Hi fellow Folksy sellers. I would really appreciate some advice on selling, my shop has only been open for a wee, lots of views but not a bite. I haven’t loaded all my items yet, still in the process of doing this. I’ve re taken photos and changed titles to see if I can get hire up the page listings. I can’t even find some of my items. Know it’s early days, but any kind soul that could offer some advice, would be really welcomed thanks.
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It takes time, I think, my first sale was about 3 months.
You are a plus shop but not making use of collections found in Shop Settings in your dashboard. Plus you can feature products also in this section under shop keeping. That way will show images scrolling across the top of your shop.
Your about me had not been filled out. People buy from people and as selling handmade customers like to know about you.
Are you on social media? Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest etc.
Join in the forums, the daily challenge. Post an item with a link, visit the other shops joining in and heart their item. We will do the same for you helps with customers. I also sell to other sellers and make this the go to place when searching for something to buy.
We are a friendly bunch and sure someone else will be along with some more ideas to help you,
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Unfortunately you are working in a very crowded area - jewellery accounts for about 25% of listings on Folksy so it is very hard to get sales from browsing customers as there is soo much competition. (January is also a quiet month as people are paying off the credit card bill from Christmas and i think this year people are being even more cautious because of rising blls)
How are you promoting your shop? There aren’t any social media links on your shop front.
Hi Caroline thank you so much for taking the time for looking at this for me.
I will take your advice, I’m new to selling in this way and need to look at, as you suggested using the functions I haven’t yet looked at for my plus account.
Can’t say I’m the most techy of them, but I’m learning. I am in process of setting up an Instagram page, as I’m not on any other social media sites.
I may look at Pinterest as I use that personally.
Could I ask you, if you feel the postage is ok and nut off putting, as I’ve tried to keep my prices reasonable (I use only quality materials) so needed to add postage, to reflect these prices.
Thanks so much again and I will check out your shop soon.
Kind regards Lynn x
Hi Sasha,
Thank you for responding much appreciated. I’m in the process of setting up an Instagram account, for my shop. I don’t do Facebook, but may look at Pinterest soon.
Your right, times are tough for everyone. Being new to selling on this type of platform, I’ve probably expected things to move too quickly, but I’m learning and not out off.
I love my crafts so I’ll keep plugging away.
Hope you are doing well, thanks again for your advice much appreciated.
Kind regards Lynn
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I think your postage is fine. I charge what I will be charged then additional for each item. My policy is to refund if collected too much postage. Had a customer give a review once and she said ‘at last a true postal charge’. Had refunded the overpayment in that instance.
I know as a buyer free p & p is not free but included in the price, some sellers prefer to go down that route and up to every seller. I prefer postage separate.
As Sasha said this time of year is quiet and with all the increases in fuel etc, heading for lean times.
Thanks Caroline, I’ve refunded too overpaid postage on eBay, good practice for sure.
Love your shop btw, am now working on my about section, thank you for pointing this out, I am definitely a rookie at all this, but thanks to kind people like you, hopefully I’ll soon be selling 
Lynn
With respect to postage - Royal Mail’s insurance doesn’t cover jewellery (at least not jewellery made with precious metals including silver) unless you are using special delivery. Obviously that’s not a viable option for cheaper items as it costs £6.75. Many people ‘self insure’ - add a few pence onto the shipping of each order so if something does go missing that pot of money covers the refund.
I am just stopping by to say hello, I am new here too and I still have a lot to learn. My phots need some work on them and I need to learn about socials too.
I have had no sales either but I am not letting that put me off, I am enjoying crafting, it is occuping my mind. one day I might get a sale but that will be just an added bonus. If I end up with too much products I will find other ways to part with them but I will still list on here. I love the interaction of the forums.
Have a lovely weekend.
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Welcome Amanda @DesiredDream. You need to fill out your about section as I mentioned above invaluable that people can find more about you as a crafter.
Thank you I had it filled out until this morning. I have been messing about with various things and it doesn’t seemed to of saved.
Hi @forgetmenotcraftsanddesign my shop is new too and sales are slow. However, I have sold designs on other sites before. Other posters have covered some of the things I was going to say such as make sure your bio etc. is filled out and you have good photos.
I would highly recommend social media (which I see you’re in the process of setting up): Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram. Remember to put your shop link in your bio of each profile.
On Instagram be active, comment on other users posts and like. Try to post every day if you can (Instagram loves active users). Don’t just post pictures of your final product but also your work in progress. If you have an area where you make your stuff take photos of that. I’ve also found my audience is growing because I keep my personal stuff separate from my art. So I have an Instagram that is purely focussed on my art, and all my personal photos go to another account. Consistency is key.
