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i think i might have a nervous breakdown
every day lately has been a 13 or 14 hour day. i'm exhausted. but when i look at the actual work i've done, i'm very frustrated. so much has to do with clients make multiple changes, sometimes weeks after i've delivered their file to them (in the case of digital files). i have recently started implementing strict policies although i haven't even had to time to change all my listings with these "rules" because i'm too busy working on orders. it disheartens me at the end of the day when i think how hard i'm working and that i'm really make very, very little.
i feel like i'm getting to be a grouchy etsy seller because i have all these strict policies and have implemented a no more than 3 changes rule. it's just impossible to get these orders completed if i don't.
i really need to figure something out.
Re: i think i might have a nervous breakdown
Don't feel bad about enforcing your policies girl. It's just business and they need to understand you can't cater to every whim without being compensated for your time.
Deep breaths. Other than that I have no advice.
Aw, that sucks, MD! I think you definitely need to stick to your guns. If you're doing work you need to be paid for it.
Is it possible to have them sign a virtual contract? You mentioned not having updated all your listings so when they email initially, you can copy & paste your blurb in an email and get confirmation they understand and agree.
Think about your long term goals! My husband (also self employed) gets extremly angry with the lack of immediate gratification but when we look towards are long term goals, our attitude changes (a little...). Stay positive. Hopefully it gets better.
Agreed.
I like the idea of schmoozer's virtual contract. Then that way it's written in stone and maybe even say like you have so many days to respond for your up to three changes before the design is final?
People can't wait weeks and then be like oh now can you do this extra work for me.
I don't see it as being crabby at all. It is a business and you're working very hard each time they want a change and time is money, and time is precious when you're doing so many!
You're right, you're right, I know you're right!!!
I just worry so much about my rating if I don't come off as flexible.
I have started pasting the key points of my description in a message when someone contacts me to create a custom listing. Like the colors are the worst. People pick colors, then they don't like what they picked and want to see it reversed, and then they don't like that so they want to see something else... It honestly could go on forever. I know there's a certain amount of needing to see what something looks like before deciding but it's just too much.
The other thing is size changes. You pretty much have to know the dimensions of something before you can design it. Then they come back and say oh, sorry, I messed up and now I need it this size. It's not a simple fix.
I just feel bad that the good clients are penalized by the bad apples but sadly there's a lot of bad apples. I guess you have to set policies (i.e., boundaries) or people take advantage. And with that said, I understand people aren't familiar with the process on my end, so they probably don't know they're even being a pain.
thanks all for letting me vent!! glad it's friday :-)
i completely understand where you are coming from. one bad review can break a business. unfortunately, we're in the service industry and it comes with territory.
It sounds like you need to change your etsy listings....i can completely understand someone who can't settle on colors and might want to see them 5 different times (especially crazy brides!). i know it's frustrating for you and extra work, but you're going to have to build that in to the cost. i know it sucks...but you can't work for free!
Have you also considered building in longer lead times? I don't know how much of a timeline you're working with now but maybe adding some time can help.
Something like -standard orders take X this long for X price. Orders after X allowed revisions become custom, will take X longer, and cost X more.
that's a good idea. i'm afraid though it would be like borrowing money that i don't have to pay off. you know what i mean? sort of like putting off the inevitable if that makes sense.
Ditto! I hope you're able to get some relaxation in this weekend!