Tips 150-199

150. Fast Customer Response Time

In order to maximize your sales and not miss out on an opportunity, make sure you are connected to your store throughout the day and repsond QUICKLY to inquiries from customers. I can’t tell you how many sales I have made on my smart phone while sitting in the park with my kids. – This tip courtesy of purposedesign – 6,873 sales so far

151. Get Pinning with Pinterest

If you’re not pinning on Pinterest, you’re missing a huge opportunity to market your handmade business. Pinterest is a phenomenal social networking website that is already giving Facebook a run for its money! The “give” is that you can showcase other handmade artists on your boards. Avoid pinning your own items as Pinterest frowns upon self-promotion. The “take” is that you can make your profile the same as your business name and include your url in the about section of your profile. The more you pin, the more exposure you gain for your handmade business! – This tip courtesy of The Buzz – 8,547 sales so far

152. Grow As A Crafter

Avoid stagnation. Evolve as an artist/crafter/maker and don’t feel tied to customers’ expectations. Grow constantly, learn new skills, both as an artist and as a business person. Do what makes you happy, not what you think will sell. Treat all customers exactly the same, no matter how big or small their purchase is. And above all – don’t copy other sellers! Being yourself is much more interesting. – This tip courtesy of Moon Camel Bazaar – 2,594 sales so far

153. Make your customers remember you

I have learned through the years that it is very important to make my customers remember me. With Beautiful Packaging and including little Gifts with their orders to show that I can offer them a product that stands out in more then one way. By doing so, customers are coming back for more and they are letting their family and friends know about my Shop and Creations. This is such a Natural and Wonderful way of saying Thank You for Your Order and to get the word out there. There is nothing more satisfying then Truly Happy Customers. – This tip courtesy of Pernilla’s Something Swedish – 1,581 sales so far

154. Make a Story

In order to create interest in my work, I made sure it had a story that tied to something people are already familiar with and interested in. For me, that was gardens, eco-living, and organic whole foods. My audience found it easy to have a relatable point to access my illustrations. –This tip courtesy of The Victory Garden of Tomorrow – 6,308 sales so far

155. Professional Photos + Cute Kids = Sales

As a busy mom and Etsy shop owner I find that I just do not have the time to also create fantastic photos for my shop listings. Trading with professional photographers has really helped to increase my sales. Having professional photos to use really lets potential customers picture their own kids in my designs and makes it much more likely they will purchase. – This tip courtesy of Mama Runs with Scissors – 7,634 sales so far

156. It’s All in the Details

I have found that stellar and detail-oriented service has really encouraged repeat buyers. I do my best to answer convos in less than 24 hours, even if that means working on the weekend! I make sure to keep the customer informed through the entire Etsy experience–this means sending a conversation (or a direct email if the customer doesn’t respond to a convo within 3 days) when I receive the order, if I have any stock issues or delivery delays, and when I ship the order. Even if a request seems silly or small, it isn’t silly or small to me because this shop is my passion and income for my family! Each order gets packaged in a jewelry box with a boy-version shop logo and coordinating ribbon or in a jewelry box with a girl-version shop logo and coordinating ribbon. Wedding-related orders get special wedding labels and ribbon, and almost all orders receive a free gift with purchase. All U.S. orders also receive a free shipping code to use for any future purchase. All of these little things often positively surprise the customer, which means they remember their experience with Monkeys ‘N Munchkins… and they are likely to shop with me again! – This tip courtesy of Monkeys ‘N Munchkins – 3,541 sales so far

157. Find your niche and work it

Great product, learn to take awesome photos of the product (the photo is the only connection your buyer has) and of course connect with your buyers on a regular basis through twitter, facebook, etc. It’s slow at first, but once it builds momentum – look out! – This tip courtesy of NonFictionTees – 10,719 sales so far

158. Excellent customer service and quality

Quality: Most of my sales come from repeat customers. To ensure your customers will come back for more, quality is a must. I am a perfectionist and I work very hard to make sure Econica’ garments are the best quality I can make even if it means hours of extra work. In the end it’s absolutely worth it as most of the people come back for more! 

