Promotion: Don't be shy!

We've all been there: Your shop is set up, everything is ready to go. You list an item and BANG. . . nothing. Absolutely nothing happens. You're item is dropped into the world of Etsy and unless you do something, that's were it's going to stay. It may be disheartening to look at your view counter and see a big fat zero but don't just sit there - do something about it!

You're shop is just a drop in the ocean of Etsy. It seems silly to take out an advertisement that could be costly and maybe not even that effective! Even the Etsy Showcase with it's inexpensive rates has often been dismissed by Etsy sellers due to it's poor return in terms of views and sales.

So what's a poor little Etsy seller to do? Well here are some things I have tried, and the best bit? They are all free!

• Try designing your own business cards and print them off at home. Not only do these give people essential info if they want to purchase from you but it also shows you are a professional seller - even if you don't quite believe it yet.

• If you make wearable items such as jewelry or clothes then don't be afraid to wear them out and about to work or at a party. You'll be amazed at how many people will ask about your item. And when they do just whip out your flash business card, give it to them and say (with buckets of confidence), "I made it myself."
• Friends or family are your best salespeople! You might find it hard bragging about yourself but they certainly won't! If your items wearable give them one or two for free and give them a stash of business cards so they can throw them at anyone that asks
• Try hanging around the Etsy forums. Not only can you pick up great tips but you can help other etsy sellers. The best bit is that potential customers can click on your avatar and visit your shop. Be careful though, remember that what you say will be viewed by potential customers so try to be positive and don't complain about low sales or bad customers.
• Twitter! Yes I know it can be daunting and you might think it's useless. But if it gets you a couple of views on a newly listed item then what's the harm. Read this blog post for a bit more help.

Word of mouth is a powerful tool, one not to be underestimated just because it doesn't have an expensive price tag. So use it wisely and hopefully the connections you make with potential customers will turn into multiple sales and return buyers!

Fortnightly Featured Seller

The fortnightly featured seller is back! Our seller today is Lisa or Sommersbreezeantique. A vinatge seller on Etsy, Lisa lives in Wisconsin but she and her husband travel to Arkansas in the winter to live in a cordwood cabin they built by hand.

Five years ago she sold a 10,000 square foot antique mall, which she started with her sister, Kim. Since then she continues to rent spaces in antique malls selling antiques as well as selling on Etsy. She works at a large Antique mall every other weekend and the occasional weekday.

I asked Lisa a few questions about herself and her work:

1. What got you started selling vintage?

I would spend several weekends with my Grandmother, Irma {now deceased} and though she never got her drivers license, she would take me out "junkin" in her big, old, white car. She was such a poor driver! But she loved yard sales so illegal turns down a one way were never a concern to her! Her goal was to get to that yard sale! My grandmother was was always trying to get a better deal, she was a haggler! I loved to watch her negotiate a better price, she humored me with her thrifty ways. I loved going on these rides with her and finding treasures. I studied her to learn her craft of bargain hunting. Thus the seed was planted and I have adored vintage items my entire life. You could say I carry my grandmothers traits with me when I go junkin!

2. What is your personal favorite item in your shop?

Lately, I seem to have gotten into a habit of listing vintage jewelry, both junk jewelry for re purposed artwork and wearable. And though I own several rubber maids full of vintage and antique jewelry, I really don't have a passion for it. Funny I guess, I don't wear jewelry, so It makes it easy to sell. I love the old photographs that I list, especially ones that make you think. I personally like the hard to find oddities. And I sometimes hoard them for a few years before offering them for sale. In the near future, I will be listing more old tins, shabby chic treasures and old feed sacks, those would be objects I adore. I also love the item I just listed a Vintage Ranger Alfalfa Seed Bag

3. What sort of places do you get your stock from?

This spring my husband along with a few local Amish men raised an old one room school house onto a huge flat bed trailer. They lowered it, secured it and hooked the wagon to a local farmer's tractor. At the crack of dawn, we set out towing this huge wooden school house down the back roads to find it's resting spot on our land. It was then lowered and filled with my inventory that I had stashed.... well, every where. I have purchased a few estates, shopped yard sales, gone to auctions and thrift sales and have an impressive amount of inventory on hand. My current plan {and reason I have stayed home today rather than join my husband at an auction} is to remove one box at a time from the school house and tag items for my rented spaces and take pictures of the smaller treasures to list on etsy. So to answer the question, I go to my yard and shop now!

4. You have had over 1300 sales on Etsy, I couldn't let you go without asking you what your top tips are.

When I sell an item on etsy, here is my check list that I follow:

1: I am honest about the item I am listing

2: I charge actual postage, without packing fees.

3: Once an item sells, I convo the buyer with my plans of shipping, which is the same to next day of payment recieved. I let them know what day to expect their package to arrive. I use a delivery confirmation which allows the buyer as well as myself to track the package. {Very Important}

4: I package the items up safely and securely and try to use recycled items in packing, yet tie a bow and make it look like a nice package, with out going into allot of expense in order to be able to charge the actual postage rate.

5: I try to leave positive feedback right away.

6: I have several regular buyers, I have learned their want lists, I try to list items best suited for them in Reserved Listings.

7: I follow through, if you buy from me, I want to know that you are happy!

8: The best advise I can give any seller, communicate!

I hope these tips help!

I'd like to thank Lisa for sharing her great story. She is genuinely one of the nicest sellers on Etsy that I have come across. Her shop has some gorgeous items and such a diverse range.