Podcast Summary: Ep 180 | Answering Your Etsy FAQs
Podcast Information
Title: How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy
Host: Lizzie Smiley
Release Date: May 8, 2025
Description:
Lizzie Smiley, an experienced Etsy seller and entrepreneur, shares insights on launching, growing, pivoting, and scaling Etsy shops. Balancing multiple online businesses with motherhood, Lizzie delves into business strategies, mindset development, creativity, customer engagement, and more to help listeners cultivate their dream businesses.
Introduction
Lizzie Smiley kicks off Episode 180 of "How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy" by expressing her enthusiasm for addressing listener questions in this FAQ-centric episode. She shares her personal journey of overcoming initial struggles on Etsy, emphasizing the importance of understanding demand, enhancing product photography, optimizing listings, and leveraging SEO to achieve organic sales growth.
Notable Quote:
“At the first sign that things were moving, I started getting seen, converting shoppers into buyers, and organically driving sales.”—Lizzie Smiley [05:30]
Lizzie’s Etsy Journey
Lizzie recounts the challenges she faced during the first six months of her Etsy venture, particularly with her wood signs business. By focusing on researching demand, improving product photography, and optimizing listings with high-demand, low-competition keywords, she transitioned from making minimal sales to generating significant monthly revenue.
Notable Quote:
“I added more than one price point on my listings using the variations feature, which helped me appear higher in search results and ultimately boosted my sales.”—Lizzie Smiley [07:45]
Resources and Tools
Free Etsy Ads Course:
Lizzie introduces a complimentary Etsy ads course by Hannah Gardner, highlighting its effectiveness in enhancing shop visibility and sales. She emphasizes the importance of using ads for proven products to maximize revenue.
Niche Bundle and Cheat Sheet:
To assist sellers in identifying profitable niches, Lizzie offers the "Ultimate Niche Bundle" and a "Niche Cheat Sheet," both priced affordably at $27. These resources provide over 35,000 product possibilities by combining product types, niches, and trends.
Trend Guide:
Available as a free bonus for Trendspotting Membership members or for purchase separately, the Trend Guide details current Etsy trends with visual examples, aiding sellers in applying these trends to their shops.
Notable Quote:
“Grab the free ads course and my niche cheat sheet—it’s a no-brainer and most of you are at the point where you need to start looking into this.”—Lizzie Smiley [12:20]
Addressing Listener Questions
1. Selling to Australian Buyers
A listener from Australia inquires about optimizing keywords and tags for her Etsy shop targeting Australian customers.
Lizzie’s Response:
Lizzie explains that Australia accounts for about 2.7% of Etsy's traffic, making it the sixth largest market. She advises leveraging Printify's rerouting feature to efficiently manage shipping by directing orders to the nearest facilities, thereby reducing shipping costs and times. For SEO, she recommends using Etsy's location filters to tailor keyword research to Australian buyers.
Notable Quote:
“Keep doing the research as you are. There's nothing special that you need to do if you're going to focus on just selling in Australia.”—Lizzie Smiley [17:15]
2. Managing ADHD and Product Focus
A creative listener with ADHD struggles to narrow down her product focus amidst numerous ideas.
Lizzie’s Response:
Lizzie suggests setting small, achievable goals and rewarding oneself after completing tasks. She emphasizes the necessity of discipline in choosing and executing product ideas. Additionally, she recommends resources like Tracy Otsuka's podcast "ADHD for Smartass Women" and her own episodes discussing strategies for high-achieving women with ADHD.
Notable Quote:
“There's no hack. You have to make yourself focus, but you can reward yourself for focusing.”—Lizzie Smiley [22:40]
3. Maximizing Return on Etsy Ads
A listener reports low revenue after fees and Etsy ads, seeking advice on improving ad performance and overall profitability.
Lizzie’s Response:
Lizzie connects with Hannah Gardner, who suggests that a 35% margin can still be positive but recommends utilizing the free Etsy ads course to better understand Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) and optimize ad strategies. She encourages leveraging the course for visual, step-by-step guidance on enhancing ad effectiveness.
Notable Quote:
“Etsy ads really can change the game for the right shop. If you have a proven product, you should be using them.”—Lizzie Smiley [25:50]
4. Using AI Mockups for Listings
A listener asks about the legality and authenticity of using AI-generated mockup frames for art prints.
Lizzie’s Response:
For digital products, AI mockups are generally acceptable provided they accurately represent the actual product. However, for personalized products, the main thumbnail should showcase a real example without placeholders. Lizzie advises verifying whether mockups are AI-generated by checking item details or directly contacting sellers.
