Category: life over 50

How to Make Etsy Work for You

Etsy is becoming one of the most-used platforms when it comes to handmade and digital products.

Has another week really gone by already? I could have sworn I just wrote my last post a couple of days ago. I guess what they say is true: the older you get the faster time passes.

Etsy is becoming one of the most-used platforms when it comes to handmade and digital products. More and more people are turning to the Etsy search bar to find the gifts they want and the products they want. If you are considering a shop or just getting started, this post has some advice on how to make Etsy work for you.

Disclaimer: Links within this post are either to my own products, or products I endorse. I may receive a small commission should you make a purchase through an affiliate link, at no extra cost to you. My blog is supported through commissions and sales of my products. Plus, if you like what you read you can show your support by pinning this post, sharing on social media, or buy me a coffee.  Thank you for your continued support.

In my last post I talked about cutting out my Etsy Shops, but after some careful consideration I have decided to keep at least one going. It’s an easy platform to list my digital products and it doesn’t require daily maintenance. However, more regular updates are beneficial from what I understand, as Etsy rewards shop owners that are more active. Not monetary rewards, but in how often the shops show up in searches. (I do suppose if there’s a sale generated then that does become a monetary reward.)

I have been practicing my copywriting skills in my product descriptions as well, which has attracted a bit more attention. I don’t make a sale every time someone clicks on my shop but my conversion rates vary from less than 1% to 10%, depending on the product. Some months are better than others but I believe that’s the case for most businesses, whether they’re on or offline.

Product Analytics

Something I have started using to see which products are popular on Etsy is Everbee. It has helped me ditch several ideas which I thought were great, but the demand (or even interest in some cases) just wasn’t there. It has essentially saved me from spending time and money on a listing that isn’t going to get any visibility because there’s no one searching for it.

This is a fraction of the listings shown for the search term “bookmark”. See the numbers and the potential?

The search pictured above is showing mostly physical bookmarks, which is probably as good or better than digital downloads. Bookmarks are light and fit into a regular size envelope, which is also inexpensive to mail. (If shipping physical bookmarks be sure to work the cost of shipping into your price. Shoppers like free shipping.)

Everbee has helped thousands of shop owners earn hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, simply by using the analytics tool to see what’s popular. That said, don’t just create an item because it’s popular. The point is also to enjoy the creation process so it should be something you’re interested in. Believe me when I say it’s more of a chore to create something you don’t like.

Templates

I added a set of bookmarks to my shop today, as well as a Canva template so other shop owners can create their own bookmarks or product inserts for physical products. The demand for bookmarks is still high even with a lot of people reading ebooks. (I don’t know about you, but I still enjoy reading a hardcopy book. They’re easier on the eyes and there aren’t any batteries to need charging.)

With the increase of digital products being created many are turning to templates to make that creation faster. I have purchased templates in the past for planners and journals with commercial rights, and have had some small successes with certain ones. Now that I have created my own on Canva I foresee myself adding more templates to my shop to help others create their own products.

The templates are not restricted to digital products though either. It’s relatively simple to use a template, print out the product you created, and sell it as a tangible item. There is always someone out there that would like to get a physical product as opposed to a digital one. besides, physical products are much nicer for gift-giving.

One thing to keep in mind when using a template is whether or not you can sell the finished product you create from it. Some shop owners will allow the sale of the items created, while others specify it’s for personal use only. No matter the end-use of the product created, the templates are generally not allowed to be sold by others. This can cause hiccups so be sure you’re clear on the end-use policies.

My sales for 2023. They’re not spectacular but they have increased since I started using Everbee.

As the picture above shows, my sales haven’t been spectacular this year. But, they are better than last year. My total sales for this shop were $86.oo in 2022, and I have already surpassed that and there are still 4 months to go in 2023. I think with the addition of templates my numbers will continue to rise.

Advertising

If you can afford it, I also recommend advertising your products on Etsy. The daily budget is from $1.00 – $25.00. I suggest starting at $1.00/day for no more than 3 or 4 listings. I just increased my daily budget to $1.50 for 5 listings, so will see how that works out for me. You can choose to spend your daily budget on one listing or several, but I have found the sweet spot to be around 3. It may not immediately translate into sales, but it could translate into a new shop follower. That in itself can lead to sales when you list new products.

