Selling OnlineFALL 2009 | Etsy.com

Etsy at a glance•Etsy’s Community:•Nearly 3 million registered members

•200 thousand active artists

Monthly traffic data:

500 million page views

23 Million Visits

8.3 million unique visitors

Annual Sales:

2006 $3.8 million

2007 $26 million

2008 $88 million

2009 (through August) $100 million

Etsy at a glanceEtsy Forums

• Active community members and Etsy admin chat about business, craft, ideas for Etsy

Etsy Success Emails:

• Twice-weekly arts and business education email

• sent to over 120 thousand Subscribers

Etsy Teams:

• Groups of organized Etsy members who network, share skills, and promote together.

• About 600 Teams with 30,000 members

Etsy's Blog the Storque

• Updated multiples times a day with Seller tips and stories, Etsy news, Etsy Finds

• 5000 posts and have had about 800 people contribute posts

Tips for Starting Your Shop1. Develop your product line

Tips for Starting Your Shop2. What's in a name?

Tips for Starting Your Shop3. Photography

Tips for Starting Your Shop4. Tell Your Story – Share Your Style

Tips for Starting Your Shop5. Promote Your Shop

Tips for Starting Your Shop5. Enjoy the community

Resources

Score.org – "Counselors to America's Small Business" free small business advice for entrepreneurs.

NYSSBDC.org – Provides expert management and technical assistance to start-up and existing businesses across the state.

Blog.etsy.com – 300+ articles on running your online business.

Modishblog.com/biztips – Bright ideas to help make your creative business a success.

Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

An EIN is also known as a federal tax identification number, and is used to identify a business entity. Any business offering products or services that are taxed in any way must obtain an EIN from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Register for State Taxes

Businesses that operate in New York are required to register for one or more tax-specific identification numbers, licenses or permits, including income tax withholding, sales and use tax (seller's permit), and unemployment insurance tax.

IRS.gov -

Courts.state.ny.us -

IRS.gov -

Register Your Name

If you choose a name for your business (other than your own name) you must register it with the County Clerks Office.

Tax.state.ny.us -