1. USE ALL YOUR PHOTOS AND KEYWORDS ON ETSY. You need to give the buyer all the info they need about your items and photos are the best way to do that. If you don't use all the keywords, and use them well, you're negating the little bit of search traffic you get that leads to great, new customers. And for the love, USE GOOD IMAGES. Take a class at a local college or camera store. I've done it and its SO worth it. You'll save editing time, look professional, and give customers a clear idea of what's coming in the mail.
2. HAVE CUSTOMER FRIENDLY POLICIES. When I see a shop state, "no refunds, no excuses, " I don't shop there. Or another favorite, "I'm not responsible for items lost in the mail." Well, the LAW says you are. Pay for insurance on your shipments, or don't spend the sale money until the item is received just in case. Be the kind of shopkeeper you like to shop with.
3. BROWSE AND LEARN. Cruise Etsy for an hour or two. When you find a shop you love, make a list of why you love it. Of course, don't copy them, but you can sure incorporate your own twist on some things. Do they have a conversational tone in the product description? Do their images really pop? Is there a theme to their listings? Do they not carry too big of a variety of items? These are things you can do too.
4. ADVERTISE. Most successful shops don't just post their items on Etsy or another site and then they magically sell. If you want somewhat steady sales, consider your site your showcase. You still have to get people to look at it. Use a variety of social media channels to connect with customers and watch your analytics to see which are most effective so you can focus more time there. Oh, and DON'T LOSE YOURSELF IN YOUR ADS. You know that page on Facebook you unliked for clogging your newsfeed with every listing they have, posted in a single day? Yeah. Yuck. The instagram account that made it impossible to see your cute nephew with all the posts? You unfollowed. Don't spam. Offer some personal connection to your audience. Shopping with a real person is the charm of handmade.
5. NO WHINING. You can complain to your hubby all you want about your sales being down. Go to lunch with your bestie and talk through a problem you have with a customer. Don't go public with your complaining. It makes customers not want to shop with you. They'll think you're difficult to deal with or, if sales are slow, that there's some good reason not to shop with you.
6. PAY YOURSELF. I'm often asked why I make yarn that costs so much. Well, it costs that much to make! Factor in top quality supplies, my time, my equipment, fees, listing and photography time, advertising time, and you're really getting a pretty good deal. Remember, its easy to lower prices if you need to. Its pretty hard to keep your customers and raise them. No one pays you more than you ask. Price your items appropriately.
7. KEEP SPECIALS SPECIAL. You know that shop you follow? The one that ALWAYS has big, blow out, 40% off or more sales? Do you ever buy anything from them at full price? No. Do you rush to purchase when its sale time? No, there will be another in a week or two. Their product is only worth the sale price to you. Same goes for your shop. If your prices are fair, be rather firm about them. Don't devalue yourself or your items. Sales are fun and fine, but don't need to be constant.
8. SET UP A SEPARATE BANKING ACCOUNT FOR YOUR BUSINESS. This service typically doesn't cost you a thing and makes tax time a lot easier for you! It also helps you identify funds available. You can use the money for personal expenses (note it for tax time) but you won't be accidentally spending your grocery money on buttons. (Please say I'm not the only person with a major button buying problem!)
9. KEEP FUNDS AVAILABLE IN YOUR ACCOUNT FOR SUPPLIES. How much do your supplies for a custom order typically cost? How much to replenish your shipping supplies or business cards? Keep those amounts in your account so if things are slow for a little while, you can push through. No need to close up shop because no one shopped for a few weeks.
10. BE PATIENT. Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day and your item wasn't made in a minute! I've been selling on Etsy for about 8 years, as The Fine Lime for 6, and it wasn't until about 2 years ago that I had much of anything to do in the summers. The first 4 years, I could have just put my spinning wheel away for summer. But consistently practicing my craft and making connections with customers has paid off!
Remember, be professional, be kind, and don't copy other sellers. Get feedback from your honest-rather-than-nice friends and family. Improve your shop a little every day. Keep learning about your craft. Love what you do and who you do it for. 
