Selling art on Etsy can be a great way for artists to reach a larger audience and sell their artwork online. In this post, I will explain how to get sales on etsy and what it entails to get you there.
My Experience with Etsy
I am a painter that lives on the West Coast of the United States. Since the pandemic, I have re-found a passion for artwork. After a lot of time spent learning and adapting to what my style is and how I like to paint, I decided to make an etsy because people were asking me where they could find my work for sale.
I have had my etsy open since 2020. However, it was not until the end of 2022 that I decided to take it seriously. Since then, I have made 7 sales (which does not sound like a lot, I know). But, I have also made hundreds of impressions and specific work in my shop I have began to notice is being favorited and viewed more consistently.
I am learning that the name of the game on etsy is to stay consistent with my strategies and working to build my shop’s inventory. Then, from there, I can start to make money. How are you supposed to make money selling anything if you dont invest the time in creating a lot of things to sell?
You can check out my personal shop here.
The Advantages of Selling on Etsy
One of the biggest advantages of selling art on Etsy is the platform’s large and diverse audience. By listing your artwork on Etsy, you can gain exposure to a wider range of potential buyers.
Another benefit of selling art on Etsy is that it is relatively easy and inexpensive to set up a shop. There are no upfront costs or monthly fees to create an Etsy shop. The platform provides a range of tools to help you create high-quality listings for your artwork.
Selling on etsy only requires a .20 cent purchase for the listing to be activated, which is honestly nothing. Especially if you are serious about investing your time into creating a thriving shop.
You can customize your listings with multiple photos, detailed descriptions, and shipping and payment options to help attract buyers.
Etsy also has a supportive community of artists and buyers, with teams and forums dedicated to art and creative businesses. This community can provide opportunities to connect with other artists, receive feedback on your work, and learn from others.
In addition, selling art on Etsy can provide opportunities for growth and expansion. As you build up your shop and add new products, you can gradually increase your sales and reach even more buyers.
With its customizable listings, low cost, and supportive community, Etsy is a popular and accessible platform for artists who want to sell their artwork online.
How to Get Sales on Etsy
Getting sales on Etsy can take time and effort. However, there are a number of strategies that can help increase your chances of success. Here are some tips for getting sales on Etsy:
Optimize your listings:
This is possibly one of the most important things to remember if you want to sell on etsy.
Make sure your listings are optimized for search by using relevant keywords in your titles, tags, and descriptions. That means that if you are selling fan art, you need to add in all the information you can about members of the show/book/etc in case it is being looked up. Also, provide detailed information about the materials and dimensions. It helps people to know what they are getting!
For example, you can focus on trends as well. Right now, it is the beginning of spring, so I am focusing on spring color palettes.
Use high-quality photos to showcase your artwork! Videos also make a big difference to buyers. I have another post about entering in the right kind of information for selling a product on etsy (digitally) as well. If you are selling a digital product, here’s more information on cropping for different size dimensions on Etsy.
Offer a variety of products:
Consider offering a variety of products in your shop, such as prints, originals, and commissioned work. This can help attract a wider range of buyers and increase your chances of making a sale. You might need to learn a new skill set to make your work more professional, like how to use procreate to size your listings correctly, or even just the pictures for them.
Post listings consistently.
Posting listings on Etsy consistently is important for several reasons.
First, it helps keep your shop active and visible on the platform. When you post new listings regularly, it signals to Etsy’s algorithm that your shop is active and engaged, which can help boost your visibility in search results and recommended listings.
Consistent listings can also help attract repeat customers and keep your existing customers engaged with your shop. When you post new artwork regularly, it gives customers a reason to keep coming back to your shop and checking out your latest offerings. This can help build a loyal customer base and increase your chances of making sales.
In addition, consistent listings can help you experiment with different types of artwork and products to see what resonates best with your audience. By testing different styles, materials, and formats, you can learn more about what your customers are looking for and tailor your offerings accordingly.
Price your artwork appropriately:
Price your artwork appropriately based on factors such as the size, materials, and complexity. Consider offering different price points for different products to appeal to a wider range of buyers.
Do not forget to factor in all of your expenses: supplies, shipping materials, time spent, etc. You will need to find a good balance between making sure you break even, and then some, while also not overcharging, or you will lose sales.
Promote your shop:
Almost every single one of my sales came from social media exposure. Making sure that you are posting good content on the internet makes such a difference in your quality of your shop which means more sales.
Trends on the internet come and go very quickly. You will need to be active in order to ensure that your follower base knows that you are still selling! They must always be reminded.
Promote your Etsy shop on social media and other online platforms to help drive traffic to your listings. Use hashtags and engage with your followers to help build your audience, just as you are doing with your etsy.
Provide excellent customer service:
Providing good customer service is essential for success when selling on Etsy for several reasons.
First and foremost, good customer service helps to build a positive reputation for your shop. When you provide excellent service to your customers, they are more likely to leave positive reviews and recommend your shop to others. Positive reviews and word-of-mouth referrals are crucial for attracting new customers and building trust with potential buyers.
In addition, good customer service can help to prevent negative reviews and disputes. When you respond promptly to customer inquiries, provide accurate information about your products, and address any issues or concerns in a professional manner, you are more likely to resolve problems before they escalate.
This can help prevent negative feedback and disputes, which can harm your reputation on Etsy and hurt your chances of making future sales.
Good customer service can also help to increase customer loyalty and repeat business. When you go above and beyond to provide a positive shopping experience, customers are more likely to return to your shop in the future and recommend your shop to others. This can help to build a loyal customer base and increase your chances of making future sales.
Consider offering a satisfaction guarantee or free shipping to help attract buyers.
Participate in the community:
Participate in Etsy’s community forums and teams to connect with other artists and buyers. This can help you learn from others, receive feedback on your work, and increase your visibility on the platform.
By following these tips and putting in the time and effort to promote your shop and provide excellent customer service, you can increase your chances of getting sales on Etsy. Remember that building a successful Etsy shop takes time and patience, but with the right strategies and approach, you can achieve your goals and grow your business.