How to Make Twice the Content in Half the Time
Are you struggling to add things to your Etsy shop or to get designs out there for your semi-custom invitation line? Well, I wanted to share my biggest hack to cut your time in HALF and get more listings out there to the world.
I have 187 listings on Etsy, but I remember the day I was struggling to get 20. Creating content is HARD, especially if we're talking about custom design work.
So, how do I cut my work in half? I reuse the same design.
The first invitation starts at $11.45 each. The second starts at $4.85 each.
The same invitation, two completely different price ranges, half the design time.
Here is what I do:
I print 2 (or more!) of the same invitation and one of all the inserts. Change the envelope/pocket/paper colors, and voila! I have multiple sets now. Of course, I have to take pictures of them all, but I do this all in one sitting, so it only adds a few minutes on to my shoot time by adding a couple of variations in the mix!
Here's something else that is great: If I take a picture of just the inserts, i can use that image across multiple listings, regardless of the color. Again, saving me a lot of time. Fewer pictures to edit and take!
This invitation did popular on Etsy, so I added it in other colors, too! That way when someone asks for another color, I can send them exactly what they’re looking for, and they’ll be more likely to buy.
Not in the stationery game? How can you cut your work in half? Here are some ideas:
If you sell candles:
Take some image from the top down! You can reuse these on just about every listing, right?
If you're selling prints with your watercolor designs:
How can you use this design more than once?
Can you add text to the design to make two prints using the same artwork?
Can you use the design and add it to other products?
Can you turn in to clip art?
You already have the design painted and scanned in, might as well try and use it again!
If you're selling resources:
Can you break your resources into smaller resources?
Can you bundle a few together?
If you sell other products:
Are there any aspects that are the same across all products, so you can reuse the same image? (like I mentioned with the RSVP/inserts above or the candles)
All are easy ways to add more products for minimal work.
Another pro tip: No matter the product you're selling, whenever you have a custom order or someone orders a new color, take pics before you send it out the door! If nothing else, you can add this to any current listings to show off different colors! Better yet, make a new listing for the new specific color.
When adding listings to my website or Etsy shop, I always copy/duplicate an existing listing to save a little time. Copying an existing listing keeps all the same general settings like shipping, and on Etsy, all those categories and attributes that can be a little time consuming to fill in. I usually try to copy the same color, so the tags and keywords stay the same, too!
I hope this helps you grow your semi-custom line faster, or gives you ideas to expand your offerings. Don't be intimidated by adding new items; it doesn't have to be hard!
Other examples
For those of you NOT in stationery or products, I have tips for you too! In short, we’re still REUSING!
When I write thoughtful emails or Instagram captions, I will use that content on the other platform. Sometimes, I will make it into a blog, too! There are many whats to reuse content that is essentially making 2x (maybe more) the amount at once. Here are some ideas:
Reuse Instagram Posts to your email list.
Use your email content as a blog post or email caption.
Use Audio from videos on your podcast or in mini trainings.
Use Instagram Infographics as blogs! See my Insta that I made a blog here.
Make your blogs into infographics!
Anything that you can use more than once, even just parts of it, will save you time! Not everyone on your email list follows you, sees all your posts, reads all your emails, listens to every podcast, or watches every video. This can be a way to reach people in any way, and even if someone in your audience sees it again, so what! Maybe this time they will pay attention. I can't be the only one that sees something and thinks, "oh, I can't wait to listen (read, watch, whatever) later," and then forgets. Reminding them of your content makes it more likely to get seen.
Repurposing your content saves you time, energy, and helps you reach people in more than one way!
Listen to the podcast episode linked at the top for other ideas and tips!
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