Podcast Summary: Ep 194 | Answering Your Etsy FAQs
Podcast Information:
- Title: How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy
- Host/Author: Lizzie Smiley
- Episode: Ep 194 | Answering Your Etsy FAQs
- Release Date: August 14, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 194 of "How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy," host Lizzie Smiley delves into a comprehensive FAQ session, addressing a multitude of questions submitted by her listeners. This episode serves as an invaluable resource for both budding and seasoned Etsy sellers, offering insights into optimizing their shops, navigating Etsy’s algorithms, and enhancing sales strategies.
1. Coaching Group Announcement
Before diving into the FAQs, Lizzie announces a limited-time discount for her coaching group, typically priced at $247, now available for $147. This group offers lifetime access to one-on-one coaching, monthly live calls, shop audits, and a supportive community of diverse Etsy sellers. Testimonials from members like Nikki and Rebecca highlight the group’s positive impact on their confidence and sales.
“This community is not like any other group. It feels like a family.” – Nikki [Timestamp: 05:30]
2. Building an Email List on Etsy
A common question pertains to the best methods for starting and growing an email list. Lizzie emphasizes the importance of owning customer relationships outside Etsy, recommending tools like Everbee and Mailchimp for compliant list-building. She suggests offering incentives such as discount coupons through QR codes in product photos or packaging to encourage sign-ups.
“Email is still one of the most powerful marketing tools on the planet.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 12:45]
Key Takeaways:
- Use Everbee integrations or Mailchimp for email list management.
- Offer discounts or freebies to incentivize sign-ups.
- Regularly engage with your email list, aiming for at least two emails per month.
3. Utilizing Listing Videos
Lizzie confirms that including videos in listings can enhance their visibility and professionalism, as Etsy favors listings with videos in search rankings.
“If someone is looking at listings on a computer instead of on the app, the listing video is more likely to stop them.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 20:15]
Recommendations:
- Use videos for handmade or physical products to showcase dimensions and angles.
- For digital products, simple slideshows of mockups can suffice.
- Don’t stress if video creation is time-consuming; many successful shops thrive without them.
4. Setting Up an Etsy Shop with Multiple People in Different Countries
Lizzie advises against allowing multiple individuals from different countries to log into a single Etsy shop due to potential security risks and algorithmic issues.
“I would never let somebody else work on your Etsy shop. It’s just asking for trouble.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 24:50]
Advice:
- Designate one person as the primary account holder.
- Use third-party tools like Evelysta for assistance without sharing login credentials.
5. Combining Embroidery and Laser Engraving in One Shop
Lizzie supports adding complementary product lines within the same shop, provided they align with the shop’s niche to avoid confusing the Etsy algorithm.
“If you’re just playing generally with PNG files and print on demand, there’s no problem with trying it in the same shop.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 28:30]
Strategy:
- Test various products within a unified theme.
- Once a clear focus emerges, streamline the shop to highlight best-performing items.
6. Selling on Redbubble in Addition to Etsy
Lizzie suggests focusing primarily on Etsy before diversifying to platforms like Redbubble, citing minimal returns and potential burnout from managing multiple outlets.
“I personally almost never can find time to go add to Redbubble. And the ROI is so minuscule.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 32:10]
Recommendation:
- Master Etsy first by maximizing listings and improving shop performance.
- Consider additional platforms only after establishing a strong Etsy presence.
7. Managing Multiple Listings for Bookmarks
When dealing with multiple product variations, Lizzie advises against creating separate listings for non-performing items. Instead, she recommends offering choices within a single listing to provide customers with options without overwhelming the shop.
“If one of them doesn’t sell, I wouldn’t do anything. You can leave it there if you want to.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 36:00]
Tips:
- Use dropdown menus for variations.
- Monitor performance and focus on best-sellers without cluttering the shop.
8. Displaying Sold Items on Etsy
Lizzie explains that choosing whether to display sold items is a matter of personal preference and strategy. There’s no definitive right or wrong approach.
“There is no right or wrong to that. It is personal preference.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 40:20]
Considerations:
- Displaying sold items can build social proof.
- Hiding them may prevent potential customers from seeing outdated or less desirable products.
9. Setting Up a Seller Account and Payment Processing
Lizzie guides beginners through setting up an Etsy seller account, highlighting that Etsy handles payment processing. Sellers simply need to connect their bank accounts to receive funds.
“Etsy provides the payment processor so you don’t need to worry about that.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 44:10]
Steps:
- Follow Etsy’s step-by-step setup guide.
- List your first product during the setup process to familiarize yourself with the platform.
10. Understanding Etsy’s Algorithm
While the exact workings of Etsy’s algorithm remain undisclosed, Lizzie shares insights on factors that influence listing visibility, emphasizing the importance of product quality and relevance.
“The number one most important factor of the algorithm is simply the buyer and the buyer’s previous behavior.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 50:05]
Insights:
- High-quality, in-demand products rank higher.
- Favoriting, clicking, and purchasing behaviors strengthen listing rankings.
- Consistently adding new listings boosts shop activity and algorithm favorability.
11. Managing Volume vs. Seasonality in Listings
Lizzie advises maintaining a balance between seasonal and evergreen listings to sustain shop activity throughout the year while capitalizing on peak seasons.
“If you have seasonal items, keep about 30-40% seasonal and 60-70% evergreen.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 57:30]
Strategy:
- Focus the majority of listings on timeless products.
- Introduce seasonal items well in advance to align with market trends.
12. Maximizing Profit for Low-Priced Digital Goods
Addressing concerns about fees eroding profits, Lizzie recommends researching competitor pricing and creating high-value bundles to attract buyers without compromising profitability.
