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Etsy Seller Guidelines

Lesson 4 from: Etsy 101: Launch Your Handmade Shop

Marlo Miyashiro

Etsy Seller Guidelines

Lesson 4 from: Etsy 101: Launch Your Handmade Shop

Marlo Miyashiro

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Lesson Info

4. Etsy Seller Guidelines

Lesson Info

Etsy Seller Guidelines

I wanted to run through the cellar guidelines because oftentimes we don't read them and if I'm going to get you off on the right foot we're going tio run through these and there are they're on etsy there's thie the whole list of the guidelines that you'll want to read the general guidelines the buyer guidelines you definitely want to read it on dso you know where you're at beacon protect yourself and your customers when it comes to running at sea shop so first thing is to maintain a transparent shop so what that means is for instance I have a couple other etc stores selling my sewn work and selling some of my higher end jewelry it is a requirement that you put in your shop in your somewhere in your announcement or in your profile thie links to those shops to maintain the transparency that you own more than one shop um I was actually called out on this thing contact music you know he really need to put those links on there and like I had no idea why because I didn't read the seller guid...

elines okay uh it's built on trust so this is all of these things um are all about making sure that you are honest about what you're doing with your business and honestly if if that's ah if you are honest with your business than you, you will have no problems with any of these guidelines um, only list items and shop that are for sale and fall into one of our three categories handmade, vintage or craft supplies? Um, a pretty wide range of things items must be accurately represented in listings and photos, and buyers can submit reviews for what they're purchased. So that's something to always keep in mind when you're selling on selling something on etsy is that the customer experience can be reported back to you good or bad, so keep that in mind, respect the intellectual property of others, and they do have a system where if you feel that somebody has copied your work, you can contact them and they can help you out with that. Andrea lee again, let's focus on our own creativity and creating things that are really true to what we are doing do not engage in fy avoidance, which will talked about it a bit, and they have a whole list of prohibited items. I encourage you to actually read it because it's very interesting because they're prohibited for a reason and yeah, hey, that's all I'm gonna say about that, okay? Fi avoidance. Okay, so this is basically anything you do to use, etc as a way to get business. And money off of etc so posting an announcement in your shop that encourages shoppers to purchase the same items in your shop at another online selling venue. Ok, so if you have your work list is somewhere else that's fine just don't try to get other get them to go there to buy it uh posting an announcement in an empty shop that direct shoppers to another online venue if you if you decide that season for you that's fine if you want to keep your account open that's fine, but don't put anything in the in your announcement that says, hey, come over here and you can buy directly from me if they find it they'll just shut it down. They probably even tell you because you know you're breaking the rules right and then editing listings information to change it to an entirely different item on what this means is when you pay your twenty cents to list something on etc it's available for four months so let's say two months in you decide I'm just going to change that into something totally different you basically have now gotten to listings for one fee ok it's a new new contacting another member via conversations or the internet see email system and directing them to buy or sell an item listed on etsy outside of etsy's marketplace s oh yeah that's pretty that's exactly completing a transaction off sc one once it has been initiated on site now I come across this sometimes with my custom work because people who live in seattle they will say hey, you know I live in the area why don't we just kind of do a thing no conversations on etsy? Um they're owned by etc they happen on their website and they have the right to read any conversation you have, so keep that in mind if you're trying to be a little this's person about things, I always always have that in mind that, you know, potentially someone else is going to be reading this and really if if you're if you're going to be honest about you know how you do business and that you are partnering basically with that seat to have your small business on their site than you're fine, right? Okay for sellers of handmade items do not resell items on her hand a category and what that means is you don't want to buy something from another place and just instantly put a price on it and sell it without you doing anything to it you have to have some kind of hand in designing the final product that's on on your shop and then the outside manufacturers to make items and basically this whole thing came about because it's he is ten years old, there are people who have started businesses when as he was very young and with any small business if you get past you know people say if you get past the one year mark you doing great if you get past the five year mark you doing great, but now we're getting up to the ten year mark and if he had me business that started in two thousand five hasn't figured out a way to grow their business and increase their business than there's no change there's no growth from that point. So what they're doing is they're allowing that handmade seller to work with a printer, a fabric printer you know liz, what is that spoon flower or something? And you know any kind of outside not in your studio creating things. It allows you to have help from peace workers or your friend's um it allows you to increase your production so that you can sell more things that air your designs um they do have a whole section on wholesale they have a wholesale market, digital custom mature and charitable listing it's all in that link there you want to go there and if you have anything in those categories, you want to read all of those specific things too? S o this is their page about working with manufacturers handmade I know's made with the manufacturer must demonstrate three principles authorship, responsibility and transparency so you know in my experience the people who are having who have had me businesses that are growing they have no problems with this because you know your business you know what you need to do to grow your business and all they're asking is for you to share that information so they can be sure that you are within their guidelines that's it provide great customer service this goes back to the review system your customers will definitely tell you if they're happy mostly happy with their stuff with their stuff or sometimes you'll get things that you need tio discuss with them so if we if we just concentrate on just working with our customers than everything will be just fine responded conversations in a timely manner that means if you get a message on etc then of course you know as a customer you don't want to be left out hanging there waiting for somebody to answer you so I mean essentially what this is is just you know, bigger person work work with your customers and with the goal in mind of just making sure that everyone is happy with their experience a ce faras things like returns or unhappy customers I've been with us since two thousand seven I have maybe a handful of people who wanted to return something um a couple people who are like this even this isn't silver what is this like it is silver but you know um, I actually refunded their money because the only thing I could think of was if I was that customer and I was looking at that ring every day and thinking that person, that person, just that they took me, they took like, no, I've rather give you your money back. So you're happy and you stop thinking about me. S so, you know, customer service, it's all about making sure that things were working for both of you, okay, yeah, and, you know, of course, if you if you can't make something, just be totally open with them. You know, there are times when I'm delayed and sending a shipment and, you know, so I just immediately that let them know as soon as I know and most people are fine with it. And you know you can cancel the order if they don't if they don't want to wait that long. It's really that simple. People are very nice when you're open with them.

Class Materials

bonus material with purchase

Etsy® 101 - Class Workbook
Etsy® 101 - Handmade Value Ebook
Etsy® 101 - Tag-Keyword Brainstorm Mini Workbook

Ratings and Reviews

a Creativelive Student
 

This is an an amazing class. It is great for beginners as well as those who have had their shop up for while. There is something new to learn for everyone on Etsy. Marlo's powerpoints are concise and clear. I was so glad to also get the ebooks so I can go back and review the course while I make changes to my store. I am able to bookmark and work through all the changes. Thanks for this course, Marlo and CreativeLive.

user-29a96a
 

Marlo's live presentation was terrific! I learned a lot and was motivated to buy her materials. Looking forward to reading her materials in greater depth. Much thanks!

Student Work

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