My take on etsy

So a lot has of talking has been going on over at etsy talking about how low views are, people arent' buying, what's wrong with my shop, etc. I posted on recent thread that has been started. here is what I wrote:

" boy if the negativity and not so great feeling continues to pour through these forums what's to stop etsy to just shutting down? Who is going to want to shop here? I know that i'm feeling blue but if i complain i complain to my husband. If people can't be more upbeat etsy is going to start getting a not so great reputation and we certainly don't want that. shoppers are going to get turned off from the site. I can tell ya that if i was strictly a buyer here i might think twice about shopping from this site.
I'm almost to a point where i don't want to look at the forums anymore. The "why are my views slow", "why isn't my stuff selling" etc threads are starting to get old and a tad nerve wracking.

besides promoting just your shop keep putting the word out about etsy. Almost all my friends had no idea what etsy was until i told them.

Anyways that's my opinion. We are all trying to run a business.Most people do have to work to earn that almighty $1. I just say be thankful that etsy is here and makes dreams possible."

What I just don't get is that people expect that because they are selling on a high traffic website that etsy should be responsible for doing the advertising for them? I disagree. Etsy is here to be a venue to allow people to sell and buy. Why should etsy be responsible for trying to promote every single one of the sellers. I do think that etsy should work more towards fixing their website and really getting the name out there like ebay. People may complain over the listing fees and the fees which are taken out but if you think about it's a whole heck of a lot cheaper to list on etsy than say to have a B&M store. That's another point. If you own a B&M store because you're in the building would one expect the landlord to promote for you? Of course not. We are renting a space, so to say, on etsy. It is the sellers responsibility to take their shop to the next level.
Etsy as a whole is flooded with the same types of crafts. It's extremely hard to be seen unless you sell something very unique. Most sellers have networks and contacts outside of etsy which draws them into etsy. I also think that suppliers do very well on etsy because as a seller we need raw material to make our handmade items.

I personally have just about beaten myself into the ground trying to promote my shop. I am up until almost 2 am every night advertising, emailing, or working on items. I am sincerely hoping that all the many many hours I've put into all this I will see some results. I have my sad, depressing days also where I sit there and think that my items just aren't good enough, my prices are too high, and what's wrong with my shop attitude. I DON'T bring this up on threads to the whole etsy community. There are SO many threads where this is already being done. It's getting old and it's turning into a real turn off. So I stew for a bit, then i get creative again and the whole cycle starts again.

Starting any type of business in this day of age is hard. Economy is crap and the news does not help with the constant talk of recession, dow jones falling, bank after bank being sold etc.. it's a wonder people don't want to spend money. All businesses have tough times. You must take the good with the bad.

I just hope that the attitude changes on etsy and that the forums aren't completely over run with negativity and drive off buyers.

On that note feel free to stop by my shop and take a peek. Or feel free to leave me a comment about my shop.