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Saturday, February 1, 2014

To Etsy or not to Etsy?

That is the question. That is the question I have been struggling with for some time. I tried it once, but it was on a whim with products that I look back at and...let's just say I am now not so surprised they didn't sell. I just got too excited and didn't put enough thought and time into perfecting each piece. I was whipping them out really quickly and posting to sell. Then, I was too embarrassed to actually try promoting myself, and I got super disappointed when people weren't flocking to buy them. Totally nonsensical, I know...

But since this past Fall I have been thinking of trying it again since I have really come to enjoy making prints for my home, as well as for friends and family. I really got the itch when I created this piece for my elementary school buddy, Lindsey and her soon-to-be-here baby girl.


I taught myself some new techniques to make clearer digital images from my hand drawings, and I was hooked. I started created a handful of images and sharing with some of my closest friends. I didn't want to just jump into it again, so I have been getting feedback, making adjustments, and really putting thought into each image before it is complete. Now I just have to work up the courage and start putting myself out there. 

If you know me well, you know that I am super bad at that. I am horrible at promoting anything that I do. Sure I will share images and posts about the things I am working on for myself, but when it comes to promoting anything for sales...I stink. I am a horrible salesperson when it comes to my own products. 

I am trying to overcome that. I am trying to be rational and realize that I must overcome that because people are not going to flock to a brand new shop and buy prints by the hundreds when they don't know they exist. I have to be realistic...and maybe a little less sensitive. 

I would love to hear any feedback. I usually don't get a lot of comments here, but I am actually asking for them this time. Let me know what you think of the idea. I will be sharing a few more designs here to try to get over my crazy fear of self promotion, and I would be so grateful for some honest feedback. Thanks, friends! 

xoxo,
Katie 

2 comments:

  1. I haven't been to your blog in a while... actually took a hiatus from blogging myself and didn't even check blogs while I was gone. I love this print you did for your friend and I could see myself buying something like this from an artist. Go for it!!!

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    1. Kristen, thank you so much for your feedback! I almost said you have no idea how much I appreciate it, but as a fellow blogger I am sure you understand how every comment counts. I really appreciate your opinion! I am totally planning on giving it a try. I just want to get a few more prints available and hammer down the shipping details. Thanks again, and have a blessed day!

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