“There’s this thing called a ‘no-brainer listing’ where you offer so much value for a low price.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 1:05:20]
Recommendations:
- Analyze best-sellers to set competitive prices.
- Create bundles that offer extensive value, encouraging bulk purchases.
13. Renewing Listings and Algorithm Impact
Deciding whether to renew listings without sales depends on their nature. Seasonal listings should remain up during relevant periods, while underperforming evergreen listings can be let expire to maintain shop efficiency.
“If I created something that was otherwise going to be evergreen and it didn’t sell for three months, I would let it expire.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 1:11:15]
Advice:
- Monitor listing performance biannually.
- Focus on adding new, high-performing listings to enhance shop activity.
14. Operating Seasonal Shops
Lizzie encourages running seasonal shops, especially for creatives with fluctuating focus, but stresses the importance of timely listing and consistent updates to keep the algorithm engaged.
“If you’re going to do Christmas, list them by September.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 1:14:30]
Tips:
- Schedule listings well before the peak season.
- Stagger the release of products to avoid appearing spammy to the algorithm.
15. Navigating Market Saturation in Handmade Jewelry
Regarding saturated markets like polymer clay earrings, Lizzie advises leveraging trends and unique designs to stand out, emphasizing the necessity of thorough keyword research to identify demand.
“Jewelry has a lot of sellers, but you can compete by incorporating trends.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 1:22:40]
Strategies:
- Use tools like Everbee to assess keyword popularity and competition.
- Innovate with unique designs that align with current trends to attract buyers.
16. Adapting to Changes in Listing Image Sizes
With frequent adjustments to Etsy’s image display parameters, Lizzie recommends adhering to Etsy’s guidelines and ensuring flexibility in image layouts to maintain professional presentation across platforms.
“Follow what the Etsy handbook says. Always check it.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 1:26:15]
Guidelines:
- Use a 4:3 aspect ratio for images.
- Adjust image composition to accommodate potential cropping across different devices.
17. Reviving Inactive Print on Demand Shops
For shops experiencing stagnation, Lizzie advises focusing on creating new, trend-aligned listings rather than tweaking existing ones, as fresh products can reignite the shop’s visibility.
“Add new listings to revive sales. Feed the algorithm with activity.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 1:29:45]
Recommendations:
- Consistently introduce new, high-quality listings.
- Let go of outdated or non-performing products to streamline shop focus.
18. Understanding Taxes on Etsy Sales
While Lizzie is not a tax expert, she outlines the basic tax responsibilities for Etsy sellers, including sales tax collection handled by Etsy and the obligation to report income independently.
“For income tax, it depends on how you’re going to file. Etsy will give you a 1099, and you have to declare your taxes.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 1:32:50]
Advice:
- Consult the Etsy Seller Handbook for region-specific tax information.
- Seek guidance from tax professionals to ensure compliance.
19. Navigating Complex Shipping Settings
Acknowledging the complexity of Etsy’s shipping options, Lizzie directs listeners to her "Six Figure Secrets" course for detailed, step-by-step tutorials on setting up shipping correctly.
“If you have my Six Figure Secrets course, there is a click-by-click tutorial of shipping settings in there.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 1:35:10]
20. Pricing Handmade Recycled Crafts
When pricing unique handmade items, Lizzie emphasizes the importance of market demand and competitive research, suggesting that lack of similar offerings on Etsy may indicate insufficient demand.
“If no one else is selling them, they’re probably not going to sell on Etsy.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 1:38:25]
Guidelines:
- Research external marketplaces to gauge pricing standards.
- Consider alternative sales channels like craft shows or social media if Etsy demand is low.
21. Choosing the Right Keyword Tool: Everbee vs. Erank vs. Sales Samurai
Lizzie shares her preference for Everbee due to its user-friendly interface and efficiency in providing keyword data, while also acknowledging the strengths of Erank and expressing interest in Profit Tree’s upcoming tools.
“I personally use Everbee. It is my go-to.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 1:40:50]
Recommendation:
- Utilize Everbee for comprehensive keyword research.
- Experiment with multiple tools to determine the best fit for your needs.
22. Selecting What to Sell on Etsy
To overcome “analysis paralysis,” Lizzie encourages sellers to commit to a specific product type, research best-sellers within that niche, and consistently create and list new products to refine their offerings.
“Just start crank out 20, 50, 100 listings.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 1:44:30]
Steps:
- Use her free product picker tool to identify viable niches.
- Analyze top-performing products for inspiration.
- Focus on mastering a specific product category before diversifying.
Conclusion
Lizzie wraps up the episode by encouraging ongoing engagement through her coaching group and future FAQ sessions. She reiterates the importance of consistent listing creation, staying updated with market trends, and continuously improving product quality to succeed on Etsy.
“Stay consistent, keep adding listings, and watch your shop grow.” – Lizzie [Timestamp: 1:50:00]
For more resources, listeners are directed to howtosellyourstuff.com, where they can find detailed show notes, tutorials, courses, and coaching opportunities.
Key Takeaways:
- Email Marketing: Essential for maintaining customer relationships and driving repeat sales.
- Listing Optimization: High-quality images and videos can significantly improve visibility and professionalism.
- Shop Management: Streamline operations by limiting who can access your Etsy shop and focus on complementary product lines.
- Profit Maximization: Research competitive pricing and offer high-value bundles to enhance profitability, especially for digital goods.
- Consistent Activity: Regularly adding new listings keeps your shop active in Etsy’s algorithm, increasing the chances of sales.
- Tax Compliance: Understand your tax obligations and consult professionals to ensure proper filing.
- Continuous Learning: Utilize available resources and coaching to stay informed and improve your Etsy selling strategies.
Lizzie Smiley's episode provides a wealth of practical advice and actionable strategies, making it an essential listen for anyone looking to thrive on Etsy.