Anyone read for $$? How did you get started?

[ToadieOdie]

Don't feel dumb!  :hug:  Seriously, some things are just easy to overlook.

No kidding! I use that tab ALL the time. I have no idea how I missed it being there at the bottom.

Now to make sure I get it all set up correctly... lol

 

[hierophant]

I've been using etsy, but perhaps WordPress is a better alternative?

[ToadieOdie]

I've been using etsy, but perhaps WordPress is a better alternative?

It is for me since I already had a blog I've been running. On my blog I chat about raising my kids with special needs, managing my mental health, my creative process as an author and other random shit I do, along with the tarot. So for me, it makes sense to open up shop on my blog. I don't feel the need to run multiple sites. I've tried to run multi specialty blogs and flubbed it. I just can't do it. Why people come to read my random stuff I'll never know. They just do. Like attracts like I guess?

 

If you are doing well on Etsy, I don't know if you would need to move. It's up to you.

 

[Saturn Celeste]

ToadieOdie[/member] If you have a wordpress.com site you, they have security protections for you.  I had a .org and it was like a spammer magnet, they broke my site.  I think you have Akismet for your anti virus program, make sure you check your settings if you are able to.

[ToadieOdie]

ToadieOdie[/member] If you have a wordpress.com site you, they have security protections for you.  I had a .org and it was like a spammer magnet, they broke my site.  I think you have Akismet for your anti virus program, make sure you check your settings if you are able to.

Ah okay, yes I do have Akismet. And yeah, that thing catches all kinds of crazy stuff. I had to tweek it down just a teeny bit when I first started just so real people could post comments on my blog without me having to approve every single one every time.

 

So I have a test button set up using their Simple Payments thing, but there doesn't seem to be a place where the customer can submit a message with it when they submit a payment.

 

Searching through the WordPress forums, I can resolve this by either setting up a contact form where I have the customer send me their purchase confirmation information and question, and then give them their reading OR I upgrade to the business plan to get access to the WooCommerce plugin that will allow me to offer customers single click processing.

 

Their business plan is $300 per year, so I would have to make at least that each year to break even. That's $25 per month.

 

So I need to switch gears and figure out what my hustle actually looks like first. What kind of workload is sustainable for me? How often can I do readings and how much time will it take me to do them? These are things I need to figure out even before I figure in pricing.

 

[~D~]

I was on Etsy and one other site...I was doing ok, but then i left for other reasons...There is like a gazillion readers over there...If you live in a far away country to the USA, then your feedback takes forever to come on Etsy....Reading deliveries are instant there, but they base when your buyer can leave feedback by how long it would take for them to receive something by snail mail...USA to USA is kinda quick,  and so that feedback goes down fairly soon for those guys...Canada to USA and beyond maybe weeks, and often people wont wait so long to leave you feedback :( Feedback is good there, as it gives you your 5 stars hopefully...) Just a heads up for Etsy...They have a cool set up though.. :)

You just gotta jump in..you learn lots, and well... its fun :)

[hierophant]

I was on Etsy and one other site...I was doing ok, but then i left for other reasons...There is like a gazillion readers over there...If you live in a far away country to the USA, then your feedback takes forever to come on Etsy....Reading deliveries are instant there, but they base when your buyer can leave feedback by how long it would take for them to receive something by snail mail...USA to USA is kinda quick,  and so that feedback goes down fairly soon for those guys...Canada to USA and beyond maybe weeks, and often people wont wait so long to leave you feedback :( Feedback is good there, as it gives you your 5 stars hopefully...) Just a heads up for Etsy...They have a cool set up though.. :)

You just gotta jump in..you learn lots, and well... its fun :)

Yes, that is a problem! I have had so many people say "I will give you a good review, wow this was an amazing reading!". But when they are not allowed to make e review until like a month after... I think they forget. So I think etsy has a bit to work on there.

 

And so far, I've not actually made any money, etsy's fees are pretty much eating up my income :/

[~D~]

I was on Etsy and one other site...I was doing ok, but then i left for other reasons...There is like a gazillion readers over there...If you live in a far away country to the USA, then your feedback takes forever to come on Etsy....Reading deliveries are instant there, but they base when your buyer can leave feedback by how long it would take for them to receive something by snail mail...USA to USA is kinda quick,  and so that feedback goes down fairly soon for those guys...Canada to USA and beyond maybe weeks, and often people wont wait so long to leave you feedback :( Feedback is good there, as it gives you your 5 stars hopefully...) Just a heads up for Etsy...They have a cool set up though.. :)

You just gotta jump in..you learn lots, and well... its fun :)

Yes, that is a problem! I have had so many people say "I will give you a good review, wow this was an amazing reading!". But when they are not allowed to make e review until like a month after... I think they forget. So I think etsy has a bit to work on there.

