Starving Artist by vanDara
I’ve been selling my art and jewelry on Etsy for over four years now and it has been an amazing learning experience. I started as a hobby, making things I wanted myself and couldn’t find anywhere. Over the years, I’ve gained enough regular income to quit my 9 to 5 job and focus solely on my shop. It hasn’t always been easy, but I consider myself successful in the handmade marketplace.
I’m part of a few teams on Etsy (with Mom’s Basement being one I visit frequently, of course) and I’ve noticed that at least a couple times a month on these teams, people ask, “What’s wrong with my shop? I have low sales and really want to make this my full time job.” With so many people asking this question, I thought I would compile a list of helpful advice that has worked for successful artists and crafters, as well as advice from the Etsy blogs and things I have learned from my own experiences. Even if you don’t plan on selling your art full time, these tips can help showcase and promote your work more effectively.
First of all, and possibly the most important in the beginning, is be patient!
It can take years to establish yourself in a certain venue or on a certain site, just like it would if you were starting a brick and mortar business. Luckily, information moves fast on the internet and it’s possible to speed up your popularity. But selling on a site for only a few months with low sales is completely normal and doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with your art.
Take LolitaAGogo for instance. Amazing artwork, (including the Adventure Time painting below), but very few sales yet. A little more time and I’m sure she’ll be selling like crazy.
Original Watercolor Painting ‘Off the Hook’ by LolitaAGogo
Jose from MisNopalesArt says to “take the plunge and go for it. When I first discovered Etsy and started listing items in my shop, it took several months to finally start picking up sales. At first I was a bit discouraged but I stuck with it and it paid off.”
He also says, “I think it’s important to have a variety of items available and to keep adding new items whenever possible. The more items you put out there, the more likely someone will eventually like one of them and purchase it.” Which I agree with whole-heartedly and expand upon below.
Storm Trooper Calavera Die Cut Vinyl Sticker by MisNopalesArt
