Crickets to Cha-Chings: Recent Episodes
Lauren Keplinger
Crickets to Cha-chings is a podcast for handmade entrepreneurs wanting to uplevel their Etsy shops and take their side gig to a full time income. Join us as we talk marketing for your handmade business, strategy to drive traffic to your shop, how to stand out on Etsy, and running an online business while maintaining flexibility for your family.
Want to know what a $3M print on demand seller says is working right now? In this episode, Julie Berninger sits down with Christina to uncover the latest Etsy and Shopify trends driving sales in 2026. Learn how to spot trending designs, improve your listings with better mock-ups, and capitalize on growing demand for vintage graphics, personalized gifts, and popular color palettes. Christina also shares insights on scaling across multiple marketplaces, using tools for product research, navigating Facebook ad strategies, and adapting to the rise of AI-generated mock-ups. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your print-on-demand business, this episode is packed with actionable ideas you can apply today.
đ Subscribe for weekly tips on Etsy printables, side hustles, and print on demand growth.
Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction to Christina and her success in print on demand (02:12) - The explosion of trends, especially stripes and vintage styles (05:07) - Identifying best-selling products and how to spot emerging trends (09:56) - The importance of niche-specific trends like comfort colors (13:00) - Popular design themes: club shirts with retro/hand-drawn styles (17:28) - Mock-up best practices, including AI vs. real-model photos (20:13) - The impact of AI on mock-up imagery and legal considerations (24:24) - Optimizing product photos and videos for listings (27:24) - Comparing Etsy and Shopify profitability and workload (31:15) - Facebook ad strategies: interest vs. broad targeting (34:13) - Testing and refining designs for success (35:26) - Resources and where to find more tips on Shopify and Etsy growth
Resources
đ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HCd0P2aGUNE
Follow Christina on:
YouTube: @c.u.online
Follow Julie and Gold City Ventures:
Instagram: @goldcityventures
Facebook: @goldcityventures
Print on demand seller Ryan Hogue breaks down exactly how he scales designs, automates listings, and spots winning trends before they peak.
đ Check out MyDesigns (the Ai tool Ryan uses): https://go.goldcityventures.com/my-designs
đ Subscribe for weekly tips on Etsy, AI tools, and print-on-demand success.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Trends in Apparel 02:50 Leveraging AI for Design Creation 05:25 Exploring Print on Demand Strategies 08:16 The Importance of Product Quality 11:05 Maximizing Sales Across Platforms 13:22 The Role of AI in Business Efficiency 15:31 Cost-Benefit Analysis of AI Tools 18:22 Final Thoughts on Trends and Opportunities
Resources
đ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kYsx8iga8tU
Follow Ryan on:
YouTube: @ryanhoguepassiveincome
Instagram: @ryanhogueofficial
Follow Julie and Gold City Ventures:
Instagram: @goldcityventures
Facebook: @goldcityventures
Etsy trends change fast â and the sellers who spot them early are the ones getting the clicks and sales. In this episode, Lizzie Smiley breaks down how to use vintage aesthetics, nostalgia, boho styles, and trendy fonts to make your print-on-demand and digital products stand out in crowded Etsy search results.
đ Subscribe for weekly tips on Etsy, print-on-demand, and digital product success.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Lizzie's Entrepreneurial Journey 01:12 From Corporate to Etsy Success: Lizzie's Story 02:22 Scaling Etsy Handmade Signs to $12K Months 03:26 Transition to Teaching and Digital Products 03:56 Trend Report Focus: Q3 and Q4 Design Strategies 05:00 Vintage and Grand Millennial Aesthetics 06:20 Applying Vintage Trends to Printables and Gifts 09:25 Nostalgia Trends: 80s, 90s, and 70s Influences 11:13 Incorporating Nostalgic Elements into Designs 13:25 Doodle and Naive Core Trends in Design 15:40 Creating Trend-Driven Printables and Gifts 20:58 Wildflower and Boho Trends for Fall and Winter 23:35 Using Wildflowers and Earth Tones in Products 25:24 Trending Fonts: Retro, Varsity, and Hand-Drawn Styles 27:57 How to Improve Graphic Design Skills 28:37 Building Your Market Research Brain Cache 31:23 Lizzie's Trend Spotting Resources and Offerings 32:17 Closing Remarks and Final Tips
Resources
⨠Trendspotting Membership: Learn how to spot winning Etsy trends before they get saturated. Get your first month for just $17 with code KEEP20. Etsy Trend Reports
đ¨ 20 AI Design Courses for $20: Learn how to create better digital products and print-on-demand designs faster with AI tools. 20 AI Design Courses for $20 | How to Sell Your Stuff
đ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zKej7mLSnLU
Follow Lizzie on:
YouTube: @howtosellyourstuff
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtosellyourstuff/
Follow Julie and Gold City Ventures:
Instagram: @goldcityventures
Facebook: @goldcityventures
Want financial independence faster? Learn how digital products and smart investing can turn side hustles into long-term wealth with Cody Berman, author of Retire By 30. https://retireby30book.com
