Slowly but surely, I’ve been working this summer at updating and upgrading my Etsy shop. The first thing that needed to be tackled was our shop policies. They hadn’t been touched since August 2013! Since that time, through Etsy Shipping Labels, US-based sellers now have the ability to offer international tracking to many countries, and more recently, the European Union has issued a new policy on Consumer Rights. If you are selling merchandise online to customers based in the EU, their new policy is worth a read.
Aside from the above, I added a clause about customs import fees, although luckily that has yet to be an issue. I also added a clause about lost mail. I have had a small handful of instances where I have needed to resend or refund a lost order. Fortunately they have all been small orders, and I do insure my larger invitation orders with the standard $100 insurance included with USPS Priority Mail, but I felt it was better to be safe than sorry by adding a disclaimer.
You can read more about creating shop policies in my previous post, My First Year as an Etsy Seller: Shop Policies, or review my current shop policies here.
I also recently updated our Shop Profile, adding booth photos from our May craft show as shop pics. One day, I promise I will redecorate/organize the office to make it presentable.
Screen Shot of theBird+theBeard’s Shop About Page
I rewrote our shop bio and added a few fun facts about me and my husband. Most importantly, I added my social media handles and a link to sign up for our monthly newsletter.
Screen Shot of theBird+theBeard’s Shop About Page
I plan on making a few more updates to these pages before summer is over and I enter holiday mode. I am slowly making my way through Etsy’s 2014 Seller Seminar from last month. The first two lessons cover creating a Brand Promise and and building a narrative. I anticipate these lessons will lend some insight into even more profile improvements. Also on the horizon: professional head shots. I don’t even think I look like that woman in the picture at the end of this post.
Jessica Schaefer is a graduate of Edinboro University with a degree in graphic design. She rekindled her love for design by creating, printing, and binding her wedding save-the-dates, invitations, and programs. She is a member of Pittsburgh Center for the Arts where she continues to study paper making and printmaking. Jessica started her Etsy business with designs from her own wedding before expanding to new ideas. This year her business, theBird+theBeard, also began selling cards in independent shops in several states. When not working on new ideas for theBird+theBeard, she enjoys camping and spending time with her husband and stepson. You can review her work at thebirdandthebeard.com.