Spend money to make money. I spend thousands of dollars each year on top of the line equipment for my studio and only the best quality fabrics out there. Even if it means I have to pay extra. There is no compromising if you are serious about your business.

Provide an excellent customer service. When someone sends you a message with a question – respond as soon as possible. Give detailed replies and be friendly and patient. Treat your customers equally well, no matter how small their order is. Not only you will make a good first impression, in the end of the day it will make you feel good about who you are and what you do.

Make fabulous photos of your product. You can be the best in the world in your craft area but if your product pictures are dark and blurry – 99% of the time you will lose a sale. – This tip courtesy of Econica – 1,990 sales so far

159. Peak Time Renewal

My tip is to try to renew several items several times a day, BUT i try to renew when i think it is high track time. maybe early morning when people have not yet started their day and jsut have to look at ETSY one more time before they leave for work or school . OR at night when they are finished for the day and want to relax and instead of sitting down in front of tv they go to etsy instead and look to see what is new. i try stay current by renewing several times a day when i think the most people are on etsy looking. – This tip courtesy of ladyoutofcarolina – 4,348 sales so far

160. Get Busy

I think the best tip I have is to: get busy! I am constantly making things, trying new
things. I work everyday, and try to list new things every weekend. – This tip courtesy of JMN Pottery – 1,538 sales so far

161. be obstinate yet elastic

dont give up, believe in what you do, and that you will be able to succeed. at the same time allow growth, evolution and change within your work, listening to feedback from all the sources (yourself, your friends, your customers, your competition, your success or lack thereof). –This tip courtesy of Larimeloom – 3,910 sales so far

162. Every items can be customized to your favorite piece

Except tips that we have learned from etsy shops ,we think like we are customers too when design or making clothes.Our team always have different ideas in our work ,so this was the idea for customers to create own idea in giftbywish’s items .
We can adjust size ,length ,sleeves length or any details for customers.Customers can change embroidery patterns ,embroidery colours, fabric colours, including type of fabric.We are happy to do for customers as much as we can .
We wish customers to find the perfect gift for themselves or someone they love at giftbywish. ^__^ – This tip courtesy of giftbywish – 3,818 sales so far

163. Select the Right Product

I believe that in order to sell well, you must be selling a product that people want at a price they are willing to pay. You may love making blue widgets, but if nobody wants or needs blue widgets then it doesn’t matter how well you promote your product. – This tip courtesy of Cakes And Kids – 5,287 sales so far

164. What to Expect When You Sell Online

When selling online, my tip would be to look at what you want to sell and see how saturated the market is, or isn’t. If you create something that has a lot of competition, make sure you can differentiate yourself somehow.

It is a mistake to think that all one has to do is make it, list it, and they will come. If you plan on making money fast, selling online is probably not going to work for you. One thing I have found is to expect it to take a lot of time, (sometimes months, even years) to get a customer base going . If you have a great, unique product or products, that is a small part of it. Just also remember to always be looking for ways to improve, to get known, and remember to say thank you to all customers, no matter how small the sale. If you do that, things should build slowly but surely over time. – This tip courtesy of Uneek Doll Designs – 1,887 sales so far

165. Communication is the Key

Sosorosey is getting ready to celebrate her 5th anniversary in December. Her “sister” store, Sosovintage, just turned 3. There are so many important factors that go into fantastic customer service, but I believe communication is the most important. Etsy is the type of venue that gives you a chance to be a real person connecting with real people, and I take this opportunity to heart . Each and every order is appreciated, and this comes through when I contact each customer personally after the order has been placed. If it takes many messages and photos back and forth to ensure that a custom order will be exactly as desired, no problem. Whether they have purchased one item or fifty, my customers always know that I care about their order and satisfaction. Quick, honest, clear, and friendly messages keep people coming back to shop with me year after year. And the relationships I have formed over the years make me a very grateful and happy shopowner! – This tip courtesy of sosorosey – 1,403 sales so far

