Podcast Summary: Ep 162 | 2025 Goal Setting for Your Etsy Shop

Title: How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy
Host: Lizzie Smiley
Release Date: January 2, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 162 of How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy, host Lizzie Smiley dives deep into the art of goal setting for Etsy shop owners in 2025. Drawing from her extensive experience as a successful Etsy entrepreneur and coach, Lizzie provides actionable strategies to help listeners launch, grow, pivot, or scale their Etsy businesses effectively.

Embracing the Entrepreneurial Mindset

Lizzie begins by sharing a personal anecdote about her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of a strong mindset in achieving business success. She highlights her transition from selling physical products, like handmade wood signs, to embracing digital products and print-on-demand models. This pivot not only allowed her to scale her business but also enabled her to maintain a balance between work and family life.

"If you're new here, if you haven't even gotten started yet and you're like, I don't even know about Etsy... I'm here to tell you I just started a new shop back in October and I have well over a hundred sales, already had a bestseller."
— Lizzie Smiley [05:30]

The Importance of Goal Setting

Lizzie emphasizes that goal setting is crucial for Etsy success. She contrasts her previous "loosey-goosey" approach with her current strategy-driven method, noting that having a roadmap significantly increases productivity and achievement.

"Even though I'm a very hard worker, I don't accomplish nearly as much as when I approach the year with at least a roadmap of a plan."
— Lizzie Smiley [12:45]

Setting Financial Goals: Reverse Engineering Success

A core segment of the episode focuses on setting specific financial goals and reverse engineering the steps needed to achieve them. Lizzie breaks down different income targets and outlines the corresponding number of sales and listings required.

Example 1: Handmade Products ($500/month)

• Daily Goal: $16
• Weekly Goal: $125
• Monthly Listings Needed: 50 items (assuming $10 net profit per product)

"So, if you sell your handmade product, you net about $10 per product... you would need to sell 50 items per month to make $500 a month."
— Lizzie Smiley [18:20]

Example 2: Print on Demand/Digital Products ($5,000/month)

• Daily Goal: $167
• Weekly Goal: $1,250
• Monthly Listings Needed: 1,000–2,000 high-quality listings

"For digital and print on demand, usually, 10% of your listings sell. So, aim for 1,000 to 2,000 listings to reach $5,000 a month."
— Lizzie Smiley [25:10]

Strategies for Different Product Types

Lizzie distinguishes between physical products and digital/print-on-demand items, explaining that each category requires different strategies due to their unique market dynamics.

• Physical Products: Generally enjoy higher demand and lower saturation. Success often depends on the uniqueness and quality of products.

• Digital/Print on Demand: Easier to scale but more prone to copycats. Diversification and consistent listing additions are key to maintaining sales momentum.

"In physical products, you might sell something unique that doesn't get copied as often, whereas digital products require a broader and more diversified approach."
— Lizzie Smiley [22:35]

Skill Development and Continuous Learning

Lizzie underscores the importance of continually honing skills related to Etsy, such as:

1. Understanding Etsy's Algorithm: Mastering SEO to ensure products are discoverable.
2. Identifying and Leveraging Trends: Staying ahead by incorporating current cultural and design trends.
3. Product Positioning and Photography: Creating compelling listings that attract and convert buyers.
4. Social Proof: Building trust through reviews and Etsy badges.

"You need to work on your listings. You might have really beautiful products, but your SEO isn't there yet."
— Lizzie Smiley [35:50]

Overcoming Common Challenges

The episode addresses typical obstacles Etsy sellers face, such as feeling overwhelmed by the platform's saturation or struggling with inconsistent sales. Lizzie encourages perseverance, highlighting that many successful sellers attribute their success to not giving up despite initial setbacks.

"There is literally only one reason why sellers don't hit their goals on Etsy and it's because they give up too soon."
— Lizzie Smiley [45:00]

Recommended Resources and Courses

Lizzie recommends several resources to help Etsy sellers accelerate their learning and implementation:

• Her Own Course: Six Figure Secrets to Getting Started on Etsy – A comprehensive, low-ticket course covering everything from the Etsy algorithm to trend spotting.

• Trend Membership: Trends and Opportunities Membership – Offers weekly insights into current Etsy trends, product opportunities, and SEO strategies.

• Other Expert Courses:

  • E Printables by Gold City Ventures
  • Beowulf Biz's Top Seller Secret by Brittany Lewis
  • Print on Demand Academy 3.0 by Heather Studio

"Investing in courses saved me a ton of time. It's one of the reasons the podcast was as successful as it was as fast as it was."
— Lizzie Smiley [50:20]

Final Thoughts: Discipline and Consistency

In her concluding remarks, Lizzie reiterates that consistent effort and discipline are non-negotiable for Etsy success. She challenges listeners to commit to their goals and trust in their ability to overcome challenges through sustained effort.

"Disciplined and consistent effort every day, forever, is what distinguishes successful Etsy sellers from those who give up."
— Lizzie Smiley [58:15]

Conclusion

Episode 162 serves as a motivational and strategic guide for Etsy sellers aiming to set and achieve significant goals in 2025. Lizzie Smiley combines personal experience with practical advice, offering listeners a clear roadmap to Etsy success. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced seller looking to scale, this episode provides valuable insights to help you navigate the complexities of running a thriving Etsy shop.

Additional Resources:

• Podcast Website: howtosellyourstuff.com
  Access show notes, links, courses, and coaching services.

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