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 Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:12 am
So I have this shop: TreasuresbyBeccaI'm trying to get the word out, and get people to buy. It hasn't even been a week yet, but I want to start selling faster. I have this shop posted in other threads in gaia, but the only thread with a response is from someone who voted my thread down, and told me she thought I posted the wrong link. Check it out and tell me, should I lower the price on my items a little, since I was surprisingly able to create this inventory on about $80? Respond in the poll, and in a response, please. With any other advice you feel I could benefit from.
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 8:55 pm
Your link takes me to the sign in page, I believe to get to my shop, not yours...if I had an etsy shop.
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Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2014 8:19 am
Emm-Kaye Your link takes me to the sign in page, I believe to get to my shop, not yours...if I had an etsy shop. Sorry about that. I've made that mistake several times now. It's fixed.
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Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2014 6:28 pm
Invisible Nightengale Sorry about that. I've made that mistake several times now. It's fixed. Beautiful pieces. Some of the earrings do seem a bit high (for my area, anyway). If possible, I would recommend that you research comparable pieces by others, and price yours in that range. Being a beader, you know how much sheer effort goes into creating some pieces, while others go together simply and easily - almost by themselves. I base my pricing partly on my time & energy (as well as supplies used), and partly on the local market pricing for that type of piece. Sadly, a lot of people don't understand the heart & soul (and, sometimes, when it comes to beading, the blood, sweat & tears) you put into your work. When they are trying to purchase it, they only see the dollar signs and think they can get something that looks similar at a discount retail store for much less. Good luck with your store!
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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 2:57 pm
Emm-Kaye Invisible Nightengale Sorry about that. I've made that mistake several times now. It's fixed. Beautiful pieces. Some of the earrings do seem a bit high (for my area, anyway). If possible, I would recommend that you research comparable pieces by others, and price yours in that range. Being a beader, you know how much sheer effort goes into creating some pieces, while others go together simply and easily - almost by themselves. I base my pricing partly on my time & energy (as well as supplies used), and partly on the local market pricing for that type of piece. Sadly, a lot of people don't understand the heart & soul (and, sometimes, when it comes to beading, the blood, sweat & tears) you put into your work. When they are trying to purchase it, they only see the dollar signs and think they can get something that looks similar at a discount retail store for much less. I thought maybe that would be a problem. I tried to price it comparatively, but the problem with researching on Etsy is, prices can be all over the place. I do have quite a bit to make back, despite my using mostly scraps, so I'm contemplating changing only some of the prices. Maybe I leave the sets alone. Not only because they took so long to make. (Glue's a mess,) but also because they are some of the nicer pieces I'm selling. You make an excellent point, though. Good luck with your store!
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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 8:08 pm
Invisible Nightengale I thought maybe that would be a problem. I tried to price it comparatively, but the problem with researching on Etsy is, prices can be all over the place. I do have quite a bit to make back, despite my using mostly scraps, so I'm contemplating changing only some of the prices. Maybe I leave the sets alone. Not only because they took so long to make. (Glue's a mess,) but also because they are some of the nicer pieces I'm selling. You make an excellent point, though. That is very true! You might want to check some sites other than etsy (possibly even some retail jewelry sites from your local area) to get an idea of what 'average' is in your area. I do know that a lot really depends upon where (and whom) you are selling the item to, what price they consider to be too high. Some areas/venues will support much higher prices than others.
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 3:02 pm
That makes for something to think about. I just wish someone would at least contact me with a custom order, though. Before I go changing where I sell things. I did choose the prices I sell at with the idea of making just a bit more than the bare minimum to get my money back. I'll probably be changing up my prices this weekend, and maybe that will help. I will only add more inventory when I've made a sale or two, though.
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 5:36 pm
Invisible Nightengale That makes for something to think about. I just wish someone would at least contact me with a custom order, though. Before I go changing where I sell things. I did choose the prices I sell at with the idea of making just a bit more than the bare minimum to get my money back. I'll probably be changing up my prices this weekend, and maybe that will help. I will only add more inventory when I've made a sale or two, though. Just a thought - I'm not exacly sure how stores in etsy work, but you might be able to mention you do custom orders, or perhaps even promote it as if the items in your store were one-of-a-kind 'display' or 'example' pieces to show the styles / types of jewelry they can order from you? You could also mention that you are willing to part with some of your 'display' pieces at a discount (the ones you lower the price on, anyway...).
