Tips 100-149

100. Customer Service is Key

People come to Etsy for top notch customer service and my biggest tip is to deliver just that. I do this by replying to emails quickly, having a comprehensive policy page and offering custom work with my clients if requested. You never want customers to be unhappy with your merchandise that’s why following up on orders and feedback is vital for your brand. My advice is to be friendly, honest and clear when providing customer service online. – This tip courtesy of Mane Message – 16,891 sales so far

101. Read the Etsy forums and pay attention to what successful shop owners say

When I first started my Etsy shop, I devoured everything I could in the forums. There’s a wealth of information available with a few clicks. I don’t frequent the forums as much as I used to, but I try and take note what successful shop owners are saying and adapt that for my shop. – This tip courtesy of JulieMeyer – 2,380 sales so far

102. Unique and Compelling Creations Stand Out

Etsy is a crowded marketplace, so potential customers look at hundreds of images when scouring the site for products to buy. But the audience is huge so it is worth being a part of the community. We have found that our most unique creations stand out the best. But they must also be compelling. Every image we use has a story, and we tell that story in our listing. It’s easier said than done, but its worth stepping back and asking yourself if your creation is going to stand out from the pack. – This tip courtesy of James Anthony Apparel – 2,879 sales so far

103. Pricing

I started out my shop with my prices really low, basically only covering my material cost. I raised them slightly a couple times but after meeting with some admins at Etsy they told me I needed to double my prices because I was basically selling my products at the same price that you could purchase them in a dept store. I had already had a bunch of loyal repeat customers and I thought it was going to kill my business but I just gridded my teeth, trusted their advice, and double my prices. I lost a few customers in the price increase but I gained twice as many new customers. Some times when your prices are too low customers assume that your product is low quality as well and skip over your product for your competitions slightly more expensive item. I have also found that since my price increase I don’t have as many nit-picky customers, I feel my work in more appreciated.

I have products that range from $25-$120 I mostly sell items that fall in middle. I found that my more expensive and unusual items attracted people into my store but they mostly ordered items that fell in that middle range.

I am still bringing in the same amount of money but now I only have to do half as much work. Before I was sewing all day and my profits were ate up by hiring people to help me keep up with the demand. Now I can keep up with orders doing almost all of the labor.

The moral of the story is if you can get a product similar to yours in a box store than your price should be twice as much. People will spend a lot more money if they know it is going an artisan and not a huge company. – This tip is courtesy of NaughtyNaughty – 2,312 sales so far

104. Do What You Love

I think one of the most important keys to success on Etsy is to do what you love. You need to have passion and drive because selling on Etsy is a lot of work. If you are doing something you love the hard work is a joy not a burden. Find your passion before you attempt to open a shop on Etsy. – This tip courtesy of Sweet Sally’s Soaps – 3,673 sales so far

105. Sell the Experience

Of course, taking clean and crisp photos that allow your product to shine is key, but, I believe retail success has more to do with selling the experience. When you thumb through a catalog like Pottery Barn, for instance, you’re not buying their products, you’re buying what you hope will be a positive reflection of who you are. To sell the experience you have to evoke all of the senses. Photography offers a fantastic visual experience while clever names and descriptions create the feeling. On Etsy, brand recognition is huge too. Etsy has over 800,000 sellers. Your brand has to stand out. –This tip courtesy of Aedriel Originals – 1,556 sales so far

106. Personal service and interaction with customers

It means more to me to have returning customers who feel valued than lots of sales from people who never come back. My customers appreciate it when they receive personal communication from me and it pays off in loyalty. Many of my buyers have become friends, even though we have not met face to face. This tip courtesy of Tea For All Reasons – 4,512 sales so far

107. Honesty/Great Photos/List More

I opened my etsy store in 2009 and I believe that my success is that I strive to always be honest with my customers, from the description of the item to the timeline of when their item will be shipped. I strongly believe in taking time to present great photos. I believe your photos can make you or break you. I also believe that you should list an item at least 2-5 times a day. The more I list, the more I sell. – This tip courtesy of Sassy Doll Creations – 2,352 sales so far