166. Optimize your titles and tags

One of the most effective things I have done is optimize my listing titles and search tags. Think about the keywords and multiple-word phrases a buyer would use to search for your item and then apply those keywords and phrases to your tags and titles. Start typing what you sell in the search bar. The words that appear are recent customer search terms that you can put in your titles and tags which will get your listings many more viewers. – This tip courtesy of Pansy Pie Boutique – 3,941 sales so far

167. Find your niche and stay focused

Sometimes it takes a little while to figure out what will sell, but once you have found that “perfect” item, stick to it, and simply offer different variations of that product for a while. Especially in the beginning, don’t spread yourself too thin by trying to offer a bunch of different items. Remember, you can always branch out once you really get into the groove of things. Oh, yeah…the most important thing? Make what you love, and love what you make!  – This tip courtesy of Southern Sassy Pants– 4,325 sales so far

168. Service Service Service

Of course beautiful photos and original products are part of any successful Etsy sales. Yet all of those are meaningless without a good rapport . Creating repeat customers is a high priority for us. We always send a friendly note (through Etsy Conversations) stating that the order has been acknowledged and that we are working on it. We answer all inquiries promptly. Sheri also includes a little thank you note in her meticulous packaging. WE have had numerous kudos about our service and we strive to be the friendliest, most courteous, vendors we can be. – This tip courtesy of Heatlthytreat – 2,590 sales so far

169. Keep It Fresh

Our biggest piece of advice for folks starting a shop on Etsy is to keep things fresh. List new items as often as you can and relist when you aren’t listing new things. Keep your shop well stocked – it keeps your buyers interested and coming back to see what’s next. In addition, more inventory means a bigger footprint on the web. And photos – keep them fresh, too! They should be bright and clear and inviting so shoppers can see exactly what they are buying. Remember – you have to get out there to be found and the more you put out there, the more likely it is that your ideal customer will find you. – This tip courtesy of LaPella Pottery – 1,177 sales so far

170. BE ORIGINAL

Don’t take on more than you can handle. I pride myself in a 1-3 day turnaround. I work 40 hours a week in corporate America and running an etsy shop helps supplement the income loss from my “real job”. When I get beyond a 3 day turnaround on etsy, I close my shop while I catch up. It is a constant juggling act with a career, 2 kids, and a hubby to keep up with! What started off as a hobby and a little slush fund has become an income my family depends on and a small business for myself to run – by MYSELF! – This tip courtesy of Dress ReHERSal – 3,681 sales so far

171. Take pride in your talent! Let your personality shine

What a better way to draw customers to you, then to show interest in your own shop.
Make sure your shop has a name, a shop banner, and explain how your shop works in your introduction.Invite the customer in to feel right at home. Make sure you use your etsy sections,…make things clear for the customer.

Also let your personality shine. Potential customers love to see our work tell a story and reflect who we are. Our hearts go into everything we do..if we dont put forth the effort the customers will see that. Remember it does take time to get customers to see us.
but once they do, you will be overflowing with work. – This tip courtesy of lilsprout organics – 2,519 sales so far

172. Online Presence

“Invest in your your online business persona. Commission a graphic designer – unless you can create it yourself- to design your logo and stationary. Choose carefully the colors of your brand, ensure the logo means something to you. People will recognize your brand and it should be something that you are proud. My logo was designed inspired by my son and my love for hydrangeas. Your storefront should have a cohesive look, like all belongs together, your packaging material should be a reflection of your store as well, give your customer a professional look, present them your products in sharp images and seal the deal with quality goods. A complete package” – This tip courtesy of neishasblue – 8,974 sales so far

