UPS Shipping - Something to Consider

On the handmade homefront, many artists choose to use the USPS (United States Postal Service). Some use them because of the free supplies such as boxes. Others use them because of the speed in which they can deliver packages from coast to coast. And some artists still ship Parcel Post to save on shipping cost.

Last year, FedEx put a hand in the game by offering Etsy artists a discount on shipping. I signed up for the program and I'll talk about my experience in a moment.

I have now been in business for almost 7 years and I have used them all. My favorite is UPS. Many shy away from UPS because there is a stigma that UPS is expensive. Some live in a location that simply doesn't allow it. And for some, it is just the fear of the unknown.

Don't get me wrong...I still use the USPS on occasion...Priority Mail only unless the item is very inexpensive. Parcel Post takes too long for my specifications and the longer candles are "out there," the better the chance of damage. For others, of course, this is not an issue because their items are not perishable.

After an extensive study on rates, I found that UPS was not only cheaper to nearly all locations, but it included insurance! USPS makes you pay extra for insurance. Again, for perishables, this is a negative.

When I signed up for my FedEx account, the rates were comparable to UPS and they too said that insurance is included. However, FedEx neglected to pick up my very first shipment with them...during December...just before Christmas. I ended up shipping the items next day via UPS which was VERY pricy. I never used them again.

So why do I highly suggest trying UPS?

• It is easy to set up an account and you can have the charges charged right to your PayPal debit card once per week.
• Rates are often lower than other carriers AND they include insurance.
• If something is damaged, you quickly file a claim online and you see a check within days.
• They have a new option called "Smart Pickup" where you pay $10 per week and they automatically schedule a pickup when you ship something. You actually set up a pickup time once and then you can create labels right up until that time...it is wonderful! For those who ship even two days a week, this is an incredible deal and very convenient. While USPS offers free pickup, the higher rates (at least for me) reflect that and the packaging.
• Labels...a very expensive item...are FREE!
• UPS presents a very professional image. The "stigma" of being expensive can be a positive in this respect.
  
• My personal experience with damage: UPS rarely damages items...possibly because they have the insurance program. USPS often damages my items. My items should never experience damage with all of the packaging I use so if packages are damaged, they have been mishandled.

One negative with UPS can be the transit time from coast to coast. Because of the benefits, lack of damage, and cost savings using UPS, I will typically ship with them anyway. However, if I have a shipment that needs to get to California fast, I may on occasion use Priority Mail because it will shorten the ship time by two days.

Remember, this is just my experience. Your experience may be different and if you don't have perishables or experience with USPS damage to your products, USPS may be just the ticket! If you have had a positive experience with FedEx, that is great. I had a very angry customer because of mine, unfortunately.

Before this busy season, set up an account with UPS and give it a try. It may just be worth your time!

Suzanne

So Etsy Wants to Make You a Featured Seller?....

The day you got the convo from Etsy, you were in shock and didn't really know what it meant to be a Featured Seller on Etsy. If youwere like me, you were skeptical...perhaps it was a hoax...but it said "Etsy Admin" by the person's photo so it had to be legit.

Immediately you said, "where do I sign up?" and bit your fingernails all day from anxiety because they told you not to tell anyone. Oh sure, you let "hints" slip to your Etsy teammates and you told your family because hey...they don't know what "Etssttyiie" is anyway! For months, you stalked the Featured Sellers, tracking their sales and asking anyone who would listen what to expect. You told your friends you could have anywhere from 5 to 50 sales and so you ordered some packaging supplies and a few other supplies to "get ready" for the big event.

This article is to help those who have been contacted and have no idea what to expect. Because believe me, you will not believe the attention this will get you.

My experience was a little special. After all, I was already very busy...it's candle season after all! I had craft shows scheduled and just happened to be just about completely out of vacation. I figured I am a smart cookie and I could figure out the scheduling. Plus, I had plenty of people say they would help...right?

Count on a few things:

• You WILL (or at least the odds are VERY good) need time off of work if you work full-time. Plan ahead and don't accept the feature if you can't do it. Really...I was in tears many days because I didn't know how I would get the candles made and shipped. I never expected the volume of orders I received.
  
• Your sales estimate won't even come close. I had well over 230 sales from the feature (on Etsy and my regular website) and they keep coming because there is still a link on the page that stays on for a few weeks. Granted, other people get 50 sales but those sales are way more than what they are accustomed to.
  
• They say they will help but they may not. Don't count on friends and family to help. Things come up, their phones stop working, they forget, the dog ate it...well something, etc. Yes, I had a handful of people who did help and it was very much needed and appreciated. I was still up until 2AM and getting up at 5:30AM every day because I needed more help.