108. Be the Customer

Make and sell quality products first. Always imagine yourself as the customer, and sell products that you will buy if you were the customer. Justify your products with good looking photos. Photos appeal always. Finally, jump on the social networking wagon and take full advantage of the possible viral effect in sharing your work to the world. – This tip courtesy of saplanetamigurumi – 4,218 sales so far

109. Tell me about it! Write great listing descriptions

Think like a shopper…what does he/she need to know to make an informed buying decision? List it all; materials, dimensions (metric and imperial), colour, texture, size, care instructions, method of construction, etc. Tell a cute story if you want, but be sure to include the important info too. And remember to proofread! An excellent description and great photos allow your customer to “touch” the item right through the screen, and feel confident they know exactly what they are buying. – This tip courtesy of Naturally Hip – 3,206 sales so far

110. Make and sell what you love

I feel strongly that if you love what you make and sell what you love, it will sell. I started making and selling baby wrap carriers and nursing covers in 2007. I LOVED my baby wrap and nursing cover and made them for all of my friends that loved them too. 5 years later I have sold over 11,000 items Worldwide. Bottom line LOVE what you do! – This tip courtesy of Lovey Duds – 11,339 sales so far

111. Keep Making

Dont stop creating and dont take failures personally! – This tip courtesy of Ahpeele – 11,302 sales so far

112. Great Photos and Descriptions Are A Must

Etsy is a unique and wonderful place to shop! To really stand out and bring people in to your shop your photos and descriptions have to be great. I always take several photos of my items and include a close up. Take them in natural light and use a photo editing software to help you get the best results. Your description should include things like size, texture, color, weight, dimensions and any custom options available. Your images and descriptions are all your customer have to go by so make sure they know everything about your item that makes it special! – This tip courtesy of My Mondays Child – 3,998 sales so far

113. List lots of options

Fill your shop with options! Buyers are always on the hunt for something they can make their own. If you offer items in multiple colors, fabrics, textures…the buyer is more likely to find something that suits them, and you are more likely to make a sale. – This tip courtesy of Fly Duds– 13,745 sales so far

114. Use Models

My sales and views are dramatically have changed after started using models for my items at my Etsy store, I sell mainly clothing. Most people like it and some don’t, but I started tp receive better revives and ultimately more sales. People want to see how does your item will look on a person. Plus it’s great for networking and /or creating a “face” for your line of work. You can also help the model to get recognition, not to mention she can help you promote too. everybody wins:) Please hook-up your models with some discount of freebies:) – This courtesy of 1AEON – 5,595 sales so far

115. Offering a variety of designs and styles helps to reach a larger audience

If you’re willing to invest a lot of time and energy into making something that you really care about, the audience will find you. – This tip courtesy of GnomEnterprises – 5,672 sales so far

116. Have a quality product, take great pictures and offer super customer service

1. Send out only your BEST work! No if’s, ands, or buts.

2. Take great pictures. I take my pictures outdoors in the natural light. Pictures should be sharp and showcase the product. Shoot it from different angles so that people won’t have to guess what the back or side looks like. Develop a style that people will come to recognize.

3. Offer the best customer service! Treat your customers in the fashion you would want to be treated. Personally acknowledge the sale as soon as possible. Package your item neatly and attractively. It costs me 5-10 cents for a sheet of tissue, a carefully cut bit of wrapping paper, and a piece of ribbon or baker’s twine. SHIP IT FAST! Offer a generous return policy. Buyer’s are more apt to buy from a shop if they know they can return it if it doesn’t work out. – This tip courtesy of momomadeit – 3,698 sales so far

117. Take engaging and beautiful photos

Our unique and daring designs can often be worn many ways, and we find it best to present a variety of beautiful and engaging photos to the customer so that they can get an idea of how to best wear the clothes. – This tip courtesy of cocoricooo – 13,163 sales so far

118. Be professional but personal

Etsy is such a great place to buy and sell and it allowed me, a stay at home mom who started making baby books out of her spare bedroom, to be as big of an online presence as a major album company. I would take the time to invest in your business presence. I am a graphic designer, so a good logo, packaging, and personal touches really go a long way. Etsy sellers want personal. People usually come to Etsy because they couldn’t find anything in the stores that fit their needs (although Etsy has grown so much that it is now the go-to shopping stop for many. Which is awesome!), but take the time to write a thank you note, wrap it with divine twine, use cute packaging tape… little details that set you apart from others. It will help you continue to enjoy the process of having a business and show your customers that they matter to you. Win – win! – This tip courtesy of Ruby Love Designs – 29,130 sales so far

119. Discipline not ability

It’s truly two things; Follow through and be consistent. Too often I have friends and acquaints, that have great talents and ideas that wants to have a successful Etsy store. But never follow through, and ultimately never get their dream. I truly try to live my life off this ONE quote: ”Most of what you obtain in life will be because of your discipline. Discipline is perhaps more important than ability.” By Dr. Christine M. Darden.

