Podcast Summary: How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy

Episode: Ep 189 | Beginner Real Talk About Starting a Digital Product Etsy Shop--with Rebecca Miller
Release Date: July 10, 2025
Host: Lizzie Smiley
Guest: Rebecca Miller (Becca)

Introduction

In Episode 189 of "How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy," host Lizzie Smiley engages in a candid and insightful conversation with Rebecca Miller, a budding Etsy seller navigating the early stages of her digital product shop. This episode is tailored for beginners and those currently struggling to find their footing on Etsy, offering practical advice, personal experiences, and motivational insights to inspire and guide new entrepreneurs.

Guest Introduction

Lizzie introduces Becca as a dedicated wife, mother, and pediatric speech-language pathologist with a passion for side hustles and creative endeavors. Becca ventured into the online business world with Teachers Pay Teachers, selling speech therapy and early childhood printables before transitioning to Etsy in March 2025. Inspired by Lizzie's encouraging message, "There's room at the table for everyone," Becca took the leap to open her Etsy shop, blending her creativity with her professional expertise.

Starting the Etsy Shop: Challenges and Motivations

Becca opens up about her initial struggles with imposter syndrome and lack of sales, reflecting a common hurdle for new sellers.

"The most challenging part is dealing with that imposter syndrome. At the beginning... I was like, I don't know what I'm doing."
[03:32]

Lizzie empathizes, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster of launching a shop—balancing hopes for success with fears of failure. Becca shares how Lizzie's supportive podcast provided the necessary motivation to persevere, emphasizing the importance of nurturing one's Etsy venture despite early setbacks.

Progress and Products

Despite a slow start with only a few sales and modest earnings, Becca has made significant strides:

• Listings: 80 active as of last night
• Sales: 39 total sales
• Products: PNGs, coloring pages, invitations, and party printables

Becca emphasizes her experimental approach, testing various digital products to identify what resonates with her audience.

"I'm testing different things to see what's going to happen."
[05:31]

Design and Mockup Strategies

A core discussion centers around the importance of design quality and effective mockups. Becca acknowledges her strengths in design but admits to challenges in combining elements like fonts and images cohesively.

"I have the eye and the elements to do the design, but to piece it all together is where I'm kind of struggling."
[07:10]

Lizzie praises Becca's invitation designs, illustrating how a well-crafted mockup can enhance the appeal of a product. They delve into practical tips for creating impactful mockups without requiring expensive software, highlighting tools like Creative Fabrica and Photopea as accessible resources.

Building Credibility: Reviews and Street Cred

The conversation shifts to establishing trust and credibility on Etsy, particularly for digital products where obtaining reviews can be challenging. Lizzie shares strategies for garnering reviews without overwhelming customers:

• Offering bonus digital files tailored to the buyer's interests
• Creating niche-specific freebies to enhance perceived value

Becca recounts her experience with encouraging repeat purchases through thoughtful bundling and personalized customer interactions, aiming to build a loyal customer base organically.

Resources and Learning

Both Lizzie and Becca emphasize the value of continuous learning and community support. Becca credits the Etsy coaching group and Lizzie's podcasts as invaluable resources:

"The group... your podcast... they've all been really helpful."
[44:46]

They also recommend various YouTube channels and online resources that provide tutorials and trend insights, underscoring the importance of staying updated with market demands and evolving Etsy algorithms.

Tips for Beginners

In a segment dedicated to new sellers, Becca offers actionable advice:

1. Set Balanced Expectations: Understand that success doesn't happen overnight.

   "Everyone overestimates what they can do in six months and underestimates what they can do in two years."
   [55:00]

2. Focus on Quantity and Quality: Prioritize listing a high volume of products while maintaining quality to increase visibility and sales potential.

3. Build Your "Brain Cash": Continuously study bestsellers to refine design skills and align products with market trends.

4. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate incremental milestones to stay motivated.

5. Avoid Desperation: Approach your shop with positive energy and creativity rather than desperation to foster better results.

Becca shares her strategy of batch working and maintaining a consistent listing schedule, even tackling three listings a day during challenges, to build momentum and increase her shop's visibility.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with mutual encouragement and a celebration of Becca's recent sales milestones, reinforcing the essence of community and support in the Etsy selling journey. Lizzie promotes her "Six Figure Secrets to Getting Started on Etsy" course, offering listeners a structured path to accelerate their Etsy success.

"Think of your Etsy shop as a journey. It's not a get-rich-quick scheme but a path to sustainable growth and creative fulfillment."
[58:15]

Lizzie and Becca leave listeners with a sense of hope and practical steps to take, emphasizing that with dedication, creativity, and the right support, anyone can thrive on Etsy.

Notable Quotes:

• Becca on Imposter Syndrome:
  "The most challenging part is dealing with that imposter syndrome."
  [03:32]

• Lizzie on Pricing Strategy:
  "Social proof in your shop... bestseller badges, star seller badge... these create trust."
  [17:40]

• Becca on Consistency:
  "I've been posting at least one to two listings a day. I'm going to kick it into gear."
  [32:08]

• Lizzie on Expectations:
  "Everyone overestimates what they can do in six months and underestimates what they can do in two years."
  [55:00]

This episode serves as a valuable resource for new Etsy sellers, blending personal anecdotes with expert advice to navigate the complexities of launching and growing a successful digital product shop.