Having trouble selling on Etsy? Sharing my early Etsy sales stats!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ค. 2018
- Hi again, everyone! This video is for you new Etsy sellers. I discuss a relevancy topic that I think is important to remember, and as an added bonus:
.....for those of you who are feeling like you're the only new shop not getting sales, I break down my own sales stats from my first four months on Etsy! EEK!
For those who have asked, here is a list of products/equipment I use to prepare and ship my artwork (Amazon Affiliate Links):
✨Rollo Thermalprinter: amzn.to/2vCvLpj
✨the printer I use for creating my art prints: amzn.to/2ULaTWV
✨Carl Paper Cutter: amzn.to/2PCgzS2
✨ Canon All in One Printer for scanning my work and office tasks: amzn.to/2Y15nl7
✨ rigid mailers for 5x7 prints: amzn.to/2Hd1Hqw
✨ rigid mailers for 8x10 prints: amzn.to/2PTOcin
✨ rigid mailers for 11x14 prints: amzn.to/2VHzLn5
You can find my prints on Etsy here: www.etsy.com/shop/EllenBrenne...
Connect with me on Facebook here: / ellenbrennemanstudio
My website: www.ellenbrennemanstudio.com
Find me on Instagram: @ellenbrennemanstudio
All of the opinions I share in this video are based on my personal experience which may not be the same as yours. Please contribute to the conversation but let's all be respectful of one another.
☑️ Write to me here:
Ellen Brenneman
PO Box 8251
South Bend, IN 46660 - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Thank you for the honesty! The true struggle that new seller we have to go through on Etsy. I opened my shop 3weeks ago and sold 3 bracelets but it was my friend bought it lol
Yes, the struggle is SO real!! BEST of luck to you and your shop!! ☺️
I opened for like 10 months until I first got an order...so persistence is the KEY! DO NOT GIVE UP...but you have to keep learning meanwhile...no meaning of just staying the shop open without actually learning everyday.
Awww thanks that was so useful . People don't usually go into so much personal detail and honesty.
I'm glad you found it helpful; we've all been there at one point or another!
Thanks Ellen 🤟👌👏👏 useful info as always ....
Always enjoy your very informative Vlogs 👌👌
I started building an Etsy store about a year ago ... but other big -life stuff took over and I’m now thinking it’s possible they’ve closed it or put out a cancellation on my store ... will have to look into,it but a friend said that happened to her when she didn’t keep up with it .
Yes I agree that it’s imperative-to keep info from TH-cam current on topics up to the date ... algorithms on all social media platforms is a nightmare to keep up with !!
As an older artist of now age 53 creating contemporary tribal art ..... I’m now building a good following on social media and gathering interest ,,,,,, I’m certainly determined that regardless of so many setbacks ..... I’ll NEVER ever give up pursuing a full time income from my art and other creative ventures ... we have to follow our passions - that’s what life should be about 😏🙄🙄
Hi Ellen! Thanks for courage. We missed your videos. :-)
Still helpful 3 years later!!
Thank you for your honesty. I started my Etsy shop in Oct of 2015. At first I thought all I had to do was sit and wait. I was fortunate to have a friend of mine order several things from me and leave great reviews. This happened within my first month. The last two years, I have learned that I have to work full time at this, and most of it is NOT creating. I have not ever had great traffic or sales, and struggle to be seen. I know I have a good product, and according to Etsy Rank, I have very good grades. I am still determined, and hope things will start picking up soon!
It truly is an ever-changing platform which is GOOD, I think - but just when I think I've figured it out, I have to learn something new all over again. I tweak my shop several times a week; if I'm not doing that, I'm behind. BEST of luck to you and your shop and thank you for your comment :)
Thank you so much for making this video Ellen! sometimes its easy to forget that these things take time and everyone has been there at some point! very encouraging! xx
That's so kind of you, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! :)
I had an etsy shop for a while and I sold a fair few items, but sadly didnt make much profit, because in Australia, the charges are ridiculous. I am in the process of switching to shopify, and I am trying to choose another avenue for my art as well. Right now, not going to lie, I am overwhelmed, and have almost given up a few times, I just wanna get in and paint, but i spend a lot of time lately on the computer trying to figure out what my next move should be, working out what paintings will print well, how and where to print them etc etc ( you get the idea and im sure most people have been there) Etsy makes it relatively easy, but i have heard its now inundated with Chinese created factory items, which is sad, because it used to be hand crafted goods only. Anyways , thank you so much for sharing all your experience here on youtube, so that we all may learn from it. much appreciated.
thanks so much for your comment ☺️
You are so generous with your time and thoughts for us newbies! I'm going to do this one day when I feel a little more confident and get a little more practice. You are the sweetest!
