Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Why have an Etsy shop?


Artists without Etsy shops are often surprised to hear that mine doesn't make a ton of sales.

So I know people, lets call them my friends, who do really well on Etsy. They make regular sales, spend a little time each day getting those transaction emails, wrangling bubble mailers, going to the post office, sending their sweet handmade pretties to far off locations. Me? Not so much. Yes, of course I've had some sales in my Etsy shop, and believe me, each one is a winning-scratch-ticket thrill! But I don't really do the kind of volume that would take my biz anything past a hobby. Luckily I do well in my studio and at craft shows or I would get really discouraged.

Crafters, pretty much all who open an Etsy shop I'm guessing, get excited at the possibility of selling from home. It's a very attractive idea! No storefront to rent out, no business loan to apply for, working in your pajamas. Right? Though Etsy's trademarked tag line is "Your place to buy & sell all things handmade", I think they should amend that to read "Your place to buy & TRY to sell all things handmade". That would bring a lot of expectations down to earth.

Luckily, (or not) I had tried an online business in the past and my bubble was already well burst by the time I found Etsy in November of 2006. Still I had hopes. Over the years my product has evolved, my photography has improved and I have made reliable, if slow, sales each year. But that momentum I dreamed of, the one that everyone talks about as inevitable that I thought would come from having over 1,400 shop hearts UPDATE November 2010: now 2844 hearts and surprisingly regular front page exposure? That just isn't happening. Honestly I don't know why not.

So why am I still running an Etsy shop? Because it does take a lot of time and attention to keep a shop appearing vital, so if I'm not making great sales why am I spending that time? Because sales are not the only thing I'm getting from Etsy. I almost can't believe what I get from Etsy, it's mind-blowing. I will make a list (not in chronological order and not comprehensive) and show you:

1) I made a friend right away, a like-minded soul with an Etsy shop who put me in a treasury that made it to the front page (way back when they would last all day!) and now she is writing a craft book and she interviewed me and maybe I will be in it! UPDATE November 2010: I'm totally in that wildly successful book!

2) Speaking of craft books, I am already in one! The author found me on Etsy and asked me to submit items, she put a dozen of my artworks in there! How cool is that? I can go to Barnes and Noble and there it is on the shelf. Nice :) UPDATE November 2010: I have also been in two magazines and on the Martha Stewart TV show!

3) A local craft show offered free trial spots to Etsy sellers, I took one and met by chance someone who is now my very good friend! Meeting her changed my life and my business for the better in innumerable ways. Amazing luck. And Etsy.

4) I have 3 consignment opportunities in the works all because I was found on Etsy. I didn't have to nervously approach galleries and cringe against the sting of rejection, I was pre-approved! And I didn't even know I was applying. My online application is my Etsy shop and it's up 24 hours. UPDATE November 2010: I am now in 5 shops!

5) I have been pre-juried into high-end craft shows I didn't even know about that ended up being very successful for me and which led to other opportunities, wholesale orders and friendships.

6) I found adjunct online communities that make me feel part of a whole world of like-minded crafters. Like Flickr for instance, and now Twitter. These are my office mates, this is where I have my watercooler chats and keep in touch with the world. Literally the world. If I ever travel to England, for example, I have a half dozen women to meet up with that already seem like sisters to me!

7) As far as my products go, I have definitely been influenced by the Etsy, new-craft revolution aesthetic and I love where that's taken me creatively. Being on Etsy has also caused me to improve my photography and packaging, I've stepped up my game.

8) People find my shop and blog about me and my products which is always incredibly cool and great exposure.

So, though most days I feel like a needle in a haystack on Etsy, every once in a while one of my items miraculously makes it to the front page or someone sends me a friendly convo, I get a heart or a complete stranger randomly presses the Buy button and sends some money into my PayPal account and happiness into my heart. I do admit to having the gambler's addiction to unpredictable results, that's the nature of retail, but the benefits I really glean are regular and satisfying and go beyond just dollars.

49 comments:

  1. Thanks for that, Liz! I have just started really working on my shop this past year, and your post is a very helpful reminder to keep a healthy perspective on the whole Etsy universe. Wonderful!

    Cyndle

    http://atelierfrost.etsy.com

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  2. Thanks for this post. I don't have alot of sales on Etsy. It gives me a new perspective. And because of Etsy, i am in Boston Handmade. That is cool

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  3. This was nice to read. Even for people who do have, what is considered, a thriving shop, it's still easy to feel like the needle in a haystack- there's just so much there. I really like your attitude- you're probably getting more out of it than most people on that point alone.

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  4. Yes ! that all makes so much sense.

    You explain it all so well. I feel as if some of your Etsy friends are my friends too. Those people in England, for example, who are so dear and send kind notes to "your Mum."

