Same for me on #5. And I am so thankful I caught myself from falling into that trap of trying to keep up with the Jones’s with regard to the different colors and thread types. Opens up a bad rabbit hole where we become a slave to the sell rather than building our name as a maker. My mark is far too valuable to me to give Etsy the credit. I stay plenty busy based on that makers mark as well which surprised me how important it was to my customer as much as it was to me. Why should I let Etsy or any other online platform take that away? So I haven’t and won’t go down the rabbit hole of assembly line production. My brand and my name will sell it faster than Etsy because I refuse to let my creativity to be sucked out of me. There’s a value to you’re brand be loyal to that I believe it’s the very foundation of our creativity and business to be brand loyal to ourselves.
I appreciate the validation! I will say just starting out it was good to see some traction and that people would actually buy something I was making. I love ur point on stealing from creativity.. thanks for sharing. I really appreciate the comment.
Thank you for the video. Some really good points. This is why it's not a good idea for a starting business to be on Etsy. There's just too much competition out there. I used to sell on Etsy....it wasn't too awful, it wasn't brilliant either. But ever since Etsy started to change its policies, I just decided to look elsewhere. There are many emerging platforms with just a handful of sellers- so that your customers can easily find your shop. Bonus point: they are usually cheaper to run. No nasty surprises like suspended accounts, deleted shops and eye-watering fees (Etsy, I am looking at you).
Good points. I think it doesn’t really hit you until you have had a little success and start to understand some of the nuances. I was so excited to sell a few early items and get going. Overtime you start to be asked to add shipping cost to your orders, which also adds to Etsy’s cut and increases your prices without benefit to you. So then you are forced to run sales or compete with others which again cuts into your pockets… anyway, I’m still selling there and working on an exit strategy of sorts. I couldn’t have imagined selling what I did on Etsy and glad I found the platform a few years back but now I’m starting to look deeper into the “business” side and not just treat it like a nice hobby.
Thanks for the tip… I purchased a laser not too long ago and can’t wait to get back in my new shop after my move! Hopefully under construction soon… which materials work/sell the best?
Mah. You have to look at whst watches are sold in large numbers and that people tdpically customize, e.g., Apple Watch, and concentrate on Apple Watch bands. In People dont usually put a leather band on a dive eatch, so you shouldnt offer leather watch bands for a dive watch.
Started offering apple connectors for all watch straps as of recently. I do need to list more of them instead of just having as an add on at checkout. Not the best advertising
Do need to look into this. I’ve been a one man show for years and probably missed so many opportunities to grow and branch out… I spend very little time on that side of the hustle and know there is a lot of opportunity sitting in front of me
Taking to long to start lol. My dad and partner passed before I managed to sell anything. Remember guys. A decent attempt is better than waiting till it's perfect
#1 mistake hits mostly right in the center of the chest!
Respect your hustle!
Same for me on #5. And I am so thankful I caught myself from falling into that trap of trying to keep up with the Jones’s with regard to the different colors and thread types. Opens up a bad rabbit hole where we become a slave to the sell rather than building our name as a maker. My mark is far too valuable to me to give Etsy the credit. I stay plenty busy based on that makers mark as well which surprised me how important it was to my customer as much as it was to me. Why should I let Etsy or any other online platform take that away? So I haven’t and won’t go down the rabbit hole of assembly line production. My brand and my name will sell it faster than Etsy because I refuse to let my creativity to be sucked out of me. There’s a value to you’re brand be loyal to that I believe it’s the very foundation of our creativity and business to be brand loyal to ourselves.
I appreciate the validation! I will say just starting out it was good to see some traction and that people would actually buy something I was making. I love ur point on stealing from creativity.. thanks for sharing. I really appreciate the comment.
Thank you for the video. Some really good points.
This is why it's not a good idea for a starting business to be on Etsy. There's just too much competition out there. I used to sell on Etsy....it wasn't too awful, it wasn't brilliant either. But ever since Etsy started to change its policies, I just decided to look elsewhere. There are many emerging platforms with just a handful of sellers- so that your customers can easily find your shop. Bonus point: they are usually cheaper to run. No nasty surprises like suspended accounts, deleted shops and eye-watering fees (Etsy, I am looking at you).
Good points. I think it doesn’t really hit you until you have had a little success and start to understand some of the nuances.
I was so excited to sell a few early items and get going. Overtime you start to be asked to add shipping cost to your orders, which also adds to Etsy’s cut and increases your prices without benefit to you. So then you are forced to run sales or compete with others which again cuts into your pockets… anyway, I’m still selling there and working on an exit strategy of sorts. I couldn’t have imagined selling what I did on Etsy and glad I found the platform a few years back but now I’m starting to look deeper into the “business” side and not just treat it like a nice hobby.
Hey thanks sharing 🙏
Thanks for watching. I was very green to the whole experience and learned a lot over the years
Your 5 “mistakes” really resonated with me and should with all makers no mater your medium. Thanks for your frankness and insights.
Really appreciate the feedback
if you are not doing any christmas ornaments, you are missing out. they sell all year round.
Thanks for the tip… I purchased a laser not too long ago and can’t wait to get back in my new shop after my move! Hopefully under construction soon… which materials work/sell the best?
Mah. You have to look at whst watches are sold in large numbers and that people tdpically customize, e.g., Apple Watch, and concentrate on Apple Watch bands. In People dont usually put a leather band on a dive eatch, so you shouldnt offer leather watch bands for a dive watch.
Started offering apple connectors for all watch straps as of recently. I do need to list more of them instead of just having as an add on at checkout. Not the best advertising
You can hire an Etsy shop curator.
Do need to look into this. I’ve been a one man show for years and probably missed so many opportunities to grow and branch out… I spend very little time on that side of the hustle and know there is a lot of opportunity sitting in front of me
Anyone have any others to share? No shame zone!!
I can help. I'm going to kick of my shop. But management of the business side can a ton of work. Well time consuming
I’d say undervaluing your products early on as a way to set your item a part can be costly as well. Definitely some give and take tho
Taking to long to start lol. My dad and partner passed before I managed to sell anything. Remember guys. A decent attempt is better than waiting till it's perfect
@@ethansmith8813 ah man, sorry to hear that. Be pretty cool to start and continue to do things in their his honor.