Wrapping It Up

There are entire courses and ebooks on how to make Etsy work for you, but this post is based on my experience with the platform. As I said in the beginning, I was contemplating cutting my shops but have decided to utilize the resources I have instead. I’ll be able to either write my own case study by year-end or throw in the towel. Either way, spending time using Everbee, Canva, and Etsy ads will help me create the products I enjoy. And most of all, I’ll be able to do a follow-up in Q1 of 2024 and let you know what worked (or didn’t) for me.

Have you spent much time on Etsy as a shopper, or do you have a shop of your own? Let me know in the comments below.

Too Many Eggs, and Way Too Many Baskets

The older I get the more I want to simplify my life. Yet here I am, with 501 things going on. I swear I’ve been busier this spring and summer than I was when I worked almost full time.

Disclaimer: Links within this post are either to my own products, or products I endorse. I may receive a small commission should you make a purchase through an affiliate link, at no extra cost to you. My blog is supported through commissions and sales of my products. Plus, if you like what you read you can show your support by pinning this post, sharing on social media, or buy me a coffee.  Thank you for your continued support.

Where I’ve Been

My new home has taken a lot of my time. I have had trees cut down and have been trying to cut up the huge logs into fireplace-sized ones. With the help of my boyfriend, we’ve gotten through some of the pile.

There has also been the building of trellises, raised beds, purchase of a greenhouse, rototilling a part of the lawn for fruit trees, and the mowing of the lawn itself (which seems to need doing every few days).

But in all honesty, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love the space I’m creating. By the end of next summer, I should have everything the way I want it.

But that’s not what this post is about.

It’s about spreading oneself too thin, and not prioritizing the important things. Well, in a sense that’s not true because my family comes first. When I am asked by my daughter to look after her dogs or my granddaughter, I am there.

I have, however, been quite lax as far as my writing goes. Sometimes there just don’t seem to be enough hours in the day. Do you ever feel that way?

Reflection

As I reflect on the first 6 months of this year (wait, make that 7), I have realized I have too many things going on in terms of websites, shops, and unfinished novels. Today I invested in myself to change that.

Instead of having my digital products scattered between Etsy, Gumroad, Ravelry, etc, I will be moving the majority of them to my products page on this site. I have often said all our eggs shouldn’t be in one basket, but sometimes we have too many (baskets that is). I’m ditching some of my baskets.

Where I Need to Be

Writing and product creation are where I want to spend my work time, not trying to update products on a dozen different platforms.

I didn’t realize just how many things I have on the go until I started a blog planner last week. As I made my notes of what I had to do I came to the conclusion my baskets are everywhere. Having 2 – 4 is okay; anything more than that and it’s chaos.

I used to have a planner with everything written down so I knew exactly what I had going on. After Ross passed away that kind of went to the wayside. I am definitely more productive and organized when I have my planner set up and open.

If you’re more of a long-term planning type of person, check out my Quarterly Planner. The Zip file includes Q3 and Q4 of 2023, and Q1-Q4 of 2024, in plain and a lavender print backgound. Plus, the PDF files can be used in GoodNotes for those of you who prefer digital planning.

More planners and planner pages will be added as I put more eggs in this basket, and they’ll be easily accessible.

Wrapping It Up

I know I rambled a bit (or maybe a lot), but my point is this: don’t be afraid to take a step back and re-evaluate what you have going on. If you feel as if you’re stretched too thin, then you probably are. Look deep within and see where changes need to be made, and use a habit tracker to gradually make those changes.

Do what works for you because you have to be happy, no matter what you do.

Growth Never Stops, No Matter How Old You Are.

Hi! I know, I know…it’s been weeks since I’ve written anything. I haven’t forgotten about you wonderful readers; I just didn’t know where I was going so wanted to figure that out first.

And when I say going, I don’t mean moving. I’m quite content with my house and now that spring is here, I see I have a mountain of yardwork to do. And all of our snow hasn’t melted yet.

Don’t feel bad though, because all of my blogs and websites suffered the same fate. I was equally slacking on all fronts when it came to posting.

Sometimes we just need that away time to get our head out of our ass and really figure out what to do with life. I guess we never do get it figured out completely because there’s always a little hiccup here and there. It’s those hiccups that make us think though; at least for me it is.

