Today I want to share - Etsy Stuff

Before I get into sharing, I suggest... no... I HIGHLY suggest joining the Facebook group Thriving on Etsy! The people there are wonderful and the admin is always encouraging people to challenge themselves. I usually start my day reading some posts on various FB groups and this one post struck a cord with me. It is something I strongly believe in. If you have a moment, join the group, and read this post: It Takes Work


I want to share with you a little about the experiences I been having on Etsy. Which kind of fits into the topic of that FB post. This June I will be on Etsy for 1 solid year. I have been working on and off to make my shop during this time. At one point I took 3-4 months off to re-think my shop and really figure out why I wasn't making much success. It frustrated me to no end when I saw people with high sales, views, etc. I kept scratching my chin, my head, and really feeling worthless.

Then I realized... I wasn't doing something right. I had to start over. It was hard and I cried (not going to lie) that I had to begin again. I started with my product. I started mulling over why my jewelry wasn't standing out. Then, I began to re-photograph everything. After that, I re-did all my SEO, my descriptions, etc. However, I still have work to do. There is still listing that need improvements. More pictures need to be taken, etc.

That is right, it takes work. I wish there was an easier way or answer, but there is not. You must work, show determination, and not give up. As the old saying goes, "When you fall off the horse, get back in the saddle." You can't just give up half way. You must show you are determined to work at it and get it right!

It is okay to create other products and try new things. Companies develop new things and test them all the time. Why not should you? If what you create doesn't work... try something else.

My husband is all the time telling me I haven't found my "niche" market yet. Keep making things and I will eventually find what people will buy. It is his way of saying, "don't give up". You shouldn't either.

Etsy is like the story of "The Little Engine That Could". If you haven't heard of the story, I would suggest reading up on it. It is a great story about what you can do if you just put your mind to it! My mother has always told me "I can". I believe her. It will take work, but one day I will succeed. Just got to use a little elbow grease.

So, don't feel down or get upset. Walk away for a few days, breathe, and re-think things. Relax for a while, read a book, take a walk, etc. Clear your mind of all the negative things and focus on the positive. Then get back in there and start from the beginning. Work on things that need changing. Work on your photos. Work on your advertising skills. Success doesn't happen over night and if you don't mind taking the long road... then don't give up!