3 years on Etsy!

I couldn't believe it when I checked the date this weekend.  Jan 12.  That's my 3 year Etsy anniversary!  I'm amazed.

To really drive home to me what I've learned, I've been putting together a presentation to my art guild about Etsy.  Going back to the beginning of how to get started setting up a shop has really brought back memories.  From the initial confirmation email to choosing a shop name and user name(which were the same thing when I started) to listing, shipping profiles and rates, uploading, policies and on and on. Honestly, I can't believe I actually did all that!  I guess I was motivated!

I have learned how to take a pretty good picture.  Good lighting and staging are key.  I've learned about the dreaded SEO.  Search Engine Optimization.  My things get found in search and on Google but I'm still learning.  I've learned how to make a treasury.  Time consuming but fun.  I learned quickly how to pack and ship.  Bubble wrap and peanuts for me and strong boxes.  Only 1 breakage in 3 years. I think the most important thing to learn is good customer service.  Answering convoes ASAP, working with buyers on custom orders, going to the extra effort to get things shipped quickly(within 24 hours in most cases) are all good practices.

I've become much more "social" on line.  I do have a Facebook page.  I have on line friends.  If you had told me 3 years ago that would be the case, I would have said you were nuts!

I get a lot more custom orders now and quite a few returning customers.  That makes me happy.  I'm currently working on a canister set, a bathroom accessory set and an 82 piece wine stopper order.  Not all for the same person!  I like to start off the year with a project and I have 3.  I did a wedding ceremony salt cellar last year that was fun and I learned a new technique for stamping onto thrown pots. I can't wait to try this again!

So my goal for this year is to surpass last year's sales  Every year has gotten better.  I'm as busy as I want to be without being crazy.  Temporary craziness is OK for a short term like around Christmas but slow and steady is really fine.  I'll keep learning.  And keep creating.