Here are some suggestions from a former Featured Seller:

• Do order some supplies ahead of time. I mean some. You may end up shocked by what people order so don't even try to guess. Order a safe amount of packaging supplies so you are ready to go in that aspect.
  
• Take advantage of the attention. Promote that Facebook Fan Page, Twitter, etc. You will gain all kinds of followers!
  
• Make sure your Etsy page tells them that their orders may be delayed due to higher than normal volume. Give specifics if you can (i.e. two weeks).
• Make sure your Sellers Notes reflect the delay as well. That way they see it again in the order confirmation they get from Etsy.
  
• Send an email with information to your customers which also reiterates the longer wait and tells your customers about your Facebook and Twitter. Many said they were happy to wait and congratulations!
• Schedule the creation of your product. I know that it is easiest for me to make huge batches of one fragrance at a time. Therefore, I waited until all was said and done before I started making candles. It cut my time by more than a half!
• Keep up with the order entry. If you enter your orders into Peachtree or another software like I do, get those sales orders in the computer as they come in. It will help you feel like you have a handle on things!
• If it is in stock, ship it out now! Ship what you can as fast as you can to get the order completed. This will help your sanity and will make many of your customers extremely happy!
• Do what you can with the convos. I am all about customer service which you can see by my feedback but I simply had too many convos to keep up with while working full-time. Reply to those that are most important and go back to the others when you can. The trick for me was to read them in my email and NOT open them in Etsy if I could not reply right away. That way, they appeared unread in Etsy and I could respond when I had a chance. I did miss one convo because I did not leave it unread.
  
• Pump yourself up! You are going to need stamina and energy. Promote your feature on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, and wherever else you do promo. Tell your teams and live off of the enthusiasm you get in return. After all, on Etsy, you are a "celebrity" during the feature so eat it up and use that energy to give you energy!
• Delay the unnecessary in your life. If it isn't necessary (i.e. blogging), don't worry about it until you are caught up.
• Remind yourself it is only a short time. You may very well ask yourself, "what have I done?," as you wake up from the 10th night of 3 hours of sleep and can't remember the last time you saw Grey's Anatomy or your friends/family. Just remember, it will only last a little while. Enjoy it because the attention is mind boggling! I had so many "shout outs" and team support and congratulations convos, it was crazy.

I am still running ragged from "regular" business right now. Etsy has done incredible things for my business (and of course the quality of my candles has something to do with it :)). However, I do not regret doing the feature and I am already seeing repeat business and NEW business because my feedback is awesome! I managed to rest nearly the entire day yesterday and had a very productive candle making day today.

Being the Etsy Featured Seller can be intimidating and outright frightening but once the dust settles, it is a very worthwhile adventure to take part in. Congratulations to future "celebrities"....you won't regret it...not even a little :)

-Suzanne
Former Etsy Featured Seller, November 6-8, 2009

Using Gift Tags as a Promotion Tool

I am a fanatic about promotion - from the Thank You notes I include with every order to discount cards and printed show schedules. I'm always promoting my products!

One of my newest brainstorms this year is to have gift tags printed because many of my customers give my items as gifts. This gives my customers an attractive, high quality gift tag for their gift and allows me to make sure the gift recipient knows where they can buy from me again.

I am having my gift tags printed by Vista Print. You don't need any experience. Just go to the area where the gift tags are located, find one that you like, edit, and order!

Below is my first round of tags for the year. I can't wait to select another design when these run out!

-Suzanne

Etsy Shops - Check Features, Hearts, and More!

There are two great websites out there where Etsy shop owners can check for treasury features, front page features, shop hearts, item hearts, and more!

Craftcult.com



Craftopolis

Have fun out there! -Suzanne

New Website Features Helpful Info for Artists!

I know, I know...I keep talking about my revamped website! Have you noticed something new? Check again...http://www.blisscandles.com.


I have added a tab devoted to "Handmade." There you will find Etsy minis and Artfire windows for featured artists as well as links to helpful sites, articles, and a directory of handmade shops! I love my fellow artists and am excited about this addition.

• If you are interested in having your Etsy mini or your Artfire window featured, please comment on this post with your shop address so I can take a peek. Please note that you would like to have your mini or window featured.

• If you are interested in being listed in my directory of hand made shops, please comment on this post with your shop address so I can take a peek. Please note that you would like to be considered for the directory.

• Have sites or helpful articles you would like to submit? Please comment with links.

Enjoy and check back often for updates! -Suzanne