I always try to remember this if and when I get discouraged, looking at all this amazing talent on Etsy and not feeling worthy. My second most effective tool; Go above and beyond for all customers, no matter what. They are truly everything. I want everyone to feel special and cared for. - This tip courtesy of Boutique Mia – 4,003 sales so far

120. Gratitude

Through years and years of selling online I have learned that one thing brings in more sales than any other. That is a mind full of gratitude. Being thankful for what you have right now, right here today, brings more sales than you can handle. Everyone knows how to use this, just most use it in the opposite. Some people know how to do it very well in fact and they don’t even know it. They think about debt and all the things that are rotten in their lives and they really feel how that feels and they tell everyone all about it. What they need to do and the trick is to turn it all around, they need to be thinking about what they do want and be feeling that and telling everyone they know all about that instead. It is the feeling of being thankful and going inside and being grateful that brings in the sales. Be grateful, smile and have fun and the sales will come. The hardest part is learning to smile and be happy during the down times, if you can do that, and you can, you will succeed in everything! – This tip courtesy of Fruit Fly Pie – 3,530 sales so far

121. Be True to your talents

Dont try to copy the next hottest selling trend… the result is an oversatured product… on etsy that is not only not unique but will eventually pass away and become overdone. Stick with your ” true” talents.. be honest with yourself…. what are you passionate about? what do you enjoy making… ? what would you do if money wasnt the end result? if you do what you love.. it will translate into your product. – This tip courtesy of poorpitifulpearl – 4,960 sales so far

122. Keep it Cohesive

When you are using many social media venues to market your items it is very important to make sure they are visually cohesive. Keeping the same colors and graphics style for your Facebook page, Twitter, Blog, and Etsy shop lets the customer know you care about your image and care even more about your products. Add to that some great product packaging & a cute shipping box and your customer will be sweetly surprised when your item arrives at their door. – This tip courtesy of MyTwoBabes– 4,017 sales so far

123. If you want your craft/handmade business to be successful, treat it as a business, not as your hobby

Effective time managing, you customer will not wait until you wake up at 12 o’clock in the afternoon. – This tip courtesy of FashionTouch – 4,340 sales so far

124. Market Yourself

Get your shop out there in any way possible, try doing local art/craft shows, buy ads on small but popular blogs, hand out business cards or little freebies. I’ve also done some giveways on blogs, where you donate an item, they write a review on your shop and then give it away to the readers. – This tip courtesy of DogboneArt – 3,581 sales so far

125. You Have To Love It

Above all else, it’s important that you love what you do. I have a full-time teaching job and I run two successful Etsy shops and if I did not love it, I could never juggle it all. When you love your craft, that love will always show in your product. Having an Etsy shop (or two or three) involves a tremendous amount of work and it makes all the difference that I am passionate about knitting and crocheting. There is nothing I love to do more and it definitely motivates me. Before you open your first shop, be sure to carefully choose your craft. When you love and believe in your product, creating and curating your items and developing your brand will be fun! – This tip courtesy of Prop Shop – 3,768 sales so far

126. Getting More Sales is No Different than Meeting a New Friend

First impressions are everything right? Draw their attention visually. Take clear pictures and try to make each item stand out individually. If you have a similar item, shot the same way, with the same background, it can be very boring. Try some shots of the whole item and others with an artsy close up.

Second, have something to say. After you catch their eye you have to live up to your interesting appearance. Not everyone is good at “telling stories” about their work. If this is hard for you, or you have too many items to keep up with, try describing your item in detail. Pretend the person can’t see the photos and needs the item described to them. Is your item soft, textured, stretchy, matte? If its clothing, what could they wear it with to make it look even better?