Winter tends to take its toll on me some years, and this one has been no different. I always have big plans of having walking trails, going outside more, and not letting the dreary days get to me. And then the wind blows, the snow drifts cover my trails, and I decide staying inside is so much better. And yes, I have become quite accustomed to staying inside when it’s minus 40 out.

My boyfriend and I did get away for a couple of days in early March. We stayed at West Edmonton Mall, and took in some shopping, some waterpark time, and a round of mini golf. There is so much to see and do there, a couple of days just isn’t quite enough time.

It was that trip that sparked a whole new hobby for me; one that I’m going to be gradually turning into a side hustle. We were walking by a framing shop when a painting caught my eye, and well, let’s just say I was hooked. That painting almost came home with me; but I just couldn’t justify the price tag on it. I recently spent less than that on a 6 piece sectional for my living room.

I can only dream of being as good as the artist that did the painting I want, but it gives me a goal to work toward. And who knows: that painting may work its way into my home yet.

I have purchased books, paints, canvases, easels, brushes, and palettes; watched YouTube videos; and painted some smaller scenic pictures. The 4″ X 4″ canvas was painted black only because I had some black paint left from another painting. It stayed that way for over a week, then one day I decided to add a few grey and white brushstrokes to it. I had considered adding some colourful blossoms, but decided against it. What I’m left with is, if I do say so myself, strikingly simple.

That little painting has become part of my logo for my DLZArtworkandMore Etsy Shop (formerly TOLA50Printables). So yes, I have changed the name of my shop; but that was better than starting another. The printable and digital products will still be available, but I will now also be shipping physical products. I have the resources and equipment to create physical products, so I have decided to branch out a little.

New logo for my revamped Etsy Shop.

My other Etsy Shop, NotJustalpacaDesigns, will be closed on April 30, 2023. If you’re interested in getting any of my crochet patterns, books, or my writing course, now is the time to do it. The entire shop is 60% off until April 30. It has been a wonderful shop, and has given me a good run; but now it’s time to shut it down.

The winter has also had me out on a snowmobile, with our St. Patrick’s Day trip getting cut short not long after it started. My inexperience resulted in a textbook launch over a grader ridge, and apparently a perfect landing. All was good until impact and my face hit the handlebars, resulting in losing my helmet. It was a freak thing, because the helmet nicely positioned itself on the dash as soon as it left my head, and the glasses I was wearing under the goggles cut into my forehead. That in turn resulted in a trip to the ER to get my forehead taped back together.

We are thankful for a helpful neighbour, who drove me back to my boyfriend’s place then took him to retrieve the other snowmobile. It’s amazing how deep the nose piece on a pair of glasses can really cut, even though a person doesn’t really have much for tissue on the forehead. Needless to say, I decided then and there I was done with snowmobiling for the season.

All is well, and the cut has now become a scar that makes me look like I have a permanent scowl (not just when I am scowling…lol). I’m none the worse for wear, didn’t suffer a concussion, and learned that anticipated impact is always harder than one thinks.

On March 25th we celebrated my granddaughter’s first birthday. My daughter made her a smash cake, and that little girl had icing and cake everywhere. It was so much fun to watch her taste the icing for the first time, then eventually pick up the cake. When it came apart she had a piece in each hand, and wasn’t sure which to take a bite of first. It’s the moments like that we need to make time for, because we’ll never get them back.

I know I have rambled a little more than I had planned, but I tend to do that on occasion. Plus you’re now aware of the few little changes that will be taking place over the next while. This blog will stay, and my yoga journey (which went wayside) will resume; but will be a part of this site as soon as I can figure out how to move it all over.

And as much as I wanted to publishing venture to work, I realized my heart just isn’t in it. It might be more of a behind-the-scenes thing when I publish my own books, but the website will be deleted. I found I was spreading myself too thin, and something has to go.

I’ll be modifying past blog posts, adjusting some of the links in the sidebar (or removing them entirely), and creating new products of my Etsy Shop. These little things will take some time to get done, but working toward a simpler system has given me peace of mind. It has also relieved some of the stress I was feeling because I was trying to do it all.

Thanks for sticking with me, and I look forward to getting back on track here. Have a wonderful week, and may your spring bring joy, fresh air, and beautiful gardens.

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