In this episode, Cody Berman shares how he reached retirement by 30 using scalable digital products, resourceful strategies like house hacking, and consistent investing. Discover how small wins from passive income can grow through compound interest, and why retirement is less about age and more about your numbers and cash flow. You'll also see how simple mindset shiftsâand even family communicationâcan accelerate your personal finance journey and help you build sustainable wealth over time.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Financial Independence 02:21 The Journey of Digital Products 04:56 Investing for the Future 08:11 Understanding Retirement as a Number 09:44 Maximizing Income and Minimizing Expenses 13:10 Resourcefulness in Financial Independence 15:21 The Power of Compound Interest 17:44 The Future of E-commerce and AI 19:26 Starting the Journey to Financial Independence 20:44 The Importance of Micro Goals 22:39 Building Momentum and Confidence 24:12 Investing Basics for Beginners 27:53 The Role of Family in Financial Goals 30:57 Creating a Family Financial Vision 34:00 Encouraging Young Entrepreneurs
Resources
đ Retire by 30 Book
đCody's Podcast: The Financial Independence Show
đ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/h6XtKlVA_nc
Follow Cody on: Instagram: @codydberman
Follow Julie and Gold City Ventures:
Instagram: @goldcityventures
Facebook: @goldcityventures
Want to win Q2 with Etsy print on demand? Discover how personalized seasonal gifts can drive real sales for Mother's Day and Father's Day. đ Join Emily LIVE on April 29 for an exclusive Print-on-Demand training where you'll learn how to turn ideas into income. https://event.webinarjam.com/kn3pk/register/8m43zunm?webinar_id=45&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=partypod&utm_content=chris
đGet the Free 30-Day Trial of Anywhere POD when you use code GOLDCITY30: https://go.goldcityventures.com/anywherepod/
In this episode, Chris from Anywhere POD reveals a hidden product opportunity and shows how AI-powered personalization can transform simple items into high-converting listings. Learn how to use tools like Variant Wizard to offer more options, streamline your workflow, and stand out in a crowded e-commerce space. If you're looking to grow your Etsy shop with smarter product strategies, this is a must-watch.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Anywhere POD and Seasonal Products 02:47 Exploring the Deco Plate: A Unique Product 05:57 Personalization and AI in Print on Demand 08:43 Leveraging AI for Unique Designs 12:00 Variant Wizard: Simplifying Product Listings 15:05 Engaging Kids in the Creative Process 18:01 Conclusion and Resources for Sellers
Resources
đ Sign up for the April 29 POD Training with Emily: https://event.webinarjam.com/kn3pk/register/8m43zunm?webinar_id=45&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=partypod&utm_content=chris
https://goldcityventures.com/gift-lab-podcast - The Gift Lab Course ($100 off through May 4th at Midnight Eastern)
đ Watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/vPEnUBHHVmM
Follow Chris on:
YouTube: @AnywherePOD
Follow Julie and Gold City Ventures:
Instagram: @goldcityventures
Facebook: @goldcityventures
Want to sell candles on Etsy using print on demandâeven with zero design skills? In this episode, Emily Odio-Sutton reveals how simple candle labels and smart niche marketing helped her turn ideas into thousands of sales.
đ Join Emily LIVE on April 29 for an exclusive Print-on-Demand training where you'll learn how to turn ideas into income. https://event.webinarjam.com/kn3pk/register/8m43zunm?webinar_id=45&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=partypod&utm_content=emily
Learn how to create clean, high-converting designs, use templates to scale faster, and connect with your audience through words that resonate. You'll also see how product testing and understanding your customer can transform your small business and online selling strategyâwithout overcomplicating the process.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Emily's Etsy Success 01:04 The Power of Simple Candle Designs 02:28 Using Templates for Consistent Branding 04:22 Color and Background Trends in Candle Labels 07:38 Understanding Your Customer and Niche Marketing 09:35 Testing Variations and Product Experimentation 11:34 Managing Variations and Product Testing Strategies 13:27 Upcoming Webinar on Etsy Niche Selling 14:49 Emily's Road to Nearly $900K in Etsy Sales 16:05 Community and Collaboration in Print on Demand
Resources
đ Sign up for the April 29 POD Training with Emily: https://event.webinarjam.com/kn3pk/register/8m43zunm?webinar_id=45&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=partypod&utm_content=emily
https://goldcityventures.com/gift-lab-podcast - The Gift Lab Course
đ Watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/wd6qwqaOIyw
Follow Emily on:
Instagram: @ecommemily
YouTube: @ecommemily
Follow Julie and Gold City Ventures:
Instagram: @goldcityventures
Facebook: @goldcityventures
Summary
Join Julie Berninger and Etsy expert Courtney Buteau as they explore her journey from handmade ornaments to top 1% Etsy seller of digital printables. Discover strategies for niche selection, product creation, shop organization, and balancing business with family life.
