Crickets to Cha-Chings Podcast Episode 192: Earn More $ on Black Friday With These Uncommon Etsy Tips
Released on November 11, 2024 by Gold City Ventures
In Episode 192 of Crickets to Cha-Chings, host Julie Berninger teams up with Etsy guru Sasha Hutchinson to delve into strategic and unconventional methods for Etsy sellers to maximize their earnings during the Black Friday season. This episode is a treasure trove of actionable insights tailored for both handmade and digital product entrepreneurs aiming to elevate their Etsy shops amidst the bustling holiday marketplace.
1. Introduction: Setting the Stage for Black Friday
Julie Berninger welcomes listeners and introduces Sasha Hutchinson, highlighting her impressive track record with over 20,000 Etsy sales and her pivotal role in coaching Etsy sellers within the Gold City Ventures community.
"I'm here with Sasha Hutchinson who is our right hand woman leading one of our more newer and more important programs in the Gold City Ventures community beyond." [00:01]
The episode promises a tactical deep dive into preparing Etsy shops for Black Friday, leveraging Etsy's advertising push, and maintaining a balance between business growth and family flexibility.
2. Tip 1: Crafting Effective Gift Guides and Leveraging Affiliate Programs
Sasha emphasizes the importance of creating curated gift guides tailored to specific audiences. She explains how gift guides not only serve as valuable content for potential buyers but also open up additional revenue streams through Etsy's affiliate programs.
"I would create a gift guide of products that would speak to your audience... you can share that with your audience on social media or through your email list in that way you can get an affiliate commission on the products that they buy from Etsy." [01:11]
Key Actions:
- Develop themed gift guides (e.g., "Best Gifts Under $25")
- Share these guides via social media and email newsletters
- Utilize Etsy's affiliate programs through platforms like Awin or Etsy's creator program
- Incorporate your own products within curated lists to promote sales directly
Julie echoes the effectiveness of gift guides from her experience, highlighting their potential to drive significant traffic and sales when executed thoughtfully.
"Gift guides. I'm so glad you kicked off with this because I've used it and it works. It truly works." [04:38]
3. Tip 2: Participating in Etsy’s Promotional Sales
Sasha advises sellers to consider participating in Etsy's promotional sales, such as the mandatory Black Friday discounts often recommended by Etsy.
"Sometimes Etsy will say, we're doing a promotion during this time and you have to run a sell for this amount off to be shown in the promotion." [10:38]
Recommendations:
- Digital Product Sellers: Generally have higher margins, making it easier to opt into promotions like a 25% discount without compromising profitability.
- Physical Product Sellers: Should assess whether the proposed discount aligns with their profit margins. Sasha stresses that opting out won't penalize sellers but advises participation if it makes financial sense.
Julie concurs, suggesting that taking advantage of these promotions is beneficial if feasible, as Etsy likely recognizes the mutual benefit.
"Etsy, they probably can see who opts into things. Like you said, not be punished, but why not? If it works." [05:20]
4. Tip 3: Collaborating with Other Etsy Sellers and Local Businesses
Building collaborations with fellow Etsy sellers can significantly enhance exposure and audience reach. Sasha outlines strategies for effective collaborations, such as cross-promotions and freebie swaps.
"If you have any kind of audience on social media... promote other people's things that are in their niche to make connections." [12:05]
Strategies Include:
- Giveaways: Joint giveaways can attract a broader audience, with each participant promoting the collaboration to their respective followers.
- Freebie Swaps: Exchange digital or physical products to offer value to each other's audiences.
- Affiliate Partnerships: Promote non-competing products that complement your offerings, fostering mutual growth.
Julie adds that such collaborations not only boost sales but also build a supportive community among sellers.
"There's just so much potential for collaboration... we loved the idea of this kind of marketing stunts." [16:54]
5. Tip 4: Building Hype Through Early Hinting and Marketing Teasers
Creating anticipation for Black Friday sales can drive early engagement and sustained interest. Sasha recommends starting to hint at upcoming sales to your audience well in advance.
