handmade wooden scoop! by GA Woodworking on Etsy
So I was thinking the other day about how much I like doing Etsy shop critiques & helping other sellers get their shops together. I’m not sure why I enjoy them so much. I just do. Maybe it’s because of all the help I got when I was starting out & I wanted to pass some of that help along.
Anyway, I’m sure that many of you have checked out my “Work With Me” page & browsed over what I can help you with. One of the services that I offer is a seriously detailed shop critique to help you get on the right track with your shop.
The reason I offer this as a service is that it’s hard to find a full, in-depth critique like this anywhere, especially for free. It takes time & lots of research to find links to good articles that can help you. Most people will give you a bit of advice here & there, but nothing like this.
Now you may be wondering, what makes me qualified to do these shop critiques?
Here’s what…
- When I first opened my Etsy shop, I LIVED in Etsy’s virtual labs. Everytime there was a newbie chat or a shop critique chat, I was there, listening & learning.
- I think I’ve read the entire Etsy Seller Handbook on getting your shop in shape.
- I sold my shop critiques & even individual item critiques on Etsy for a time which did well.
- I also helped out with shop critiques in the old forums & from there was invited to be a part of the Etsy Mentor Team & the Etsy Shop Critiques Team.
- I have done my own shop critiques in Etsy’s virtual labs.
- I have organized a big blog series centered around getting your Etsy shop in tip-top shape & I’m now in the process of turning that series into a free e-book. {More about that later!}
So, I’ve been around the shop critiquing block a bit & I’ve always gotten great reviews from my critiques. That’s why I offer them as a service. If you’re serious about your shop & you want to make sure you’re on the right track, I can help you. It’s not just my opinion, but the opinions of many other successful Etsy sellers that I use in these critiques!
So what am I getting at?
Well I’ve been trying to think of a way to promote these critiques for a bit. I mean, they’re freaking awesome!
So I thought it would be fun to offer a free shop critique to one of you lovely readers! I’ll post the critique here on my blog so everyone can see what they’re like & how I do them. You’ll get the shop critique questionnaire to fill out, the full shop critique posted to the blog & I’ll send you the pdf file of the critique so you can have it for yourself.
Want a critique? Here’s what you need to do.
You need to leave me a comment below letting me know why you so desperately need this critique along with your Etsy shop address. I’ll contact the winner via email & everyone will know who the winner ends up being when the critique is posted in a couple weeks!
So that’s, that!
You have one week to enter & in a couple weeks I’ll have your full, detailed shop critique up here for all to see! Sound good? Sound fun? Sound interesting? Sound like a plan? Great!
hugs, Meagan
As you know, I changed my branding and my products are changing, so I’d like to know if I’m heading in the right direction. And I used your SEO course, which I think helped me tremendously, so I know you are the right person to critique my shop!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Lisa recently posted..Mittens – Knitted Mittens – Adult – Fingerless – Wool
I’d love to have a critique…I feel like I may need to update my branding some…and I’m always looking for ways I could improve my shop! I’ve really enjoyed the other tips and tricks you’ve offered!! Thanks so much for the opportunity!
~ Sarah
http://sarahndipities.etsy.com
Sarah @ Sarahndipities recently posted..Treasury Thursday: Yarn It All!
Hi Meagan!
I’m actually running 5 shops on Etsy now (I know, I need mental help!), and they’re actually doing really well. But what I really need help with is my first shop. I have over 200 items in it, and that’s not a lot compared to some, but I can tell that people aren’t going past the first 2 or 3 pages when they are browsing. I could seriously use some help sorting out what the problems are. I’m tempted to open even more shops because I have such a wide variety of types of items. I sell lots of geekery & sci-fi themed items, but people aren’t digging around and finding my great textile wrist cuffs and other sewn items.
My main shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/bohemianbear
~Kristi
Kristi *aka* BohoBear recently posted..Large Grab Bag Mixed-Media Art Materials, Clearance Sale, Assortment
I desperately need something… I am not getting ANY sales! I’d so much love to have a shop critique! I’m trying to figure out some kind of “branding”…Thanks for the opportunity Sarah!