And lastly, show them that you care about them. Like friendship, business is give and take. Appreciate every sale like its your first and don’t be afraid to show it. Thank them, offer a shipping date, and shipping details (delivery time, tracking, etc), and let them know you are available if they should have any questions. The worst feeling for an online buyer is that the seller “took their money and ran”. You don’t have to break policies or stay attached to your computer, but you should make them feel like you want them to come back. – This tip courtesy of Loft 415 – 2,351 sales so far

127. Great customer service is key

For my business I see a lot of returning customers, having great customer service is key to making them feel appreciated for their loyalty. Always thank your customers whether it’s their first order or their 30th. Usually what you’ll see is that your loyal customers will spread the word of your products and service – it’s the best kind of free promotion that you can get. A simple thank you note included with their order speaks volumes! – This tip courtesy of YouStinkSoap – 17,028 sales so far

128. Relist Daily

With a site like etsy, where there are thousands of listings posted every hour, it is key to relist items continually to be always be fresh in the search engines. Once you list an item, it is only on the front page for a few minutes, and within a few hours it is lost in the abyss of the thousands of etsy listings. At ellembee, we relist 5 times a day. At 20 cents each, it’s a minor investment to keep your items fresh and in the eyes of the buyers. It’s simple to do, just go to an item you’ve already sold once before in your shop and ‘deactivate the listing’. Then go to your ‘sold items’ and find the last time you sold that item. Click on it, and then hit ‘copy’. Voila! Your item is now at the top of the search engines for all to see, and it only cost you 20 cents! – This tip courtesy of ellembee – 6,775 sales so far

129. TAKE GREAT PHOTOS but more importantly, PROVIDE GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE

I believe that great imagery..clean, simple and clear..generates the original interest. I have found over the years, the key is to keep repeat business coming back for more and more. I bend over backwards to make my customers feel comfortable and happy with their treehouse purchases. These customers are fabulous marketing tools..they love you and your product, so they talk it up!! In turn, you get to work with people who are wonderful, because they are happy!!! so simple. – This tip courtesy of treehouse28 – 11,162 sales so far

130. Keep them coming back

A large part of my etsy sales are from repeat buyers. I always wrap my products neatly in tissue paper, include an I’m Your Present postcard with a handwritten thank you note on the back and some extra ‘freebies’- small items like stickers, candy and stud earrings I buy wholesale and put onto backings I designed. Customers always seem to appreciate this small touch and it makes them feel like they are opening a present! I also send 10% off coupons with orders to new customers to encourage them to come shop again. – This tip courtesy of I’m Your Present – 20,466 sales so far

131. Mind Blowing Customer Service

Treat every client how you dream every business should treat clients. The customer is always right even when you feel they are wrong. If a client is unhappy do everything in your power to correct it. Do not ever respond to a client in an unprofessional manner. Good customer service sometimes means refunding custom made items or remaking items. Making customs items with love is an emotional process. Refunds are a part of business no matter how much it hurts your feelings or cash flow, leaving a client feeling stuck with something the want to return makes them feel ripped off. An unhappy person is way more likely to tell the world than a happy one. – This tip courtesy of MissBrache – 2,333 sales so far

132. Customer Service

Once you get customers to your Etsy shop what do you do? I try to provide the best customer service experience that I can. I cannot speak with my customers face-to-face, but I can still be a presence. Here are a few simple tips in providing good customer service and will guarantee you have a happy customer:
1.) Thank them for their order.
2.) Give your customer a production/shipping time estimate.
3.) Keep them informed if any delays occur.
4.) Send shipping notification w/ tracking info.
5.) Include a thank you note & offer them a discount for future purchases. – This tip courtesy of Nicole’s Treats– 3,819 sales so far

133. Live It

Allow your art to consume all aspects of your life. You should be conscious of what your style is, and if you are freely expressing yourself as you should be, then your entire house or studio should naturally make a perfect setting for photographing your products (although you only need one spot).