"Hinting to your audience about a possible Black Friday or a Black Friday sale that you're going to have, start doing it next Monday." [21:45]
Implementation Tactics:
- Social Media Teasers: Use subtle posts or overlays indicating a significant sale is on the horizon.
- Email Campaigns: Send out preliminary emails building excitement for the upcoming discounts.
- Countdowns and Exclusive Previews: Engage your audience with countdown timers or sneak peeks of sale items.
Julie underscores the importance of early engagement to capture the audience's shopping mindset.
"They have their shopping hat on right now, and they're ready to start buying." [22:23]
6. Tip 5: Extending Sales Beyond Black Friday to Year-End
Rather than confining sales to just Black Friday, Sasha suggests extending promotional periods to encompass the entire holiday season.
"Think about doing an end of the year sell and you could do that the entire month of December." [23:26]
Benefits:
- Reduced Competition: Standing out is easier when not confined to a single day amidst numerous sales.
- Continued Engagement: Keeps your shop active and maintains customer interest throughout the holiday season.
- Flexible Marketing Messaging: Allows for diverse promotional themes tailored to different aspects of the holiday period.
Julie agrees, noting that extended sales can alleviate the pressure of a single high-competition day and cater to varying customer priorities.
"These other ancillary gifts and things, we just may not have the mental space to like buy everything we need on that one day. So that makes sense." [25:21]
7. Seasonal Listing Optimization and Trend Awareness
Adapting product listings to align with current seasonal trends and popular aesthetics can rejuvenate sales and appeal to trending customer preferences.
"If someone you're not making the sales you want could, could be worth trying to seasonal. Seasonal. Ify your listing." [26:06]
Action Steps:
- Keyword Adjustment: Modify listing keywords to reflect current trends identified through Etsy’s gift guides or platforms like TikTok.
- Visual Refresh: Update listing images to incorporate seasonal themes, such as color palettes like "Pink Christmas."
- Product Repurposing: Adapt existing products to fit different holiday themes or gifting occasions.
Sasha shares a success story where repackaging a product with grandparent-focused keywords led to a significant sales boost.
"I repackaged it and put the keywords for Grandparents Day and it sold 20 to 1." [26:06]
Julie adds that staying attuned to trends, even those emerging from unexpected sources like TikTok, can provide invaluable direction for product and marketing strategies.
"Knowing what is popular right now is sometimes can feel annoying... but it's so helpful for E commerce because... people want that." [29:00]
8. Conclusion: Expanding Beyond Etsy with the Beyond Program
The episode wraps up with Sasha introducing the Beyond program, an initiative designed to help Etsy sellers scale their businesses beyond the platform.
"Beyond helps people to grow their own Etsy shop... you have eight or nine streams of income for your business." [31:53]
Program Highlights:
- Diverse Revenue Streams: Guidance on branching into affiliate marketing, blogging, podcasting, and more.
- Community Support: Access to a network of creative entrepreneurs for collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- Educational Content: Comprehensive modules covering email marketing, social media strategies, and advanced Etsy optimization techniques.
Julie emphasizes the personalized support offered through one-on-one coaching within the program, making it accessible and effective for those looking to transcend initial Etsy success.
"You get access to Sasha for one on one coaching for a fraction of the price..." [34:18]
Listeners are encouraged to join the Beyond community to unlock their Etsy shop's full potential and achieve sustainable, multi-faceted business growth.
Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement
Julie and Sasha conclude by encouraging listeners to experiment with the shared tips, collaborate with fellow sellers, and actively engage with the Beyond program for continued support and growth.
"Please share your tips if you have them. We want to know what they are." [36:14]
The episode serves as an essential guide for Etsy entrepreneurs aiming to navigate the competitive Black Friday landscape with innovative strategies and community-driven support.
Resources Mentioned:
- Beyond Program: [Link to Beyond Program]
- Holiday Gift Guides: [Link to Latest Etsy Holiday Guide]
Join the Conversation: Listeners are invited to share their own Black Friday strategies and questions in the comments section to foster a collaborative learning environment.