craft supplies on Folksy, whether the items are handmade by you or mass produced. Supplies can be anything so long as they don't break any laws within the country of origin and the sales destination. They must be listed with 'Supplies' as the item type, not 'Handmade'.
Specific examples of things you can’t sell on Folksy
To make things a little easier, we’ve also compiled a list of things that cannot be sold on Folksy, below. Please do read through this list as we won’t be able to refund any items that are listed on Folksy that breach this list of prohibited items. Thanks for looking and helping us keep Folksy the best place for handmade work in the UK.
1. Items which infringe copyright
See our copyright page for information on copyright infringements including a list of known products and terms.
2. Assembled items
We don’t allow items on Folksy that have been 'assembled' from mass produced components with no original design involved, for example:
Nappy cakes, gift baskets etc.
Assembled jewellery, this when the defining characteristic of the item is the charm or mass produced piece on it, for example, a mass produced charm attached to a chain.
3. Vintage Items
Vintage items can only be sold on Folksy if the item is:
Upcycled (it's original function has been significantly altered)
Re-upholstered
Painted or printed with an original design or decorated using decoupage
Refurbishing and restoration of an item such as furniture is not classed as a significant change and therefore not suitable for sale on Folksy, this applies to decoupage, painting techniques, applique, glazing etc.
Please contact us to see if an item is suitable for sale on Folksy.
4. Cosmetics
We don't allow cosmetics to be sold through Folksy with the exception of handcrafted soap products. Soaps may be sold but must abide by The Cosmetics Products Safety Regulations. Regulations require that cosmetic products must undergo a safety assessment by a suitably qualified person before they can be sold. Please include the ingredients and state that your items have been tested in the item listing or we will ask you to delist your item. Please contact your local Trading Standards Office for advice.
5. Handmade items that have not been made by you
You must have had some part in the making or designing of the product you are selling (unless it is a craft supply). Folksy supports individual designers and makers and NOT re-sellers.
6. “Adult” and pornographic items
Items which are deemed to be pornographic or of an “adult nature” (interpretation of which is determined by Folksy) are prohibited. If unsure you are recommended to contact us before listing in order that your account is not suspended.
7. Illegal or hazardous or dangerous Items
Items which have been gained illegally or which are stolen or for which it would be illegal to trade [e.g. drugs, items sold as toys without the necessary license, copyrighted work or reproductions of copyrighted work without permissions]. Harzardous or dangerous such as weapons and knives or chemicals are not allowed.
8. Foodstuffs
As much as we like eating Folksy is not about food!
9. Found Items
Found items from nature such as driftwood, stones or fossils can be sold on Folksy but can only be sold as a supply, not a handmade item. Exceptions to this would be the use of techniques such as lapidary when a stone or mineral is formed by carving or polishing and made into a decorative item. These items can be listed as handmade.
10. Music & Film
We don't allow the sale of music, film, CDs, DVDs, other music-related or film-related items.
How to Create a Cohesive Shop
Story by HeyMichelle
Published on Jan 25, 2012 in Seller Handbook
Creating a cohesive shop is the most important tool for branding yourself, and one of your biggest allies in your search for repeat customers. Customers who love your style will share your shop with others and come back again and again.
Further, cohesive shops are successful in search or wherever they are found. When you bring a shopper in from search, it’s so important that they be interested in not just that item, but in browsing through the rest of your shop — this is how a great deal of sales are made. Now, instead of each item working for itself, they become a team that helps captivate a customer and encourage her to make a purchase!
A cohesive shop will help promote itself- when you have a clearly defined style, bloggers and others who would like to feature your shop will be drawn to it! Sellers who are chosen as featured seller and who are contacted for media features all have cohesive shops.
So, how do you create a cohesive shop? Here are our tips below:
What’s your style?
Define Your Style: Can you describe the style of your shop in just a few words? This is a great indicator that you have a cohesive style. If you’re not there yet, try to describe in a few words what you would like your style to be.
I’d describe imyourpresent’s style as kitten-bling, and her charming vision has made her shop a favorite destination, and drawn tons of attention:
Product Assortment
Create Your Boutique: Do your products make sense being sold together? Could you imagine your Etsy shop translating to a brick-and-mortar store? There are always exceptions, so if you have a great idea, do it! The point is that your shop assortment should be an intentional choice.
Know Thy Customer: If you have multiple product lines in your shop, consider whether they all speak to the same customer. If a shopper comes in on one item, how likely is she to want to browse the rest of your shop?
Girlscantell sells a variety of gifty items — coasters, journals, bottle openers, lunch boxes, dish towels. But it all makes sense because the shop is a great gift destination, and they’re all adorned with her signature style line artwork.
Photos and Shop Appearance
The Big Picture: Photo backgrounds that complement each other can make your shop look cohesive. All the backgrounds don’t have to be exactly the same — in fact, a little variety can be nice, but they should play well together.
