Lots of Learning

The internet has a plethora of information.

I keep finding more and more useful information and it always leads to even more.  My goal for this project was to learn about everything I'd need to know to open up an Etsy shop before I opened one and I have learned so much helpful information and tips but there's still so much more out there.  I've read so many articles on people who continue to learn and improve their shop even years after opening it.  I'll definitely keep learning for as long as I have a shop.

Here is some of the information and advice that I have found:

-If you want to have a successful business you have to treat it like a business and not like a hobby.

-Price your items properly, a cheap price will make your product seem cheap too, it won't make more people buy it.

-Make goals for your business, but remember to be realistic.  Think about and write down long term goals, short term goals and the steps required to complete them.

-Always continue to improve your shop and your items and be open to change if you want your shop to continue to grow.

-Be patient.  You won't start making money overnight, it takes lots of time and effort.

I am so thankful for the internet and everyone who has taken their time to write about what has or hasn't worked for their Etsy shop.  I would have been extremely overwhelmed to open up my own shop if I hadn't read tons of articles and posts on tips and advice from everything from promoting your shop to taking good pictures to running your own business to a bunch of little details I wouldn't have thought of otherwise.  I guess the real test will be when I finally do open my shop though!

They information I posted about today I found on xosarah and the Etsy blog (this post and this post).

April Goals

So April's done and I did not finish all of my goals.

April
-sew at least 10 bow clutches
-look into and research shipping
-research SEO
-blog at least twice

I sewed a whopping 2 bow clutches - in my defense I did start all 10 that I had wanted to finish but I only completely completed two.  Time got away from me and I may have sewed something else instead...

But isn't it cute?  I have had the same Bible cover for as long as I can remember and I don't like it as much anymore.  It was so big and I never used all of the pockets and the colours just weren't my favourite.  Plus I just got some new fabric - the mint and gold chevron - and it was calling me to use it for something.  My new Bible cover is much smaller and easier to carry, plus I love the fabric and colours!

I'm thinking of selling them in my shop on Etsy as well, I just have to work out a few kinks in the pattern.  What do you think?

Back to my goals.  I have looked into how to ship my items a bit and I've got some really great advice from my mentor about it too.  I haven't looked into SEO (search engine optimization) more yet so I guess it will have to be added to my goals for May.  And last but not least, I did blog twice!

My newly revised goals for May are:
-get a PayPal account
-sew at least 10 bow clutches
-finish the bow clutches started in April
-take pictures of all of my items
-research SEO
-blog at least twice

Let's just hope I have time to finish all of these goals this month!