 

And so far, I've not actually made any money, etsy's fees are pretty much eating up my income :/

 

 

I know .H....and I did lots of work and tried everything...bizz cards and everything. I really think readings there come from random folks(not from my advertising), and your friends if you tell them...Your photos have to stand out, but it does teach you stuff....There seems to be no magic bullet to bring people over...I was on all kinds of social media...I had some 5 stars..I guess it just takes time to build it up...Mean while, my niece sells hand bags she makes ,and lives on the income alone, also on Etsy :( Im there again, see what happens...

Give me your shop name and i will  <3 you etc...

 

Dee

[hierophant]

I know .H....and I did lots of work and tried everything...bizz cards and everything. I really think readings there come from random folks(not from my advertising), and your friends if you tell them...Your photos have to stand out, but it does teach you stuff....There seems to be no magic bullet to bring people over...I was on all kinds of social media...I had some 5 stars..I guess it just takes time to build it up...Mean while, my niece sells hand bags she makes ,and lives on the income alone, also on Etsy :( Im there again, see what happens...

Give me your shop name and i will  <3 you etc...

 

Dee

I think it takes time to build up a following, yes. I have some repeat costumers already, so I guess good readings are important. The page is really built up around handmade stuff such as hand bags etc, yes. I also find pricing to be difficult!

 

My shop is https://www.etsy.com/no-en/shop/MalinsMystics I'd love to like yours, too <3

[Little Fang]

Often times when paying with PayPal, users can leave comments in the payment area before submitting.  Though if they don't see it or leave it blank, you may opt to email them and ask what their question is.  That has the bonus of being a bit more personal!  Just an option until you feel the ability to get the upgraded plan.

[ToadieOdie]

Often times when paying with PayPal, users can leave comments in the payment area before submitting.  Though if they don't see it or leave it blank, you may opt to email them and ask what their question is.  That has the bonus of being a bit more personal!  Just an option until you feel the ability to get the upgraded plan.

So if they send a payment, will I get their email by default?

 

[~D~]

I know .H....and I did lots of work and tried everything...bizz cards and everything. I really think readings there come from random folks(not from my advertising), and your friends if you tell them...Your photos have to stand out, but it does teach you stuff....There seems to be no magic bullet to bring people over...I was on all kinds of social media...I had some 5 stars..I guess it just takes time to build it up...Mean while, my niece sells hand bags she makes ,and lives on the income alone, also on Etsy :( Im there again, see what happens...

Give me your shop name and i will  <3 you etc...

 

Dee

I think it takes time to build up a following, yes. I have some repeat costumers already, so I guess good readings are important. The page is really built up around handmade stuff such as hand bags etc, yes. I also find pricing to be difficult!

 

My shop is https://www.etsy.com/no-en/shop/MalinsMystics I'd love to like yours, too <3

 

H.

Im beginning to think if you sell the odd other thing along with card readings, it might actually help...It is very hard to know how to price for sure...Starting over again sux...from scratch, so no old 5 stars...I share with my daughter....we are brand new..

 

Here we are: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/BlueMoonRizing

 

Thanks H. hierophant[/member]

 

It is done!!  Your in Norway? Very cool <3

[Raggydoll]

I think it takes time to build up a following, yes. I have some repeat costumers already, so I guess good readings are important. The page is really built up around handmade stuff such as hand bags etc, yes. I also find pricing to be difficult!

 

My shop is https://www.etsy.com/no-en/shop/MalinsMystics I'd love to like yours, too <3

 

Your store is lovely! And your pricing is very very affordable!! Loving that you’re Scandinavian as well (Då är vi ju nästan grannar

[Raggydoll]

I know .H....and I did lots of work and tried everything...bizz cards and everything. I really think readings there come from random folks(not from my advertising), and your friends if you tell them...Your photos have to stand out, but it does teach you stuff....There seems to be no magic bullet to bring people over...I was on all kinds of social media...I had some 5 stars..I guess it just takes time to build it up...Mean while, my niece sells hand bags she makes ,and lives on the income alone, also on Etsy :( Im there again, see what happens...

Give me your shop name and i will  <3 you etc...

 

Dee

I think it takes time to build up a following, yes. I have some repeat costumers already, so I guess good readings are important. The page is really built up around handmade stuff such as hand bags etc, yes. I also find pricing to be difficult!

 

My shop is https://www.etsy.com/no-en/shop/MalinsMystics I'd love to like yours, too <3

 

H.