Set the Mood: Backgrounds and photography styles can help drive your look home. If your shop is rustic, what about rustic wood backgrounds? For a clean, modern look, how about simple, white backgrounds? Morning light can look soft and cheerful; early evening light can be more mysterious and romantic. There’s no need to go overboard here — clean backgrounds will look good with almost everything, and will highlight the items and let them shine. Just consider that if your backgrounds are saying something, you want them to be speaking to the style of your shop.
Banner Time: Do the colors of your banner go well with the colors of your photos? Does the font style echo your aesthetic? A good banner that will probably sit well with your shop is a detail slice of one of your item photos. No banner would be better than the wrong banner though, so feel free to go bannerless for now, or purchase a banner from a great graphic designer on Etsy.
ClothandPatina’s shop title describes her style and product assortment as “Rustic French Country Home Decor and Gifts,” and her photos and banner reinforce her look with weathered textures, woods and whites, and natural light.
Now Go Forth and Cohesify!
But won’t I get bored?: I think a lot of sellers have a variety of interests and styles they like and fear that having a cohesive shop will limit them. In fact, it can be wonderfully creatively freeing! Instead of crafting each item on its own, you will have fun creating and sharing your unique vision through your shop, which itself becomes a work of art.
Published on Jan 25, 2012 in Seller Handbook
Creating a cohesive shop is the most important tool for branding yourself, and one of your biggest allies in your search for repeat customers. Customers who love your style will share your shop with others and come back again and again.
Further, cohesive shops are successful in search or wherever they are found. When you bring a shopper in from search, it’s so important that they be interested in not just that item, but in browsing through the rest of your shop — this is how a great deal of sales are made. Now, instead of each item working for itself, they become a team that helps captivate a customer and encourage her to make a purchase!
A cohesive shop will help promote itself- when you have a clearly defined style, bloggers and others who would like to feature your shop will be drawn to it! Sellers who are chosen as featured seller and who are contacted for media features all have cohesive shops.
So, how do you create a cohesive shop? Here are our tips below:
What’s your style?
Define Your Style: Can you describe the style of your shop in just a few words? This is a great indicator that you have a cohesive style. If you’re not there yet, try to describe in a few words what you would like your style to be.
I’d describe imyourpresent’s style as kitten-bling, and her charming vision has made her shop a favorite destination, and drawn tons of attention:
Product Assortment
Create Your Boutique: Do your products make sense being sold together? Could you imagine your Etsy shop translating to a brick-and-mortar store? There are always exceptions, so if you have a great idea, do it! The point is that your shop assortment should be an intentional choice.
Know Thy Customer: If you have multiple product lines in your shop, consider whether they all speak to the same customer. If a shopper comes in on one item, how likely is she to want to browse the rest of your shop?
Girlscantell sells a variety of gifty items — coasters, journals, bottle openers, lunch boxes, dish towels. But it all makes sense because the shop is a great gift destination, and they’re all adorned with her signature style line artwork.
Photos and Shop Appearance
The Big Picture: Photo backgrounds that complement each other can make your shop look cohesive. All the backgrounds don’t have to be exactly the same — in fact, a little variety can be nice, but they should play well together.
Set the Mood: Backgrounds and photography styles can help drive your look home. If your shop is rustic, what about rustic wood backgrounds? For a clean, modern look, how about simple, white backgrounds? Morning light can look soft and cheerful; early evening light can be more mysterious and romantic. There’s no need to go overboard here — clean backgrounds will look good with almost everything, and will highlight the items and let them shine. Just consider that if your backgrounds are saying something, you want them to be speaking to the style of your shop.
Banner Time: Do the colors of your banner go well with the colors of your photos? Does the font style echo your aesthetic? A good banner that will probably sit well with your shop is a detail slice of one of your item photos. No banner would be better than the wrong banner though, so feel free to go bannerless for now, or purchase a banner from a great graphic designer on Etsy.
ClothandPatina’s shop title describes her style and product assortment as “Rustic French Country Home Decor and Gifts,” and her photos and banner reinforce her look with weathered textures, woods and whites, and natural light.
Now Go Forth and Cohesify!
But won’t I get bored?: I think a lot of sellers have a variety of interests and styles they like and fear that having a cohesive shop will limit them. In fact, it can be wonderfully creatively freeing! Instead of crafting each item on its own, you will have fun creating and sharing your unique vision through your shop, which itself becomes a work of art.
Etsy's UK and Ireland Seller Support Team
Just stumbled across this group on Etsy.They may have some more answers for all us new to business.
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7332/etsys-uk-ireland-seller-support-team?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Get+Answers&utm_content=etsy_uk_01262012&utm_campaign=etsy_uk_01262012
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7332/etsys-uk-ireland-seller-support-team?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Get+Answers&utm_content=etsy_uk_01262012&utm_campaign=etsy_uk_01262012
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Etsy Success: Critique Your Shop
Etsy Success: Critique Your Shop
daniellexo
Story by daniellexo
Published on Jan 19, 2012 in Seller Handbook
The Seller Education team has collectively been critiquing your Etsy Shops for over 9 years! We’ve watched many of you grow after our critiques and we’ve also seen you successfully critiquing each other on the Forums and in your Etsy Teams. I’ve created this list of the most important questions you should ask when critiquing your own shop (or a friends!). You can also download and print this list! Am I missing an important question? Let me know in the comments below.
