I know this sounds like a negative post. but really I must be honest. Especially if you consider yourself a Christian business, there are probably reasons why you are not making money on ETSY. The following are some reasons i came up with this are not necessarily spirit led, only you know what God is telling you but they are some thoughts.
Reason 1.
You are not following ETSY's rules.
How you get something matters as much as getting it. Okay, i know you don't like to admit this, but even the internet has rules. You know the policies and terms that most ppl breeze past like they don't matter. Have you ever thought to think that they do. (see Moses and circumcision) are their rules that you thought weren't necessary but BEFORE you started your business did you factor all these things in?
Are you legally registered in your state, is it a hobby? Are you following all the shipping rules etc etc. There is a reason for the hold up and perhaps if you know what you weren't doing you would do better.
I used to think i would just be blessed just because i was, who i was. After all I have a cute product and ppl who have less talent are making money. Well.... that may be (PRIDE) but perhaps they follow the rules and you don't God is no respecter of persons.
Reason 2. You are not prepared
have you thought about the fact that you can't handle more than what you have right now. You have a baby, a husband and a home and you are looking for 10,000 orders of stuff. Do you know that you have to have shipping labels, costs for postage, TIME and energy to create stuff, patience and time to deal with customer issues if something goes wrong. While you are himming and hawing about sister over there selling a BIZILLION bracelets with little stones have you THOUGHT about what she is able to do?
Perhaps she has time that you don't or ability that you don't (as tough as it is to admit) or RESOURCES that you don't. If you want what they have you have to DO what they did, and if its not worth sacrificing then don't complain. ( i love you really I'm not trying to be harsh)
AND 3. It's not the right (FIT) medium
Let's face it, if you have other priorities that you need to focus on, and running a business on ETSY is W.O.R.K. I've seen peopl selling random stuff make money are your gifts worth wasting just to sell out for a buck. There's BRIKA and artfire, not as popular BUT you might want to check it out!
And if you dont have the energy to do it, ETSY may not be the BEST vehicle for you. That's not to say their aren't other avenues for your sales and Talent. Don't get mad because other people are successful and you feel like a failure, maybe its not the right FIT. The biggest disservice you can do to yourself is to try to be something or someone that you are NOT. Go with what works for YOU! If you are getting sales other places, like selling AVON or even at the church picnic DO THAT. Everything is not created for EVERYBODY. Don't feel like a loser, find your winning team and GO there.
4. You are lazy with the little bit you have
It says 'don't despise small beginnings' (bible) and you have sold ONE item. WELL, are you doing all you can, if God doesnt want you to do something trust you will know. There will be NO FRUIT. So let it go!
Also if you haven't done anything with the little, WHY on earth would GOD give you MORE. NOW we are talking about saints. there are wicked ppl selling on ETSY everyday who are making money now some of that money sticks and some of it doesn't the fact is we can't know everyone's personal situation. besides even if you had the money would you KNOW what to do with it. Instead of feeling like a loser do a Jerry Mcquire and take your ONE client and take it all the way.
5. It is not cost effective
Perhaps you spend more than you earn on etsy. Why waste money.
Between photoshoots and costs for supplies etc etc etc etc etc etc. YOU must know if the amount of energy you are spending on what you are doing is GOING to give you a return that is WORTH your effort. Nothing worse than wasting pearls on swine (not saying Etsy is swine, its lucrative for some) b/c you will be mad you spent all the time and effort if you aren't making anything.
6. No one wants what you have to sell
I know you love the little Chia whatevers...but lets face it. if no one wants what you have to sell its a waste of time....Period. Find who DOES want what you have and sell there. Even Jesus said 'Shake the dust...' some people will never want what you got, so don't cry just go to the one's that DO!
7. You didn't even BOTHER to pray or ask GOD what HE thinks.
This should be first but since if your reading this you are already having a little trouble i figured you may have forgotten this step anyway. Perhaps God is not even ON the money thing, but the OBEDIENCE thing. Some people work for the sheer joy and the results are not that important.
You know if its all about the money theirs lots of things you can do. But if you are REALLY doing this for the right reasons, using your gifts or simply to fill a need. Have you checked your motives?
Are you selling because you just want to be like someone else...Probably not a good reason. Are you doing it because you truly love what you are doing and could care less if you make money or not ( money is a good reason depending on what its for) if your motives are right the rest will come.
Selling a bizillion "chia whatevers" just because you see someone else doing it isn't the right reason. You might get what you want and then you end up in a dead end situation with TONS of inventory you really want out of your house or with people that you never wanted to be around in the first place do a #heartcheck.
You know that Scripture "your gifts will make room for you" (bible/proverbs) yeah its not that hard...Happy selling!
