Holiday Boot Camp 2011 {week three}

Okay, I’m going to try to move past the fail that was last week..

I can’t believe that I am already on week three of Etsy’s Holiday Success Boot Camp.  I feel like I still haven’t been working on things enough.  I think that might mean that I haven’t been..  Oh no!

First though, a few updates on previous week’s tasks and previous goals that I had set:

In week one, I was confused by offering gift wrap and faster shipping.  I have since found that that you *can* offer gift wrap as a separate option, however it HAS to be able to be purchased on its own, without the purchase of anything else from my shop.  I think that this works wonderfully for sellers that want to offer traditional gift wrapping, but does not work as well for sellers who want to offer more sustainable and less wasteful forms of gift wrapping.  I am thinking that I will offer gift wrapping for free during the holidays, and suggest that customers request it at the time of purchase?

These are the initial goals that I had set during week one:

• Maintain my blog with at least two posts a week, and update my website at least once a month.
• Online Roller Store Catalogue.
• Produce small series in time for Halloween.
• Introduce a new product series for Christmas.

I am trying really hard to maintain the blog with two posts a week.  I am just starting to figure out a blog schedule, and writing out every idea that I have for a blog post.  I admit, that writing these boot camp updates really help with the two posts a week thing, and so I really should have no excuse.

I will be working on the Roller Store catalogue this week, thanks to the tasks that were assigned!

I’m not going to produce a small series for Halloween.  When I made these goals, I admit, that this one was thrown in just to try to push myself.. but I think that I already have a little more than I can handle (especially with Halloween coming up, and my costume isn’t even started yet).

I do still want to work on a small series for Christmas, however I am still unsure what it will be.. but I better get started on that soon.

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Okay, so now on to Week Three’s tasks and goals.  This week focused on an aspect that I should be really good at already, but is something that I have not put as much effort as I could: photography.

Seeing as how I went to school for photography, this should really be a piece of cake.  But, I was never actually trained in product photography and admit that I am still getting better.  I think I really need to just take the time to set up shots nicely and cleanly.  I need to set up a white box somewhere in the house. All of this being said, reading through all of the Etsy posts on cameras and photography was a little bland and boring, but since I am always willing to get better, and learn new techniques and ideas, I still read all of them.

1. Go through get to know your camera checklist:  DONE
2. Read Etsy’s guide to photography: DONE
3. Photograph holiday packaging:  … none?
4. Master depth of field: DONE DONE!
5. Compare photo critiques with buddy:  NEED TO DO!!
6. Add new photos to listings

So, I need to touch base with my boot camp buddies, and hopefully we can help each other out with the photos a bit.  I’m not 100% happy with my current product photographs, and so I really need to re-take literally all of them.  This will also get me working on the Roller Store Catalogue that I have planned.

Current listing photograph of Wade

Current listing photograph of a Grey Kittopus

If any one else wants to critique my product photos, please do!  I’m always open to opinions, and ideas, just leave your thoughts in the comments.  As always, thank you for reading,

xoxo

Holiday Boot Camp 2011 {week two}

Okay okay, so this is really late.  I actually started this post on Monday.. but never got around to finishing it.  Now, I already have to make another Holiday Boot Camp post (I just read week three’s e-mail..).  But, I guess no one even suggested that this was going to be easy, in fact, everything has told me that this is going to be hard.

This (past) weeks tasks:

1: Read Etsy Blog Post “Study Stocking Up for the Holidays”

DONE

2: Fill out Holiday Product Worksheet

I still have to do this.. although it really doesn’t help that I don’t really have a specific demographic that I target.. or do I?  Either way, today I *AM* going to sit down with my products and try to get through the worksheet that Etsy suggested.  This exercise is actually probably better for me in the sense that I will have a better inventory after.

3: Create to-do list for launching Holiday products

First, I need to decide on what to launch.. I suppose.  I’m not really interested in making Holiday specific (themed) products.  I have a lot of things in “development” stage, which means I really need to pick one and then push it into final product stage.

4: Check in with Etsy Success Forum thread

DONE

5 Check in with Boot Camp Buddy (buddies?)

Done and done.

6: Keep an eye on Search Ad Stats

I don’t have Search Ads.. and I don’t plan on purchasing them this season.. so.. done?

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I guess the main thing I need to do is sit down with my products, and use the Holiday Product Worksheet to try to re-work how to list them.. I also need to figure how to list of the stuff I have.  I am a little disappointed in myself for not actually completing week two, however I do think that I will somewhat adjust the time periods for the rest of the Etsy Holiday Boot Camp.  I don’t get a lot, if any, work done during the weekends right now (due to other job work, and forcing myself to have at least some relaxation time), and with the Etsy weeks running from Thursday to Thursday, it doesn’t mesh well with my schedule.  I think I will try to focus on having things done from the Monday to Friday of the following week.  That way, I can read next week’s goals and to do’s on the weekend and focus on the tasks during the week.  I am going to try to make my Holiday Boot Camp post early in the week though, and just go back and edit it as I complete tasks.

