“How to become a successful Etsy seller” is easily the #1 question on anyone’s mind when they look into starting a handmade business.
As popular as it may be, this query doesn’t have a particular, battle-tested answer.
And here’s why: there is no single, universal and guaranteed recipe for success. Businesses are as unique as those who create them and, therefore, hard to narrow down to a fail-proof, easily-replicable template.
But here’s what CAN be done. You can become a successful Etsy seller by following this simple five step plan that’ll help you get your business of the ground in a sustainable way. Just as with most things in life, it’s important to take it one step at a time, with patience and determination. Here goes:
Step 1: Decide On What You Want To Sell And Who You’re Going To Sell It To
“Obviously.”, you might think. But really: as easy as this may sound, don’t skip straight past this initial step.
Take some time to think about what you love to create and about who is going to buy your products. A successful shop stands at the intersection of what you can do and what people want to buy.
Figure out the potential product categories in your shop even before you’ve listed anything – this mental roadmap will help you stick to the most effective development path.
Step 2: Open Your Etsy Shop And Start Adding Listings
Time to get this show on the road!
Pick a name that is representative of your business and where you want to take it, then focus on adding listings.
Remember! It’s good to have many listings (without making them redundant or sacrificing quality), as it gives shoppers more options to choose from. More time spent browsing equals higher chances of them making a purchase.
Take this slowly though: add one new listing per week, for example, and focus on sustaining that pattern over time. You’ll have a considerable number of listings soon enough!
Step 3: Focus On Getting Found
Exposure is key at this point, so make sure that potential clients can actually find you. Focus on crafting SEO-friendly product titles and pay special attention to tags. Think about what words clients use to find products like yours and insert them into your product titles. Make it as specific as possible.
Tip: pretend you know nothing about your product and ask yourself what you’d have to search for to find it. Is it a great birthday gift for him? A bridal shower accessory? Go for specifics!
Finally, remember to revise your titles and tags after seeing what performs better over time.
Step 4: Make A Lasting Impression With Quality Photos
Keywords and clever titles might get you found, but quality listings will actually make visitors stick around.
Focus on having quality photos (even with your phone for now – no biggie!) with a cohesive look. Use natural light when photographing and try sticking to the same type of backgrounds or props in order to achieve a unitary look and feel for your shop. Don’t be afraid to go for a matchy-matchy style – visitors will remember you by it.
Step 5: Work Towards Having A Brand
Easier said than done. But! In time, you’ll notice how all your products, descriptions and even customers tend to gravitate towards a clear style. That’s the time when you want to start working on your brand and its visual representation.
When the time comes, you might consider coming up with a logo (or commission a designer to create one for you), along with banners, custom packaging or even stamps. Don’t obsess over having them right when you start out though. Give yourself the time to get to know your customer base and to figure out how to best serve their needs. Pretty logos are just the icing on the cake, not the cake itself. :)
Now go out there and work on your business. Good luck!