Also, have you ever noticed when you go to one of those juried art fairs, the artists in the booths always seem to match their work! The lady who makes fuzzy textiles has frizzy hair, the ceramic artist wears same the earthy colors of their glazing, the stained glass guy is wearing nice glasses, the tall thin person creates tall thin sculptures…. these people are successful with their craft because they are intertwined with it. They do not make their art from 9-5 and come home and live a different life, as the corporate world does. They are expressing themselves (oftentimes unconsciously) through their work so much that it shows when they are standing next to it. If you do not “match” your work, it is possible you are not expressing what you want to with your work. (because you want to express yourself, right?) – This tip courtesy of ForStrangeWomen – 14,832 sales so far

134. Photos That Pop

Take pleasing, eye-catching and crisp photographs of your products. Since online shoppers cannot physically pick up and examine an item for themselves, your photos (and your descriptions) need to fill in the blanks. Think outside of the box and get creative with your product photos, but always make sure your item is the star of the show. Put those five photo slots to work for you! –This tip courtesy of Nutsaboutcrochet13 – 1,828 sales so far

135. Be Passionate

I love what I do, and I believe it shows in the fondant cupcake and cake decorations in my shop. I have worked for years practicing and honing my skills, I keep up-to-date on trends and party themes so items in my shop are relevant, and I offer custom orders that match my client’s party decorations perfectly. They can only get them from my shop; they cannot walk to the local party store and pick up cupcake toppers that match the custom made invitations they purchased from another Etsy seller.

I am passionate about every aspect of my shop. I meticulously check and recheck that the wording in each listing makes sense, that my keywords are working, and that my pictures are great visually but also portray my work in its best light. I offer the best customer service that I can and go beyond what is expected of me.

If you love what you do, it will show in your products. – This tip courtesy of Parker’s Flour Patch – 1,530 sales so far

136. Have a quality product

My cookies are primarily used as party favors at kids parties where other potential customers (moms) are present. By making each order of cookies the best they can be I’m hopefully impressing those new customers. A huge percentage of my sales are gained with this exposure. –This tip courtesy of sugarandflour – 3,412 sales so far

136. Quality and Care

The most important thing I have learned here on Etsy is quality product and quality client service. Nothing has made my business more successful than word of mouth and the only way to have that word spread is by giving your customers a little extra attention. A friendly “Hello” in their package, a freebie every now and again, a discount code and inviting them to social media pages to be a part of an inner circle. They are the most important thing to me, and to help grow business so why not give them a little TLC and gratitude? I find that my interaction with my clients keeps them coming back and gives them a personal experience as if they were visiting a brick and mortar store, so it’s more than just a cold online shopping experience. I touch base with every customer at one point and time and always make sure to let them know they are welcome here and appreciated. – This tip is courtesy of Rita’s Spiritual Goods – 6,752 sales so far

137. Customer Service

We spend a lot of time communicating with our customers to insure details of their orders are correct and delivered timely. Communication and clear expectations insure all parties are on the same page. – This tip courtesy of Vintage Confections – 5,940 sales so far

138. Quality Products

Always test / use the products you are going to sell before offering to the public. Include family & friends during your “testing” product phase and be sure to get honest feedback. Once you’re ready to offer your product to the public, make sure you take great photos and provide as much information as possibe. It’s very important to make sure you are offering a quality product that even you, your friends and family wouldn’t hesitate to purchase. – This tip courtesy of CraigsMarket – 2,434 sales so far

139. Market Locally

Take advantage of the people you meet on a daily bases. The people you know from your local community center, from your kid’s soccer team or even from your children’s school. They are lucky to get face time with you and probably very interested in what you do. I hand out my business cards a lot when I’m around town. I get many emails from local people who have come across my Etsy shop, or people I’ve met who did go right home and look us up to see what we had to offer. It’s helped us so much in recent years that we offer free local delivery around the holidays. A lot of that business now comes from word of mouth from those people I’ve met and handed my card to. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there in your own town. – This tip courtesy of Fogl’s Kitchen – 1,160 sales so far

140. Great Communication

Top on my list is quick and complete communication with customers or potential buyers. Quick turnaround for transactions would be next. Great photo’s help but if you don’t communicate quickly with potential buyers they’ll look elsewhere. Honesty within that communication goes along ways. And making communication more personal than transcripted. With business being all digital you have to come across as honest, trustworthy, and someone who cares and is passionate about what you are selling. – This tip courtesy of Diane Langan – 2,403 sales so far

