Deciding What To Do?

I know, deciding what to do with your online store front is hard. Me and Lydia, we're on Etsy, so its deciding when to post up a new item, or what the banner needs to look like.
There are other critical decisions, though. Take for instance, what you're going to make? Jeez, that's hard enough, but deciding when to post it, what to put in the description, editing the pics, and the price to set on it? It's freaking hard! Here's my top 5 for starting your online store.

1. Deciding to start - You've probably already done this, but its hard to know when to start. I say, start now. You only make it harder to get started. Procrastination breeds laziness and complacency.
2. Firmly choose your direction - Its easy to change your direction, but you've got to set one and start working that way. Are you going to make hand carved birds from reclaimed pine wood, or are you making perfumes? If you don't know where you plan to go and what to make, how can you have anything to sell?
3. Take some time - Seriously, I know it seems counter-intuitive to what I just said, but take some time. Decide if you can devote time to the shop and promoting it. You might not be able to promote the shop. If not, don't expect it to grow fast. You may not decide to make a Twitter account for your shop, but you should see if you can fit it in. Maybe you can set aside two hours a week to making blog posts, tweeting, and advertisement planning. That's fine, just make sure you've got set times to do these things. If not, you will maybe, definitely, slip into not doing them.
4. Describe it, tap the emotions - Don't misrepresent the item, but feel free to become a braggart. Its your art. No matter if you make cards, dried herbs, or find vintage box to sell, its art. Describe it, say what its for, how it makes you feel, who could use it, how you could use it, or anything that helps the reader connect with the item. Close in on that niche, use emotions to seal the sale. If you don't say how awesome it is, no one will know.
5. Read, read, read, improve, improve, improve - I had a 6th grade teacher, and she was rather nuts. But she had a saying: "Every day, no matter my age, I become further educated by new things." She was right. Everyday I spend learning something new about SEO or ways to monetize my art, I learn something new. Every time you learn and improve on a new technique, it gives you something else to sell. Its not all about making money, but we all need it. The better we are at making the money, the more we can focus on our art. This isn't everyone's goal, but its the main goal for many people.

I know that I still see ways, just from this list, that I could improve. Hopefully, you see at least one point here they can take away. Maybe not, but I hope so.

Suggested reading list:
http://www.heartofbusiness.com/why-clients-dont-buy-the-hierarchy-of-choice/
http://meylah.com/blog/292/How-to-Know-Youre-a-Pro-5-Hints-for-a-Successful-Shop

-- Curtis
Curtis is the brains behind http://faerytalewings.etsy.com, meanwhile his beautiful wife, Lydia, is the artist. They currently reside in Winter Park, FL in a suburb considered to be in the Greater Orlando area.

First Post

Well, with this blog I hope to do a few things.

1.  Motivate you and me. No really. I do. I want to see you grow and I want to grow. I'd be lying if I said I didn't!
2. Provide some tips. I know its hard to get started selling online, not matter the venue. We could all use some help in getting started.
3. Introduce you to interesting sellers. I hope that really soon I'll be able to provide some interviews with  sellers who have become successful. Success is measured by your value, not monetary worth.
4. Get other's points of views. If it was just my opinion on everything, this would get boring, really fast!
5. Tutorials and links. We all have to learn some way, and tutorials and whatnot are a great way to learn!

Well, thanks for looking and we'll start again with some new stuff soon!