But first I have to show off the cute skirt I made for my niece…

So cute…if I do say so myself!
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OK, so here goes a lot of reading for all you Etsy starter uppers. This is by no means “professional” advice just things that I know that I do in my Etsy experience that make a difference. If any of you other Etsy folks have something to add please comment! If any of you Etsy buyers would like to leave us some hints about what you like to see in a shop, practice and policy wise, leave a comment for that, too. 🙂
1. List often and at different times of the day. Mondays and Fridays are my best days. The weekends are usually slow…especially if the weather is nice! 🙂 I try to post right before I go to bed. 🙂
2. No copying others…ever…it just is so not cool to do. It is one thing to be inspired by someone but quite another to copy them completely and call it your own. I have had experience with people copying both my items and my blog posts…neither makes me feel very happy…and I always find out about it. 🙂
3. If you are looking to get a part time income out of it, you have to treat it like a part time job. Be professional. You can’t jump in just when you need a few bucks. If you are looking to just have a hobby and some extra cash now and then, then you have to be OK with sporadic sales. 🙂 Both ways are good ways! I am not saying one is better than the other.
4. Be YOU. Have fun, enjoy yourself, this will show through in your shop and all that you make. If you don’t love what you are doing than you need to find something else…it’s no fun to force yourself to make things that don’t make you happy.
5. Take great photos. Use natural lighting, it always makes for the best photos. Try fun and different angles…choose your backgrounds with care.
6. Be nice and courteous to all of your customers and Etsy peers. Don’t ever think that you can get away with being not so nice to others…it will always come back to find you. 🙂
7. Price your items fairly. Don’t way overprice…you won’t become a millionaire via Etsy. At the same time don’t under price either…that makes it harder for those of us who price items competitively.
8. No whiney shop announcements! I have seen people actually put in their shop announcement that they are in desperate need for gas/milk/diapers/etc. For me that makes me leave the shop right away mostly because there is no way to judge if this is a true need or someone just trying anything to make a sale but also because that is just not a way to run a business…you wouldn’t have a “real” shop owner approach you like that?!
9. Have bargain sales sometimes but not ALL the time. You don’t want people thinking you are desperate for sales…be patient sales will come!
OK. That is all I can think of for the moment but I am sure I will think of more later…leave any questions or comments you want and I will try to answer/respond as best I can. 🙂 And you can always email me at littlebitfunky.etsy@gmail.com!
Happy day to you!