Signup for the POD Webinar with Courtney & Emily on 4/29: https://event.webinarjam.com/kn3pk/register/8m43zunm?webinar_id=45&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=partypod&utm_content=courtney
Takeaways
- Etsy shop success strategies
- Product research and niche selection
- Balancing family life with entrepreneurship
Chapters
00:25 Starting on Etsy: Handmade Beginnings 00:55 Transition to Digital Products and Success 06:01 Finding Profitable Printables: Keyword Research 09:52 Using Etsy Favoriting and Snooping for Insights 10:59 Understanding Shopper Behavior and Trends 15:21 Expanding into Print on Demand 17:12 From Handmade Ornaments to Digital Success 18:47 Editable vs. Non-Editable Printables 20:10 Customer Feedback and Product Pivoting 22:30 Current Trends in Kid and Party Products 24:03 Upcoming Webinar and Closing Remarks
Resources
⤠Signup for the POD Webinar with Courtney & Emily on 4/29: https://event.webinarjam.com/kn3pk/register/8m43zunm?webinar_id=45&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=partypod&utm_content=courtney
⤠Free Digital Products Workshop: https://goldcityventures.com/workshop-pdcst
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LA8y8w0m9nU
Follow Julie and Gold City Ventures:
https://www.instagram.com/goldcityventures
https://www.facebook.com/goldcityventures
Summary Hannah Gardner from Profit Tree shares high-ticket digital product ideas for over $20 each. Discover how to identify trending products and use Profit Tree's features to boost your online business. Takeaways
- 3 High-ticket digital products on Etsy
- Profit Tree tool for market validation
- Trend analysis and product research
- Leveraging TikTok and social media for sales
Chapters00:00 Introduction to Digital Product Trends 02:59 High Ticket Digital Downloads: Wedding Templates 06:00 Custom Digital Banners: A Low Competition Opportunity 09:02 Stained Glass Wedding Welcome Signs: High Demand 11:55 Exploring Profit Tree: Data-Driven Insights 18:02 Iterating for Success: The Importance of Experimentation
Resources
⤠Free Digital Products Workshop: https://goldcityventures.com/workshop-pdcst
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/T9gIHFo4Kp8
About ProfitTree
LifeTime ProfitTree Offer: https://go.goldcityventures.com/lifetime-profittree
Follow Julie and Gold City Ventures:
https://www.instagram.com/goldcityventures
https://www.facebook.com/goldcityventures
The April 30-day Printables Challenge will help you list 4 new competitive products on Etsy. Join Gold City Ventures co-founder Julie Berninger and VIP E-Printables Coach, Sasha Hutchison, as they take you through the templates, ideas, and process of the super popular challenge.
Watch the "From $0 to $4,000 Per Month Selling Digital Products" webinar with Cody of Gold City Ventures here to learn more: Watch Here
â CHAPTERS â
00:00 Introduction to the 30-Day Etsy Challenge
01:01 Live Events and Resources for Success
03:44 Using the Challenge Tracker Effectively
06:13 Product Ideas for the Challenge
09:29 Templates and Mockups for Success
12:26 Community Engagement and Prizes
â RESOURCES â
⤠"From $0 to $4,000 Per Month Selling Digital Products" webinar: Watch Here
⤠E-Printables Course: Sign Up Here.
^ Enrollment ends Monday 3/30
If you join E-Printables now, you'll get the pictured challenge templates, tracker, an Etsy listing audit, and daily support in our VIP group.
Follow Julie and Gold City Ventures:
https://www.instagram.com/goldcityventures
https://www.facebook.com/goldcityventures
Summary
đ Join The Gift Lab for the lowest price ever: https://goldcityventures.com/gift-lab-podcast
Want to turn your Etsy shop into a thriving gift-product business? In this episode, Emily shares how she launched The Gift Lab from her own Etsy experience and reveals the secrets behind creating products buyers can't resist. Learn how SEO, photography, and market research can transform your listings, why positioning items as gifts skyrockets appeal, and how print-on-demand can give your shop flexibility. Discover actionable strategies to understand your audience, build a unique brand, and continuously adapt for long-term online selling success.
đ Subscribe for weekly tips on Etsy printables and print-on-demand success.
Takeaways
- The Gift Lab was born from selling on Etsy.
- It teaches how to start an Etsy shop from scratch.
- Researching buyer preferences is crucial.
- SEO and photography are key components.
- Positioning products as gifts enhances appeal.
- Understanding the target audience is essential.
- Gift products can cater to various relationships.
- Print-on-demand offers flexibility in product offerings.
- Creating a unique brand identity is important.
- Continuous learning and adaptation are necessary.
