Podcast Summary: "How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy" - Ep 164 | Lizzie's in the Etsy Coach Hot Seat with Preston Cox

Release Date: January 16, 2025

1. Introduction of Guest and Background

In this episode of "How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy," host Lizzie Smiley welcomes Preston Cox, the owner and creator of 277 Creative Designs based in Texas. Preston shares his journey from struggling with initial Etsy sales to achieving substantial monthly revenues. He recounts how Lizzie became his first Etsy coach and the pivotal role her guidance played in scaling his business.

2. Choosing Etsy as a Platform

Preston delves into his decision to launch his Etsy shop over other platforms like Shopify or a personal website. Initially attempting to sell signs through a WordPress blog with minimal success, he was encouraged by a friend to try Etsy. Despite his doubts about being an “artist” or deserving of Etsy's marketplace, he took the plunge, ultimately finding Etsy to be the most accessible and profitable platform for his needs.

Preston Cox (07:36): “I got on Etsy because I tried and I couldn’t sell anything... someone said, why don’t you just put these on Etsy?”

3. The Importance of SEO and Finding Demand

A significant breakthrough for Preston was understanding Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and identifying customer demand. Initially struggling with low sales, he invested in a course that taught him effective SEO strategies, enabling his listings to appear in relevant searches. This knowledge transformed his monthly earnings from $25 to $6,000 within six months.

Preston Cox (13:52): “I cracked demand. I cracked SEO, and that was game, set, match.”

Lizzie adds that understanding SEO and demand is crucial for new sellers to position their products effectively and attract the right customers.

4. Dealing with Market Saturation

The conversation shifts to market saturation and how to identify if a product niche is oversaturated. Preston explains that saturation occurs when there are more sellers than buyers for a particular product. He advises using tools like eRank and Ever Bee to analyze competition and demand.

Preston Cox (16:01): “The easiest way is using a tool like Ever Bee, where you can look at the tags of the bestseller and you can click Filter.”

Carrie, another participant, raises concerns about missing out on trends and whether pursuing saturated markets is futile. Preston counters by emphasizing that with the right strategies, such as trend combining and targeting micro-niches, sellers can still find success even in competitive areas.

5. Efficiency in Creating Listings

Preston shares efficiency hacks for creating Etsy listings, which is particularly beneficial for sellers managing physical products alongside other commitments. He recommends:

• Creating Listing Templates: Having draft listings with pre-filled descriptions and dropdown options to streamline the listing process.
• Using Mockups: Creating digital mockups for products to avoid the need for physical samples until a sale is made.

Preston Cox (24:27): “I create listing templates for myself...having mockups and having a template listing can help a lot.”

Carrie echoes these strategies, mentioning her use of Canva for creating patch listings and the effectiveness of copying and tweaking existing listings to save time.

6. The Role of External Websites and Email Lists

The discussion moves to whether Etsy sellers should invest in an external website or focus solely on Etsy. Preston advises that new sellers should concentrate exclusively on Etsy during the initial phase to avoid spreading themselves too thin. He suggests that only after achieving a stable income should sellers consider expanding to other platforms or building an email list.

Preston Cox (30:36): “In the beginning, like up until you’re ready to go full time in your business, all you need is Etsy. No social media, no website.”

However, Lizzie and Carrie stress the importance of building an email list once a seller has reached around 100 sales. Preston highlights tools like Mailchimp and Google Forms for collecting and managing customer emails legally and effectively.

Preston Cox (33:21): “You cannot use their emails from Etsy...you have to ask what is like, is there some sort of legal thing there to get people to opt in?”

7. Navigating Etsy Fees vs. Other Platforms

Preston addresses common frustrations regarding Etsy fees compared to other platforms like Shopify. He argues that despite Etsy’s fees being a point of contention, the platform offers unparalleled advantages for new sellers, including access to a vast pool of active shoppers and built-in SEO benefits.

Preston Cox (42:17): “If you’ve ever tried to run your own website...Etsy is a dream. It’s still the easiest way for a new person to break into e-commerce and make really good money.”

He emphasizes that all e-commerce platforms have transaction fees, but Etsy's comprehensive services—like built-in traffic and customer base—justify the costs for many sellers.

