Embracing Etsy: Etsy’s Handbook, Storque & Forums

I’m sure I won’t make many friends with this post, but it has to be said: Etsy has TOO MUCH advice. Has anyone, save for a meddling friend, ever given you too much advice? Didn’t think so.

Although I appreciate all the time, effort and woman-hours that went into it all, it is overwhelming.

That said, I feel that some of it is glossed over too easily. I definitely needed a lot more advice on making my banner. Something that was more geared towards a Mac, rather than a PC would’ve been welcome. If I’m a designer that can’t get my banner right, I feel really sorry for the average person trying to create a banner.

And although I TOTALLY appreciate the forums, I feel that they could severely benefit from some condensation. I know it rankles every editorial nerve in me and borders on First Amendment violations. OK, that’s just being alarmist, but…. My point is that I would appreciate archived “help” posts that excised the posts along the lines of “thanks!”, “good advice”, and “can you take a look at my shop?”  I know, I know. It’s important to keep that all up there. They are forums, after all. But if they were condensed in another format, that would be most helpful.

Perhaps a yearly (dare I suggest twice-yearly?) revisit on the advice would be more helpful to newbies?

I’m the first to admit that I get exasperated and want a quick fix. Perhaps that’s just me, and it’s not what Etsy is interested in, but I would find it a lot more helpful.

That said I must commend Etsy for the mentors, administrators and street teams that give 200% at making the Etsy seller experience supportive. It’s a truly unique model, and I do appreciate it. In fact, I need to take advantage of it. If only I could wade through it. There, I said it.