Chapters
00:00 â Emily's POD Success Story 02:00 â Q4 Sales, Momentum & Starting Strong 03:55 â Why Gifts Sell Better Than Apparel 06:55 â What Are "Giftable Products"? 08:55 â Why Candles, Journals & Ornaments Explode in Sales 09:47 â How AI Changed POD Workflow 11:40 â Evergreen vs. Trend-Based Designs 13:52 â The Two Things That Grew Emily's Revenue 40% 15:57 â The Events Niche Deep Dive 17:26 â Automating Personalization With AnywherePOD 19:03 â Breaking Seasonality With Event-Based Products 21:19 â What Is The Gift Lab? 22:50 â Bonuses Inside The Gift Lab 25:31 â AI Lab Assistants (Custom GPTs for Students) 28:01 â Bonus Workshops & Advanced Tutorials 29:43 â Student Wins & Success Stories 33:14 â Emily's Advice for Beginners 35:10 â Bite-Sized Lessons for Busy Schedules 36:56 â The Black Friday Challenge 38:26 â Final Thoughts + Black Friday Offer
Resources
https://goldcityventures.com/gifting-gold-podcast - Free Workshop to learn the basics of selling POD
https://goldcityventures.com/workshop-pdcst - Free workshop to learn the basics of selling digital products online
https://goldcityventures.com/gifting-gold-podcast - Emily's Free POD Webinar
https://goldcityventures.com/gift-lab-podcast - The Gift Lab Course
đ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/msgpszdjLvY
Follow Emily on:
Instagram: @ecommemily
YouTube: @ecommemily
Follow Cody and Gold City Ventures:
Instagram: @goldcityventures
Facebook: @goldcityventures
Summary Struggling to stand out on Etsy? Discover how Nancy Badillo, a digital marketing expert with over 15 years of experience, turned her setbacks into a thriving Etsy business. In this episode, Nancy breaks down the exact market research and keyword strategies that help sellers find profitable niches, boost visibility, and increase their average order value. Learn how to create irresistible digital products, enhance user experience, and use personalization and bundles to drive more sales. If you want to master Etsy trends and grow your shop with proven techniques, this episode is your roadmap to success.
đ Subscribe for weekly tips on Etsy printables, digital products, and passive income strategies!
Takeaways
- Nancy Badillo has over 15 years of experience in the Etsy space.
- Market research is crucial for identifying trends and opportunities.
- Niche down to create specific product variations that attract buyers.
- Avoid vague keywords and focus on long-tail keywords for better visibility.
- User experience is key; provide clear instructions and support for customers.
- Boost average order value by offering bundles and upsells.
- Personalization can increase customer satisfaction and sales.
- Design mistakes often include overcrowded images and poor formatting.
- Utilize keyword research tools to find high-demand, low-competition keywords.
- Engage customers with valuable freebies to build trust and encourage repeat purchases.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Nancy Badillo and Her Journey 03:00 Understanding Market Trends and Keywords 05:52 Effective Keyword Research Strategies 09:05 Niche Down: Creating Variations of Products 12:09 Common Keyword Mistakes to Avoid 14:57 Design Mistakes and User Experience 17:57 Boosting Average Order Value and Customer Retention 21:02 Final Thoughts and Where to Find Nancy Badillo
Resources
https://goldcityventures.com/gifting-gold-podcast - Free Workshop to learn the basics of selling POD
https://goldcityventures.com/workshop-pdcst - Free workshop to learn the basics of selling digital products online
đ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y6V8rG1v8NY
Follow Nancy Badillo on:
Instagram: @nancybadillo13
YouTube: @NancyBadillo
Official Website: nancybadillo.com
Follow Cody and Gold City Ventures:
Instagram: @goldcityventures
Facebook: @goldcityventures
Summary Discover how Passive Income Angel hit a $10K month on Etsy by mastering trends, timing, and creative strategy. In this episode, Cody Berman dives into Angel's journey from early struggles to thriving in the print-on-demand world. She reveals how to spot seasonal product trends, time listings 8â12 weeks before holidays, and use micro niches to boost visibility and sales. Learn how AI tools, personalization, and bundling can set your shop apart â and why understanding keyword research and aesthetics across holidays can unlock year-round sales.
đ Subscribe for weekly tips on Etsy printables, passive income, and digital product success.
Takeaways
- Angel achieved a 10K month in her first year on Etsy.
- Understanding trends is crucial for seasonal product success.
- Timing your listings is key; aim for 8-12 weeks before holidays.
- Digital products can be listed closer to the holiday.
- Micro niches can significantly increase conversion rates.
- Personalization helps products stand out in a crowded market.
- Bundling products can enhance average order value.
- AI can be a powerful tool for creating unique designs.
- Identifying gift trends can drive traffic to your shop.
