Hey there, Etsy enthusiasts! Are you ready to boost your sales and take your shop to the next level? Whether you’re just getting started or refining an existing shop, here are seven ways to grow your Etsy business and make more sales without adding more stress.
1. Know Your Audience
First things first: Do you know who you’re selling to? Understanding your audience is key. Imagine your ideal customer – what do they need? What are their interests? Once you have a clear picture, you can tailor your products and marketing efforts to meet their needs. Remember, it’s all about making that personal connection!
Here’s a few reasons why this matters:
- Better Targeting: Etsy’s algorithm needs clear signals to understand who your product is for, whether it’s busy moms, dog parents, or ADHD women.
- Product Line Focus: It’s easier to create full product lines {10-20 items) when you can brainstorm for one specific customer and their needs.
- Increase Revenue: You can increase the average order value when you can cross-promote other products that are the perfect fit for your audience!
Do all of your products target that one ideal customer? If not, that’s okay! I have a few different target customers myself, but you definitely want to make sure you have full product lines for each target customer.
2. Perfect Your Product Listings
Ever wondered why some listings catch your eye more than others? It’s all in the details! Make sure your titles are clear and descriptive. Use high-quality photos that showcase your product from different angles. And don’t forget those keywords – think like your customer and use terms they’d search for.
Most Etsy shoppers are browsing on mobile, so your primary listing photo needs to be clear and readable. Use text sparingly, choose fonts that are easy to read, and showcase the actual product.
You want to make sure that you design your primary listing photo with a clear and readable font if using text, and showcase an actual image of the item. If you need help with product mockups, check out these high quality mockups to get started.
3. Leverage Social Media
Social media isn’t just for scrolling through cat videos (but who doesn’t love a good cat video?). It’s a fantastic way to promote your Etsy shop. Share behind-the-scenes looks, customer testimonials, and special offers. Engage with your followers and build a community around your brand. You’ll be amazed at how this can drive traffic to your store!
Pinterest may not be a social media platform in the traditional sense – it’s a visual search engine. But it’s one of the best ways to showcase your products and bring traffic to your shop.
Pro Tip: If someone clicks your link on socials (Etsy calls it Share & Save), Etsy reduces your fees by 4%.
Follow us on Instagram and Pinterest!
4. Engage with Your Customers
Speaking of community, don’t underestimate the power of engagement. Respond to messages promptly, ask for feedback, and thank your customers for their support. Happy customers are more likely to return and recommend your shop to others. Plus, it’s a great way to build relationships and trust.
If you’re after Star Seller status, you have to reply to every first customer message within 24 hours (except those flagged as spam) both to get and keep your status. Even though Star Seller doesn’t guarantee more views, it builds buyer trust.
My Star Seller status and great reviews help potential customers trust my shop and feel confident purchasing from me. Great customer service is a best practice, not just a badge.
5. Stay Organized and Plan Ahead
Running an Etsy shop can be overwhelming, but staying organized can make all the difference. Use tools like printable planners (hey, I know a great seller for those!) to keep track of orders, marketing plans, and goals. Planning ahead means you’ll have more time to focus on creating and less time stressing.
If you’re looking for an easy way to get organized, you can use AI to help you! Give ChatGPT, Gemini or whatever your favorite tool is, this prompt:
“I’m creating a growth plan for my Etsy shop where I sell [insert product here]. My goal is to [insert your main goal, like make my first sale, grow my traffic, or streamline my listings]. Can you ask me strategic questions to help me figure out where to focus my time and effort for the biggest results?”
6. Keep Learning and Adapting
The world of online selling is constantly changing. Stay informed about Etsy updates, new marketing strategies, and trends in your niche. Join our free Facebook group for feedback and peer reviews – it’s a supportive space where we all learn and grow together.
The Etsy Seller Handbook is your best free resource and source of truth for all things Etsy. You should refer to it often and follow all of their rules to ensure you have a compliant shop. This is what I use to develop all of my courses and trainings, along with my personal experiences, of course.
Even though Etsy can be a great source of passive income, it still requires maintenance. Staying flexible helps you adapt to algorithm changes, product trends, and evolving customer needs.
7. Embrace Email Marketing
Have you started building an email list yet? It’s a powerful tool for reaching your audience directly. Share tips, new product launches, and exclusive discounts. It’s a wonderful way to keep your customers in the loop and encourage repeat business.
Unlike social media or Etsy itself, your email list is a direct line to your audience. You control the platform, the timing, and the messaging. If people sign up for your email list, you know they want to be there and are interested in what you have to say.
If you’re curious what this looks like, you can sign up for my email list below to get all of my Etsy advice in your inbox. I recommend using Kit (formerly ConvertKit) or MailerLite for your email service provider. You can check out everything I recommend on the Resources page.
Final Thoughts
Remember, success on Etsy doesn’t happen overnight, but with dedication and a little creativity, you can elevate your shop to new heights.
By joining our mailing list, you’ll get exclusive access to content designed just for busy people like you who are on a mission to organize their business and see real results. Plus, you’ll be the first to know about new courses, free resources, and special offers.
You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s grow your shop, stay organized, and build something that works for you.