So Not Niche will have an Etsy Shop Soon!
I finally broke down yesterday and opened an Etsy shop. Earlier this week I opened a CafePress account. I'm not even sure who I am anymore...jumping on all these popular sites (like, a million years later than everyone else.)
That's me. So far behind that I'm actually cool. Or not.
Its not that I have anything against Etsy, (except those fees...I hate fees.), I was just never interested in a side business that involved handling and shipping physical goods. Once I started noticing that lots of artists were selling digital downloads I got interested, bookmarked Etsy, and promptly got busy and forgot about it.
Oops.
That's me. So far behind that I'm actually cool. Or not.
Its not that I have anything against Etsy, (except those fees...I hate fees.), I was just never interested in a side business that involved handling and shipping physical goods. Once I started noticing that lots of artists were selling digital downloads I got interested, bookmarked Etsy, and promptly got busy and forgot about it.
Oops.
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Suck it Up and Draw!
I guess you could say I was "inspired" to try out Etsy again when I saw I earned a whole $0.44 on Zazzle this month.
Art is frustrating the crap out of me right now. I can't afford any really great pro tools. (And I really, really want one of those digital pens that draws your designs onto your computer!) So basically I am just broke and feeling whiny.
Well, that never helps anyone. If one thing doesn't work, try something new, right?
Art is frustrating the crap out of me right now. I can't afford any really great pro tools. (And I really, really want one of those digital pens that draws your designs onto your computer!) So basically I am just broke and feeling whiny.
Well, that never helps anyone. If one thing doesn't work, try something new, right?
Why Try Different Shops?
A couple of months ago, I pretty much figured that if a design didn't sell, then it was because it was a bad design.
Then I stumbled across an argument between two friends on Facebook (okay, "friendly debate"), where they bantered back and forth about which site they preferred. NOT for selling their stuff, but for BUYING stuff.
One was die-hard Zazzle, and the other was a loyal RedBubble person, and their opinions were based on the quality of the products they had bought on these sites, plus things like easy customer service.
If you are thinking about "choosing" between sites like these, then here is why this argument was important:
It all comes down to the same advice (slightly different recipe) that we hear about blogging incomes. Diversify, and earn more!
Before I read the debate, I figured the "choice" was based on how well it worked out for the seller. (stuff like royalties and easy-to-use tools.)
(If you are rabidly curious as to what I sold on Zazzle, it was this set of Post-It Notes. I was kinda happy about that because even though it is a ridiculously simple design, it is one of my favorites. )
Then I stumbled across an argument between two friends on Facebook (okay, "friendly debate"), where they bantered back and forth about which site they preferred. NOT for selling their stuff, but for BUYING stuff.
One was die-hard Zazzle, and the other was a loyal RedBubble person, and their opinions were based on the quality of the products they had bought on these sites, plus things like easy customer service.
If you are thinking about "choosing" between sites like these, then here is why this argument was important:
- Sites have devoted buyers. Someone who loves your designs might not be seeing them simply because they don't shop on that one site.
- Different art does better on different sites.
It all comes down to the same advice (slightly different recipe) that we hear about blogging incomes. Diversify, and earn more!
Before I read the debate, I figured the "choice" was based on how well it worked out for the seller. (stuff like royalties and easy-to-use tools.)
(If you are rabidly curious as to what I sold on Zazzle, it was this set of Post-It Notes. I was kinda happy about that because even though it is a ridiculously simple design, it is one of my favorites. )
Here's To The Next Adventure
I must now off-and-away to brainstorm some design ideas. I'm always excited to try new sites!
Hopefully, within the month, I will have enough designs up to share my shop.
In the meantime, don't forget to check out my Keepsake Scribbles. Christmas in July is a great excuse to order yours today ahead of the holidays!
Hopefully, within the month, I will have enough designs up to share my shop.
In the meantime, don't forget to check out my Keepsake Scribbles. Christmas in July is a great excuse to order yours today ahead of the holidays!
Do you have an Etsy shop? What is/was your experience with the site either as a buyer or a seller?