I see so many Etsy sellers make the same mistakes over and over – which end up sabotaging their potential success.
In the 12 years since I started my own Etsy shop, I’ve worked with thousands of other makers, helping them to find success on this platform.
Today, I wanted to cover 7 mistakes I see people making that end up killing any hope they have for a thriving, profitable Etsy shop.
Some of these are obvious – but some may surprise you!
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Highlights from this episode:
Your photos aren’t up to scratch – so people just don’t ‘see’ them in search, and therefore don’t click through to your shop.
You’re underpricing – therefore people will perceive your work as low-value, and you risk burning yourself out.
You’re trying to compete on price, rather than brand/product – there will ALWAYS be people on Etsy – and elsewhere – who are selling cheaper and more expensive than you. You CANNOT price based on what others are doing – you have to do the maths and ensure you’re charging what YOU need to charge in order to be successful. Yes, do look at what the market average is… but don’t be afraid to do your own thing with pricing.
You’re not using the right keywords – therefore you won’t show up in the searches of people who want to buy what you’re selling!
You’re not covering your shipping costs (postage + packaging) – which will cut into your profits.
You’re still treating your craft as a hobby, rather than a business – you need to think about your customers and make sure you’re making what they want, and treating them right.
You’re keeping it a secret – you need to shout it from the rooftops! Don’t be shy or ashamed of your work – tell your friends, family, and anyone who will listen! If you’re proud enough of your work to offer it to the world for sale, you should be proud enough to share it with those who know and love you.
