Week 2: Four Sales

I was in doubt last week that I would make my sales goal, but.... I did it!  The numbers this week are looking pretty good.  I got in four sales, which less than last week, but four sales a week is all I need to be on target for my yearly goal, so I can't complain.  I also managed 419 views and 46 hearts, which I'm psyched about (especially for all those hearts!).

So, I guess the lesson learned here is: believe more, doubt less.

{print by Aga's Box of Miracles on etsy}

Fear of Rejection

I did it.  For the first time, I asked my a customer to sign up for my mailing list.  This is something I have avoided doing it because it's scary to try to build a mailing list.  Why?  Because you have to ask for people's permission to contact them... and they might say no.

So, I asked.  And what happened?  She didn't sign up.  There you go:  I got rejected.  But, hey! The worst happened, and I survived.  From now on I'm going to ask every new customer for permission to add them to my email list.  Eventually one of them has to say yes, right??  Besides....

BTW, I'm using Mail Chimp to manage my direct email campaign.  More on that later.  But, in the meantime, go ahead and take a look at this beautiful newsletter I sent out to my mailing list...  even though I'm currently the only one on it....

Discouraging Thoughts.... Turned Upside Down!

It's been six days since I have made a sale and I'm starting to feel a little discouraged.  I know I shouldn't feel discouraged, but it is hard not to be sometimes, isn't it?  I've had dry spells before.  Last year I went three months without making a sale, so I really shouldn't be fussing over six days.  I think I've just spent so much time thinking about my shop this week that I've become a little hyper-aware of my stats.  I just need to calm down and remember...

{print by NightlyDoodles on etsy}

So let's take a deep breath and turn those discouraging thoughts upside down!  The truth is, other than sales, my stats are actually looking pretty good.  In the past six days I have had 353 views and 23 favorites!  In the previous six days, although I had more sales, I only had 198 views and 15 favorites.  So, at least MORE people are looking at my items.  Now I just need to convert those views to sales!  And the best part is, I have a plan to do just that!  The immediate plan involves updating my listing photos and tweaking my item descriptions.... I also have an even better GRAND PLAN, but I'm not quite ready to put that into motion yet for various secret reasons that will soon be revealed. :)

Does focusing on your stats ever make you feel discouraged?  Does it help to look at the stats from a different perspective, like I did here?  I hope so!