173. Tempt Your Customers

My main goal to drive multiple sales has always been to make tons of great, unusual items and have them listed with loads of photos. That way if somebody new finds you, there are so many things to love they can’t possibly leave without a purchase. I take lots of close-up photos in natural light, and always describe each item as descriptively as I can. I try to include free samples with all my orders in the hopes they will see something else they like and make a second purchase.
I also get to know my customers and what types of items they prefer so I can give them a ‘head’s up’ or shoot them a quick email if I’ve made something I know they might especially like to have. Since I work mainly with other artists, I often do custom orders as well. I ship internationally, and have sent more than a few orders overseas. I also check my etsy mail throughout the day to keep up with inquiries, customers’ favorites, and orders. – This tip courtesy of Tinker Tiles – 2,599 sales so far

174. Keep Up With Etsy’s Rapid Fire Changes

It’s tough to keep up with etsy’s meta tag/listing formula. If you’re a serious etsy business, watching your listings not show up on the first page is tough on your bottom line. In the old days, you could relist, and that would bring you to the top. We are still trying to find ways to keep our products toward the top. It’s tough to sell an item from page 45! – This tip courtesy of DreamspunKids – 11,769 sales so far

175. Original Designs, Renew, Renew

A full shop and daily renewing will increase sales. Treat your customers as you would like to be treated and you’ll win a healthy list of repeat buyers. Always experiment so your line doesn’t get old and tired, but make sure you have plenty of your best sellers ready to go. Make sure your pictures show all angles and a closeup of detail and color, and if you are a potter include the capacity of your bowls and mugs. – This tip courtesy of meadowpoint – 1,529 sales so far

175. Keep prices reasonable

I have been an etsy seller for 6 years and have developed a few ways to keep customers coming back to my shop. I find that the most important tip that I could give would be “Keep your prices reasonable while still making a profit.” Because I make ceramic doll head planters which tend to be heavy, I always add the shipping price to my planters when determining how much to charge for each piece.

Being on etsy our goal is to SELL our handmade items and each item has to be shipped to the customer, so I ask myself if I would pay the amount I am asking for each item.Keeping this in mind I keep my prices reasonable while still making a profit. If materials or shipping prices go up, so do my prices. I also include a small freebee to repeat customers and they seem to just love the unexpected gift. – This tip courtesy of Plants on the Brain – 2,182 sales so far

176. Offer excellent customer service

I offer many designs and fabrics in my shop so creating custom orders for Etsy shoppers is vital for my sales. Etsy shoppers have so much fun being able to design something to call “their own” and I am thrilled I can provide that service for them. I will say that I have dozens of repeat customers and fellow Etsy Shop owners who use my appliqués for their successful sales on Etsy.Those customers come back for more because they say the quality of my appliqués are excellent. I like to slip in a freebie applique now and then to customers orders. They love it! – This tip courtesy of Onceuponadesign – 6,360 sales so far

177. Be unique

There are about a billion banners being sold on etsy. Most of them are really adorable, but there is very little variety. Many shop owners have a great product, but one big problem…it’s the same thing everyone else is making. It doesn’t matter how cute your product is, if there are a million of the same thing out there, you won’t sell very much. You MUST make your product different in a useful, creative way. Think differently. The only reason I sell more banners than most is because they are unique. Get rid of your cricut machine, get rid of the die cuts, throw away the pattern you found on pinterest, everyone has them. Be yourself and make it your way. – This tip courtesy of Devany’s Designs – 2,160 sales so far

178. Use multiple marketing approaches

Make items that people needs. A little search on different websites that include bestsellers can give you a few good ideas. When a client asks for a custom order, I always assess if it is because nothing like that is sold on Etsy, in which case it is worth doing it, as other people might also want it.
- Try to be innovative, bring items not listed by other sellers, keep track of tendencies on different sites outside Etsy. It will soon be copied, but for a few weeks, it brings more people to my shop
- Use relevant search terms, check how far in Etsy listings is your item when using different terms.
- Potential customers rarely go beyond 4 or 5 ‘pages’ in my shop. It is probably better to have 2 shops with 300 items each than 1 shop with 600 items.
- Regularly edit some items. It seems to have the same effect than re-listing without paying the $0.20.
- Re-arrange your shop so you can show in your first 2 ‘pages’ a good selection of what is offered in your shop.
And finally, list quality items at a competitive price. – This tip courtesy of Valeriane Digital – 4,678 sales so far