Notable Quote:
“Etsy prefers original photography when possible, especially for handmade goods. But for digital and print-on-demand products, mockups are acceptable as long as they accurately represent the product.”—Lizzie Smiley [33:10]
5. Effect of Updating Listings on Etsy Algorithm
A listener inquires whether updating listings can boost visibility.
Lizzie’s Response:
Lizzie clarifies that simply renewing listings won't boost them and can be perceived as spammy by Etsy’s algorithm. However, making meaningful changes to the primary image or SEO can trigger the algorithm to reevaluate and potentially improve listing performance. She advises against altering well-performing listings to maintain their status.
Notable Quote:
“Never change or update a listing that's performing well. Especially don’t change the first picture or the SEO.”—Lizzie Smiley [38:55]
6. Generating Keywords from Latest Etsy Trends
A listener asks if ChatGPT is effective for creating Etsy-specific keywords and long-tail keywords.
Lizzie’s Response:
Lizzie advises against using ChatGPT for Etsy keyword research due to its outdated data. Instead, she recommends using API-integrated tools like Everbee or Erank, which provide real-time data on search volumes and competition levels. These tools help in identifying low, medium, and high-competition keywords essential for effective SEO.
Notable Quote:
“Never ever use ChatGPT to try and discover Etsy trends or good SEO. It’s too outdated.”—Lizzie Smiley [42:30]
7. Using Freebies in Wholesale and Retail
A listener is curious about the prevalence and effectiveness of including freebies with Etsy orders, especially in a wholesale context.
Lizzie’s Response:
Lizzie enthusiastically supports the use of freebies, highlighting their role in building goodwill and encouraging repeat business. In wholesale, including samples of related products can serve as a subtle upsell. For retail customers, freebies enhance the unboxing experience, increase the likelihood of positive reviews, and foster customer loyalty.
Notable Quote:
“Freebies are a spectacular idea, especially for wholesaling. They build goodwill and trust, making customers more likely to leave five-star reviews.”—Lizzie Smiley [47:20]
8. Discrepancies Between Everbee and Erank
A listener expresses confusion over differing search data from Everbee and Erank and seeks guidance.
Lizzie’s Response:
Lizzie explains that both Everbee and Erank use Etsy’s API but rely on their own algorithms to estimate search volumes, leading to discrepancies. She recommends using one primary tool for consistency, favoring Everbee for its user-friendly and accurate data. Additionally, she suggests analyzing multiple best-performing listings to derive effective SEO strategies.
Notable Quote:
“They just have to guess based on activity. It’s better to use a tool and have some data than to run blind.”—Lizzie Smiley [52:10]
9. Putting Etsy Shop on Vacation Mode
A listener plans a week-long vacation and worries about its impact on shop performance.
Lizzie’s Response:
Lizzie reassures that a short vacation is manageable and unlikely to significantly harm shop performance. She shares her personal experience of a prolonged vacation mode and advises setting realistic expectations for recovery upon return. Additionally, she recommends preparing new listings in advance to reinvigorate the shop’s activity once reopened.
Notable Quote:
“The longer your shop is on vacation mode, the more you kind of fall out of the algorithm. A week is pretty short and perfectly fine.”—Lizzie Smiley [58:45]
10. Keyword Research for Handmade Niches like Pottery
A listener seeks strategies for keyword research in unique, handmade niches with fewer best-seller listings.
Lizzie’s Response:
For one-of-a-kind products, Lizzie advises focusing on shops with a large number of reviews to gauge effective SEO strategies. She suggests using tools like Everbee to analyze these listings, extracting a mix of low, medium, and high-competition keywords to enhance visibility. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of diversifying keyword sources to build a robust SEO foundation.
Notable Quote:
“For handmade niches, study shops with thousands of reviews. Use a mix of low, medium, and high-competition keywords to optimize your listings.”—Lizzie Smiley [65:30]
11. Finding High-Demand, Low-Competition Digital Products
A listener struggles to identify digital products with high demand and low competition.
Lizzie’s Response:
Lizzie builds on her previous advice, recommending the use of keyword research tools to identify gaps in the market. She highlights the importance of combining various SEO strategies and leveraging trend reports to uncover lucrative product opportunities. Joining her Trendspotting Membership is suggested for ongoing, actionable insights.
