Some of you already know that I've worked in the film industry for about 27 years. It's been great, but there is a sort of "ball and chain" that comes with being in a film worker's union 9and probably many other unions). It keeps you really comfortable in high paying mediocracy.
I've dreamed of creating wealth (amongst other things), but I never pursued it. Money was easy, it was just enough to live pretty well... But it's not quite enough to be unattached to Hollywood.
Today, things are different and I'm finally waking up to smell the roses!
In an era where the film industry's stability wavers, I embarked on a journey into the realm of print-on-demand to forge a supplemental income source. I like the idea of a low overhead, no inventory, and low risk business. I found a few platform to upload my designs to but Etsy emerged as my primary platform for selling an eclectic mix of products, including t-shirts, puzzles, wall art, pillows and more.
This is a break down of my journey, my first year in this e-commerce world. I hope that those of you who are struggling on this same path will be able to take something away from this article.
Exploring Design Avenues:
- Initially delving into various t-shirt designs, I encountered stiff competition during popular holidays like Valentine's Day and Saint Patty's Day. However, an unexpected twist revealed that my true forte lay in Sacred Geometry—a niche I enjoyed exploring. All forms of psychedelic art has intrigued me since a very young age.
I'm not saying I'm proud of this but we did start playing around with mind altering substances like mushrooms and LSD around the age of 15... it was a real trip and no pun intended!
Narrowing the Focus:
- Influenced by genuine advice from carefully selected YouTube University mentors, I embraced the power of specificity, honing in on Sacred Geometry and psychedelic art as my primary design themes.
- Leveraging AI tools, I incorporated automation platforms like Photopea and Canva to refine designs and streamline the creative process.
Crafting a Unique Identity:
- Recognizing the importance of an appealing storefront, I infused my Etsy shop with a personal touch. I crafted a compelling story, sharing my passion for Sacred Geometry, making my profile more than just a storefront but a narrative.
- It was also important to make sure people understand that we're a small family business. It is what it is, and I believe people looking on Etsy prefer that to doing business with large corporations like Amazon.
Unveiling Etsy's Hidden Gems:
Delving into the world of "Etsy studies" on YouTube, I uncovered the potential of Etsy Ads and automated emails. These strategies significantly boosted engagement, especially during the bustling festival season in June.
I'm learning so much I can hardly keep up... but it is working pretty well so far!
Email Marketing Game-Changer:
- To further enhance customer engagement, I invested in an email service, automating a sequence of emails for buyers. The "Fractal Family Club" mailing list was born, fostering a sense of exclusivity, through discounts and monthly giveaways.
Navigating the Holiday Rush:
Recognizing the value of reviews, I implemented an email automation system just before the Christmas rush asking every customer for a review once they've received their gear. Despite the late start, the reviews poured in, enhancing the shop's credibility.
I love reading the reviews we've been getting, here's one of them:
Strategic Growth Initiatives:
Diving into the realm of giveaways, I aimed to grow the mailing list organically. I collected 240 emails using Facebook ads to target the specific people who have shown interest in sacred geometry. The impact of this initiative will be revealed in the coming months, so far we've only lost a handful of subscribers.
The idea is that the people who enter these giveaways are people who actual like what I'm selling.
Future Aspirations:
Despite the e-commerce industry's anticipated first-quarter slowdown, my aspirations for the coming year involve transforming this endeavor into more than a side gig. The ultimate goal is to triple last year's revenue of $3000.
I will also be looking to lower my costs wherever I can... The more mistakes I make, the more I learn about the business.
On that note, if you wanna see what we do, here's the link to my Etsy Shop: https://fractaljungle.etsy.com
Reflections and Wishes:
- While the financial gain might not be extraordinary, the passive income from successful designs has proven rewarding. As I venture into the new year, I encourage others to share their goals and aspirations. Here's to a fruitful and prosperous New Year for us all!
Thanks for Stopping by!
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The best way to help:
Our Etsy Shop https://www.fractaljungle.etsy.com
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Congrats! I've been wondering where you've been.
Your website is very inviting, once I got past the "unsafe" warnings. Can you get rid of those?
@owasco it's been so long!!!! I have been so busy. Between dealing with the land on which we're still trying to build a community of homesteaders, the intense halt in available work in the film industry, and life in general... I hope you've been well my friend!
Yes too long indeed. I've been to the Hudson Valley a few times of late, but for very short visits. I still hope to get up there one of these days. How's the homesteading coming along?
Well, we still have chickens and we're still maintaining a good size pantry! But not yet on the land again... for now we're building our little suburban homestead, slow and steady. As far as the land, this year is a clean up year. Oh we have a barn we finally finished on it actually!
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