7 Ways To Improve Your Etsy Shop Right Now

Caroline and I have both been on Etsy a long time.  We know the ins and outs and we know what will get shops noticed.  It’s not hard to stand out on Etsy when you put in the work, do your research and educate yourself on all things Etsy, but if you don’t have that kind of time here are 7 ways you can improve your Etsy shop right now!

  1. Fill it up – Etsy is constantly spending their money on making improvements.  They want you to take advantage of their new features, they want you to use them.  You can improve your shop tremendously by completing your about page, using Etsy’s simplified policies, and by filling out all of the FAQ slots that Etsy gives you.  Etsy was very forward about the fact that they gave a little boost to the shops who switched over to their simplified policies a couple years ago and to those who have completely filled in their about pages.
  2. Have Great Pics – This is so very important!  Your titles and tags will get you to rank higher in search, but to stay there, your photos need to be so good that customers can’t help but click on them!  When customers are clicking and favoriting your items your sales and therefore your search rank will improve.  
  3. Engage on Social Media – Get your listings in front of customers as much as possible. Getting people to view your shop and, more importantly, favorite and purchase your items will greatly increase your sales and your exposure on Etsy. Etsy LOVES activity! Right now, I use Instagram and Pinterest with great success.  Another fabulous way to promote yourself is through YouTube. Set up a channel and do some how-to videos or answer frequently asked questions. You can’t lose – it’s free.
  4. Collaborate and Educate – Meet other Etsy shops online, participate in local craft/art/wedding shows, join an Etsy team, take a class, find Facebook Groups, partner with bloggers, and simply give back to others. Offer advice, assistance, or engage through favoriting other shops, liking and commenting on other people’s pictures on Instagram. Always remember that no matter how new you think you are, there is always someone who is just starting out and knows less than you & may need your help. Share your knowledge – trust me, it goes a long way!
  5. Coupon Codes – People love coupons! I do not use coupons often because if you discount too much your customers will always be looking for a bargain. However, used sparingly, they can be really beneficial and setting up a coupon code is so easy! To take advantage of coupon codes, you could have a grand opening or an anniversary sale and blast it out on social media. You can also do what I do and offer a coupon code to customers as a thank you. Etsy will even send it to them automatically in your thank you message. This has really built my repeat customer base. Finally, when running a coupon code, make sure that you put it in your shop announcement or on your banner.
  6.  Educate Yourself – Etsy can be overwhelming and with all the new updates that are rolling out in May of 2017 like the NEW Etsy Shop Manager it seems almost impossible to be seen.  FEAR NOT!  I can help you!  I have created a new course for Etsy Sellers called The Etsy Action Plan.  The Etsy Action Plan takes you step by step through setting up and maintaining a profitable Etsy shop.  I even take you behind the scenes of my own Etsy shop, Hello World Stamps,  to show you how to optimize your shop to get more views, more favorites, and more sales!  YOU have to put in the work, but I can show you what to work on and what not to waste your time on, so go check it out!   

 

Talk Soon!

Xoxo,

Being Transparent with Customers on Etsy

I’ve Made Mistakes and So Will You.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but making a mistake somewhere at some point on your creative biz journey is inevitable.  However, there is one thing I can say that has helped me to breeze over my mistakes and keep going without losing my mind.  I am honest with my customers.  Transparency in your business is a good thing since customers flock to Etsy for the personal experience, so embrace it.  Most Etsy customers know that they are ordering from real people, with real families, and real lives.  Let them see you for everything you are.  You are creative, you are driven, you are organized, you are focused, however you are not perfect and MOST people get that.

Be upfront with people about what materials you are using, what your turnaround times are, and if you make mistakes.  Yep.  Tell them.  There will come a time when you mess up.  It may be in the beginning or it may be down the road, but it will happen and then it will happen again.  

We are not perfect and that is ok.

I’ve made mistakes before.  For example, one time I neglected to send someone their proof for their stamp within my promised 2 business day window.  I had marked that I sent them their proof on their order, but in the routine of it all I forgot to actually send them the message.  Unfortunately, I didn’t discover it until a week later.  #$@&!!  Believe me there was a lot of profanity streaming out of my mouth.  I was so mad at myself for neglecting a key step in my process.

So what did I do?  I email the customer and told them what happened.  I said, “I’m so sorry, but I have just discovered that I have neglected your proof!  Please accept my sincere apology.  Your proof is attached and I will upgrade your shipping to Priority Mail free of charge.”  I was so worried about it and the customer was so understanding.  She told me not too worry and that she appreciated the upgraded shipping.  SUCCESS!!  It is always better to be honest than to make up an excuse like Etsy sent you the order late (which doesn’t happen) or your package is on the way (when it’s not).  Always, always, always be honest with your customers.  They will appreciate it and in the rare case they don’t just let it roll off your back because just like we are not perfect, our customers are not perfect either.

If you want to learn more about running a profitable and organized Etsy shop please check out my new course Etsy Action Plan!

Talk Soon!

Xoxo,

Episode 33 – 5 Ways to Make Your Etsy Shop Work For You

Hey Rebels!  In this episode Caroline and Kelly talk all about 5 Ways to Make Your Etsy Shop Work For You!  This podcast is totally devoted to Etsy!  Whether you are new to Etsy or have been on Etsy for a while, this podcast will totally help your shop!  