- Combining aesthetics from different holidays can create unique offerings.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Passive Income on Etsy 02:44 Angel's Journey to Etsy Success 05:58 Understanding Trends and Seasonality 10:14 Timing Your Listings for Maximum Impact 15:01 Utilizing Tools for Product Research 18:14 Identifying Top Gift Recipients for Christmas 22:06 Trending Christmas Products and Aesthetics 25:27 Niche Marketing Strategies for Christmas 27:23 Milestones and Memory-Making Gifts 29:24 Leveraging Seasonal Trends 29:50 Cross-Holiday Trend Integration 33:04 Identifying Low Competition Keywords 35:00 Exploring Trends on Etsy 39:09 Creative Product Ideas and Trends
ResourcesEmail marketing and digital sales tools that bring your brand to life - Free Etsy Christmas Trends cheat Sheet!
https://goldcityventures.com/gifting-gold-podcast - Free Workshop to learn the basics of selling POD
https://goldcityventures.com/workshop-pdcst - Free workshop to learn the basics of selling digital products online
đ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTBZNFHWnxs
Follow Angel on:
Instagram: @passiveincomeangel
Youtube: @passiveincomeangel
Follow Cody and Gold City Ventures:
Instagram: @goldcityventures
Facebook: @goldcityventures
Summary
Want to create digital products faster and sell smarter on Etsy? In this episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings, Cody Berman sits down with Canva expert Jen Michele to reveal the exact tools and strategies that save time and boost sales. Jen shares how market research prevents wasted effort, why niching down improves visibility, and the Canva features every seller should knowâlike the brand kit for consistency, magic resize for instant product variations, bulk create for guided journals, and the all-new Canva Sheets for spreadsheets. Whether youâre just starting or scaling your online shop, youâll learn practical design tips to work more efficiently and turn ideas into products customers actually want.
đ Subscribe for weekly tips on Etsy printables, Canva design hacks, and digital product success.
Takeaways
- Market research is crucial before creating products.
- Utilize Etsy's search bar for keyword research.
- Niche down your product ideas for better visibility.
- Canva's brand kit streamlines the design process.
- Magic Resize allows for quick adjustments to product sizes.
- Bulk Create can save time when generating multiple designs.
- Canva Sheets simplifies spreadsheet creation for digital products.
- Using Canva tools can significantly enhance productivity.
- Understanding market demand can prevent wasted effort.
- Canva continues to innovate and expand its features.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Digital Products and Design 03:02 The Importance of Market Research 06:04 Quick Editing Tips in Canva 08:57 Utilizing the Brand Kit in Canva 11:49 Magic Resize: Creating Multiple Formats 14:41 Bulk Create for Guided Journals 19:21 Exploring Canva Sheets 24:17 Conclusion and Resources
Resources
https://goldcityventures.com/gifting-gold-podcast - Free Workshop to learn the basics of selling POD
https://goldcityventures.com/workshop-pdcst - Free workshop to learn the basics of selling digital products online
đ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgkJFsOtPLs
Follow Jen Michele on:
Instagram: @imjenmichele
Jen's Canva Course: https://go.goldcityventures.com/jen-michele-canva-course
Follow Cody and Gold City Ventures:
Instagram: @goldcityventures
Facebook: @goldcityventures
In this episode, Julie Berninger chats with Bailey Vann, who went from handmade crafts to thriving in sublimation and digital products. Bailey reveals why bundling designs boosts sales, how unexpected themes like ghosts, chickens, and raccoons are trending, and why collage aesthetics are taking over Etsy. She also shares customer insights that help small businesses stand out, plus the design tools she relies onâincluding Kittleâfor creating products buyers love. Whether youâre exploring print on demand or scaling your Etsy shop, this episode is packed with strategies to spot trends early and turn them into revenue.
Time Stamps
00:00 Bailey's Etsy Journey 02:10 Hidden Gems in Digital Design 09:36 Understanding the Customer Base 12:44 Staying Ahead of Trends 15:31 AI Tools for Design
Resources
Bailey's AI & Design Club: https://go.goldcityventures.com/bailey-vann-ai
https://goldcityventures.com/gifting-gold-podcast - Free Workshop to learn the basics of selling POD
https://goldcityventures.com/workshop-pdcst - Free workshop to learn the basics of selling digital products online
https://goldcityventures.com/pdcst - Gold City Ventures Website
Kittl: https://go.goldcityventures.com/kittl
đ Watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/BEfR3C_EPms
Follow Bailey on:
https://www.youtube.com/@digitalbailey
Follow Julie and Gold City Ventures:
Instagram: @goldcityventures
Facebook: @goldcityventures
Summary
Host Julie Berninger interviews Chelsea Shelton, a successful Etsy seller and coach, about the concept of evergreen printables.
Sign up for the September 23rd Live Training with Chelsea here: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/25/w26nwaoo?utm_source=podcast
Chelsea shares her journey from being an elementary school teacher to excelling in the printable space on Etsy. The conversation explores various evergreen product ideas, including games, scavenger hunts, gift tags, signature drink signs, and brain dump templates, emphasizing their potential for consistent sales throughout the year. Chelsea also discusses the importance of using existing templates creatively and the role of keywords in product visibility.
Takeaways
- Evergreen printables can sell month over month, year over year.
- Bingo is a trending printable that can be customized.
- Scavenger hunts are versatile and can be themed for any occasion.
- Gift tags can be repurposed for various events beyond holidays.
- Signature drink signs are popular for weddings and parties.
- Brain dump templates help organize thoughts and are gaining popularity.
- Using AI can assist in generating creative ideas for printables.
