I have just spent the best part of an hour reading in the forums on Etsy about this whole Relevancy vs Renewing saga and how it's affecting high selling stores big time.
I am going to be honest and admit I'm confused with it all. I have made my titles and listings and tags all relevant with what I sell. I haven't really been the type to look at shop stats, in fact today was the first time I have bothered.
I feel for those shops who are being hurt by this change, spesh when I read that half of the things at the top of the list of searched items aren't even relevant to that particular search at all. I felt that the renewing/relisting thing was pretty good myself. Some on the forums have stated that it made it hard for those who don't relist/renew and so the change is a good thing. But I feel that generally spending money, makes money. So relisting & renewing seemed fair and good to me. After all we're all on Etsy to make money are we not?!
I want to get somewhere with this hobby....one day....I cannot commit the time that it would take though, at least not right now. Basically all my energy goes into being a mummy and I barely get a break from it, so I cannot commit my brain space fully to making something. I'm always interrupted and am always needed and I only have one child....lord knows how you other women folk do it when you have more than 1 child?!
I am so full of inspiration/ideas/dreams. One of those is to get my ass and my jewellery to a market! I know which one I want to go to (visited another creative market yesterday and it was pretty lame - though maybe my style of work would be welcomed there, as I've not seen any like mine at any markets anywhere in the greater area) and I know where I can get my set up from and how much stock I would need and blah blah. But I can't get to that damned bench and make anything new. I don't think I would be a success with only 22 items, do you? Nope.
So how are you going with the new Etsy search stuff??
I haven't been one to relist heavily...just a couple of things a couple of times a week. Since looking at my stats I have noticed a big spike in faves to both shop and items when I've listed a new item....I will have to just keep an eye on the stats to see how I go.
Any tips? Advice?
yawn....dead tired....and it's cold today? it's Spring?!
Em.
I am going to be honest and admit I'm confused with it all. I have made my titles and listings and tags all relevant with what I sell. I haven't really been the type to look at shop stats, in fact today was the first time I have bothered.
I feel for those shops who are being hurt by this change, spesh when I read that half of the things at the top of the list of searched items aren't even relevant to that particular search at all. I felt that the renewing/relisting thing was pretty good myself. Some on the forums have stated that it made it hard for those who don't relist/renew and so the change is a good thing. But I feel that generally spending money, makes money. So relisting & renewing seemed fair and good to me. After all we're all on Etsy to make money are we not?!
I want to get somewhere with this hobby....one day....I cannot commit the time that it would take though, at least not right now. Basically all my energy goes into being a mummy and I barely get a break from it, so I cannot commit my brain space fully to making something. I'm always interrupted and am always needed and I only have one child....lord knows how you other women folk do it when you have more than 1 child?!
I am so full of inspiration/ideas/dreams. One of those is to get my ass and my jewellery to a market! I know which one I want to go to (visited another creative market yesterday and it was pretty lame - though maybe my style of work would be welcomed there, as I've not seen any like mine at any markets anywhere in the greater area) and I know where I can get my set up from and how much stock I would need and blah blah. But I can't get to that damned bench and make anything new. I don't think I would be a success with only 22 items, do you? Nope.
So how are you going with the new Etsy search stuff??
I haven't been one to relist heavily...just a couple of things a couple of times a week. Since looking at my stats I have noticed a big spike in faves to both shop and items when I've listed a new item....I will have to just keep an eye on the stats to see how I go.
Any tips? Advice?
yawn....dead tired....and it's cold today? it's Spring?!
Em.
9 comments:
The whole relevancy with Etsy has given me a headache too Amy...
I changed tags and titles and descriptions in 77 pieces I currently have at my store and I have absolutely NO clue if I did it correctly or not.
What you can do, is when you have a descriptive word in your mind, hit this word alone(on the handmade tab), and it will show you the most popular word couples..and some maybe right for your shop...
anyway, this is one of the things I tried to do..
It's frustrating for people who want to create when they have to deal with something on the side that has nothing to do with creativity.
I don't understand myself why Etsy made that leap! For one thing, I don't know how much money they were making from people renewing, but it had to be quite a bit, and after they made the switch, I quit renewing but about once or twice a day.
I think I'm fortunate because what I currently sell truly doesn't have much competition, but I feel for those who really struggle with competing, and finding an audience base.
On the issue of creativity, I don't have kids, but I help my sister keep hers and I've found that if I set aside one hour at night aftr everyone is in bed, just one hour, I can get loads accomplished. I think because my mind is in hypercreativity mode. Oh, and sketchbook, I'm constantly drawing ideas as they pop into my head so that I'll know exactly what I want to do when I get the time to do it.
Good luck with your market and don't get discouraged!
Hi Em! I know how you feel. It's tough when you have a little one who needs constant attention... But I will tell you that I think what you are doing is extremely important. It is so good for kids to be at home with their parents. I know it's hard, but it does get easier as they get older. And then there still isn't enough time in the day. I'm starting to think it will always be an uphill battle! Snatch moments for yourself when you can, and when you can't, don't beat yourself up...raising children doesn't make money, but is still so important!
Thanks Jenny, I changed all of my listings stuff too....no idea if I did it right either lol! Might give your idea a go :)
Marcie I have hardly been renewing at all...I'm not sure after what I read that it would be highly beneficial at this point. I know it's still relevant, but maybe not so much. Thanks for your comment :)
Amy, I am most grateful that I get to be the one to raise my daughter and not a stranger. I have documented so much about what she has done over the years, so she can look back on it when older. Having some kind of hobby has kept my mind from going to the 'dark side'... My daughter will (and always has) come first, I just don't want to lose this amazing hobby, it has been the best thing for me yet! Thank you for your positivity Amy :)
Em, I have to say that I'm loving the relevency changes! I changed all of my shop titles and have noticed a huge spike in views and favourites.
I still renew, but probably not so frequently. Which is good for me, because my Etsy fees have been a killer with all these sales and custom orders lately :-(
The biggest thing I have gained from looking at shop stats is where people have found me (more and more are from Google which is great!) and which key words they used to search with. I'm amazed at the number of people who search for me by name...that is always the most frequent keyword week after week! LOL
I totally understand what you're saying about dreams and ideas...I feel exactly the same way. I feel that if I could devote more time, I could actually make a living doing this. Our little ones will always come first though, and finding a balance is something I struggle with!
Hope the sun shines up your way today! :-)
B.
-xxx-
Thanks B! I struggle with the balance part too...I feel guilty if I play at the bench during the day, but it tends to be the time that I get my drive to create...where as night time I'm too flat and tired (though I am a total night owl-go figure). That might have to change though till she goes to school.
Hi Em, At first I thought the relevancy was working great for my shop. I noticed I was much busier..but I am not sure. Right now things have slowed way down. I feel like I can hear the crickets chirping.
But, I am working on some orders and new designs and hoping to get ready for some Christmas activity...hopeful!
I love your blog!
Thanks Helenes! I still get faves, but no sales...so I can totally hear the crickets and tumbleweed blowing by lol, it's quite disheartening isn't it. Lots of shops are losing big business, I wonder what the Etsy guys are going to do about it...sigh
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