5 Ways to Make Your Etsy Shop Work For You!

 

  1. Fill it up– Use all the sections in Etsy-Go with the new policies on Etsy
  2. Top-Notch Customer Service
    1. Answer convos in a timely manner-put this in your shop policy
    2. Let them know shop hours for when you respond
  3. Use Etsy Snippets
    1. You can save a response for ones you use frequently based on your shop
    2. Get a quick overview here:  https://www.etsy.com/help/article/4271
    3. Get The Etsy Action Plan for a video tutorial on how Kelly uses snippets!
  4. Be Present on Social Media-Kelly recommends using Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
  5. Being Aware
    1. Stay up to date with Etsy-New Shop Manager
      1. Get a full video walkthrough of the new Etsy Shop Manager in The Etsy Action Plan!
    2. Subscribe to Etsy Success email newsletter for up to date info on Etsy!  https://www.etsy.com/emails/success

 

I wasn’t using all the things -Caroline

I don’t know everything about Etsy like I thought I did -Caroline

I don’t know what I would do without my bucket of snippets -Kelly

If Etsy gives it to you, fill it out -Kelly

 

Calling all Etsy sellers!  Improve your shop and your sales with Kelly’s course Etsy Action Plan in our new Teachable school called the Creative Rebel Base!  Come sign up for the Etsy Action Plan and improve your Etsy shop!  

Follow us on instagram (@creativebizrebellion) and use hashtag #creativebizrebllion for a shop shout out!!!

If you have a second please jump over to iTunes and leave us a review!   Click on the link and then click on “view in iTunes” to leave us a review.  We give you all the virtual fist bumps.  Thank you!

JOIN THE REBELLION! Signup for our newsletter and get our fave list of Instagram hashtags FREE!

YOU CAN FIND KELLY ONLINE AT:

www.helloworldpaperco.com
www.kellyparkersmith.com
www.helloworldstamps.etsy.com

YOU CAN FIND CAROLINE ONLINE AT:

www.carolinecreates.com
www.carolinecreates.etsy.com

 

SHOW YOUR REBEL SPIRIT WITH SOME AWESOME GEAR FROM THE CREATIVE BIZ REBELLION SHOP:

www.creativebizrebellion.com/shop

*This post does contain some affiliate links*

Etsy Action Plan Course is Live!

A new course, Etsy Action Plan, by our very own Kelly of Hello World Paper Co. is now live! And the best part? It’s in the new Creative Rebel Base!

If you have an Etsy shop or are thinking about opening an Etsy shop this course is for you!

Kelly takes you behind the scenes of her own Etsy shop, Hello World Stamps, where she has over 14,000 sales.  She walks you through Setting Up Shop, Etsy SEO, Shipping and more!  There are worksheets and video walk throughs to help you along the way!  Interested?

The early bird rate ends soon so go check it out at bit.ly/TakeActionOnEtsy!

Episode 32 – Going Your Own Way with Julie Ann Art

Hey Rebels!  Today we chat with Julie Ann Art. Julie Ann Art began in 2008 as a creative hobby, and has since turned into an internationally recognized brand. Full of straight-forward sentiments and a necessary swear word or three, this stationery and gift line was created for people who just don’t give a f*ck!  Every order is processed and packaged in their studio in Washington D.C., likely in the company of their pup, Penny.

We love Julie’s snarky cards and we know you will too!  Enjoy the show!

Quote Love From Julie Ann Art

“All you can do is the best that you can do.”

“Having this business has helped me as a person to have a thicker skin.”

“You don’t have to have everything figured out before you get started.”

 

Links from the show:

Candle Creative

Where to find Julie Ann Art:

Website | Etsy Shop | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter

 

Follow us on instagram (@creativebizrebellion) and use hashtag #creativebizrebellion for a shop shout out!!!

If you have a second please jump over to iTunes and leave us a review!  Click on the link and then click on “view in iTunes” to leave us a review.  We give you all the virtual fist bumps.  Thank you!

JOIN THE REBELLION! Signup for our newsletter and get our fave list of Instagram hashtags FREE!

YOU CAN FIND KELLY ONLINE AT:

www.helloworldpaperco.com
www.kellyparkersmith.com
www.helloworldstamps.etsy.com

YOU CAN FIND CAROLINE ONLINE AT:

www.carolinecreates.com
www.carolinecreates.etsy.com

 

SHOW YOUR REBEL SPIRIT WITH SOME AWESOME GEAR FROM THE CREATIVE BIZ REBELLION SHOP:

www.creativebizrebellion.com/shop

*This post does contain some affiliate links*

5 Steps for Getting Repeat Customers

Repeat customers are gold.  They love your products and they keep coming back!  What shop owner wouldn’t want that???  Getting repeat buyers is all about top-notch customer service, a great product, and being friendly.  Below I share my top 5 tips to help you not only get repeat customers, but keep them!

1. Offer a Thank You Coupon.  It could be as small as 5%, 10% off or free shipping on their next order, but giving them an incentive to come back is always a good idea!

2. Be friendly!  I know this sounds simple, but be friendly in your interactions with people before, during, and especially after their purchase.  Be personable, approachable, and kind and people will remember how you treated them.  This quote by Maya Angelou says it all,

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

3. Offer a repeat buyer program.  You can do something like, buy 5 cards, get one free or place 5 orders and receive 50% off your next order.  This is a great way to get customers to come back since the purchase doesn’t have to be made all at one time.   My big tip for this is to create a spreadsheet and keep track of your customer’s purchases for them – my customers love when I email them that they reached an incentive!

4. Market your items as gifts.  You have to put into your customer’s minds that your items would make great gifts.  They may not put that together on their own.  For example, if a mom is looking for teething necklaces for her baby she may not be in the mindset of purchasing a gift, but if in the description you mention that your necklaces make great baby shower gifts she may remember that her friend’s shower is coming up and purchase that for her now or later.  BAM!  You just created a repeat customers.  

5. Offer gift cards/certificates.  This doesn’t seem like it would create repeat buyers, but you would be surprised.  When customers purchase from you they may think that your items would make great gifts, but may not want to pick out the style, color, or size for someone else.  This is where having gift cards available can really help!

    1. Talk Soon!
      xoxo,