Will your Shop Name help promote you?
Is your shop name easy to remember, spell, and say?
Does your Public Profile need a little help?
Is your avatar recognizable and does it reflect your style and personality?
Have you filled out your location?
Does your profile tell your story?
Are your Shop Settings working for you?
Do your Shop Title and Announcement contain good search keywords?
Does your banner reflect your style? Does it look good with your item photos?
Have you enabled buyers to follow your Facebook Fan Page and Twitter accounts?
Are your Shop Policies filled out? Do they instill trust in a buyer?
McKinney Inspirations by thatsaplanonline
Let’s check out what’s in your shop!
Do you have enough items in your shop? The more items you have the more a buyer has to choose from, and the more likely you’ll be found in a search query.
Are your item titles easy to read?
Is there variety in the titles throughout your shop?
Have you made your titles, tags, and descriptions relevant for search?
Do you use all spots for tags in each item listing with relevant search terms?
Do you use style, color, size and texture tags including word phrases as tags that a your buyer would search (eg. steampunk cufflinks)?
Do your descriptions reflect your unique voice – making it easy for the buyer to connect with you as the artist or collector?
Do you answer all the questions a buyer might be asking about this item?
Re-evaluate your prices. Do your prices reflect the quality of your work and your time?
Do you ship internationally? Ask your local Etsy Team for advice if you need it. (Did you know that roughly 1 in 4 sales on Etsy involves a buyer or seller outside of the U.S.?)
Search for what you sell, and look at your photos in search results. Do your photos make you want to click?
Are you using all 5 spots for images including at least one close-up and one photo that shows the whole piece?
Do you have unnecessary graphics, borders or logos on your photos?
Is your shop cohesive? If not, try to tie it together with your photography style. Cut back on listing items that aren’t selling.
Finis by DMSStudioWorks
How did you do? Think you’ve mastered all these points? Don’t worry, there are still a few things you can work on that I didn’t cover here (like promoting, branding, product development, etc.). Never stop evolving your shop, that’s what makes running your own creative business fun, not only for you but also for your buyers.
daniellexo
Story by daniellexo
Published on Jan 19, 2012 in Seller Handbook
The Seller Education team has collectively been critiquing your Etsy Shops for over 9 years! We’ve watched many of you grow after our critiques and we’ve also seen you successfully critiquing each other on the Forums and in your Etsy Teams. I’ve created this list of the most important questions you should ask when critiquing your own shop (or a friends!). You can also download and print this list! Am I missing an important question? Let me know in the comments below.
Will your Shop Name help promote you?
Is your shop name easy to remember, spell, and say?
Does your Public Profile need a little help?
Is your avatar recognizable and does it reflect your style and personality?
Have you filled out your location?
Does your profile tell your story?
Are your Shop Settings working for you?
Do your Shop Title and Announcement contain good search keywords?
Does your banner reflect your style? Does it look good with your item photos?
Have you enabled buyers to follow your Facebook Fan Page and Twitter accounts?
Are your Shop Policies filled out? Do they instill trust in a buyer?
McKinney Inspirations by thatsaplanonline
Let’s check out what’s in your shop!
Do you have enough items in your shop? The more items you have the more a buyer has to choose from, and the more likely you’ll be found in a search query.
Are your item titles easy to read?
Is there variety in the titles throughout your shop?
Have you made your titles, tags, and descriptions relevant for search?
Do you use all spots for tags in each item listing with relevant search terms?
Do you use style, color, size and texture tags including word phrases as tags that a your buyer would search (eg. steampunk cufflinks)?
Do your descriptions reflect your unique voice – making it easy for the buyer to connect with you as the artist or collector?
Do you answer all the questions a buyer might be asking about this item?
Re-evaluate your prices. Do your prices reflect the quality of your work and your time?
Do you ship internationally? Ask your local Etsy Team for advice if you need it. (Did you know that roughly 1 in 4 sales on Etsy involves a buyer or seller outside of the U.S.?)
Search for what you sell, and look at your photos in search results. Do your photos make you want to click?
Are you using all 5 spots for images including at least one close-up and one photo that shows the whole piece?
Do you have unnecessary graphics, borders or logos on your photos?
Is your shop cohesive? If not, try to tie it together with your photography style. Cut back on listing items that aren’t selling.
Finis by DMSStudioWorks
How did you do? Think you’ve mastered all these points? Don’t worry, there are still a few things you can work on that I didn’t cover here (like promoting, branding, product development, etc.). Never stop evolving your shop, that’s what makes running your own creative business fun, not only for you but also for your buyers.
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