Etsy Insight

Before listing something, I research it on Etsy and Ebay to see what similar items are selling for.  I don't want to under-cut someone else, but I want to sell it.  So, if I see an item for $10, I may try to sell it for $8.  If something is listed for less than $4, I set it aside and wait a few months before listing it.  It's not worth the time, effort and costs for me to list it.

Next, I photograph the item, trying to show it as many ways as possible and as artistic as possible. I always use all 5 photos, even if it is the same photo with just different backgrounds (see listing for doily below on  different colored back grounds.
 
This is a listing page where you identify everything about the item--its use, the title, its age, materials it is made from and "Tags".  We are allowed 13 tags which I always use.  So, for this doily, I might put "doily, doiley, doilys, doilies, round, 13 inches, 34 cm, pineapple, star, crochet, crocheted, white, cream".  Yes, I misspell some tags and use plurals for one item, because that may be how a potential customer searches it.  I also use synonyms so a "table scarf" may also be listed as a "panel", "placemat", "table runner".
 
This is how my page looks today:  Oma's Trunk.  The top 4 items are "featured":  I pre-selected items I wanted in that spot.  The items below are the ones I have most recently listed.  Although I have 5 patterns I wanted to list, I try not to list too many at the same time, but spread them out so they appear on the search pages in different places.  I have 10 draft items at this time---I just need to press a button to publish them.  But, I want to spread the publishing out during the course of a week, thus getting more exposure also.
It helps to have a good scale to weight items.  Shipping fees are based on weight of the item, the wrapping, the shipping container. I go to the post office web site to get rates.  There is a wonderful feature on Etsy called shipping profile.  For example 1-2 oz. items, I have priced at $2 for the United States $4.75 anywhere else.  I have pre-entered all of that, so anytime I have an item that weighs that, it will automatically appear.
Due to the nature of the items, I sell (antique, fabric, paper), I wrap everything in acid-free paper, and slap a sticker on from my vast sticker collection.

Then, I write a thank you note, slide the sold object in an envelope, write the name and address (from my iPad), use one of my kazillion free address labels and take it to the post office.  There is also an option which I use from time to time in which I can print a label from PayPal which includes postage. It costs .18 extra, but is a great option.  I don't have any sticker paper, so I have to tape it down.  But, then I can just put the package in the mailbox rather than sending it with Dave to the Post Office.

So, how have I done?  Pretty well, I think.  This page shows clearly when my shop was closed for several weeks of trips.  It looks like I am going down, but this isn't the middle of the month yet.  And, I have "made" almost $1000.  I do need to deduct the cost of listing the item, using pay pal to collect the money, the envelope and the cost of the item sold (which usually was in my closet, basement and bought years ago).  I do occasionally find items at thrift stores which I turn around and list (sewing patterns and scarves), but most things are really part of my cleaning out/down-sizing.  All in all it has been a profitable enterprise for this retired lady.