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 8:29 am
Emm-Kaye Invisible Nightengale That makes for something to think about. I just wish someone would at least contact me with a custom order, though. Before I go changing where I sell things. I did choose the prices I sell at with the idea of making just a bit more than the bare minimum to get my money back. I'll probably be changing up my prices this weekend, and maybe that will help. I will only add more inventory when I've made a sale or two, though. Just a thought - I'm not exacly sure how stores in etsy work, but you might be able to mention you do custom orders, or perhaps even promote it as if the items in your store were one-of-a-kind 'display' or 'example' pieces to show the styles / types of jewelry they can order from you? You could also mention that you are willing to part with some of your 'display' pieces at a discount (the ones you lower the price on, anyway...). I do let people know I do custom orders. I make a note of it in every item description, and in my store policies. It's also in the two threads I put here on gaia, on the blog I created on blogspot last week, and I'm pretty sure it's on any post I created on facebook on the subject of my store. I'm not sure how to go about marketing my current items as examples, but the general idea is solid. I'm thinking maybe I should market the marked-down prices as a grand opening sale.
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 3:59 pm
Invisible Nightengale Emm-Kaye Invisible Nightengale That makes for something to think about. I just wish someone would at least contact me with a custom order, though. Before I go changing where I sell things. I did choose the prices I sell at with the idea of making just a bit more than the bare minimum to get my money back. I'll probably be changing up my prices this weekend, and maybe that will help. I will only add more inventory when I've made a sale or two, though. Just a thought - I'm not exacly sure how stores in etsy work, but you might be able to mention you do custom orders, or perhaps even promote it as if the items in your store were one-of-a-kind 'display' or 'example' pieces to show the styles / types of jewelry they can order from you? You could also mention that you are willing to part with some of your 'display' pieces at a discount (the ones you lower the price on, anyway...). I do let people know I do custom orders. I make a note of it in every item description, and in my store policies. It's also in the two threads I put here on gaia, on the blog I created on blogspot last week, and I'm pretty sure it's on any post I created on facebook on the subject of my store. I'm not sure how to go about marketing my current items as examples, but the general idea is solid. I'm thinking maybe I should market the marked-down prices as a grand opening sale. That could work. I know for myself, there are shops I frequent on etsy that I originally purchased from because they were having a sale, and liked the product so much that I'm a regular now, whether or not they're having a sale. smile I am with Emm-Kaye on pricing though; crafting isn't always easy, and it's rarely cheap, so I feel you should make something decent for your time and effort and supplies used. but a sale might entice people to come in and buy, and if they like what they get enough, there's a potential regular willing to recommend your shop to friends right there.
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 5:55 pm
Invisible Nightengale I do let people know I do custom orders. I make a note of it in every item description, and in my store policies. It's also in the two threads I put here on gaia, on the blog I created on blogspot last week, and I'm pretty sure it's on any post I created on facebook on the subject of my store. I'm not sure how to go about marketing my current items as examples, but the general idea is solid. I'm thinking maybe I should market the marked-down prices as a grand opening sale. entervixen That could work. I know for myself, there are shops I frequent on etsy that I originally purchased from because they were having a sale, and liked the product so much that I'm a regular now, whether or not they're having a sale. smile I am with Emm-Kaye on pricing though; crafting isn't always easy, and it's rarely cheap, so I feel you should make something decent for your time and effort and supplies used. but a sale might entice people to come in and buy, and if they like what they get enough, there's a potential regular willing to recommend your shop to friends right there. A Grand Opening sale sounds like a good idea - especially if you give a date for the sale to end. Or, you could have a Grand Opening Week / Month (whatever time frame you are comfortable with), where you offer a daily sale...something along the lines of 'Watch for the Daily Sale item' or 'Check for Today's Special Sale item'. Or, without discounting pricing: 'Today's Special Sale: buy one item at full price, get a second item of equal or lesser value for x% off (or $x off)' or 'Today's Special: free shipping with your order of $x or higher' ... something like that? Don't discount so much you don't make enough to cover your costs. (Sorry, this actually sounded better in my head when the thought popped in - writing it down makes it sound like it would probably be a lot of work for you, but it might spark some return and/or word-of-mouth/referral business.)
