Unless youre a crafter or vintage item dealer, youve probably never considered selling onEtsy.
Traditionally, items sold on Etsy have to be either handmade or vintage.
But if you sell tools or supplies to make things, neither of those requirements apply.
Heres what Ive learned, so you could do the same.
Find Your Niche
This is key to masteringhow to sell on Etsy.
Cross-stitch is a hobby of mine, but selling completed cross-stitch projects isnt a moneymaker.
Our team has compiled alist of creative waysyou can fatten your bank account this week.
This is a long list, so dont get overwhelmed.
Well keep it updated as offers changes or expire.
I regularly shop at localthrift stores, purchasing kits and patterns for a few bucks each.
I opened my shop in August and had earned more than $600 by the end of December.
Needlecraft kits and patterns are rarely expensive at thrift shops.
In fact, I seem to have little (if any) competition for them.
Most of the kits I find are from the 1970s or 80s and still sealed in the original packaging.
Needlecraft is enjoying a renaissance right now.
Not a bad markup for something I typically buy for less than a dollar!
Buy Cheap
Needlecraft patterns and kits already are inexpensive at thrift stores.
But to make the biggest profit, Im a bargain shopper even when Im thrifting.
I know which stores near me have half-off days.
I also sign up for their email lists or follow them on Facebook to regularly receive 20% coupons.
Get to know your local stores so youll know how to get the best deal.
Etsy listings allow you to add up to five photos per listing.
Use them all and take the best, well-lit photos you’re free to.
Etsy has several articles abouttaking killer photosin its seller handbook.
Before you take the photo, spend a few minutes cleaning up the item.
Remove sticker residue and any dust.
Use Photoshop to brighten the photos a bit.
Be honest about the condition of the item, but present it in the best light possible.
Buyers want to know the stitch count, size of the finished project and the materials required.
If theres an interesting story behind the design, share that, too!
Use Effective Keywords
Etsy gives you space for thirteen keywords.
Dont just use generic keywords like cross-stitch or needlecraft.
An Etsy search for the term cross-stitch reveals nearly 160,000 products.
Think of a term someone would use to find your specific product.
If youre selling a vintage car needlework kit, use vintage car cross-stitch.
A search for that term leads to fewer than 100 products for the buyer to explore.
Thats much more manageable.
I definitely see a spike in Etsy shop views when I post photos of the kits Im listing.
I also pin new listings to Pinterest and share them on Twitter.
How Much Can You Make If You Sell on Etsy?
Janet Berry-Johnson is a Certified Public Accountant and a freelance writer.
Her work has appeared on Scottsdale Moms Blog, Forbes and BonBon Break.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
