Podcast Summary: Ep 184 | Etsy Print on Demand Summer Success Tips with Jay De Souza

Podcast Information

• Title: How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy
• Host: Lizzie Smiley
• Guest: Jay De Souza
• Episode Title: Ep 184 | Etsy Print on Demand Summer Success Tips
• Release Date: June 5, 2025

Introduction to Jay De Souza

Lizzie Smiley introduces Jay De Souza, a seasoned expert in the Print on Demand (POD) industry. Jay's extensive experience includes nearly a decade as a freelance graphic designer, managing graphics for Canada's largest publishing company, and transitioning to online sales after enduring a stressful corporate environment. His entrepreneurial journey led him to achieve significant milestones, including:

• Etsy Launch: Started in 2013, hitting his first six-figure year by 2015.
• Sales Milestone: Over 120,000 T-shirts sold on Amazon.
• Community Building: Runs a POD Facebook group with over 20,000 members and a YouTube channel boasting 40,000 subscribers.
• Coaching: Leads an Inner Circle Print on Demand coaching membership focused on design and mindset.

Notable Quote:

Jay De Souza [03:42]: "This guy has been through the ringer. He's been the OG. He's helping new sellers start, grow, scale, strengthen their design skills which is like the biggest deal ever."

Summer Print on Demand Strategies

Lizzie and Jay delve into strategies to combat the often-cited summer slump in Etsy sales. Jay emphasizes that slumps are natural and can be reframed as opportunities for growth rather than periods of decline.

Key Points:

• Reframing Slumps: Instead of viewing summer as a dead period, see it as a cyclical time to plan and develop.
• Evergreen Designs: Focus on timeless designs that remain relevant year-round, such as birthday themes, daily activities, and emotional connections.
• Continuous Improvement: Utilize slower periods to enhance existing designs, develop new bundles, and prepare for peak seasons.

Notable Quote:

Jay De Souza [04:39]: "If you're sucking at Etsy right now, you're not sucking in terms of everything you're doing. Maybe your sales are down a little bit, but it happens every year."

Overcoming Summer Slumps

The conversation highlights common misconceptions about summer sales on Etsy and offers actionable advice to maintain momentum.

Key Points:

• Predictable Cyclicality: Understanding that slumps are predictable allows sellers to plan accordingly.
• Focus on Progress: Use slow periods to refine designs, enhance SEO, and strategize for the upcoming year.
• Mindset Shift: Embrace slow growth and build a solid, evergreen foundation to sustain long-term success.

Notable Quote:

Jay De Souza [08:24]: "Understanding that especially for people that are new, in what world do you think you're going to be rich in a month doing something for the first time?"

Building a Resilient Mindset

Jay and Lizzie discuss the critical role of mindset in sustaining a successful Etsy business, particularly during challenging times.

Key Points:

• Resilience Over Hype: Developing mental discipline to withstand low periods without immediately pivoting or giving up.
• Community Support: Engaging with supportive communities can bolster mental strength and provide valuable feedback.
• Embracing Mistakes: Viewing mistakes as learning opportunities rather than setbacks.

Notable Quote:

Lizzie Smiley [12:36]: "You have to develop that skill or probably Etsy is not the place for you."

Importance of Design in Print on Demand

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the importance of design quality in driving sales and standing out in a saturated market.

Key Points:

• Emotional Connection: Designs should resonate emotionally with customers to drive conversions.
• Typography Mastery: Understanding the difference between readability and legibility to enhance design impact.
• Detail Orientation: Small tweaks in font weight, placement, and contrast can transform good designs into bestsellers.
• AI Utilization: While AI tools can aid in design, human oversight is crucial to ensure quality and emotional resonance.

Notable Quote:

Jay De Souza [33:11]: "The goal is to resonate emotionally at the end of the day, always."

Teaching Design Skills

Jay elaborates on how his membership program equips sellers with the necessary design skills to succeed.

Key Points:

• Practical Training: Hands-on practice and actionable assignments to develop design intuition.
• Community Feedback: Interactive sessions where members can receive constructive critiques to improve their designs.
• Sustainable Learning: Emphasizing consistent practice to make effective design strategies second nature.

Notable Quote:

Jay De Souza [30:26]: "It's practice, right? It's getting, doing it over and over until it starts to become second nature."

Community and Support

Both Lizzie and Jay stress the importance of building and engaging with supportive communities to foster growth and resilience.

Key Points:

• Trust and Collaboration: Encouraging open sharing of designs and constructive feedback within the community.
• Co-working Calls: Regular virtual meetings to provide mutual support and exchange ideas.
• Avoiding Toxicity: Maintaining a positive environment where members feel safe to ask questions and seek help without fear of judgment.

Notable Quote:

Jay De Souza [43:26]: "It's a chance to maybe get a little bit more rest. We've also worked ourselves in a hustle culture where rest is like this reward that we give ourselves when we're on the verge or the cusp of burnout."

Final Advice and Takeaways

In the concluding segments, Lizzie and Jay offer actionable advice for Etsy sellers to enhance their success.

Key Points:

• Focus and Consistency: Encourage sellers to pick one or two mentors or methods and stick with them for sustained growth.
• Objective Evaluation: Regularly assess listings by comparing them against top-performing designs to identify areas for improvement.
• Design Over SEO: While SEO is important, a standout design is crucial for conversions. Investing in high-quality designs can yield better long-term results than solely focusing on SEO tactics.

Notable Quote:

Lizzie Smiley [53:17]: "It's hard to tell people, you know, I get it, but it's the biggest issue with things not converting for print on demand and digital products."

Additional Resources Mentioned

• Jay's Membership: Offers design training, community support, and co-working calls. Special offer available through Lizzie's link for a 45% discount.
• Lizzie's Course: Six Figure Secrets to Getting Started on Etsy – a beginner course focusing on demand identification, SEO strategies, and shop positioning.

Special Promotions:

• Lizzie's Course Discount Code: Use code save50 to receive $50 off the Six Figure Secrets course.

Conclusion

Episode 184 of "How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy" provides invaluable insights from Jay De Souza on navigating the challenges of the Etsy marketplace, particularly during the summer months. Emphasizing the importance of resilient mindset, high-quality design, and supportive community, Lizzie and Jay equip listeners with the tools and strategies necessary to sustain and grow their Etsy shops effectively.

Actions for Listeners:

1. Join Memberships: Consider joining Jay’s design-focused membership or Lizzie’s courses to enhance your skills.
2. Evaluate Your Designs: Regularly assess your listings against top performers to identify improvement areas.
3. Engage with Communities: Participate in supportive groups to gain feedback, stay motivated, and continuously learn.

Thank you for reading! For more detailed discussions and resources, visit howtosellyourstuff.com and explore the full range of tools and support available to elevate your Etsy business.