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  5. Thanks for your great insight! Etsy has certainly revolutionized the marketplace. I've also had great exposure and opportunities from Etsy.

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  6. Great post! One thing I love about Etsy is that it has truly made me a better artist...the other thing I love about Etsy is meeting amazing creative people like you!

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  7. This is a great post and I couldn't agree more - those things that happen to you also happen to me - for example - I am in the works of being in a fashion show in LA because someone found me on Etsy. So, I agree - there is a whole other side than to just making sales.

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  8. What a great post! Thanks so much for sharing that - so encouraging!

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  9. Thanks for this wonderful article. It makes perfect sense to me.

    I started an etsy store last December and haven't sold anything--was beginning to wonder if it was worth it.

    Your article helped me realized it's not all about sales.

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  10. Aw this is great! I'm thrilled to have written about something that is relevant to so many people. It's easy to feel discouraged when you work so hard and it doesn't seem like much is coming out of it.

    The friendships I have made because of my Etsy shop are so valuable and would not have been possible IRL, how would I have found you all? And a lot of connections have spilled over into real life which is truly amazing, thanks everyone!

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  11. I love your post- so many reasons for putting one's work out there!

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  12. Great read, great list, great perspective!

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  13. Wow Liz, this is such a great post. I can relate to pretty much everything you said. (Especially number 3!) Etsy has been life changing for me for many of the same reasons you've written about.

    Thank you for sharing this! I think your words can be a source of inspiration for so many Etsy sellers.

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  14. This is a really great post. You hit on so many points about Etsy that I know so many sellers feel. But you're totally right--there's so much more to what we do than just the dollar. Have you considered posting a link to this post in one of the Etsy forums? I see people posting there nearly every day who are so discouraged due to lack of sales. I think your perspecitve on this could be really inspiring to them!

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  15. You said it girl! Great post, great commentary on ETSY!

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  16. Ultimately Etsy rocks! Excellent blog post! I think it's super important for new Etsy crafters to read this.

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  17. this is a lovely article, thankyou for sharing your thoughts! i was directed here from twitter, and i'm glad i came over to read. i am just venturing into this world, and am excited about the community prospects + possibilities that may come!

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  18. some really good points here - interesting read. Off to check out your shop!

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  19. I love this post. It is so refreshing to see an artist that understands the big picture. Artists as a rule are an emotional group with sensitive egos and they often fail to see the larger picture when it comes to self promotion and marketing. Etsy is a terrific cheap advertising and networking tool. You are using it to full advantage!!! Keep up the great work.

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  20. Guess this mean I can stop obsessively checking my shop for sales 3x a day. Nah....

    Thanks for the great post.

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  21. This is so helpful! Thanks for sharing such thoughtful reflections.

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  22. I am marking this post and I will refer to it every time I start feeling discouraged. It's easy to feel like a number on Etsy, but you have to re-evaluate your reasons for being there. Seriously, it has gotten me through many a boring day at my desk job, for one.

    Thanks for putting things in perspective. I wish you continued success!

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  23. I loved this blog post. I am always telling artisan to get on etsy and I get many of the above mentioned reasons not to be on-line…ie lack of sales. Your blog post says it the best, for all the reasons, EVERY artist and crafter needs to have an online presence. Etsy is designed for us the artist. Thanks for the wonderful post.

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  24. My company got on there for the GIFTS for HIM blog post and we sold more through Etsy those 2 weeks than through our regular site. They featured our best-seller “celebrity robots” tshirt and the sales were great, even in the lousy economy!

    Love the Ets.

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  25. Awesome post. Thanks for sharing your insights and for helping me figure out why I stay with etsy, even though I'm not a big seller either.
    Vicki

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  26. Well said - a great perspective on the true value of Etsy (other than the obvious $$ from sales), and you're completely right! My Etsy store is far from my main source of sales, but I too find it really useful for these fringe benefit reasons, as well as direct sales.

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  27. This is an awesome read. I know I totally needed to find this. Thanks! =D

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  28. What an inspiration!?!! I'm so glad I popped in over here. I read this JUST when I needed it. Such a wonderful reminder to be grateful for the good out of any situation. ...and holy crap, when I really think about it, I'm SO LUCKY---I've made such wonderful, talented, inspiring connections through Etsy. THANK YOU for taking the time to see what we all should see.

    -betsy

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  29. Liz - you are so right. I've made more friends and contacts through Etsy than I can count! The confidence and connections Etsy brings really are worth it.

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  30. Thank you so much for this wonderful list! I'm new to Etsy, not even opened my shop officially yet, and know from others how unpredictable success can be on Etsy. For artists working full-time from home (lucky you!) Etsy can be a wonderful social site. Finding like-minded "sisters" to commiserate with and learn from. I'm continually surprised how open everyone is to sharing their marketing ideas and how giving they are. More than one seller has included a little something extra with my order. I can feel the glee of each artist as they share their creation. As a buyer, I feel so much better about supporting these smaller businesses and for giving a gift to all my "someones special" that truly is one-of-a-kind -- even when that someone is me.