You are so very welcome! I think it's always easier to weather a storm knowing you're not alone and that it DOES get better! :)
Ellen Brenneman Studio I’ll remember that, Ellen. And I now have a wealth of needed information by way of your channel. 😊. I normally paint in oils, sometimes acrylics, but I’m also going to try the inks on Yupo paper, thanks to you and your gorgeous elephant! I bought some inks and texture sheets today and found some small Yupo paper to practice on. Looks like fun! I might try the same process with acrylic paints or oils just because, like I mentioned before. All the best! Thanks again. Will see you again soon. 😬
I find you super inspiring. As a new etsy seller, and as an newly starting artist. I have extensive experience of sales and running the family business. I quit to be an fulltime artist. But I am learning this marked, and I find your advice on starting art business.
Hi, Ellen. Thank you for your sincere sharing. Help me a lot.
Excellent! You answered my review question...I suppose I should just keep on watching...your content is rich, and appreciated.
You're very welcome, Anthony. :)
really nice videos super useful and i love all the details you are giving!
This was so great. Thanks so much!! Wishing you all the best and hoping for improvement with your health!
Thank you! 😊
It takes 2-3 years for any business to get traction. You have to be in it for the long haul. Certain times of year will be busy and others will be abysmal, like February, and back to school time. That's why you gear up for Christmas early.
Hi Ellen, thank you for your insights regarding art and sales, very helpful on this topic and others you presented as the education never ends. I have been working on Fine Art Photography as time allows but more so than ever this year with emphasis on building my website with Squarespace and dabbling a bit on FB business page while considering blogging and video. Will continue to follow your channel and push the Thumbs Up button. Love your work and the information you offer!
Thank you for the feedback William - and welcome!
This is just what I was looking for. Thank you! I'm saving this one 😉
Glad you found it helpful! :)
Thank you so much, Ellen! I love your motivating videos!!! Big hugs Maike
Maike, it's always SO nice to hear from you! Thank you for your kind comment - Hugs and love!
You are such an open and effective communicator. Whilst I stumbled across this video, I am now curious to check out your Etsy shop in February 2020! Thank you from Australia.
Thank you for that, Ruth! :)
I love you for doing this! Thanks so much. I opened a shop a few months ago and was thinking of closing it since I haven't had any sales or had much time to promote it on top of my other avenues and FT work. And then on April 1st I got my first random person sale! It popped up in my email and I thought it was an April fools joke. Or some kind of scam email -- but it was real! Anyways, I'm new to your channel but am loving all your advice so far. Cheers :)
That is fantastic, Jessica - congrats on your sale!! Yay!
I went 11 months with ZERO sales! Girl let me tell you that was so discouraging. I still have months where I sell absolutely nothing. I finally made my first sale 11 1/2 months after I opened my shop. And it was someone I knew. I was selling greeting cards at the time. I sold sparingly here and there for the next year after that. Then I went another 5 months without having sold a thing. So I knew with sales like this, I was not selling the right thing. Also around this time, my art had taken another direction and I started doing mixed media. I now sell at least 2x a month. Which I am so grateful for. It is not the goal I want to meet every month but its better than nothing considering my art is not for everyone. I create one of a kind unique pieces that can never be recreated and its not always everyones cup of tea but I am thankful for those sales because every bit helps. I love your videos and have binge watched you these past few days! I love your art as well. You are a very inspiring person. I really appreciate the level of honestly you bring forth when you make a video.
Ahh, I feel your pain with those early day woes! It's brutal not gaining any traction :( But good for you for realizing that you needed to change things up and are now making more sales!
btw, thank you for your kind words regarding my channel! I'm so glad you're finding my videos useful!
@@EllenBrennemanStudio yes making this change was the best thing I have ever done. Its made a huge difference. And you are very welcome. I love your channel and binge watch your videos lol but they are very helpful. 💙
You are a multi talented lady! You not only create beautiful art but I think you would make a great host for talk radio! I enjoy listing to you especially when you are working on an art piece while talking to your audience!
Kathy, that is so kind of you, thank you! And many thanks for the feedback - I'd love to do more of those kinds of videos as well!
Thank you Ellen, this is so helpful!
Thank you for watching, Mayora! ☺️
It's scary about how fast the algorithm changes as if eventually it will change so fast that only those who will move ahead of time and only those who know what's coming in advance for sure will have any success.
