Confess ONE lesson learned & spare a newbie :)

This etsy forum thread currently has 195 pages of answers...this is impossible for the reader to wade through so...I am presenting an edited version with the "best of" comments and some comments of my own...

Original Post

seattlebeadcreations says

I'm still a newbie, but I've learned from my mistakes on Etsy & never plan to repeat them. I have many new bad ideas to try. BUT let's each list ONE BAD IDEA that might spare some other newbies. Then explain WHY it's a dumb move. I don't mean Etsy Rule Violations -- Read my big dumb move & you'll see what I mean:

LESSON: DON'T post your products on Etsy at one time! ....

WHY: Shortly after you add an item to your store, ETSY shows pics of it on its home page for the top 2 (3?) 'tags' on that item. Example: Etsy will show my new listing for a bracelet in both its 'Jewelry' and 'Bracelet' home pages. This is a few minutes of priceless publicity that brings looks into your store, if a buyer clicks on those pics!

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catiesblue says

I guess my lesson (and I'm still learning it, btw) is not to under price yourself. If it wasn't for me finally asking for help, and for a very kind seller pointing out specific examples from my store, I wouldn't have known. ....

how to price http://decoratingyourself.blogspot.com/2011/02/price-hitting-sweet-spot.html

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TattooAnnie says

I had problems with shipping prices, too...I charged a buyer $3 to ship an item, the actual shipping ended up being almost $8!!! After shipping and fees, I barely broke even...but I learned my lesson!

how to ship http://decoratingyourself.blogspot.com/2011/02/shipping-choices-are-part-of-your.html

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squrlgurl says

don't expect things to just "happen" on Etsy. You have to work hard to make sales... promote your work! Let people know you are here! You have to be a little shameless in these efforts

newbie advice http://decoratingyourself.blogspot.com/2011/04/best-advice-for-total-newbie-etsy.html

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patereeves says

I would have to say don't ask too many times to be critiqued, LOL I fell into that one and I think ended up with some people thinking I was begging for them to buy from me. Promoting is one thing, begging for a sale acts as a big negative!

ask the Sassy Team for a critique they are pros...   http://www.etsy.com/teams/search/sassy

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SusyJack says

oh! I thought of something else. It is 100% worth it to learn how to use your digital camera to take great pictures. The reason for this is 2fold.

Firstly, it looks better to buyers (duh)
But second...many people who write blogs LOVE to put beautiful images in their blogs. If your pictures look good, then people will probably be more likely to feature your items in their blogs

great camera for $15, light cube free, photo editing free...

http://decoratingyourself.blogspot.com/2011/02/tools-of-trade-right-camera.html

http://decoratingyourself.blogspot.com/2011/02/after-right-camerayou-need-right.html

http://decoratingyourself.blogspot.com/2011/02/final-touch-photo-editing.html

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paolodesigns says

Proof read everything. :)

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thirteenthstory says

Put dimensions in your descriptions.
description check list... http://decoratingyourself.blogspot.com/2011/04/product-description-that-answers-buyers.html

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beadsnall says

Create, beg, borrow or steal (OK, don't steal) a spreadsheet to keep track of your costs/profits - and keep it up to date. I now have a huge bag of receipts that I need to enter and I just can't bring myself to sit down and do it. Once it's done, I will (I promise) keep it current

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scrapbookingmama says

Do not go on defense when your customer ask why they have not received their package..........
As sellers it is our job to help our customers not make them feel like they wish they had not spent their money with us.
If you know you sent it, explain to them nicely that it was sent on such date and you have no control after it is out of your hands.
Ignoring your customer do not help.
I say this because I have felt this way before and donot want my customers feel the way I did.

great customer service advice... http://decoratingyourself.blogspot.com/2011/04/3000-sales-and-three-strange-ways-of.html

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HeyMichelle says

Great thread, everyone!

My tip is to not be afraid to jump in and start doing it! I sorta psyched myself out before starting my shop (not this account), and I was surprised at how fun (and addictive!) it is. Oh, yeah! And stay positive- take things at your own pace, join the community, and enjoy the process of learning...

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Reyney says

Don't stare at the computer all day long. It will give you a headache.

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JewelsbyJenny says

One thing I noticed while I was reading this thread is that catchy avatars make me want to click on them and check out the store.

How to make avatars....http://decoratingyourself.blogspot.com/2011/03/conquering-phototext-editing-to-make.html

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rheta says

Good tags are critical.

Great SEO advice ....   http://decoratingyourself.blogspot.com/2011/04/src-httpplayer.html

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CreativeSundries says

Join your local street team! You can meet fun people who share your interests. There are also specific craft-based street teams.

How to pick a great team.. http://decoratingyourself.blogspot.com/2011/03/are-you-joiner-why-join-etsy-team-how.html

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feralspassage says

Don't listen to everybody in the forums, I kept changing everything to fit what others said was wrong, only to be stressing myself out. Didn't make much of a difference, now i do as what i think my shop needs. Every shop is different.

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BusterBooKids says

Well, the $7 you spend on a showcase spot might get you some nice numbers of views, but when you calculate the actual return on that spend, versus the 35 renews that you could do for the same amount of money, it just doesn't stack up. I did some showcases, and made 1 sale each time I did it. The profit margin was almost nil on those sales, after taking out the $7 showcase cost.

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artpassionsdesign says

Buy delivery confirmation. It's the best use of 19¢. When a buyer says they didn't get their package, you can track it...

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JazzCatGems says

Get started on Google Analytics right away...

Here's how...  http://decoratingyourself.blogspot.com/2011/03/etsy-shop-sales-stats-daily-views.html

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fallingforpieces says

I agree with the blog giveaways, thing, if you're going to do it, choose carefully. I did one that was basically $30 down the drain. On the other hand local giveaways (to charity events) have really paid off for me in off etsy sales
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ChellysShoppe says

Write up your policy, etc...BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE! That's really, really important for buyers to know you're serious and know the terms.

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RockArtiste says

Don't let your shop sit idle. List something new as often as possible to stay at the top of the viewing order. Relist if you don't have anything new. Just keep popping up and you will be seen, eventually

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Crystalsidyll says

Don't expect instant feedback for every sale.

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ponypretties says

If you don't like your shop name, change it sooner than later! I signed up on etsy as a buyer first and my username wasn't a very memorable shop name. I kept it as my store name for 3 months before finally opening up a new shop. I would have saved myself a lot of time and effort (and useless business cards) if I had just done it sooner!

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particlesofstone says

I think my biggest blunder was not coming to the forums before I opened my shop! I could have learned a lot and avoided the mistakes....

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Brightstar109 says

I mis-typed my paypal address, I didn't notice for ages because I was selling with no problems in my supplies shop, but when I sold some jewellery the payment didn't go through.

I, too, have done this.

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KathyPanton says

well when i started a whole 2 months ago i bought a whole lot of RECYCLED post paks. They are a recycled version of a padded bag. God knows why, i was just sending paper prints.

Anyway.... the recycled post paks turned out to pretty much DOUBLE my postage costs ( i just shouldered the cost) because the recycling material , being old newspaper or whatever it was that was inside it , weighed double that of the ordinary postpaks. Its unfortunate, because i would have liked to continue using recycled ones.

I also have made this mistake.

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momomatic says

I misplaced an item! I now put anything that I've taken a picture of for listing in a sealed tupperware bin so the two little kids in my house can't walk off with it.

This happened to me and spurred a total reorganization of my workspace.

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deliverusbeads says

Don't get down on yourself, STAY POSITIVE!

Visit the get inspired page on this blog to regenerate your attitude.