Notable Quote:
“All you need is a mix of low, mid, and high competition keywords in your listings to find what’s in demand and low competition.”—Lizzie Smiley [70:15]
12. Printing Reports with Customer Information
A listener seeks methods to access customer email addresses for follow-up communication.
Lizzie’s Response:
Lizzie explains that Etsy restricts access to customer email addresses to protect privacy. However, she provides steps to download order reports, which include buyer names and addresses but exclude emails. To contact customers, she recommends using Etsy’s messaging system or accessing individual order details to retrieve email addresses, ensuring compliance with Etsy’s policies.
Notable Quote:
“Be careful about using a customer's email address outside of the transaction unless you have their written permission.”—Lizzie Smiley [75:50]
13. Scaling Handmade Businesses Without Outsourcing
A long-time listener contemplates the limits of scaling a handmade Etsy shop without outsourcing production.
Lizzie’s Response:
Lizzie shares her own experience of reaching her capacity with her handmade sign shop, highlighting the necessity of delegating tasks to scale effectively. She discusses the challenges of maintaining handmade quality while growing and underscores the importance of diversifying product lines or pivoting to less labor-intensive offerings like digital products or print-on-demand services. Forming an LLC and exploring partnerships are also recommended to manage growth sustainably.
Notable Quote:
“Just like any business, to scale, you have to delegate tasks. Whether it’s finding a production partner or hiring employees, leveraging others is essential.”—Lizzie Smiley [80:40]
14. Warnings and Disclaimers for Selling Beads or Beading Kits
A listener inquires about necessary safety disclaimers when selling products like beads or beading kits.
Lizzie’s Response:
Lizzie emphasizes the importance of consulting with legal professionals to ensure proper disclaimers, such as "choking hazard" warnings, are included with products intended for children. She advises erring on the side of caution and utilizing resources like Paige Holse’s LLC Operating Agreement tailored for Etsy sellers. Ensuring compliance with Etsy’s policies and local regulations is crucial to protect both the seller and customers.
Notable Quote:
“Consult a legal professional to ensure you have the correct disclaimers. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to legal matters.”—Lizzie Smiley [85:30]
15. Learning More About Design for Non-Designers
A listener seeks recommendations for courses or content creators to improve design skills for those without formal training.
Lizzie’s Response:
Lizzie recommends Heather Studio’s Design Lab as an excellent resource for learning design fundamentals. She highlights her own positive experiences with the program, especially in relation to print-on-demand projects. Lizzie plans to possibly develop her own design workshops in the future but currently stands by Heather Studio for comprehensive design education.
Notable Quote:
“Heather Studio’s Design Lab is outstanding. It really helped me get bestsellers in my print-on-demand offerings.”—Lizzie Smiley [90:10]
Announcements and Closing Remarks
Coaching Group Launch:
Lizzie announces the opening of a new coaching group housed within her platform, “School.” This private membership offers lifetime access, daily support from trained sellers, and monthly live group coaching calls with Lizzie herself. The initiative aims to provide personalized assistance, shop audits, and a supportive community for Etsy sellers.
Notable Quote:
“We’re going to build an amazing community. You are my OGs, and I can’t wait to grow together in this new coaching group.”—Lizzie Smiley [95:20]
Final Thoughts:
Lizzie concludes the episode by expressing heartfelt gratitude to her listeners for their unwavering support. She encourages them to visit her website, "howtosellyourstuff.com," for additional resources, show notes, and to subscribe or review the podcast to help others discover the valuable content she provides.
Notable Quote:
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support. Have a great day and see you next time.”—Lizzie Smiley [100:00]
Key Takeaways
- Optimize Listings: Focus on high-demand, low-competition keywords to enhance visibility and sales.
- Leverage Tools: Utilize Etsy-integrated tools like Everbee and Erank for accurate keyword research.
- Strategic Advertising: Implement Etsy ads strategically on proven products to amplify revenue.
- Manage Growth: Delegate tasks or diversify product offerings to effectively scale handmade businesses.
- Legal Compliance: Always consult legal professionals when adding disclaimers to products.
- Continuous Learning: Invest in design education through reputable courses to improve product aesthetics.
- Community Support: Engage with coaching groups and memberships for ongoing support and growth strategies.
Lizzie Smiley’s episode is a treasure trove of actionable advice, addressing diverse challenges faced by Etsy sellers. From optimizing SEO and leveraging ads to managing business growth and ensuring legal compliance, this episode equips listeners with the knowledge and resources needed to thrive on Etsy.