To see my post on Week One of Etsy’s Holiday Boot Camp click here.

xoxo

 

Holiday Boot Camp 2011 {week 1}

Since this is my first year at Etsy during the Holiday season, I have decided to dedicate myself to their “Holiday Boot Camp”, where they give out weekly goals, tips and business practices to help sellers have a successful season.  I am always trying to make my business run smoother, and make myself run smoother, and hopefully this is the sort of motivation I need to push forward and get off the ground.

Since this is only the first week, the goals and tasks are a little light:

Read Etsy’s blog post “A Flying Start”- DONE

I have to say that I am a little disappointed.  The post did focus on using the Budget Worksheet, in order to fully understand your costs and the season’s selling potential, however I was a little confused by these points:

• Offering customers express shipping options at higher rates so you aren’t left paying for rush shipping/mailing.
• Being clear about order cut-off dates so that you aren’t paying too much for help to rush through last-minute orders to meet the demand.
• Offering custom wrapping as a separately paid add-on to help cover some of your costs.

As far as I know, Etsy does not allow different shipping options and having separate listings for shipping is against Etsy rules.. so how are we supposed to offer rush and express shipping?  (Not to mention the fact that my shipping costs are already higher than I’m charging…)

I do agree that I need to figure out cut off dates well before the Holiday season is upon me.  I really hope that Etsy helps with figuring this out, since I don’t have a lot of experience shipping, let alone shipping during busy Holiday season.

Again, offering custom wrapping as a separate paid add-on is against Etsy rules and will result in your listings being removed… or are we allowed to do this during the Holidays?  I simply don’t know why Etsy would recommend things that are directly against their clearly stated rules.  Based on the comments from other sellers, a lot of people have noticed this and asked about it, but no one has answered (yet).  I would certainly like to add custom gift wrapping as a separate listing, but at the risk of my store.

Holiday Budget Worksheet - DONE         

Now I have to admit, I haven’t filled out Etsy’s Worksheet, I did look at it though and decided that I prefer my personal balance sheets over theirs.  This step seems a little redundant and unnecessary for those who already keep track of their finances.                                                          

Print and Apply boot camp stickers                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Okay.. maybe I did miss something somewhere? I don’t remember stickers being mentioned (in fact sticker isn’t mentioned in the blog post at all).  Is this boot camp supposed to be helping new sellers?  Shouldn’t these steps be explained a little?  What are these stickers for?  The day each week to have all the tasks done by?  What ever.

Find a boot camp buddy - DONE!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 I did leave a post looking for another plushie maker to be a boot camp buddy (although I can’t say that I’m a huge fan of the term buddy, I feel a little stupid even posting that).  However, I don’t see this as a necessary aspect, although I agree that having someone to support/ encourage me through this could be helpful (especially when Etsy provides tips that are less than helpful themselves).  

DOUBLE UPDATE HELL YEAH:: So, as it turns out people on Etsy *are* friendly, despite my initial unease.  Its nice to be talking to a few people though, who know about much work goes into being a Solopreneur.  Roxie is Canadian, and she makes adorable fancy hats and felt accessories.

 

UPDATE::  I would say that I found a fellow Etsian, but truth is she actually found me (even on the Internet, I’m probably too shy to approach people).  Any who, she makes OOAK Cloth dolls, and I’m looking forward to learning to having someone to talk to a bit more about the pains/ triumphs of Etsy and this “Holiday Boot Camp”.                                                                                                                                                          

Share personal Holiday goals

Now this is the part that I think is the most helpful.  I have some high hopes for this Holiday season, but I need to work work work.  Here are some of my big goals for the  next few months:

• Maintain my blog with at least two posts a week, and update my website at least once a month.
• Online Roller Store Catalogue.
• Produce small series in time for Halloween.
• Introduce a new product series for Christmas.
• Sell Sell Sell!

I am trying really hard at balancing what is actually a reasonable amount of work for myself, and pushing myself to really excel during the months ahead.  I frequently get in over my head, and have recently been pulling in the reins and accepting that I can’t do everything all at once.  Of course, I also have to accept that this is the BEST season to sell hand-made items and I don’t want to waste it.

And so, all the best of luck to those following the Etsy Holiday Boot Camp.  I hope I can keep up with it, and I hope that I don’t lose my sanity by 2012.

xoxo