8. Etsy's Changes and Future Viability

Preston and Carrie discuss recent changes in Etsy’s policies and how they impact sellers. Preston defends Etsy’s evolution, acknowledging that while changes may not please all users, they reflect broader market demands and the need for Etsy to remain profitable.

Preston Cox (51:03): “The reality is that both the economy and the market has changed, but also the demand has changed. So Etsy could no longer sustain itself, not adding in print on demand and digital products.”

He remains optimistic about Etsy’s future, believing that its ability to adapt by incorporating new selling formats ensures its continued viability. However, he also mentions emerging platforms like Go Imagine and Michaels’ Maker Place as alternatives for sellers seeking a more handmade-focused marketplace.

9. Preston's Goals and Tips for Etsy Sellers

Towards the end, Preston outlines his personal and business goals for 2025, including assisting his wife Robbie in generating $50,000 from their physical product shop and exploring new niches like AI-generated coloring pages. He offers to share his expertise through workshops and collaborative efforts with Lizzie to help other sellers succeed.

Preston Cox (56:12): “My biggest goal with Etsy’s physical product shop is to help Robbie...I would love to build that to a five to ten thousand dollars a month income.”

10. Conclusion and Parting Advice

In wrapping up, Preston encourages sellers not to stress over badges like "Star Seller" and to focus on continuously adding listings to stay relevant in Etsy’s algorithm. He advocates for leveraging Etsy’s strengths while planning to diversify income streams once a solid foundation is established.

Preston Cox (37:37): “Yes, it is important because it’s one of Etsy’s badges and it creates social proof and gives you credibility... the best thing you can do is add new listings.”

Lizzie concludes the episode by reaffirming the abundance of opportunities on Etsy and encouraging listeners to access more resources through her website.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Preston Cox (07:36): “I got on Etsy because I tried and I couldn’t sell anything... someone said, why don’t you just put these on Etsy?”
• Preston Cox (13:52): “I cracked demand. I cracked SEO, and that was game, set, match.”
• Preston Cox (16:01): “The easiest way is using a tool like Ever Bee, where you can look at the tags of the bestseller and you can click Filter.”
• Preston Cox (24:27): “I create listing templates for myself...having mockups and having a template listing can help a lot.”
• Preston Cox (30:36): “In the beginning, like up until you’re ready to go full time in your business, all you need is Etsy. No social media, no website.”
• Preston Cox (33:21): “You cannot use their emails from Etsy...you have to ask what is like, is there some sort of legal thing there to get people to opt in?”
• Preston Cox (42:17): “If you’ve ever tried to run your own website...Etsy is a dream. It’s still the easiest way for a new person to break into e-commerce and make really good money.”
• Preston Cox (51:03): “The reality is that both the economy and the market has changed, but also the demand has changed. So Etsy could no longer sustain itself, not adding in print on demand and digital products.”
• Preston Cox (56:12): “My biggest goal with Etsy’s physical product shop is to help Robbie...I would love to build that to a five to ten thousand dollars a month income.”
• Preston Cox (37:37): “Yes, it is important because it’s one of Etsy’s badges and it creates social proof and gives you credibility... the best thing you can do is add new listings.”

Key Takeaways

• SEO Mastery: Understanding and implementing effective SEO strategies is crucial for Etsy success.
• Demand Analysis: Identifying in-demand products and niches can significantly boost sales.
• Efficiency: Utilizing listing templates and mockups saves time and streamlines operations.
• Platform Focus: New sellers should concentrate on Etsy before expanding to other platforms or building external websites.
• Navigating Fees: Despite frustrations, Etsy offers unmatched advantages for new e-commerce ventures.
• Adaptability: Etsy’s evolution reflects market demands, and sellers must adapt to stay relevant.
• Continuous Learning: Leveraging tools and resources, such as workshops and courses, can empower sellers to scale their businesses effectively.

For those looking to enhance their Etsy endeavors, this episode offers invaluable insights from a seasoned seller who transformed his Etsy shop from modest beginnings to substantial monthly revenues through strategic SEO, understanding market demand, and efficient listing practices.