179. Use good keywords

The one thing that has helped me get more views (and ultimately more sales) was doing proper keyword research. Google provides a great keyword tool that can be used to make sure any keywords you’re using are actually the best for your product. For instance, for a set of beach/summer themed clip art the keyword tool told me that my best search term would be “Summer clip art” (with 4400 searches per month), or “beach clip art” (with 2900 searches), followed by “beach clipart” with 2400 searches. It goes on from there. I keep the main keywords in my descriptions and titles and use smaller keywords in my tags. I definitely think using proper titles and descriptions is the most important thing you can do, you can have the most wonderful items but if nobody finds them you won’t get many sales. – This tip courtesy of Clementine Digitals – 2,773 sales so far

180. Take Good Photos

Invest in a good camera, a good macro lens, and a light tent, and then learn how to use your camera (I’m still working on that). I like to see clean, sharp, uncluttered photos, and that’s what I aim for with mine.

Other than that, the best advice is to make something that you enjoy making (and hopefully other people will like it enough to buy it), and get your product on the Internet through social networks (something I don’t do enough of). – This tip courtesy of betsymn – 1,673 sales so far

181. It’s all about the Upsell

Aside from having an unique product for the marketplace, the upsell has played and pivotal role in my success. Each time a customer contacts me with an inquiry that can lead to a potential purchase I always suggestively sell another product category or upsell to the next price point, which works especially well for custom order inquiries. Chances are if they are inquiring…they interested, you just need to have the confidence to ask for the sale! – This tip courtesy of Andromeda Glass – 1,138 sales so far

182. Persistance

Keep at it with enthusiasm: constantly work to improve your photos, create a branded “look” (ie a certain background for all your photos, a certain feel for your shop, certain colors and styles that make your shop unique) and promote your shop where-ever possible. Get the word out! – This tip courtesy of Leah’s Glass Creations – 1,579 sales so far

183. Create something unique and then take the time to write a detailed description – customers love a story behind what they’re purchasing

We strive to offer unique products that cannot be found elsewhere. This is a bit challenging in the case of our jewelry supply shop EurekaEureka , which sells vintage beads and gemstones in a product field that is amazingly competitive and crowded with vendors. But because our beads and gemstones were purchased by us personally in Asia and Europe in the 1980s, we carry a very unique inventory not found in any other supply shops that we are aware of.
Our DebbyAremDesigns shop specializes in products made from 20 year old, never used or stuffed, recycled printed circuit boards. Not only are most of these handmade unique items unavailable anywhere else, but they are very affordable . It is hard to find “geek gifts” that are both unusual and modestly priced . Finding the perfect market “niche” has always been a good recipe for success and we have done so on Etsy. We also have discovered that by making customer satisfaction our number one priority, you can never go wrong ! - This tip courtesy of DebbyAremDesigns – 1,889 sales so far

184. Describe your item

I’ve come across so many listings with just a single paltry sentence to describe the item. Perhaps an excellent photo is worth many words, but photos won’t speak to your other senses as well. How large is the item? A US coin for reference won’t help a shopper in Australia. Does it feel heavy? Is it soft? Does it have other uses? Do you send it out ready for gifting? Load the first few sentences with keywords and don’t forget to tell your potential customer details about the item that aren’t apparent in the photos. – This tip courtesy of Beadwork by Amanda – 1,464 sales so far

185. Offer Variety and a brand

It is all about being able to hit as many search terms as possible.
Just having a lot of listings won’t cut it. Work within your brand or style because that helps people recognize you but offer as many variations as possible.

