The Etsy 365 Project

Ahhh, a new year and some new vintage junk!

Usually we make a family junking road trip or two over the holiday break but that didn't happen this year. The children are no longer as malleable as they once were and sometimes it's just better to cut your losses and go in a different direction. Like to the movies. Or to the mall. Neither of which we did, but you get my drift.

Mr. VJIMT and I did manage to sneak off to a local antique shop once school started. We can't really call it an actual road trip since it's less than a mile away, but hey, I'm counting it. And everything was 25% off, so it even felt thrifty.

I got this sweet little shelf -- as you can see, I'm still fond of those aquas!

And more pink Shiny Brites, as we may have had a cat-in-a-tree accident or two.

Mr. VJIMt stuck with a similar theme while shopping for Christmas. He found this fabulous aqua toolbox on Etsy and stocked it with some of my favorite things.

I am moving slowly through the holiday haze and trying to figure out which of the multitudes of projects to start first. I should probably take that aluminum tree down soon. Although Stella may not be happy about it.

One venture I have begun concerns my Etsy shop. I have a basement full of inventory. And maybe a spare bedroom. And a couple of cupboards. And the trunk of my car -- did you think I was just kidding with that "vintage junk in my trunk" thing?

Anyway, it's a little daunting but I figured if I just do a little bit every day I may get through it. So my goal is to list ONE item a day. Just one. That's it. Perfectly doable, right?

So far I'm right on schedule. The item I listed last night took me an hour to research because I had a hard time figuring out the maker's mark and I started to panic at 11:45pm but I got it done.

Now what if I go nuts and have a DD Iced Mocha Coffee (no cream, just sugar) and list more than one a day? Does that count toward x number of days, or is it still just one listing? I think I'm going to be a little tough on myself (at least in the beginning) and only count it as one listing. Check back with me in August; that aspiration may change!

Besides organizing my inventory and clearing out the clutter, having more items listed should improve my Google visibility. I am normally at around 110-120 items listed, but those in the know say you should have between 300-400 for maximum exposure. Whew!

So wish me luck. Maybe you want to join me? We can form a support group!

Comments

[judi]

i can totally relate with the stock piling higher and higher. this is my dream goal as it is suffocating me thinking about all the "stuff" i have. but with a wedding in june, another parade of homes and clients wanting some interior decorating, my shop has been on a back burner.
however, i am motivated to declutter and refocus on etsy. so consider me part of the support group! (i'd be happy to list one item/week) just wish it didn't take so long to list an item...know any shortcuts?

[Spencer]

Oh how I understand your plight... I need to do some selling on Etsy and eBay too... good gravy.. it is time consuming, isn't it!

Wishing you much success in the selling department this year!

Happy New Year..

Blessings,
Spencer

[sveltestuff]

You ARE an inspiration (as always!!)
OUR GOAL too is more 'space '!!
We are gonna give it a try with ya 8-)!
S~

[Linda Emery]

Gina, I'm thinking about doing an Etsy-a-day too... Just not starting TO-day... Good luck!

[Lisa]

I sell little things, jewelry, trinkets, coins, buttons....you get the idea. My goal is 60 items a week for 2013. Not sure about the 300 items adding extra exposure, I have 300-400 in my store most of the time and it's the 'new' auction items I post every week that draw the most attention to those store listings. I wish you luck in the new year and LOVE watching your traveling adventures.

[Annette]

Adorable picture of Stella. Such a cutie!
After deciding to quit doing shows and then pulling out of the mall I was in, I jumped right in to Etsy. Big mistake for me. I am taking Jan. off to reorganize my home
(read that de clutter and organize) and then in Feb get into Etsy with a plan. One a day sounds great to me. The thing I like is being able to get multiple things "ready" to list and then just click a button on any day and publish them. Good luck with your plan!

[sebastian]

I have found its BEST to list only one item @ a time...it gives the site time to share it,and also allows you a new top of the pile stat each time rather than listing 2-3 or more at one time...very good idea,my etsy shop and my realtime shop both were started with excess from my life in NYC i am surprised more people dont do it...

[SamovarKath]

Gina, I do wish you luck. That one item a day thing sounds so sensible... so reasonable... then why am I such an 'all or nothing' gal? Maybe I'll try it for my long-neglected dream of an ebay biz.

It's a brand spankin' new year. Anything is possible!

[Maria (Magia Mia)]

You had me at Aqua.......and cats in the tree. I'm with Stella. Leave the tree alone. It's still Winter, Mom!

One item a day sounds very doable. Unfortunately, I can get very carried away in the research department, as I always want to sound knowledgeable, and not make an ignorant fool of myself when describing something. I NEVER have near that many items in my shop, which I'm sure is due to the aforementioned issue. Perhaps I should make that one of my resolutions this year.....More expeditious listing, and less wasted time on research.......and so it is.......

[barbara]

One a day is definitely doable... I do better if I can do, say, ten at a time. I was unaware of the Google stat...no matter, because I will never get there!

[Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces]

You have inspired me, Gina...working on my etsy shops is definitely a goal this year!