Etsy Shop Tip #2

So, you here about branding a lot. And branding on Etsy usually takes the form of a digital icon with a matching store banner at the minimum. But, there is an important piece of branding that many shop owners overlook. It's business cards!

Yes, I know we are running an online shop. And, many online shops typically don't feature a brick and mortar store when they are small business run by a sole owner or a partnership. Usually they are run in the studio or office of a house. But, besides spending time marketing online to your customers, you also need to think about the potential customers you run into at the grocery store, at the park, or even in church! (I personally have a thing against doing business in a place of public worship from my Christian background so I don't target people at church, but boy does the subject come up unexpectedly from someone else sitting next to me!)

Please watch my latest video on how I make my own business cards and more reasons on why if you don't have a business card, you should get one fast!

 

My Etsy Store Vlog #3 - Getting Ready for Fall by Crocheting Instead of ...

I don't know what the weather is like where your at, but here it is dreary, wet, and cold. The summer weather we had last week quickly turned into fall! I took the time to wrap myself up in a blanket in my favorite chair with a cup of hot cocoa and dug through my yarn stash. Crocheting is just as enjoyable to me as it is to sew. I love designing my own patterns! And, that is exactly what I did this week.







I hope all of you are having a good time selling things on your Etsy shop! I have had to rethink how I take my pictures, as I do them outside. My house is too dark to take good pictures indoors. So, I am seriously thinking about making a lightbox as I won't be taking pictures outside as soon as the snow flies!



I hope you all have a fabulous week!

My Etsy Items Won't Sell!

So, I am down in the dumps today. It is raining for one thing. That never helps. And, I haven't been able to make a sale on Etsy yet. This week Wednesday, my store turns exactly one month old. Of course, I tried Googling why I can't sell anything and you know what the first thing is that pops up in the search list, "Top 10 Etsy Stores," "The Best Etsy Stores based in the United States," and "Etsy Stores You Must See to Believe!" I was almost waiting for a listing to come up saying, "It is so easy to sell on Etsy a Caveman can do it." (Remember those commercials?) Anyway, that just made me and my dolls blue...

Well, at least American Girl dolls always have a smile on their face!

Searching a little deeper I did find out there are other Etsy sellers like me who don't see sales $$ right away either. It is more or less a patience game. I read where one successful Etsy seller didn't see her first sale until she was open for 3 months. The thing is, I can't wait that long. Mostly because of my financial condition and a family and group of friends who think I am absolutely crazy and out of my mind that a person can make money through the Internet instead of attending a 9am-5pm office job like everyone else. 

I found through it all that I needed support more than anything. But, support is harder to come by than what you think. Yes, I joined various Etsy teams, but no one has responded to my inquiries for help. I noticed older posts than mine also did not receive any replies. This is disheartening as what is the purpose of joining a team? I did find some webinars to sign up for, but it really isn't the same.

I did find one thing I own that has given me all the support I can muster. My bracelet...

It's a little hard to read in this picture, but it says, "Be Brave & Keep Going." So many times in my life I have looked at this bracelet and stopped to meditate on those words. I think of all the little kid shows I watched where sayings of, "No pain, no gain" or "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" help lift me up and keep me on the road to my goal. But, my strongest asset is praying and meditating on God's Holy Word through reading the Bible. Much inspiration comes from there by seeing all the trials people and prophets have faced.

Lastly, I did come to articles that helped me fine-tune my business plan, learn from other Etsy sellers' mistakes, and showed me resources I had overlooked for marketing. It is all a learning process and I have learned a lot so far! I will do my best to keep you updated of what I am going through so if you run across my blog and are feeling the same as me, you know that someone before you has been there and done that. Hopefully, you can find peace and tips & tricks to keep you going on your journey of becoming an entrepreneur, too!

My Etsy Store Vlog #2 - Things Are Looking Brighter!

My Etsy Store Vlog #1 - Monday, Monday... Can't Trust that Day

My first week of running an Etsy store didn't turn out as great as I thought. I have backorder issues on getting materials, too much stuff cluttered in corners, and I feel totally overwhelmed! Well okay, it could be worse. And, I have to start out somewhere, right?







I have literally been waking up in the middle of the night and jotting down ideas on a notepad I keep near my bed. So, if I come to a day where I feel that my imagination is dried up, I can resort to my notes to jumpstart my inspiration process again. As you can see, with the materials I have on hand, I should be able to make something worthwhile. :)



I do hope you check out my Etsy Store and see the hard work I put into it. I would also love to hear about your Etsy experiences, too. So, don't forget to drop me a line and comment below!

Etsy Store Tip #1 - How I Organize My Doll Clothes Patterns

Welcome

Welcome to my blog! I just started an 18" Doll Clothes Boutique on Etsy July 19, 2015. I am super excited to begin a store to sell my most precious doll clothes. I share tips & techniques I incorporate in my business as well as my latest doll clothes I have made to stock my store. So, please stop by often!