Connie Smith recently posted..Card tutorial Crosses of Hope
Hi Meagan,
Over the past couple of months, my shop has started to get busy…getting noticed and sales. I think I am heading in the right direction but would love another’s opinion (especially someone that really knows this information)! It is very hard finding the right amount of time for branding, marketing, and actually making and selling your products. I would love helpful information before the holiday season
Thank you so much for this fantastic offer!
Donna
Hi Megan,
I’ve been on etsy since 2005. In the fall of 2009, I wiped it clean and started all over. I make (what I think) are these AMAZING hand and footprint ceramic keepsakes for babies/children/families. It took me over a year to perfect the process so the prints would be 1)easy and mess free to do 2) the quality would be as good as if you did the prints in person.
I think I truly have the best product in my line of work. When I look at my Google Analytics, it’s amazing. By the numbers I should have so much work I need to hire an assistant. But I dont.
I think 1) a lot of people who are in my line of business are copying my work and 2) I tried at first to separate the molds (that need to be done first) from the actual plaques, because the pricing is so different according to age, number of prints..ect..Other than having 10 million listings for each and every variation (one print, 6 months old, one print, 1yr old, one print 2 years old, …2 prints 6 months old,,,ect….) I think I just need to know what will take someone from looking at my stuff and saying, “wow, cute shop” to *click*, I’m buying that..I’ve been doing this for 14 years, so I’m no newbie..but to take this Mail Order is a whole new ballgame..HELP!
monica lasich recently posted..Child Hand and Footprint plaque-Double Stacker
I am getting ready to launch my new website which I would love to have you critique. I do not have an etsy site but I would LOVE having an unbiased opinion about my site and products. I can only get advice/feedback from my husband, mom and best friends for so long!
Have you ever felt like you are walking through a forest lost? Even though you had a map, compass, and flashlight? That’s how I am feeling about my shop. I have tried rebranding, got over 100 items listed, and still very few sales. I pretty well selling locally but I feel like I am missing something about selling online. Everytime I change something or “fix” what I think is broken, I see very little results. I need help trying to figure out what still needs worked on! I’ve read your posts on how to update your shop and they were great! I desperately want to have my creative voice heard and to share my work with others! Thanks! Shelly – 2 Sprouts Stitchery
Shelly recently posted..Diaper Clutch with changing pad and wipe case pocket Camo
Would love to have a critique. We do really well locally but can’t seem to get our etsy shop moving.
I am in DESPERATE need of your critique and wisdom! I assumed that starting an etsy account i would just be overwhelmed with business. I quickly learned that i am just one of a million other hair accessorie shops. I am 100% confident in my product and i know compared to some successful shops my quality is much greater. I sell to local boutiques and childrens stores but i just havent found the success in online selling. I spoke to you briefly when i first started the shop but my products have really evolved since then. I would love to start over and really establish my own shop identity and place in the online sales market. Thank you so much for the consideration. I’ll be crossing my fingers! <3
It is a scary thing to let someone critique your shop. I haven’t put myself out there yet but I think it is about time- especially with the holiday season coming up. My etsy shop is just about a year old.
Jenelle recently posted..A Production Block: Inside the Studio
Meagan, I would love a critique on my shop. You did help me with a few bits of advice when I switched shops about 6 months ago. I’m sure there are more things that need to change… I just would love a professional opinion. I am currently using my Etsy shop as a part-time income and I have GOT to make it a full-time income or go back to working in the corporate world. I’m trying to stay home with my girls… so thus the sense of urgency to create a larger income with my Etsy shop.
Not trying to give you a sob story, but letting you know I have a real motivation to make the changes necessary and succeed… which in turn would be a success story for you!
Thanks so much!
~ Elizabeth
Elizabeth recently posted..Infant Car Seat canopy cover Cuddler — Seth's Awesome Adventure argyle with brown Minky
This sounds great!
I’d love to have critique on my shop!
Hi Meagan – I would LOVE a shop critique. I’ve been on etsy for a few months now, had 3 sales and have been getting a bit downhearted lately. I have read lots and lots about how to improve your shop, on your website and others, watched etsy on-line labs and read the etsy Handbook. I’ve just updated all my descriptions, text, tags, and photos – although I have to say the photography is really hard. I have had a slight increase in the number of views, but very slow. I’ve even got a blog!
