How to Be Successful on Etsy

Being a success on Etsy takes savvy, dedication and quality products.

Through the online marketplace Etsy individuals buy and sell homemade and vintage items. While some Etsy sellers have quit their day jobs to make a living with Etsy sales, this method of earning a living can be more than a full-time job, Alex Williams reported in "The New York Times" in 2009. Some sellers claim to earn six-figure incomes, she says. Etsy provides beginners with tips on successful selling through the site.

Instructions

1. Brainstorm a creative, memorable name that relates to the products you want to sell in your Etsy shop. Avoid generic phrases: To optimize sales, potential customers must be able to find your shop easily.

2. 

   Your site banner tells a customer what to expect as she enters the shop.

   Create a professional-looking shop banner that lets the customers know what they can expect to find at your shop. Pique their interest and make them want to scroll down and look at your products. Make the banner yourself if you are comfortable with your graphic design skills, or hire an artist to make a custom design for you.

3. 

   Take clear, striking photos of the merchandise.

   Take clear item photos that show the true colors of your products. Try different angles against different backgrounds; crop photos in interesting places to create movement; take close-ups of small items to show details; and use all of the available photo slots on your shop page.

4. Write detailed product descriptions. Mention special aspects that set your products apart from the rest.

5. Set a renew-listing budget to help you keep track of your spending. Renew your listings or add new merchandise to your shop at least twice a day to keep your items on the first few pages of your category's search results.

6. Participate in the forums to get your shop noticed. Chat with buyers and sellers in the online community because they are your potential fans and customers.

Tips & Warnings

• Customers can't see or try on items before they buy, so think of what they may want to know about your products when writing descriptions.

• To make your products more searchable, use all of the tag slots available to you.

References

• Etsy: Etsy Success for Beginner Sellers; Michelle Spaulding; October 2009
• "The New York Times"; That Hobby Looks Like a Lot of Work; Alex Williams; December 2009