Starting an Etsy Business For Dummies

by Strine, Allison; Shoup, Kate

• ISBN13: 9780470930670
• ISBN10: 0470930675
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-09-06
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Etsy.com is an online art and craft store that boasts an astonishing 1.9 million members. Starting an Etsy Business For Dummies shows readers how to create, manage and successfully sell arts and crafts using the worlds largest online crafts marketplace. Starting an Etsy Business For Dummies: Provides artists and entrepreneurs with expert advice for building a craft business from scratch Topics include pricing and inventory management, partnering with wholesales co-ops and navigating the craft fair circuit Also provides advice on creating an online presence, photographing your work and hiring help

Author Biography

Allison Strine is the author of LadyBirdLand! and takes unreasonable joy in her Etsy shop feedback comments. You can peruse her wares at allisonstrine.etsy.com.

Kate Shoup has authored several books, including Not Your Mama's Beading, Not Your Mama's Stitching, and Rubbish: Reuse Your Refuse (all from Wiley).

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part I: Basic Instinct: Grasping Etsy Basics 7

Chapter 1: Handmade for Each Other: Falling in Love with Etsy 9

Chapter 2: Let’s Get This Party Started: Signing Up 17

Chapter 3: There’s No Place Like Home: Discovering Etsy’s Home Page 29

Chapter 4: Account Trackula: Navigating Your Account 41

Chapter 5: Buy and Buy: Finding and Purchasing Items on Etsy 49

Chapter 6: Safe Word: Maintaining Privacy and Safety on Etsy 61

Part II: If You Build It, They Will Come: Setting Up Your Etsy Shop 73

Chapter 7: Sell Coverage: Understanding What You Can and Can’t Sell on Etsy 75

Chapter 8: Come on In! Creating an Eye-Catching Storefront 81

Chapter 9: Policy Academy: Establishing Your Shop’s Policies 99

Chapter 10: Come on Down, the Price Is Right! Pricing Your Work 117

Part III: She Sells Seashells (and More): Understanding the Etsy Selling Process 129

Chapter 11: Say Cheese! Photographing Your Wares 131

Chapter 12: Word Up: Composing Engaging Titles and Descriptions 157

Chapter 13: Selling Like (Burning Hot) Hotcakes: Listing Your Items 169

Chapter 14: Wrap It Up: Closing the Deal 191

Chapter 15: The Ship Hits the Fan: Shipping Your Items 203

Part IV: All Up in Your Bidness: Handling Business Matters 219

Chapter 16: High Exposure: Marketing Your Etsy Business 221

Chapter 17: You’ve Been Served: Providing Excellent Customer Service 237

Chapter 18: Business as Usual: Managing Your Etsy Store 255

Part V: Commune System: Exploring the Etsy Community 277

Chapter 19: Community Building: Joining the Etsy Community 279

Chapter 20: OMG, Did You Hear? Keeping Up with Etsy News 301

Chapter 21: A Love-Love Relationship: Showing Your Love for Other Etsy Sellers 309

Chapter 22: Help! Getting It When You Need It 321

Part VI: The Part of Tens 331

Chapter 23: Ten Terrifi c Tips for Etsy Sellers 333

Chapter 24: Ten Strategies for Marketing Your Etsy Shop 337

Chapter 25: Ten Pointers for Saving Money and Time as an Etsy Shop Owner 341

Index 345