For instance, I work in two types of glass. I keep my style simple and modern and focus on color. However I vary my product line to include sea glass styles as well as unique shapes and sets. In the coming months I will be including cabochons as well as more of my own jewelry made from my beads. – This tip courtesy of Paulbead – 2,992 sales so far

186. Love Custom Orders

I love making custom dog whimsical glass bead focal pendants and ornaments for my Etsy customers. Anything personal and especially pet related, keeps the customers coming back and passing my name on to friends. I also do other custom beads/ornaments and mini sculptures- from mermaids to buttons. - This tip courtesy of Studio Marcy – 2,091 sales so far

187. Have fun with it

1) Love what you do! I think loving your products and your “job” always shows through in your interaction with buyers and your merchandise. 2) Patience! I do custom works from time to time and love it, but often get crazy requests that are just not resonable (for me). Being patient and bringing buyers back down to earth (gently) always helps. 3) Be truthful. If timelines cannot be met, be upfront. 4) Don’t overdo it! Being a one woman show has its advantages and disadvantages. Advantage: I’m my own boss. Disadvantage: sometimes you just don’t have enough working hours in a day. Don’t overdo it, if you don’t think you can handle more sales, close your shop for a few days, and hire a friend to help you out. And finally 5) have fun! No need for explanation, just have fun. Meet people, make friends, and enjoy life! –This tip courtesy of Gnipmac – 4,901 sales so far

188. Finding the correct price point

I started slowly and with a lower price base than most other bead sellers, offering more of a bargain to get people at least looking at my beads. I slowly raised the price. There is a tipping point for the price, in what the average jewelry maker is willing to pay for beads for them to make a profit and finding that point that works for them and you is the secret. Then it was a matter of always offering some lower priced items and higher priced items to make the average price work for me.

I’m sure that this tip works more successfully for suppliers than end product sellers. Although there is still that price point issue with end product sellers, start low and slowly raise the price once you have a good customer base. – This tip courtesy of JanZart – 1,949 sales so far

189. Keep Working It

Keep your Etsy shop fresh. Add something new almost daily if you can. I prefer to list new items rather than relisting. If it hasn’t sold after a year its time to take it out of your shop. You can’t just list a few items and sit back waiting for sales. Customers want to know that someone is minding the shop and they will come back often to see what is new. – This tip courtesy of carabeads – 1,553 sales so far

190. Find a niche

1. Sell Smaller and give excellent service for a higher sales number.

I found early on that my prospective customer will look at the number of sales first before they look at feedback. These are some of the things they may say to themselves when looking at this number:
1. “Ooh everyone else wants this, so I want it too.”
2. “The product must be well crafted if there are so many people buying it.”
3. “This shop must have good customer service.”
4. “It must be as pretty in person as it does in the photos.”
5. “This will be a good place to spend my money and I won’t get taken advantage of.”
6. “This shop is professional and not just a hobby.” – This tip courtesy of kittylampwork – 1,342 sales so far

191. Variety and Great Service

As many Etsy sellers offering the same service you have to stand out by being different, unique and having a big variety of designs since everybody has a different style. Also customer service is number one, you want all customers to be happy as the majority will return for more items or refer you to another customer if they are happy with their purchase and experience. - This tip courtesy of Simply Creative Shop – 1,794 sales so far

192. Customer Service is the Key to Success

The customer should always come first. Strive to push beyond customer satisfaction and they will return again and again, and bring their friends and family, and deliver tons of free advertising via word of mouth and social media. Keep the buyer informed through the whole process. Always thank customers for their purchase, and keep them informed of when they will be receiving their item. Surprise your customers with exceptional presentation of your product. I always package my jewelry in an elegant gift box and bow to relay to my customers that they are receiving a product that is quality craftsmanship. Be aware of your customers’ needs and preferences, and always be willing to customize any piece. My greatest designs were inspired from my customers. I have them to thank for my inspiration to keep creating. – This tip courtesy of  colorshoppestudio – 2,108 sales so far