Thank you for sharing Ellen! I appreciate the Podcast recommendations...I discovered a new podcast "Dear Handmade Life" and they have one on Etsy in 2018. I also suggest asking questions in the forums or doing a search there. Even with all the changes, I am still happy with Etsy as a platform compared to other platforms. I also like that they are now integrated with Square which makes in person sales so much more fluid.
Thank you for sharing these tips! And I've never heard of that podcast so I'll definitely check that out. I stay on Etsy because they bring the traffic - something no other sites can match. They're still THE name people think of when they want something handmade. As long as that continues I'll be there, too!
I’m concerned about putting my work on Etsy after I saw where you said you’re work was copied and being sold by another company and Etsy isn’t doing anything about it. Rio and Sase said she found that her work was being done that way too. What I would love to see you do a video on is how you found where all your works are online. Thanks for your videos. I’m always thankful for them
Belinda West The sad truth of the matter is that any time your artwork is uploaded to the Internet it can be copied by anyone who sees it, whether you are on Facebook, Etsy, Amazon or if you share your work within a private message to someone. All it takes is a simple right click of the mouse. It’s a hazard of being an artist who chooses to sell her work online however, there are so many positives that outweigh these negatives for me. I would never have this opportunity to sell my work worldwide or connect with as many wonderful people as I have without the Internet. As artists we simply have to take precautions by uploading very small size images and by adding a copyright to our work. These things are not foolproof but it does deter thieves a bit.
As far as I know my work is not being copied and sold on Etsy; it was used on Amazon handmade, however (A musician was using it for an album cover) and Amazon did remove it eventually. The best place for you to keep watch of where your work is being used elsewhere on the Internet is by going to Google and typing in the search bar ‘ reverse image search’. You are then allowed to upload the image you want to keep tabs on and it will show you if it is anywhere else on the Internet. Hope this helps!
Belinda, my work has been stolen and used on pillows, totes, etc. as well (not in this country, as far as I know). I started doing what Ellen suggested-watermarks, resizing images, uploading low resolution, etc. It's always a risk but one I take since I want to get my work out there. I have an Etsy shop, but also share via Pinterest, FB and instagram...who knows where they got it? The alternative is to only sell in person. Good luck!
Thank you so much!
Ellen, I love your videos and sharing your experience! If you have a website, why don't you just sell your stuff on your site rather than on Etsy?
Thank you for the question! Simply put, it's the traffic. My website could never generate the kind of traffic that Etsy gets. Also, experience. I've directed people to my website and they still would rather shop on Etsy. Not sure why this is but many artist friends of mine have reported the same thing.
Oh shit I'm watching this, and it's like 4 years old, and she's saying Don't!
I think we're forgetting if people even like the art (not judging, just a general statement)
I have been watching some of your videos and I really appreciate them. You mentioned that you've sold on ebay as well. I was thinking about selling on ebay too, and I have an Etsy store. But I don't want to post things on etsy and on ebay and then sell them twice. I was thinking about posting some things on etsy and some things on ebay. What do you think?
Erin Ottaviano I think that’s a great idea! That way you can get a feel for where your audience is camping out. 👍🏼
What it's like today to be a seller on Etsy? I heard that Etsy has made some policy changes that a lot of sellers are unhappy about. Specifically, that products can now be sourced out to third-party manufacturers. That really sounds like a game-changer to me. Now handcrafting sellers who were drawn to Etsy to sell their original products are having to compete with sellers who mass produce their items with cheap labor in third-world countries??? That is so unfair and really changes the whole Etsy culture and appeal. What is your experience like with Etsy today? Are you still happy with it, as a seller? Thanks, really like your videos.
Thank you for your thoughts on this! I've just uploaded a video about this very thing, thanks in part to your question :) you can find it here: th-cam.com/video/rkfwTSIsiI0/w-d-xo.html
@@EllenBrennemanStudio Wonderful! Thanks so much, I will watch it now!
Etsy is not for good creative artist. You have backup and your own contact to sell on it.
It's weird I just opened an antique Etsy and have had 2 sales on the first day. I have had my art Etsy now for 3 months and haven't sold a thing, I have had a whopping 20 people to my site at the time of writing this 4 months into it. My art sells locally and on Instagram but on Etsy it's been a total dud. I have to have my ankle reconstructed in a few months and was really hoping to have some online sales so I don't have to go out to local shops as much. Luckily my eBay and Amazon accounts are doing fine. I still wish I could turn my Etsy around, any suggestions would be amazing.
I'm glad Amazon and Ebay are helping to offset the lulls you're experiencing on Etsy. Good luck on your upcoming surgery! 🤞🏼
well, i was watching your video dated july 18 2018 . so you recommend not to watch it.
so sad. what's funny?