- Repurposing existing templates saves time and effort.
- Evergreen products help maintain consistent sales throughout the year.
- Keywords are crucial for improving product visibility on Etsy.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Evergreen Printables 02:46 Exploring Evergreen Product Ideas 05:42 Diving into Scavenger Hunts 08:47 The Importance of Year-Round Sales 11:20 Creative Gift Tag Concepts 14:26 Innovative Brain Dump Templates
Resources
Live Webinar Sept 23rd: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/25/w26nwaoo?utm_source=youtube
E-Printables Course: https://goldcityventures.com/e-printables-course/
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5ovUEbeVZks
Julie sits down with Dori, an Etsy business veteran whoâs been selling since 2007, to uncover the strategies behind long-term success. Dori reveals how persistence, smart SEO, and quality print-on-demand designs can turn simple ideas into consistent revenue. Youâll also hear surprising trendsâlike leopard print and puff embossed apparelâthat are shaping Etsy right now.
đ Register for the LIVE event September 23rd "Your First $50,000 Selling Printables" with Gold City Ventures: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/25/w26nwaoo?utm_source=podcast
Time Stamps
00:00 Dori's Etsy Journey and Multi-Passionate Business Ownership 05:00 Trends in Etsy: Hidden Gems for Success 09:03 The Power of Personalization in Products 19:02 Navigating the Digital Space: Planners and Baby Products
Resources
1 Month Free Trial of ProfitTree: https://go.goldcityventures.com/profittree-free-trial
đ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jNrnv7vOxAw
Follow Dori on:
https://www.instagram.com/youretsybestie/
https://www.tiktok.com/@youretsybestie
Follow Julie and Gold City Ventures:
Instagram: / goldcityventures
Facebook: / goldcityventures
Summary
In this episode of the Crickets to Cha-ching's podcast, Julie Berninger and Hannah Gardner of ProfitTree discuss five emerging trends in the Etsy marketplace. They explore the new features of ProfitTree, a tool designed to help Etsy sellers track profits and optimize their listings.
Takeaways
- ProfitTree helps sellers track profits and optimize ads.
- Personalized baby books are a growing niche in the market.
- Embroidered products can be sourced locally for customization.
- Cruise shirts are popular for group sales and bulk orders.
- Personalized dog shirts are trending and can be customized easily.
- Digital patterns are a low-cost entry point for sellers.
- AI can assist in creating digital products and patterns.
- Etsy favors listings that encourage bulk purchases.
- Understanding minimum order quantities can reduce startup costs.
- Networking with local artisans can enhance product offerings.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Etsy Trends 02:46 Exploring the First Trend: Personalized Baby Books 08:00 Second Trend: Embroidered Blankets 11:16 Third Trend: Cruise Shirts 14:48 Fourth Trend: Personalized Dog Shirts 17:00 Fifth Trend: Digital Patterns
Resources
https://goldcityventures.com/workshop-pdcst - Free workshop to learn the basics of selling digital products online
https://goldcityventures.com/pdcst - Gold City Ventures Website
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OzQZIpmi3mQ
About ProfitTree
1 Month Free Trial of ProfitTree: https://go.goldcityventures.com/profittree-free-trial
LifeTime ProfitTree Offer: https://go.goldcityventures.com/lifetime-profittree
Summary
In this episode, Julie Berninger interviews Jay De Souza, who shares his journey from a stressful corporate job to becoming a successful print-on-demand entrepreneur. Jay discusses the importance of understanding customer needs, the significance of niche marketing, and the emotional aspect of selling products. He emphasizes the use of technology and tools to enhance business efficiency and the necessity of maintaining a positive mindset for long-term success. The conversation also covers emerging trends in the apparel market and practical tips for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Takeaways
- Jay is about to cross 125,000 shirts sold on Amazon.
- Stress can manifest physically and is a silent killer.
- Designing for the customer is crucial for success.
- Niche marketing is essential for effective selling.
- Utilizing technology tools can streamline the design process.
- Selling emotions is key to connecting with customers.
- Competition in the market validates demand for products.
- A year of commitment is necessary for business success.
- Implementing what you learn is as important as learning itself.