Don’t be disheartened, January is a slow month because everyone is recovering from Christmas. It really is about getting your name out there. Post to your social media and carry on making your stuff. Just enjoy making, add to your shop - but don’t obsess whether you have sales or not. The more you interact with the Internet with social media and stuff the more the search engines will begin to pick you up.
Do you have business cards? If not get some (or make some) and put your shop address on them. If you sell at craft fairs make sure they’re on your table. Attach them to your products so they go out with your items when you sell them.
I hope in all my waffle I’ve given you some useful tips. Main thing is keep going 
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Hi @forgetmenotcraftsanddesign I love your blue crochet forget-me-not earrings. I personally would add crochet earrings, blue earrings and floral earrings to the tags. If I search for crochet earrings in the search bar they don’t come up.
Unfortunately I can’t wear earrings any more but I can still admire them.
Don’t forget that with a Plus account, you can relist items daily to get them higher up the search. I usually relist a few items each day.
Good luck with your shop.
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Hi Amanda, Kate and Claire,
Thank you for your lovely comments and advice, and Claire for the lovely comments. I will add crochet in to the title, hopefully that will lead more views to them.
It’s lovely to be talking to like minded people, the love for what we make is above all the passion that drives us. Probably like you all, crafting has got me through some very difficult times.
So many hours whiled away crafting, as well as being so therapeutic, has given me a new lease of life for sure.
Because I’m new to social media (except for being an avid YouTube viewer, I have really taken on board your comments and next week will set up Instagram. Kate thank you for your tips on this very helpful.
The about page is being done this weekend, so I’ll be happily spending my weekend in my little studio area doing just that.
Thank you all again for your comments and advice, I hope you are all well and I will be checking out your shops when I am buying gifts etc
Happy weekend all 
Lynn x
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Hi Sasha, how do you add the social media links please? I have been on folksy a couple of years now and haven’t had a sale since September 2021 now. I don’t know why. I advertise on Facebook and Instagram. My listings are all expiring and I don’t feel it’s worth renewing. I still get sales on the other platform. Any help/advice is appreciated.
You have your social media links on your shop front and your social pages link back to your shops so that is all set up (although FB links to your etsy shop). A quick look at your FB posts indicates that you are putting shop links in your posts - this is a big no no as it causes FB to limit your reach, put the link in the comments or possibly change the call to action button from ‘whatsapp’ to ‘shop now’. The links in insta posts aren’t clickable so I’m not convinced its actually worth putting them in so long as you have the live link set up in your bio (which you do). Instagram is currently changing stuff behind the scenes and video and reels perform much better than photos are reaching people so I wonder if you need to change the style of your social media promo so that it is more engaging/ reaches more people to help drive sales.
2 years no sales yet 
. Still hoping one day.
Keep listing on a regular basis…I waited 3 months for a sale and now I am heading towards 1000…it takes time
As Caroline said…if you have enough items, then join the daily challenge…it is hard work but brings in the sales.
Also don’t list too many items at once…I always say…if you go to a new shop in town, you go and look in the window…then you might take another look next week and the week after, but if you are always seeing the same things, then you lose interest and stop looking…So by adding a few items at a time, then people will pop in to see what;s new…
good luck …see you on the challenge thread…everyone on there is lovely x
Hi All,
Have taken the good advice given here and now completed my About page, also now using the Plus favourite’s benefits (thanks Sasha and Caroline).
Steve keep persevering, and if you haven’t already, follow some of the tips mentioned here and hopefully as we get nearer spring things will start moving for everyone
I am going to set up my business Instagram next week and I hope it’s ok to follow you all, (hopefully vice versa) as I’ve looked at some of your sites and they are awesome, some beautiful crafting going on.
Onwards and upwards, happy Sunday to you all.
Lynn
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Steve @SoothingimagesbySteveWoods where are you showing your work on the forums?
There are lots of places where you could join in…Your art is good…I sell art and sold 17 last MONTH , so YOU can do it TOO.
I used to run an art chat thread on the forums but people didn’t join in enough, and so I didn’t start one this year…you need people to get to know you
There are threads for colours, threads for favouriting an item in the shop above your listing, They might seem like silly games, but people get to know you…then when someone is looking for some art, they will remember you and go to your shop. Today I showed my listing on at least four of the forum threads…then on facebook, ( on 9 pages) plus instagram and twitter…I am useless at IT and 75 so there is no excuse not to get seen but you have to work at it.
Like people;s work and they will like you back…then you get on the folksy home page which is where customers start when looking…
Hope that helps…get your name out there …
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