I have a store on Etsy. Truth be told I haven't been very diligent in trying to market my art. I'm sure there are a lot of other people like me who are more into the creating part rather than the selling part.
I put up the Etsy store with excitement only to find
my items are sitting collecting virtual dust!
Then one day woo hoo, I sold two of them!
I was jumping for joy until I realized I didn't know how paypal really worked. I had never used it before.
By the way, it couldn't be easier. BUT....On my first sale paypal alerted me that I had never verified my checking account. So, my first customer sent the money by paypal yet paypal failed to receive it.
I had to figure out how to correct the problem fast because I wanted to be a reputable shop owner that sent out items promptly.
I decided to send out the product before all of the paypal bugs were worked out. That way I would give my customer 100% prompt service.
Of course I was taking a chance at never receiving the money, but I figured that was the price I had to pay for my mistake of not being fully prepared.
My suggestion to anyone opening a new Etsy shop or thinking about opening one is to do the following:
Have a "Trial Run Through" of how you will package it, how fast you'll send it, and work through the entire paypal process.
The best thing you could do is to buy one of your own pieces from another computer source. That way you can see if everything is working on the buyers end.
Make sure you know exactly how paypal works.
Just do your homework all the way!
Think about how you will package what you sell. Presentation is very important. Make it look pretty, professional and sturdy so nothing gets bent or broken.
Are you sending your work with insurance? Paying extra for a receipt when the items are received?
Be sure to write a handwritten "Thank You" note for purchasing. It makes your product much more personal and develops a relationship with the customer. If you would like your customer to return, treat them well. You know how nice it is to receive a beautifully wrapped gift, it almost doesn't matter what the gift is.
Your customer may in the future purchase again or give you rave reviews to others.
If your really lucky they may even promote you and your products on their blog!
BTW, I got paid and the client loved her prints, sending me a Thank you!
Now, the next thing I need to do is to get better about Marketing my Art. As of now, I'm pretty wrapped up in my oil painting to do any mixed media work.
I'm getting the itch to start it again, so Etsy get ready!
I put up the Etsy store with excitement only to find
my items are sitting collecting virtual dust!
Then one day woo hoo, I sold two of them!
 |
| Still no sales... : ( |
 |
| Flickr/beatacervin |
I was jumping for joy until I realized I didn't know how paypal really worked. I had never used it before.
By the way, it couldn't be easier. BUT....On my first sale paypal alerted me that I had never verified my checking account. So, my first customer sent the money by paypal yet paypal failed to receive it.
I had to figure out how to correct the problem fast because I wanted to be a reputable shop owner that sent out items promptly.
I decided to send out the product before all of the paypal bugs were worked out. That way I would give my customer 100% prompt service.
Of course I was taking a chance at never receiving the money, but I figured that was the price I had to pay for my mistake of not being fully prepared.
My suggestion to anyone opening a new Etsy shop or thinking about opening one is to do the following:
Have a "Trial Run Through" of how you will package it, how fast you'll send it, and work through the entire paypal process.
The best thing you could do is to buy one of your own pieces from another computer source. That way you can see if everything is working on the buyers end.
Make sure you know exactly how paypal works.
Just do your homework all the way!
Think about how you will package what you sell. Presentation is very important. Make it look pretty, professional and sturdy so nothing gets bent or broken.
 |
| Tumblr |
Be sure to write a handwritten "Thank You" note for purchasing. It makes your product much more personal and develops a relationship with the customer. If you would like your customer to return, treat them well. You know how nice it is to receive a beautifully wrapped gift, it almost doesn't matter what the gift is.
 |
| Via: Elegant Audrey Hepburn |
Your customer may in the future purchase again or give you rave reviews to others.
If your really lucky they may even promote you and your products on their blog!
BTW, I got paid and the client loved her prints, sending me a Thank you!
Now, the next thing I need to do is to get better about Marketing my Art. As of now, I'm pretty wrapped up in my oil painting to do any mixed media work.
I'm getting the itch to start it again, so Etsy get ready!
 |
| Justin Sullivan/Getty Images |
Here I come!
