Selling Successfully On Etsy.com-PART 2

So in part 1, we covered the basics of setting up shop with Etsy.com. Now we are ready to move on to the next step. In part 2, we will cover listing your items, writing descriptions, taking pictures, and more.
Be sure and read Selling Successfully On Etsy.com-PART 1 if you haven't already.

1.Taking Good Pictures.
Good pictures? Oh yeah! But it's not as complicated as you think! A decent point and shoot will do the trick just fine. The reason for this is because it's not just the camera that makes the pictures, it's you! Three factors that make a good picture are these...lighting, a good backdrop and a tripod. Lighting is probably the most important, So we'll start with that.
It's really not that hard to get good lighting. Although there are a number of things you can do, including making a light box out of a cardboard box, I'm going to give you instructions to a setup that I currently use that works every bit as good as any light box. A window and a white bedsheet. That's really all you need! Find a well lit window and place a big white sheet over it. A window with sunlight streaming in is the best kind of lighting because it's natural. The sheet will defuse the light, creating a nice diffused even lighting for your product picture.
Now for your background. Many people report that a gray color works well. In most cases, keep your pictures simple. I prefer not to put to much clutter and props in my pictures, though sometimes they can be necessary. I also like to use a white backdrop for many of my pictures. Experiment and see what works well for you. Just place your backdrop and product by the sheet covered window, and set your camera on a tripod. Use the self timer on the camera to take your pictures. This will eliminate all camera shake, resulting in clear sharp pictures.
Etsy allows you 5 pictures for each listing. Use them all! Take every angle you can think of. Take way more than you intend to use, and then choose the 5 best.

Writing Descriptions.
Lets face it. Writing a good description can be a bit of a challenge! Your customers can't feel or handle your products, they can only go by what they see in the pictures and read in the description. Include every detail you can think of. What are the exact measurements? Will it irritate sensitive skin? Is it recycled? What materials did you use? What inspired you to make this? Is there a special story behind this product?

Listing Items.
Rather than listing a bunch of items at one time, try listing them spaced apart. Why? First let me explain how Etsy's search engines work. When someone searches for a certain product, lets use a red crystal necklace for an example, than etsy will list all red crystal necklaces in order of most newly listed. So the most newly listed items will be shown on the first page, and older listings will be on the next pages.
So by listing your items at intervals, you keep yourself at the top of the search engines. If you have ten items, try listing 1 or 2 a day.



Well, I hope that helps you get started selling! Even if you have been on Etsy for some time, you may find some of these tips helpful.

If you are already past all of these, then stay tuned for the next article...I will be covering networking, promoting, marketing, and lots of things that will help you gain an audience.

Stay tuned for more!
Etsy crazy chick signing off....