141. ohfudgestore

My tip would be to keep lisitng so your items are continually seen! – This tip courtesy of ohfudgestore – 1,694 sales so far

142. Always look for places to show your work

One of the most fun places to show off your work now iswww.tophatter.com It has a growing group and allows you to show your items with a link to your Etsy shop. Other than that make sure you take great pictures and try not to be like everyone else. One thing that I do is set 25% of my sales aside for new items and projects and diffent shops. - This tip courtesy of Dreamweavershop – 1,454 sales so far

143. SUPER CUTE

I think making a product that is, in most product cases, super cute — and is sold at a fair price is the best tip. I make children’s personalized t shirts. They are super cute (or so I am told) and I sell them at a price that I personally would want to spend on a tee for my kids. I could charge more for sure, but I want them to stay reasonably priced so Moms can buy them for their kids and not feel like they are spending a fortune. A lot of my customers are repeat buyers, which I absolutely love!!! Also, I try to keep coming up with new cute designs that are offered. I think you need to continually be adding fresh ideas to the offered products, year after year, to stay fun, interesting and in demand. My best seller this year is not what was my best seller last year, for example. – This tip courtesy of GORNO COUTURE – 4,637 sales so far

144. Exposure on blogs

There are a lot of potential customers out there that may not be addicted to Etsy quite yet. They aren’t staying up into the wee hours of the night searching page after page of listings so they can stumble on your products… But chances are they read a blog or two! Find blogs that appeal to your target market (example: if you sell baby products, find a pregnancy or motherhood blog, etc.) and find a way to advertise there. You can often purchase banner space on the side bar or participate in a giveaway to draw new customers to your Etsy shop. – This tip courtesy of The Portland Beanie Company – 10,164 sales so far

145. Quick custom for delighted customers

If you offer custom options, do everything you can to make those lightning fast and get them out the door. We always pad estimated processing times – unexpected things can always get in the way – over-promising and undelivering is a surefire way to disappoint your customers and create unnecessary anxiety. Give the longest time you think is possible and accurate, and get it to them faster than that. The surprise of getting something just for them, much quicker than expected, is what spurs your delighted customers to leave you a glowing review – and talk about you to their friends! – This tip courtesy of Cyberoptix – 23,848 sales so far

146. Have a strong identity

Be able to complete this sentence: “What sets my shop apart is ____” The key is learning and understanding what it is that customers value most about your work. There might be several answers; for my shop, they include “sophisticated flavors for adults” and “elegant, gift-ready packaging”. Once you have a few of these in mind, try incorporating variations of them 1) into your shop title or shop announcement for SEO purposes, 2) into your item descriptions to improve sales conversions, and 3) anywhere you express your brand — perhaps your business cards, your product photography style, your email signature, etc. Remember: your customers will always say they bought your product “on Etsy” unless you give them a reason to say “from <your business name>”! – This tip courtesy of This Charming Candy – 2,568 sales so far

147. Keep it fresh and refresh

My tip is to renew at least six to seven items in your store two to three times daily. This will keep your items high up in the search results and newly listed categories, enabling you to get seen by more shoppers. Doing this little trick makes a big difference for a small investment of about $3 – $4 per day. – This tip courtesy of circlesandsquares – 3,566 sales so far

148. Focus and Planning

Focusing on your shop and not on others selling a similiar product is important. Value your own work and focus on creating, making inventory, having a full shop, and work on improving your products. Keep your goals in front of you to keep you motivated and plan your day. Planning your day keeps you focused. Set out each morning ready to achieve your goals for the day. Success is not an accident you have to have a plan. And don’t let the economy get you down. My father use to say Money follows people who follow their own heart. – This tip courtesy of Lilyscrochet or Lily’s Crochet – 1,625 sales so far

149. Tell Your Story

One effective way we earn customers is by telling the background on our product. In our profile section we explain how our beekeeping business started as a hobby (a gift of a beehive to my husband), which turned into an obsession that we were eventually able to turn into a career. We tell our customer about our lives and our projects with the help of our farm blog,www.honeyrunfarm.blogspot.com, and in turn they enjoy supporting a family business. It feels good to buy a product that you can connect with a person or family… one you trust and enjoy supporting. – This tip courtesy of Honeyrun Farm – 4,271 sales so far