$ Ka- Ching! You can be an Etsy pro—and make $$$!
Whether you like to craft necklaces, knit baby blankets or even shop at vintage stores, you can turn that hobby into a moneymaker with Etsy! And it’s never been easier to be an online business success, thanks to these insider tips:
✔ GET SELLING!
“The amazing thing about Etsy.com is you can sell anything that you can create,” says Erin Pelicano, who started Erin Pelicano Jewelry (Erinpelicano.etsy.com) in 2011 and now uses it for full-time income. “Personally, I’ve purchased party supplies, wedding favors, fairy collectables and knitting patterns.” In addition to handcrafted goods, you can also sell vintage items. And it’s easy to open shop: Simply go to Etsy.com and click on “Sell on Etsy” to get started. The site guides you through easy-to-follow prompts to set everything up!
✔ PUT YOUR WARES ON DISPLAY!
“I suggest filling the front page of your shop, which means selling at least 24 items,” Pelicano says. “The more items you include, the greater the chance your shop will come up when people search on the site.” This is also why it’s key to fill out the “Tags” box for all your goods—these are the words that are picked up when someone searches the site. When choosing terms, think of all the variations someone might search with.
✔ BE A STANDOUT SHOP!
One of the best ways to attract buyers? “Name your store so that it incorporates what it does in the title,” says Mike Catania of PromotionCode, which helps Etsy stores promote themselves. “If you resell vintage toys, a shop name like Vintagetoys Fromsara will help attract search engine traffic more than Stufffromsara.” Good product photos are also key: “Use the same or similar backgrounds and displays for your products when you photograph them to give your shop a cohesive look,” Pelicano says. “It makes your shop look more professional and appealing—and makes your products stand out!”
✔ DRAW IN POSITIVE REVIEWS!
“I can’t overstate the value of a five-star rating,” Catania says. “Consumers are increasingly conditioned to think ‘five-star or nothing,’ and that includes stores on Etsy.” You can easily earn them by being communicative—for instance, respond promptly to messages. Another way to boost ratings? Include a handwritten message thanking buyers when you ship their item—the personal touch makes them more inclined to give you a glowing review!