Improving Etsy Sales

GETTING STARTED

In etsy, click on the 'Custom' tab at the top of the screen (www.etsy.com/alchemy)

A. This tab is for people who are looking for artists to make something for them, something that cannot be found in the general marketplace.
I. Some people are willing to pay a lot for a special item. I like to concentrate on working for them, since they know what your work is worth, and know when it is quality.

II. Other people are looking for a bargain. They don't like the price of something online or in stores, and want you to make for less. They aren't usually happy unless you save them money and make a nice product. You really have to know the cost of your supplies and labor before you bid on these.

B. Really think before you bid on something. This process will get quicker with time. Take the following into consideration.

I. Cost of Materials and Shipping

II. Construction Time, including designing, paperwork, shipping, etc.

III. Cost of fees

a. Etsy

b. PayPal

c. shipping

IV. Desired Profit.

a. Add up costs and see if you are able to make the item without losing money.

b. Do Not bid unless you can really accomplish this task, and you will be happy when you are done.

c. Do not bid unless you can break even and get good feedback, or you can make a profit. We are not in business to lose money!

C. Realize that the person who wants the item made is going to look for website information, accessable photos, and proof that you are competent at creating the item they desire.

I. If you do not have positive feedback, they will not look at you. (www.etsy.com/feedback_public.php?user_id=5529677)

II. If you have positive E-bay feedback, supply your E-bay site URL for your feedback rating with your bid. (http://myworld.ebay.com/sew.and.so.creations)

III. If you have positive feedback anywhere else, supply this.

IV. If you have photos on flikr or some other site, supply this URL in the bid also. (www.flickr.com/photos/sewandso)

D. You must be prepared to supply:

I. The cost of the item including supplies

II. The cost of shipping (check where the person is from)

III. The description of the item you are going to make for them

IV. Additional information (like your website address and proof of competency in completing this task).

V. The type of shipping you provide (e.g. USPS Priority Mail, Parcel Post)

VI. The type of payment you require (e.g. PayPal half down for materials, balance upon completion after photo approval).

VII. Check the Date for finishing the item to make sure you can complete it and send it in time.

ACCEPTING A BID

After the client has agreed for you to make an item, you can either:

A. Accept the bid and proceed with the process. (If you accept the bid you enter a contract with the buyer and must complete the item in the time allotted according to the terms agreed on by both of you.)

B. Decline the bid. (If for some reason you feel unable to complete the project, you may decline without further obligation.)

THE MOST IMPORTANT WORD OF ADVICE: Never start a project until you receive payment, at least half down.

And NEVER ship until you receive the final payment!

COMMUNICATION

Communicate with your client through e-mails by way of etsy when possible.

A. Check with the client for design preferences.

B. Check payment preferences.

C. Let the client know how they will be billed. Get their payment and shipping information. (e.g. their PayPal e-mail address and their shipping address)

D. Periodically let the client know what progress you are making on the project, possibly sending photos. You can send three photos in every Etsy e-mail.

E. Let the client know when you are finished and how and when the item will be sent.

PHOTOGRAPHING THE FINISHED ITEM

A. Take a photograph with a digital camera. (If you don't have a digital camera, you can scan printed photographs and send the scan.)

I. Photograph the item against a solid background:

a. Black for light objects

b. White for dark objects

c. Gray or neutral for objects with both of these colors (white and black).

II. Use suitable lighting. Brighter lights take better photos with more detail.

III. Take several photographs, and then pick the best one.

B. Refine the photograph.

I. Use your computer's photo program to get the proper color. Photographs seldom show the exact color of the item.

II. Make the item look good, the way you see it. Photographs seldom capture the nuances of design.

III. Resize the photo to 'Web' size or 'E-mail' size, about 640 pixels wide or long. This will make uploading quicker. Etsy will resize it to about 640 pixels anyway.

C. Upload the photos.

I. Go to the project description page (www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=14233095)

II. Browse to find your photo.

III. Click 'Upload'. You can upload up to five photos here

REMEMBER: the last photo you send is the one everyone will see. The others will be found on the description page.

FINISHING UP

If you are finished with the project, you can click ''Done", but only after uploading all your photographs. (www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=13164723)

You will get one more chance to get that right, if you clicked "Done" accidentally. On the next page it's final.

That's it, time to send the item.

Pack it carefully and make sure you follow the arrangements in your bid and e-mails to the buyer.

Once you get about ten orders under your belt, you will be a pro.

Go for it and try to make a profit.

Don't forget that positive feedback is everything!

REPORTING FRAUD and failure to pay.

A. Etsy has its own 'spoof guard' like E-bay.

B. If you have trouble with a client, you can go to the Etsy 'Contact' page. The tab is located at the very bottom of the Etsy page in very small blue print. (http://www.etsy.com/contact.php)

C. Scroll to the bottom of the page. Just above the heading "Elsewhere on the Web", there is a subheading "Transaction Report". Click on the Blue type "Transaction Report Form". (http://www.etsy.com/report_transaction.php)