Etsy Talk: Save on Shipping & Packaging

The hardest part of starting an Etsy shop for me was figuring out shipping, both prices and packaging. I did a lot of research before opening my shop and still made many mistakes. I would like to pass on what I learned so you don't have to make the same mistakes and lose money!

Buy a Scale
The best thing you can do to ensure accurate shipping prices is buy a postal scale, the weight capacity depending on what you sell. Buying from Amazon.com is cheapest.

Calculate Shipping Online
With your scale, you can accurately calculate shipping costs on the USPS site, including international rates. Play around with package weight to estimate secondary shipping costs (how much it costs to ship something with another item).

Print Labels from Paypal
Print shipping labels from your paypal account and receive a significant discount on postage for packages (for any domestic service, but only Priority or Express for international). If the person paid through paypal, you can go to your account overview and click "print shipping label" next to the transaction. The address information will automatically load. Just input the package weight (rounded up to the nearest whole number) and service type (First Class, Priority, etc.). If the person didn't pay through paypal, you can still print the label by adding the address on paypal.com/shipnow. Print the label on fast draft to save ink.

With ready-to-ship packages, no need to wait in line at the post office! Just drop off or request pick-up online if at least one of your packages is Priority Mail.

Be Creative with Packaging
Some shops only charge postage price, while others include packaging costs. Either way, be creative to save on packaging expenses and lower your shipping prices.

• Reuse boxes if you can. All previous postage must be removed or covered. You can cover non-postal boxes with brown kraft paper.
• Don't send free gifts. Most of the time, they're cheap things the buyer doesn't want or need but are still included in the shipping and packaging costs (or if not, they come out of your pocket). Most people would rather not get a random free item and pay lower shipping!
• Only use necessary, protective wrapping; no need to be super fancy unless you sell expensive jewelry or the like. 
• Make your own thank-you notes or write on the back of your business card.

Remember,  packaging ends up in the trash, so be wise where you spend your money and what you charge people for. I would rather get a less fancy (but still professional) package if it means I pay less shipping. However, you can include a note in your listings and policies about requesting free gift wrapping.

Add Shipping Information to Your Shop
Include shipping and packaging information in your policies, and your listings if you sell various items that require different packaging and shipping methods. Buyers like to know what they are paying for and when they can expect to get their items.

What shipping and packaging tips do you have?

Read about choosing shipping services.

Get "My Etsy" on Your Facebook Page

This article I wrote is very helpful, but I've realized that some of you have found a hurdle that you can't jump!

"My Etsy" is an application that you can add to your Facebook Page and can be very nice - unless you can't get it to work!  I've found that some people have Secure Browsing enabled in their privacy settings, and that setting doesn't allow My Etsy to connect.  Here's how to navigate the maze of Facebook and get My Etsy onto your page! (click on any image to enlarge!)

Log into your Facebook account.

In the upper right hand corner there is a little arrow facing down (same place that gives you the menu with the Log Out option). Click on the arrow, click on Privacy Settings.

Scroll down to Apps and Websites and click on Edit Settings. In the Apps You Use section click on Edit Settings.

 

In the menu on the left, click on Security.

Check your Secure Browsing - if it's enabled My Etsy won't work. Click Edit.

You'll have to disable it (I think you can re-enable it after you've added My Etsy. It just doesn't want to add it while it's enabled!).  Un-check "Browse Facebook using secure connection (https) when possible" and click Save Changes.  It will now say that Secure browsing is disabled. 

  

From here, you can type in My Etsy in the search bar. The app will be a selection. Click it.

 

Click Add To My Page.

 

If you are an admin on multiple pages, you'll need to choose which one. Click Add My Etsy.

 

It will then take you to the Wall of your Page. Click on My Etsy in the menu on the left.

 

You will need to enter in your Etsy username.Click Submit.

 

Decide if you want to show your favorites or just your own shop.  I did just my own shop for my page.  Click Create My Etsy Tab.

 

It's ready to go!  To see it, click on the My Etsy tab in the menu on the left!

Any other questions or problems?  Mention them in the comments and I'll see what answers I can find!

How to Manage an Effective FACEBOOK Page

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, just about every business has a Facebook Page.  Businesses don’t have a page just because it’s the popular thing to do; it’s a way of getting into the world of your potential customers.  A Facebook Page centralizes quick links to your main website and contact info, it showcases desired photos, and can even connect customers who can share personal stories of success with your product.  Best of all – it’s free!
All you need is a little bit of time to set up the page and then spend a few minutes a few times a week to check how things are going.

Facebook Page Set-Up

If you want a Facebook Page, but don’t have one yet, here is a great link specifically for Etsy Sellers.  Be sure to set up your “MyEtsy” section.  Here’s what mine looks like:

Click Image to Enlarge

The MyEtsy application shows your banner with your shop items.  If they click on an item, it will take them directly to the item’s listing in your shop at Etsy.  Also, if a page visitor clicks on “Share,” then their Facebook post will include a link to the same item’s listing at Etsy.  Handy, don’t you think?
When you have at least 25 fans, you can get a shortened link address.  This makes it much easier to share your site address.  When logged into Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/username.  Select the Page that you are giving a username.  If you click “Check Availability,” it will automatically assume you want it if it’s available, so be sure to pick something you like and can easily remember.

Regular Check-Ups

Now you’ve got a page. 
Here are some tips of what to post and how to encourage visits and comments on your page.

• Post Lots of Links
• Etsy Treasuries (featuring you, one’s you like, some you’ve made, etc.)
• Blog posts (if you keep a blog, this is a great way to announce that you’ve posted something new!)
• Blog features (include links when other blogs are featuring your shop)
• New Items in your shop
• New shops (promote friends, family and fellow-sellers!) – tag their Facebook Page in your post by using the “@” symbol just before their page name

Click Image to Enlarge

• Showcase “1000 Words” (Photos) – Pictures are a great way to get people to look!  For most people, it seems to be easier to process photos than reading words.
• New items
• New logos
• Current Items (sometimes posting a photo of an item that’s been sitting in the shop can give it new activity.  Better yet, post a new photo of the same item)
• Plans – sometimes you can spark interest by sharing a photo (just give them a hint, not the whole plan!) of something you’ve got in the works

Click Image to Enlarge

• Be a Person, Be Personable
• Respond to comments left on your page in a timely manner. 
• To quickly check if anyone has made a comment, click on “Notifications” in the menu on the right side of the page. 
• If there is anything new, there will be a number (how many notifications you have waiting) that will be floating at the end of the word “Notifications”
• Be friendly
• The Etsy world gives us a unique opportunity to give personalized customer service even to people across the world
• Show that you care about them as a person as well as a potential customer
• Share Success
• Ask select customers if they wouldn’t mind taking a photo of the item they purchased from you and linking it to your page.
• They can also share by uploading a photo to your page

Click Image to Enlarge

Those are the three main things that I do to keep my page engaging.  I’d love to get more ideas!  If you do something on your Facebook Page that works, please leave a comment and share with our readers!

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www.annavirginiafashion.com

www.facebook.com/annavirginia

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