Im beginning to think if you sell the odd other thing along with card readings, it might actually help...It is very hard to know how to price for sure...Starting over again sux...from scratch, so no old 5 stars...I share with my daughter....we are brand new..

 

Here we are: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/BlueMoonRizing

 

Thanks H. hierophant[/member]

 

It is done!!  Your in Norway? Very cool <3

 

It wouldn’t surprise me if selling handmade items could increase your sales. I have found that there is a certain niche of customers that prefer going to readers that seem a little less ‘new agey’ and a little more ‘old school’ a.k.a a nature based practitioner that makes home remedies, cooks her own jam and has an aura of common sense paired with ancient wisdom. If you get what I mean!! You don’t necessary have to be old, you just have an ‘old soul’ thing going on (I’ve actually been told that I must have an old soul, on several occasions. But then again, I was born under a balsamic moon phase so that could have something to do with it

[~D~]

I know .H....and I did lots of work and tried everything...bizz cards and everything. I really think readings there come from random folks(not from my advertising), and your friends if you tell them...Your photos have to stand out, but it does teach you stuff....There seems to be no magic bullet to bring people over...I was on all kinds of social media...I had some 5 stars..I guess it just takes time to build it up...Mean while, my niece sells hand bags she makes ,and lives on the income alone, also on Etsy :( Im there again, see what happens...

Give me your shop name and i will  <3 you etc...

 

Dee

I think it takes time to build up a following, yes. I have some repeat costumers already, so I guess good readings are important. The page is really built up around handmade stuff such as hand bags etc, yes. I also find pricing to be difficult!

 

My shop is https://www.etsy.com/no-en/shop/MalinsMystics I'd love to like yours, too <3

 

H.

Im beginning to think if you sell the odd other thing along with card readings, it might actually help...It is very hard to know how to price for sure...Starting over again sux...from scratch, so no old 5 stars...I share with my daughter....we are brand new..

 

Here we are: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/BlueMoonRizing

 

Thanks H. hierophant[/member]

 

It is done!!  Your in Norway? Very cool <3

 

It wouldn’t surprise me if selling handmade items could increase your sales. I have found that there is a certain niche of customers that prefer going to readers that seem a little less ‘new agey’ and a little more ‘old school’ a.k.a a nature based practitioner that makes home remedies, cooks her own jam and has an aura of common sense paired with ancient wisdom. If you get what I mean!! You don’t necessary have to be old, you just have an ‘old soul’ thing going on (I’ve actually been told that I must have an old soul, on several occasions. But then again, I was born under a balsamic moon phase so that could have something to do with it

[Raggydoll]

Deeisme: Sounds like such a cool astrological mix! I am not an astrology expert (more like the complete opposite!) but I find it very fascinating. Especially anything lunar-related (*cough cough* no surprise there!! - Everyone come joooin our Moon group!  8) <3)

[hierophant]

Yes, Deeisme[/member] The main issue seems to actually get some traffic. Of course, you can pay for promoted listings at first. But that eat up most of the profit. But it could be smart to perhaps get noticed at first? If you're good, you will get return costumers after a while, I think. I already have a few returning costumers, so if you deliver, you will slowly build a following. And I have no doubt that you will get returning costumers <3

[~D~]

Deeisme: Sounds like such a cool astrological mix! I am not an astrology expert (more like the complete opposite!) but I find it very fascinating. Especially anything lunar-related (*cough cough* no surprise there!! - Everyone come joooin our Moon group!  8) <3)

 

Well Raggydoll, Raggydoll[/member]

When I first saw all the dual stuff i thought, "this could not be good"....

I had this friend that went to an astrology college in Hawaii long ago, and she is very good at charting things out, but is stingy with astrology help at times...She did tell me it means I'm good at adapting to change...(as long as its a good thing)...The full moon thing I never knew about till she told me...(it figures).  She was so good at astrology, she could pin point when someone would contact her....incredible stuff!

 

~D~

[~D~]

Yes, Deeisme[/member] The main issue seems to actually get some traffic. Of course, you can pay for promoted listings at first. But that eat up most of the profit. But it could be smart to perhaps get noticed at first? If you're good, you will get return costumers after a while, I think. I already have a few returning costumers, so if you deliver, you will slowly build a following. And I have no doubt that you will get returning costumers <3

 

Hi! hierophant. :) hierophant[/member]

I use to use those promoted listings, but other Etsy members said they were a waste of money and time, so i let them go...

If I get a few stars it will help, so hopefully if they buy they leave stars...

I was slowly getting somewhere last time, and I should have stuck it out, but i left :(

Yes, hierophant I think you are doing well over there, so don't change anything! <3

Thanks H. (and again thanks for other things too) appreciated big time <3

 

~D~

 

[Saturn Celeste]

As for things to sell, TAROT BAGS!  They are a pretty hot number for any site.  It takes a small investment for materials and fabric but if you can sew, think tarot bags.