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 9:09 am
Emm-Kaye Invisible Nightengale I do let people know I do custom orders. I make a note of it in every item description, and in my store policies. It's also in the two threads I put here on gaia, on the blog I created on blogspot last week, and I'm pretty sure it's on any post I created on facebook on the subject of my store. I'm not sure how to go about marketing my current items as examples, but the general idea is solid. I'm thinking maybe I should market the marked-down prices as a grand opening sale. entervixen That could work. I know for myself, there are shops I frequent on etsy that I originally purchased from because they were having a sale, and liked the product so much that I'm a regular now, whether or not they're having a sale. smile I am with Emm-Kaye on pricing though; crafting isn't always easy, and it's rarely cheap, so I feel you should make something decent for your time and effort and supplies used. but a sale might entice people to come in and buy, and if they like what they get enough, there's a potential regular willing to recommend your shop to friends right there. A Grand Opening sale sounds like a good idea - especially if you give a date for the sale to end. Or, you could have a Grand Opening Week / Month (whatever time frame you are comfortable with), where you offer a daily sale...something along the lines of 'Watch for the Daily Sale item' or 'Check for Today's Special Sale item'. Or, without discounting pricing: 'Today's Special Sale: buy one item at full price, get a second item of equal or lesser value for x% off (or $x off)' or 'Today's Special: free shipping with your order of $x or higher' ... something like that? Don't discount so much you don't make enough to cover your costs. (Sorry, this actually sounded better in my head when the thought popped in - writing it down makes it sound like it would probably be a lot of work for you, but it might spark some return and/or word-of-mouth/referral business.) No, I like it. Maybe when I get these sold, my next batch could work under similar sales ideas. You have been very helpful, by the way. Thank you.
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 9:11 am
entervixen Invisible Nightengale Emm-Kaye Invisible Nightengale That makes for something to think about. I just wish someone would at least contact me with a custom order, though. Before I go changing where I sell things. I did choose the prices I sell at with the idea of making just a bit more than the bare minimum to get my money back. I'll probably be changing up my prices this weekend, and maybe that will help. I will only add more inventory when I've made a sale or two, though. Just a thought - I'm not exacly sure how stores in etsy work, but you might be able to mention you do custom orders, or perhaps even promote it as if the items in your store were one-of-a-kind 'display' or 'example' pieces to show the styles / types of jewelry they can order from you? You could also mention that you are willing to part with some of your 'display' pieces at a discount (the ones you lower the price on, anyway...). I ended up knocking down the prices on all my items. Some are almost half off, but most I just trimmed by $5, so that I can still make my money back before all the items are sold. I do let people know I do custom orders. I make a note of it in every item description, and in my store policies. It's also in the two threads I put here on gaia, on the blog I created on blogspot last week, and I'm pretty sure it's on any post I created on facebook on the subject of my store. I'm not sure how to go about marketing my current items as examples, but the general idea is solid. I'm thinking maybe I should market the marked-down prices as a grand opening sale. That could work. I know for myself, there are shops I frequent on etsy that I originally purchased from because they were having a sale, and liked the product so much that I'm a regular now, whether or not they're having a sale. smile I am with Emm-Kaye on pricing though; crafting isn't always easy, and it's rarely cheap, so I feel you should make something decent for your time and effort and supplies used. but a sale might entice people to come in and buy, and if they like what they get enough, there's a potential regular willing to recommend your shop to friends right there.
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 10:15 am
Invisible Nightengale No, I like it. Maybe when I get these sold, my next batch could work under similar sales ideas. You have been very helpful, by the way. Thank you. You are very welcome! I know what it's like to try to make enough to cover my own crafting addiction (which it truly is, for me). When I do sell things, I make enough to go buy more supplies, until I find something new to try, that is! wink
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 10:43 am
Emm-Kaye Invisible Nightengale No, I like it. Maybe when I get these sold, my next batch could work under similar sales ideas. You have been very helpful, by the way. Thank you. You are very welcome! I know what it's like to try to make enough to cover my own crafting addiction (which it truly is, for me). When I do sell things, I make enough to go buy more supplies, until I find something new to try, that is! wink That would be me, if I weren't trying to earn money this way for student loans. Luckily, I have quite a few scraps, my family will sometimes get me beads and things for presents, and Pandahall will sell quite a few things in a single lot.
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