193. Crazy Good Customer Service

It’s all about your customers. Many customers expect a higher level of attention when shopping on Etsy. This is a marketplace for people to have a connection with the artists creating their work. Really listen to your customers and show all of them respect in everything you do. If you provide a great product, and make them feel special, they will be back. Everyone likes a little attention. –This tip courtesy of MaryElizabethArts – 3,063 sales so far

194. Be An Original

Having an original product really helps a shop be found on Etsy. My glass beaded skeleton keys with custom stamped tags are by far my most popular and original item. Since launching them in 2007 they have been copied many many times but folks continue to return to my shop for the original boro glass beaded key. – This tip courtesy of The Venerable Bead – 2,670 sales so far

195. Consistency and Personal Service is Key

Dicipline is the cornerstone to running a successful shop on Etsy. List new merchandise on a regular basis…daily if possible. If you don’t have enough inventory stocked for that, at least relist a couple of items each day in order to keep your shop visible on the first few pages of your catagory. Be consistent in answering convos promptly and courteously, and follow up after a sale to make sure that your customer is happy with their experience. There are a lot of great sellers on Etsy, but going that extra mile to give each client a feeling of personal interaction will build loyalty and keep them coming back to your shop again and again. – This tip courtesy of beadaddicts – 1,932 sales so far

196. Work and Play

Become One. – This tip courtesy of yavaglass – 3,545 sales so far

197. Network

Use social media to your advantage. Have a business page on Facebook. Use Twitter. Have an email list (with subscribed addresses only, don’t use mined addresses!). Blog. Tweet about your blog. I’ve, in the past, had challenges for jewelry designers to use my beads in a piece. Photos were posted on my blog and viewers were asked to vote for their favorite. The winner at the time could win a $50 credit to my store (the bead to be used was $15). Not only did this create sales for me (all those challenge beads ALWAYS sold), but the designers and I both gained publicity through the polls. Win-win! Social media, especially the kind that can be shared or linked back, is a great way to expand your audience. - This tip courtesy of Flamekeeper Beads – 2,547 sales so far

198. Be there for your customers

I opened Etsy shop this year and still learning how to reach customers. Beside hard work and quality products, guess I had a little luck too. I realized that it’s very important to send sold item as fast as I can – customers appriciate that. I gladly answer to all their qustions and try to help them to use my products. I am trying to have as more listings as I can and to offer something for everyone – different color combinations and patterns, hoping that every design will find place on someone’s beautiful handmade item. I think that Shop sections are important too, if customer is searching for some specific product, he doesn’t have to wander throuh my shop, just goes to specified section. Beside selling, I love to buy things on Etsy, so I am trying to treat my customers as I would like to be treated as a buyer. – This tip courtesy of Digital Field – 2,014 sales so far

199. Do It Differently

You always hear that you need to “know your market” and to “know your ideal customers” when you open up shop. Both are very true, but even when you know these things you’re joining a crowd of other sellers who also know. The chances of you being the only one selling what you’re selling, especially on a site like Etsy, are one in millions (or more). So you need to find a way to stand out in the very crowded marketplace, and what I’ve found to work is to “do it differently.” And by “it,” I mean everything. How does “everyone else” in your market display their products? Think of a new, eye-catching way to do it differently. How does everyone else handle custom orders? Find a way to change up how you do it. How does everyone else brand their shop? Promote on social media? Blog about their shops? Consider all of that & then find a way to do it differently! I apply this philosophy to the kind of photos/display graphics I use, how I name products, what products I offer, how quickly I deliver, how I communicate with customers, how I handle customer service, everything. I want people to not only notice my products when they’re scrolling through hundreds but also to remember *me* and doing business with me. And because there are so many similar sellers out there, the best way to stand out is to find ways to do business differently. – This tip courtesy of Moonsteam Design – 2,992 sales so far