    A note for you specifically Liz, I think it's fabulous that you share your mom's work with the world. She paints beautifully and it should be seen and enjoyed by others. Thank you.

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  31. Lovely post!
    I'm kind of in the boat right now where I want to make sales sales sales with my shop but I'm realizing that its gonna be a tough road.

    So right now, I'm just keeping in mind that I am getting /a lot/ more from Etsy than more bucks in my Paypal account. The exposure, the social community and so forth.

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  32. Liz, this is a fantastic post. So inspirational.

    I have been seriously thinking about closing my Etsy Shop, because it is so sadly neglected (not enough time with my weekly craft fairs), but this has truely inspired me to make a much greater effort with it.

    Thank you so much for this.

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  33. Well said! There are so many blessing that I've gotten from being on Etsy that have nothing to do with sale. :) Thank you so much for putting it into words what I've felt.

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  34. Great post...you put a smile on my face & gave me more reasons than i already had for being on Etsy. Thank you :)

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  35. Oh thank you. Your words are wonderful. What you say is soo true and its so great to hear that so many people are in the same creative boat.

    Etsy is such a great place, and can open doors that you never thought possible, and often its too easy to forget that and look longingly for sales. I too will keeping reading this post when I'm start to feel disheartened.

    xx

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  36. Thank you for this post. It's just the pick-me-up I needed. I run a website as my main portfolio/cart (elena-adams.com), but have been trying Etsy lately for the added visibility it gets. I had started to worry I was wasting my time, but my faith is restored!

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  37. Thanks so much for this wonderful, thoughtful post! I am not even an Etsy seller, or any kind of seller, I just browse and sometimes buy, and yet it made me reflect more positively on my life and sense of purpose. Thanks again xx

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  38. Hello Liz, I want to thank you for your words of encouragement to all us etsy shopkeepers. I keep wondering why I have no sales and now I will focus on all the reasons to keep improving my etsy shop. I have been reading your blog for some time now and admire your handmade items.

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  39. now THAT's seeing the positive :D
    thanks for sharing that!
    lovely :D

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  40. This is really helpful, thank you so much for ideas, advice. As a brand new blogger this week, I haven't got to the Etsy stage with my creating, but it sounds really encouraging that you have such positive things to share. I will give it a go. x

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  41. Thank you all for reading and commenting!

    Emma, I'm glad you find this post helpful, your blog is lovely! I wish you the best success whichever direction your creativity takes you :)

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  42. Hi Liz!
    I just found you thru 'The Handmade Marketplace' book i just bought and love looking thru your blog :) I want to start up an etsy shop one day soon and I'm really glad i ready this now - start with the right frame of mind and i hopefully won't get disappointed! Thankyou!- Kate :-D

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  43. Ok I'm very late to the party, but I just discovered this post and thank you for sharing the other benefits of etsy (or any online presence). I have an empty shop that I stoped updating due to health and other life distractions. Those are clearing up and reading this post makes me want to reopen it as I get back into my crafting groove. Thank you..

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  44. Kate: so glad you found Kari;'s awesome book and I hope you got your shop started if that's what you decided to do :)

    DaigleD: No such thing as too late to this party :) Thanks for the comment and good luck on re-opening your Etsy shop!

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  45. I also found this post just when I was feeling most discouraged. I'm grateful for what you have written and I, like others, will refer back to it when needed. I even posted the link on my blog, twitter and facebook accounts simply because I know I'm not the only one who gets down about their sales.

    Thanks so very much! You have really lifted a lot of spirits with your words.

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  46. Thank you for your enthusiastic words. I have been thinking about starting an Etsy shop now for a few months as my online shop is pretty slow in taking off. Reading this has helped me decide that I should just go for it and see what happens. Thank you Liz :)

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  47. Thanks Lesa Kay! I appreciate you spreading the link. Hopefully others find some solace in this post. I know all too well that it's not easy having an Etsy shop that feels so quiet.

    Mouse, you are so welcome! Can't hurt to open an Etsy shop as well, just another place to be seen online. Good luck!

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  48. I really appreciate this incredibly insightful and helpful post. I just started a blog and an etsy shop two weeks ago, and this helps to temper my immediate expectations while still giving me hope that it's worth it in the long run. Also, it made me realize that I should gear up for spring craft shows and give that a try as well.
    Thanks so much, LIz!
    Jill
    www.zazzypeacockstudios.blogspot.com
    www.zazzypeacockstudios.etsy.com

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  49. Thanks, Jill, glad you found this post helpful! Good luck with all your crafty endeavors :)

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