Like many Etsians, I've learned that to have any kind of success over there, even a little bit, you need to spend a good deal of time on the business side of things like taking pictures, writing copy, and promoting your Etsy shop on and off the web. Unfortunately, I just don't have the time to do all of that well, so my little shop continues to limp along. Honestly, though, I'm okay with that since selling has not really been my main jewelry focus for many years. But, I've been lucky to find other ways to be successful in the world of jewelry designing.
On the flip side, some sellers at Etsy are crazy-successful. They have active shops, hundreds of items listed all the time, and tons of sales to show for their hard work. But when does the business side become so much that you begin to feel you are losing your artistic vision?
This is something that has actually happened to one Etsian, Ryan McAbery, who finally took a risky step and stopped, literally, and started over again. She talks about it over at the Craftypod web site in a really interesting podcast recently posted.
Comments
I think the problem is that people have a problem with time management. Just because someone can click on a sale 24/7, doesn’t mean you have to be open every moment of every day. There has to be balance. Plus…this is why I don’t do retail really…if you can’t job out some of the work it becomes overwhelming. You can’t be all things to all people, no one can.
I don’t understand why they don’t hire some help. That might be the answer. Retail is tough…no matter how you slice it.
I found this fascinating, but even more so when I went to her shop and it was still loaded with stuff to buy!
Cheers,
Madge
Yes, she did have a ton of stuff in her shop already considering she is supposed to be slowing down! Of course, I guess it’s all relative. I’m amazed at myself if I have more than a page worth of items in my etsy shop
I did wonder about the idea of getting help. It seems like it would have been worth it to me, but then again, it sounded from the podcast that she was just tired or making the same thing over and over again too. Been there done that! It reminds me of the zillion hematite chip bracelets I used to make and sell. I got to the point I really hated them!