- Quality design is essential; ugly designs won't sell.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Milestones 01:58 Transitioning from Corporate to Print on Demand 07:34 Understanding Customer Needs 10:23 Niche Marketing Strategies 15:35 The Importance of Emotion in Design 24:34 Tech Stack and Tools for Success 31:05 Navigating the Algorithm: Understanding Customer Confusion 31:54 Targeting Big Niches: The Balance of Competition 33:13 Defining Your Ideal Customer: Niche Down for Success 35:07 The Importance of Keywords: Broad vs. Long Tail 36:50 Shopping Mindset: Understanding the Buyerâs Perspective 39:00 Creative Chaos: Organizing Your Design Process 41:11 Emerging Trends: Summerween and Beyond 45:57 Nutrition Label Parodies: A Unique Design Opportunity 48:53 Researching Trends: Finding Your Target Demographic 52:59 Mindset Matters: Resilience in Business 57:44 Setting Realistic Expectations: The Long Game in Business
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/V3yHdicbwXo
Resources
Free POD Workshop: https://goldcityventures.com/gifting-gold-podcast
Free Digital Product Workshop: https://goldcityventures.com/workshop-pdcst
Gold City Ventures Website: https://goldcityventures.com/pdcst
Follow Jay on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayswayworks
Check out Jay's Membership: https://go.goldcityventures.com/jays-way
Summary
Emily's Free POD webinar: https://goldcityventures.com/gifting-gold-podcast
In this episode, Julie Berninger and Emily discuss the latest trends in print-on-demand products, focusing on five unique items that are currently performing well on Etsy. Emily shares her insights on wedding vow journals, funny career candles, teacher tote bags, personalized ornaments, and hidden message mugs, providing practical advice for beginners looking to enter the print-on-demand space. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs and the potential for unique, giftable products in the e-commerce market.
Takeaways
- Emily crossed $600,000 in revenue from her POD shop.
- Wedding vow journals are a surprising bestseller on Etsy.
- Funny career candles connect with specific audiences.
- Teacher tote bags offer a unique gift option.
- Ornaments can sell year-round, not just during holidays.
- Hidden message mugs are a trendy gift idea.
- Etsy is a go-to platform for unique gifts.
- Understanding customer needs is crucial for product success.
- Simple designs can lead to significant sales.
- Print on demand allows for easy entry into e-commerce.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Print on Demand Success 05:36 Exploring Wedding Vow Journals 10:51 The Rise of Funny Career Candles 13:43 Innovative Teacher Tote Bags 18:06 Year-Round Sales of Ornaments 22:53 Hidden Message Mugs: A New Trend
Resources
https://goldcityventures.com/gifting-gold-podcast - Emily's Free POD Webinar
https://goldcityventures.com/gift-lab-podcast - The Gift Lab Course
https://goldcityventures.com/pdcst - Gold City Ventures Website
Follow Emily on:
https://www.instagram.com/ecommemily - Emily's Instagram https://www.youtube.com/@ecommemily - Emily's YouTube
Summary
In this episode, Julie Berninger interviews Juna from Detour Shirts about the world of print on demand, specifically focusing on selling apparel like t-shirts. Juna shares his extensive experience in the industry, discusses various AI tools for design, and provides valuable tips for creating standout designs. The conversation emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity in design, the role of AI in enhancing creativity, and practical strategies for success in the print on demand space.
Takeaways
- Juna has been in print on demand since 2005.
- AI tools can significantly speed up the design process.
- Quality of designs is more important than quantity.
- Using unique typography can make designs stand out.
- Good use of color is essential for eye-catching designs.
- Creating interesting layouts can differentiate your products.
- AI can help generate ideas for phrases and designs.
- It's important to fill space effectively in designs.
- Designs without text can still be successful.
- Experimenting with different tools can enhance creativity.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Print on Demand Apparel 02:51 Exploring Technology in Print on Demand 05:34 The Role of AI in Design 08:27 Comparing AI Tools for Print on Demand 11:41 Maximizing Design Listings for Sales 14:31 Quality vs. Quantity in Design 17:28 Five Tips for Effective T-Shirt Design 20:56 Designing with Detail: The Importance of Elements 22:54 Creating Unique Designs: Standing Out in the Marketplace 26:10 Typography Matters: The Art of Text in Design 32:03 Color Choices: Using Color to Enhance Designs 38:31 Layout Creativity: Making Designs Visually Engaging
Watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/cVHEOcHs8TM
Resources:
https://goldcityventures.com/gifting-gold-podcast - Free Workshop to learn the basics of selling POD
https://goldcityventures.com/workshop-pdcst - Free workshop to learn the basics of selling digital products online
https://goldcityventures.com/pdcst - Gold City Ventures Website
Kittl: https://go.goldcityventures.com/kittl
Follow Juna on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DetourShirts
Summary
In this episode of the Crickets to Cha-chings podcast, hosts Julie Berninger and Cody Berman discuss Cody's recent success with a new Etsy shop, sharing insights on strategies for achieving sales milestones, the importance of effective listing images, and the launch of a new eBook (grab it here - https://goldcityventures.com/1000-podcast).
They also introduce a new podcast format called 'Hidden Gems' that will feature successful Etsy sellers sharing actionable tips. Additionally, they explore current trends in wall art and emerging aesthetic styles in the market.
Takeaways
- Cody achieved $10,000 in sales in a new Etsy shop.
- Spending 5-10 hours a week can yield significant results.
- Main listing images are crucial for attracting buyers.
- First sales can happen quickly with the right strategies.
- The new eBook offers detailed strategies for Etsy success.
- The podcast will feature actionable insights from successful sellers.
- Many sellers are underpricing their digital products.
- Emerging aesthetic trends can influence product design.
- It's important to align product themes with market trends.