 

You guys with site, remember we're working on being a hub for you guys!  You'll get traffic!  ^-^

[~D~]

As for things to sell, TAROT BAGS!  They are a pretty hot number for any site.  It takes a small investment for materials and fabric but if you can sew, think tarot bags.

 

You guys with site, remember we're working on being a hub for you guys!  You'll get traffic!  ^-^

 

I been thinking about that, Saturn :) :) Saturn Celeste[/member]

I have a very clever Aries friend can make anything, and I so wish she lived closer to make some of those bags...I thought maybe she could make and mail to me...I will see her soon, at her nieces huge Hungarian wedding...(funz, much funz)

 

~D~

[Petalene]

Use nice pictures. Seriously! A picture is worth a thousand words and you want them to all be pretty and professional.

 

Last year when I decided to get my first professional reading, I was poking around online hoping I didn’t have to drive an hour plus to San Francisco to get a reading. I signed up with thumbtack and got several replies near me. I went with the one with the nice picture and cheerful smile. One person had a faded picture and was kinda frowning. That doesn’t say “trust me, I can help you and answer your questions” to me. The woman I went to charged more than some of the others, but the reading was insightful, professional, and amazing. She also emailed me an audio recordings the reading and let me take pictures.

 

I also got so many ideas for doing readings on my own. It would never have occurred to me to use multiple decks the way she did.

 

TL/DR Use nice, professional picture. Just my two cents and YMMV.

[~D~]

Use nice pictures. Seriously! A picture is worth a thousand words and you want them to all be pretty and professional.

 

Last year when I decided to get my first professional reading, I was poking around online hoping I didn’t have to drive an hour plus to San Francisco to get a reading. I signed up with thumbtack and got several replies near me. I went with the one with the nice picture and cheerful smile. One person had a faded picture and was kinda frowning. That doesn’t say “trust me, I can help you and answer your questions” to me. The woman I went to charged more than some of the others, but the reading was insightful, professional, and amazing. She also emailed me an audio recordings the reading and let me take pictures.

 

I also got so many ideas for doing readings on my own. It would never have occurred to me to use multiple decks the way she did.

 

TL/DR Use nice, professional picture. Just my two cents and YMMV.

 

Its true, or something that stands out and is different..

[Raggydoll]

Use nice pictures. Seriously! A picture is worth a thousand words and you want them to all be pretty and professional.

 

Last year when I decided to get my first professional reading, I was poking around online hoping I didn’t have to drive an hour plus to San Francisco to get a reading. I signed up with thumbtack and got several replies near me. I went with the one with the nice picture and cheerful smile. One person had a faded picture and was kinda frowning. That doesn’t say “trust me, I can help you and answer your questions” to me. The woman I went to charged more than some of the others, but the reading was insightful, professional, and amazing. She also emailed me an audio recordings the reading and let me take pictures.

 

I also got so many ideas for doing readings on my own. It would never have occurred to me to use multiple decks the way she did.

 

TL/DR Use nice, professional picture. Just my two cents and YMMV.

 

Its true, or something that stands out and is different..

 

Yeah, this is 100% true. People will always be more inclined to like and trust someone who looks professional and presentable. And if you are pretty as well, then yes that will also work in your favor (wether we like it or not). Just take a look at the tarot community on YouTube and which people get the most followers. It is the ones that have the best equipment (audio and video), who has a really lovely profile and thumbnail (I'm referring to the picture that you see representing each video clip, don't know what it's actually called). And if they have charisma or a pretty smile than that will certainly also help. Having a lovely set up with a very aesthetically pleasing background, as well as talking in a witty, informative way - yes, that will get you extra appeal.

 

I want to make it clear that I personally, like most other people I'm sure, wish that things were different. That aesthetics wasn't so important and that there really was no such thing as a 'the privilege of beauty' (Benebell Wen has actually made a YouTube video on this topic that she named "The privilege of beauty"). What I am saying is just that these are very real tangible things if you are interested in attracting lots of viewers or customers. The same goes for writing blogs or publishing books. The cover is everything when it comes to getting someone interested, but if there is no real substance the you will fall flat on your beautiful butt. Basically  :))

 

So, real talent and hard work is what will make you popular in the long run, but you'll never gain massive attention (if this is what you are gong for - I am aware that many people prefer a smaller but more 'selected' audience) if you don't play by the rules and add some beauty privilege in the mix.

[~D~]

Ok, Ill use my daughters photo, she is beautiful..lol 8) <3 >:D  ;)