10 Tips for Running an Etsy Shop

I have owned and operated my Etsy shop since 2015, and the experience has been vastly positive. However, there are a few things I wish I would've known from the get-go. Read on if you are interested in selling your products and need a couple of tips to get you started.

1. Packaging matters.

If you have ever gone on an Amazon shopping binge, you know the difference between nice and not so nice product packaging. At the end of the day, all it really takes is some tissue paper or bubble wrap (depending on how fragile your product is) and a well-fitting box. First impressions are important, and your customers' first impressions of your work is going to include the way it arrived.

2. Keep a notebook.

I would be totally lost without by shop's handy-dandy notebook! Here, I can organize my craft patterns, keep track of my stock, calculate shop finances, and keep important information. I like to keep mine small, so that I can take it with me on the go.

3. Make coupons.

Everyone loves a sale. Coupons are likely to hook an extra customer or two, particularly if you time it correctly. Get your shop off of the ground first, and then send out a message to all of your customers advertising your coupon. Give the sale a nice gap of time (two weeks or so) and voila! You've got the appearance of a professional shop and possibly some return business.

4. Make business cards.

It may seem like a pain in the butt to make a Kinko's run, but it is totally worth it. This way, you can hand out your info to just about anybody, as well as use the back to scribble out a nice little coupon code.

5. Find a post office that you like.

This makes a lot bigger of a difference than most people think. Not all post offices are created equal, and you do not want to be consistently dealing with rude postal workers and huge crowds. I prefer my town's postal annex for all of my shipping needs. It may cost a bit more, but it is well worth it.

6. Don't sell yourself short.

My biggest weakness lies in appropriately pricing my products. It is difficult putting a price on your passion, but it must be done. Calculate your shipping and material costs carefully, and keep track of the amount of hours you spend in creation.

7. Wherever you are, work.

I have made many extra sales simply from being in the right place at the right time with my work. Making a little to-go package so that you can create while in a waiting room will pay off faster than you would expect.

8. Be responsive to messages.

I know that I certainly appreciate a speedy reply when I have money burning a hole in my pocket, and odds are your customers will as well.

9. Utilize social media.

The only tool for my shop that is more useful than my crochet hook is my Pinterest and Facebook pages. Here, I can provide my clientele with updated listings and share little quirks about my business. This is totally free and makes you more relatable and easy to find.

10. Set goals.

My most important tip is to set goals to keep yourself motivated. I like to put out at least one doll a week, and create one new listing every six months. This keeps you pushing out products at a rate that is going to help you make a good amount of cash from your shop.

Happy crafting and selling!