I began selling on Etsy in January 2017. It was my resolution to myself and I was off to a really bad start. My first bags were ugly. Like really ugly. In hindsight, I think my friends took pity on me and bought stuff “just to support.”
But I kept going. I kept sewing. I kept looking at my shop with a critical eye. I did my research and analyzed what sold, what didn’t sell and guess what? I’m still critically analyzing, still tracking because I’m not at my best -but I’m better than yesterday.
During my first few months, I had to take a step back and really analyze what I wanted to create and why I wanted to create it. And that’s when it hit me that there is a difference between knowing how to sew, and getting people to buy your stuff.
I like to give my unsolicited advice to my friends who want to start new projects, blogs, podcasts etc. And I always ask them, “What would make someone who doesn’t know you want to support you?” And I can always tell that it’s a “lightbulb moment” because my friends always give me a puzzled look and pause for a second. It’s the same question that I had to ask myself, and something I ask myself every time I create something new.
So, if you’re interested in being an Etsy seller…or just being an entrepreneur, then follow me. Just kidding. I don’t have all the answers. I’ve struggle with sales -but I’ve made sales. I’ve struggled with self doubt, wanting to quit, wanting to give up. But I didn’t and I won’t. There’s no magic formula or algorithm that I have to offer on this site. All I have to offer is my creativity, wisdom, my willingness to share and my empathy for those that are in my shoes. It gets hard, but you know what?
If I have to work this hard -then I’d rather work for myself.
To learn more about my Etsy shop, visit my site here.
RAVEN MAUREEN 