How to Start a Home-based Etsy Business

by Gina Luker

Overview

Money.msn.com has named being an Etsy-based Business Operator one of the top ten ideas for retirees.

Etsy receives more than 10 million unique views per month: http://www.etsy.com/

This market both young and old is ideal to target with a specialized How to Start business book that goes beyond that of our craft book and focus solely on how to gain presence on Etsy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780762784837
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	01/07/2014
Series:	Home-Based Business Series
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 11.30(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Gina Luker is the author of the popular DIY blog The Shabby Creek Cottage and owner of the successful Etsy shop The Shabby Creek Shop. She is a writer, photographer, and lover of all things handmade. Her work has been featured by Etsy and in many magazines, including Brides Magazine, Somerset Home, and Romantic Homes. She wades through life, one project at a time, alongside her husband and children.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Foreword Myquillyn Smith, TheNester.com x

Introduction xii

01 What is Etsy? 1

Welcome to the Handmade Revolution 3

Finding Your Vintage Vibe 7

Supplies 8

Time versus Money 9

Part Time or Full Time? 10

Should You Really Open a Shop? 11

02 From Dreaming to Doing 12

Start with an Idea 13

Envisioning Your Ideal Customer 14

Developing a Business Atmosphere 17

Writing a Mission Statement 22

Finding the Best Name for Your Business 24

Refining Your Product Line 27

03 Getting Started 30

Managing an Office 31

Managing a Studio 31

Business License: Sole Proprietor, LLC, or Something Else? 35

Filing for an EIN 36

Bookkeeping 36

Insurance 37

04 Outfitting a Home Office Space 39

Get in the Zones 40

The Importance of Staying Organized 48

05 Every Business Needs a Plan 50

Ready? Set? Goals! 50

My Path to Success 51

Creating a Five-Year Plan 52

Determining Prices 54

Retail versus Wholesale 57

Seasonal Sales Cycles 58

Writing a Business Plan 60

Finding Capital 62

06 The Ins and Outs of Etsy 63

Learning SEO 65

Writing Effective Listings 69

Using Analytics 173

Perfecting Your Photography 74

Setting Up Sections 177

Setting Up Policies 179

Customer Service 83

Handling the Shipping 86

Going Global: Should You? 88

More Listings = More Sales 90

Made to Order or Ready to Ship 93

Considering Custom Orders 96

Charging for Rush Orders 98

07 Marketing Your Shop 100

The Importance of Being Branded 101

Social Media Marketing 102

What about Blogs? 124

Traditional Media Advertising 130

Landing Print Features 130

Being Highlighted through Etsy 133

08 Financial Management 136

Finding Hidden Costs 136

Reducing Costs by Growing Larger 139

Taxes and Accounting 141

09 Legal Issues and Ethics 144

Being Your Original, Awesome Self 144

Trademarks, Patents, and Copyrights 146

Copyrighted Supplies 147

Children's Items 148

Hiring an Attorney 148

Zoning: Can You Start at Home? 148

Etsy Fees 149

Giving Back 150

10 Thinking Long Term 151

Staying Small 152

Growing Your Shop Larger 154

Hiring Help 156

Should You Stay on Etsy Forever? 161

Appendix A Online Resources for Etsy Businesses 163

Appendix B Etsy Glossary 170

Index 174

About the Author 178