Thank you for all the sweet, thoughtful feedback you left.
I teared up a little when I saw my Dad leave the review above.
Thank you to everyone who has ever left a review over the years. You do not know how much it helps small business owners create a strong rapport online.
2020 ended so much faster than I anticipated. As many of you know, I had my Etsy Shop closing sale. See my previous blog post about the details of why I closed my shop. I cannot thank everyone enough for the fantastic support and positive energy you sent my way. I had amazing help from 2 bright, wildly talented women Elizabeth Tortorici & Hannah Channing. We shipped thousands of prints during the most chaotic shipping season I have ever encountered to date. And some people are still receiving their orders to the farther parts of the world! Over the last decade I have learned so much about shipping globally, selling art online and customer service that I feel I could teach a masters program in it, haha. But truly, what a joy it was to close out the Etsy shop with such amazing, bright energy with you! I received so many messages and well wishes, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
One of things I worked hardest at in my Etsy shop over the years was the customer service end, and working hard to achieve 5 star reviews. In fact, for over a decade my shop has been nearly 4-5 star reviews. A lot of it has been because I have always had a mantra, “Treat every customer like my first customer.” I think that is an important detail anyone who is thinking about opening an online shop or is running one now, should remember. When you buy something from the maker online, you are usually very excited about the level of personal connection you could possibly receive. You aren’t going to get the same experience from buying off Amazon, or any big box store, right? But it also makes it tricky when your order arrives damaged, wrong, or the customer is not satisfied. Be the shop owner you would want to support over and over again. You are completely in charge of how you run your shop, and handle any customer service issues. But if you it make it a goal to make your customers feel very respected and happy about their purchase-your shop will grow and flourish. People want to see humans doing the right thing. And online shopping platforms in a small way, can reestablish people’s faith in human connection. That’s just my opinion ;)
I always like put out an inspirational and positive note, as you know. So here are:
5 TIPS to running a successful online shop, no matter what you are selling!
1. Never forget why you started. There will be slow times. There will be issues you never expected that might leave you deflated. When I started my shop, I had no idea if I would sell even 1 item. And of course, my 1st sale was probably the most important one. When the chips are down, it’s really important to reconnect to the basics of why you do what you do. And of course, if your heart is not in it-take inventory and a serious look at why. In my opinion, if you are not passionate about what you are selling, your customers will know that. So be sure you really stay true to why you started. And keep that close to you.
2. Focus on making what you are selling important and exciting to you. Don’t make it just because you think it will sell. This is so easy to do, and to not even realize you are doing it. But I honestly think it’s so valuable to remind yourself of this often. When I started painting again for myself (long before I thought about selling) and doing so for the joy of it, I was able to make art that really pleased me and brought me joy. Art that I was less critical of. And that is always a win. When I can look at something I made and am able to see the magic in it, I know now-others will see it too. But If I make something because someone told me to, or because it’s in some trend-forecasted brief I have seen from a higher up corporation telling me I need to have more of “x, y, an z” in my portfolio it 99% of the time means I’ll make FLAT, STATIC art that is not being true to myself and my aesthetic. Stick to what energizes you. Stick to what keeps you curious. You need to feel like a mad scientist when you’re in the studio. Being instinctual, playing, and allowing mistakes to happen. That is when good art is made.
3. Treat every customer like your 1st customer. I am reiterating that statement here. Remember that people can shop in millions of ways. And they chose to shop with you for a reason. Respect that. Strive to make them happy they shopped with you. Not only will you likely get a great review (which will make it easier for new customers coming into your shop to trust buying from you) but they likely will share your shop with their friends/family. So for every 1 happy customer, it is likely to trickle out to so many more new customers!
4. Be willing to take negative feedback or a critical review or just even suggestions. Be open minded when someone tells you a way they think you can improve or do something better. They just might be right. Which is such a blow to your ego, right!? But when are any of us right all the time?? TRUST ME, if you start selling art it takes a while to grow a thick skin, the more you are able to stay humble and let go of your ego-you will improve and grow in unexpected ways. I have had multiple times as an artist when I do something wrong. I fail miserably. But it’s because I try my best to get back up, adjust and learn from it-that is why I am successful. Not just because the art and talent. Your resiliency and humility will take you farther than you can imagine.
5. Ask for Help. This is something I am not good at. And I am SO glad I asked for help more last year than ever. Whether it means, contacting a successful shop owner and asking them for any tips/tricks or hiring out help when things get busy or just asking friends/family for their honest opinions about what you could improve on. We constantly need to be in a state to say, “I’m not weak when I ask for help. I can’t do this all on my own all the time.” The inclination is to do it all yourself. But you can’t sustain a business, and surely one you want to grow, but doing it all yourself. Now in days there are platforms that can even print/ship for you. We can outsource so much more now, then when online platforms 1st debuted. So always be open to doing a little research and knowing that more often, the help you need is always out there just waiting for you to ask.
I hope this spreads some positive inspiration to you today. I hope to be able to have more time this year to post on my blog as a continued resource to bring happy, inspiring and thoughtful messages to you.
Happy New Year! xo
Jess