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Getting Started on Etsy

KimberlyDawnWells by KimberlyDawnWells

Think I can sell my cards on Etsy?

In the summer of 2010 a friend told me she was going to participate in a craft show. I offered to add some handmade cards to her selections as filler so she'd have a full booth. That didn't work out with the rules of the particular show, but it made me wonder if I could successfully sell my cards on Etsy.

This is a brief record of how I got started on Etsy. Maybe it will work! Maybe not. Who knows? Hopefully, if you're thinking about getting started on Etsy, it will help you.

Good luck!

Keep in mind...

Your experience may vary if Etsy changes their policies, if you're selling something much different from myself, etc.

What you need to know first

The first thing you should always do is READ the rules and directions for joining a company. Be clear about what their expectations are of you, and what you should expect from them. This will help you avoid minor disappointment or a major disaster (account termination) later.
Get started by joining Etsy
In order to sell, you'll need an account. If you're not yet an Etsy member, OR your username is not what you'd prefer your shop name to be, you'll need to start a new account here. Before picking a user name, read the next link.
Selecting a shop name.
From Etsy's article, "Many folks, when they first register for Etsy, don't realize that their usernames will also be their shop names. Some folks start off as buyers and then decide to list an item or two and then - before they know it - they're stuck with generic, silly or otherwise weirdo shop names. Here's the rub: Etsy's Customer Support cannot switch your username for you."

If you're serious about selling, you need a shop name that works. Read this article before making your decision.
The Do's and Don'ts of Etsy
This is important! Read these and understand them. They'll explain issues like holding multiple accounts, what you can and cannot sell on Etsy, how financial transactions and conversations work between you and your buyers, and how to set up your shop.
How Fees Work
More details about how Etsy gets paid. Right away I notice that while I'd much rather receive a commission check like Cafepress (they take out the fees and then send me the rest), it's obviously much more affordable and fair than eBay. I'm excited about getting started!
Etsy Selling FAQ
This directory of Q&As will help sellers find answers to common questions and make good choices about how they run their online business. Remember, this IS a business. If you run your business wisely, you'll be around for the long haul to keep having fun.

Below are a few more quick-links to helpful pages on the Selling FAQ:
How to Create a Listing
The five steps to creating a listing for a product for sale.
Photo Help
Q&A about using photos and images for your products.
Payment FAQ
How to choose preferred methods of payment and handle disputes.
Shop Promotion
Tips and techniques for getting the word out about your store.
Shipping FAQ
Need to know info about shipping your completed orders.

I'm all set!

My shop will be at DeviaDesigns.Etsy.com

Are you on Etsy?

Whether you're a buyer or seller or browser or all of the above, tell me:

How do you like Etsy?

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I'm a buyer and/or seller.

I don't use Etsy

 

What will I be selling?

A sympathy card for the loss of a petThere are a few things I love to create, and greeting cards is one of them. I love scrapbooking. It gets me off the computer and gives me something fun and tangible to play with. But I don't have a lot of photos, and I don't do a lot of big, ongoing projects. Mini-scrapbooks and greeting cards are perfect.

After doing some research on Etsy I've decided to do something slightly different. There are plenty of single cards, birthday cards, generic cards. I plan on crafting cards that are harder to find, and in sets. Cards for stepmoms, stepdads, and other relationships the card industry has forgotten, cards for the death of a pet, or support of a cancer diagnosis, or matching sets for an engagement, shower, and wedding.

You always want to be a little different. How can you make your products stand out?

A special graduation card 

How is it going?

Devia Designs started on July 5, 2010. Check back to see how things are going and what else I've learned about making my work on Etsy a success!

Thanks for reading!

I hope this was helpful and answered some questions you may have about getting started. Feel free to leave your own tips about using Etsy for fun and profit.

  • annmackiemiller Jul 6, 2010 @ 5:20 am | delete
    good info here, I hadn't heard of it before. good luck with the sales. the next lens you write can be how you earned millions on Etsy ;-)
  • heidishome Jul 5, 2010 @ 9:59 pm | delete
    Cute! Happy selling!
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KimberlyDawnWells

I'm a veteran Cafepress shopkeeper and recently started over at Etsy. It gives me another place to showcase my fun projects. Join me in my journey to... more »

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