I know there is a lot of competition in the diaper covers/kids clothes area on etsy, so am starting to think that I need to change my products, but I know I have a great product. What is really frustrating is that at markets in the past my products sell really well, but that doesn’t seem to translate well into etsy.
I love the creating and the sewing, but am doing so little of that at the moment as I am trying to tweak my shop so much, and take more photos! I want to get back to the sewing machine, so your help would be fantastic. Thanks.
Claire – Knappy Knickers recently posted..In the beginning…!!!
Thanks for this opportunity. I’ve had my shop for 5 years and have made 25 wonderful sales as to date. I know, I’ve had it for a long time, with not much going on. It seemed like my life was just not ready for a shop until now. So I’m buckling down and making it work. It would be so nice to have someone who can help sharpen and shape my store so I can start creating the business I envisioned in my mind so long ago.
Oh I could use the critique. I was recently turned down for an etsy team because of my shop and I did the suggestions they told me to do but I’d love to wow them when I re-apply.
Thanks so much,
Shannon C
formysweetdaughter.etsy.com
Shannon C recently posted..Lima Beads Challenge
i could use a lot of help. i recently shut down my shop because i was so unhappy with it and the lack of interest. i want to do a major relaunch on november 1 but i would love a critique because i know it could be fantastic!
Hi Meagan,
What a truly generous offer! I spend hours each evening doing homework on SEO, pricing, participating in forums uploading items to blogs and my sales are horrible. Oddly enough I had over 400 hits in one day, and then the number declined back to 20 to 40 a day, of which 24% are new. Still very few sales. Many of my pillows are featured in treasuries, but that also hasn’t helped. In the forums I’ve asked other etsy sellers to critique my shop. Everyone loves the funky pillows and they don’t think they are over prices, but getting them the necessary visibility isn’t easy.
I LOVE creating new designs, but material and beads aren’t cheep. I would love to make totes and other smaller items with some of my remnants, but again, what’s the point if there aren’t sales? There are a lot of Etsy pillow sellers, but I’ve tried to make mine unique with comparable pricing. HELP ME, I’ve done my homework and now need the advice of an expert.
Thank you so much for this opportunity. Blessings to the lucky winner and good luck to everyone’s success on Etsy,
JoJo
JoJo recently posted..Accent pillow, floral designer fabrics
Hi Meagan,
I have long admired your shop and the products you make and I love following you on Twitter, Facebook and your blog. You give such good advice and I really admire all the help you offer all of us out there trying to make a go of it on Etsy. I opened my shop in 2009 but have only received a hand full of sales. I’m on Twitter and Facebook myself. I’m always trying to promote my shop but just can’t seem to find a niche and get my items sold. I would really love a critique and some help with how I can improve my shop. I am open to all suggestions and would really appreciate any advice that you would have to offer.
And thank you so much for this opportunity.
Katherine D recently posted..Cross Body Bag Birds and Flowers
Megan,
I would really love a shop critique from you, as I would love to be able to sell so much stuff that it would generate a good income for our family. I have read all the other requests, and there seems to be the same underlying problem…..my stuff sells great in person, but not online. There is something about touching and picking up something hand made; you can feel and see the quality, time and love made into whatever it is. How do we transfer that to cyberspace? I have had my shop for a year and I have sales, but not a powerhouse of them. What is it that puts some of those sellers over the top? Critique the shop you feel you can demonstrate this with and we will all benefit!
Love your work!
Kellylulu
Hi Meagan, I receive your weekly emails and just found this post. Are you doing shop critiques? I’m really struggling with my shop and would love your advice, thanks!
Peggy
Yes Peggy! I do offer shop critiques. I’ll email you about them!
While I’ve been making jewelry for a long time, I just started selling on Etsy…..I could seriously use a critique—my biggest challenge right now is knowing how I look to the public, what I am doing right, and what I can do better….I haven’t had any sales yet, and I want to change that!
Margaret recently posted..Freshwater White and Coin Pearls and Swirls
Thanks Margaret! I’ll take a look at your shop & send you an email!