- The new podcast format aims to provide concise, actionable content.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Gold City Ventures 02:24 Cody's Etsy Success Story 05:01 Scaling with Digital Products 09:02 The Importance of Listing Images 15:24 New eBook Launch 17:41 Introducing the Hidden Gems Format 20:48 Trends in Wall Art and Aesthetics
Resources
https://goldcityventures.com/1000-podcast - Ebook to learn how to scale an Etsy shop to $1,000/month
https://goldcityventures.com/workshop-pdcst - Free workshop to learn the basics of selling digital products online
https://goldcityventures.com/pdcst - Gold City Ventures Website
Free Trail of Simply Listed mockup software: https://go.goldcityventures.com/simply-listed
In this episode, Julie interviews Cassiy Johnson, an established Etsy seller and software owner, who shares her journey from being laid off to finding success through print-on-demand and mock-ups.
Takeaways:
-
Cassie's mock-up store has generated $70,000 in sales.
-
Simply Listed automates the mock-up creation process for Etsy sellers. The tool can create 1,000 mock-ups in just three minutes.
-
The Laws of Creativity is a recommended read for aspiring creatives.
Resources:
Simple Listed Free Trial: https://go.goldcityventures.com/simply-listed
Gold City Ventures: https://goldcityventures.com/
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9lmp4nfasdY
Julie Berninger and Hannah Gardner discuss using Profit Tree to run better Etsy Ad campaigns. Link for the 1 Month Free Trial of ProfitTree: https://profittree.io/course-promo?via=julie17
They delve into the use of Profit Tree to analyze ad performance, emphasizing the difference between ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) and TACOS (Total Advertising Cost of Sale).
The discussion highlights how effective ad strategies can lead to increased organic growth and overall profitability.
Takeaways:
1 Etsy ads can significantly increase profit if used correctly. Understanding your ad costs is crucial for profitability.
2 TACOS provides a more holistic view of ad performance than ROAS.
3 Organic sales should be established before running ads.
4 Not all products are suitable for advertising; focus on high-margin items. Investing in ads can lead to long-term organic growth.
5 The quality of your product listings impacts ad effectiveness. Data collection and analysis are key to improving ad strategies.
6 Etsy may favor sellers who invest in ads, creating a competitive edge.
Resources:
1 Month Free Trial of ProfitTree: https://profittree.io/course-promo?via=julie17
LifeTime ProfitTree Offer: https://lifetime.profittree.io/?via=julie40
Gold City Ventures: https://goldcityventures.com/
Hannah Gardner @ecommhannah on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EcomHannah
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/a1PtdpEWJ04
The Gift Lab print-on-demand course
^ 50% off through Monday night at Midnight making it $147
Beyond
^ $397 package deal for annual membership plus The Gift Lab
Julie Berninger interviews Deanna Seymour, a creative Etsy seller and founder of The Playhouse. They discuss Deanna's journey from creating custom stuffed monsters to building a successful business through collaboration and community engagement. Deanna shares her innovative marketing strategies, including partnering with local businesses and utilizing craft shows to spread the word about her products. The conversation emphasizes the importance of networking, creativity, and the evolution of business practices over the years. In this conversation, Deanna Seymour and Julie Berninger explore the journey of scaling creative ventures, particularly in the Etsy space. They discuss the importance of seasonal trends, the challenges of maintaining the magic of handmade products, and innovative ideas for reviving old concepts. Deanna shares her experience with the Anti-Hustle Holiday Series, emphasizing the need for a break from the hustle culture. The discussion culminates in the creation of community through collaboration and the importance of supporting one another in the entrepreneurial journey.
Takeaways
1 Deanna started her Etsy journey by creating custom stuffed monsters.
2 Creative marketing strategies can significantly enhance visibility.
3 Collaboration with local businesses can drive traffic and build community.
Resources Gold City Ventures: https://goldcityventures.com/
Anti-Hustle Holiday Series: https://goldcityventures--deannaseymour.thrivecart.com/the-playhouse/6733aa9b4e4bf/
The Playhouse: https://goldcityventures--deannaseymour.thrivecart.com/the-playhouse/
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2ukb25dDaLU
Julie Berninger welcomes back Emily, a successful Etsy seller who has generated nearly $450,000 in revenue in her first two years. They discuss the dynamics of holiday sales, particularly during Q4, and share valuable tips for print on demand sellers. Emily emphasizes the importance of personalization, customer service, and the need to prepare throughout the year for the holiday rush. They also announce an upcoming print on demand course aimed at helping aspiring Etsy sellers optimize their shops and succeed in the competitive market. Takeaways * Emily generated nearly $450,000 in her first two years on Etsy. * Q4 is crucial for print on demand sellers, with sales often doubling. * You don't need to sell holiday-specific items to succeed. * Personalization can significantly boost sales and customer satisfaction. * Customer service is vital during the busy holiday season. * Investing in your shop year-round is key to success. * Ornaments and gift-friendly items can be great alternatives to apparel. * Setting clear shop announcements can help manage customer expectations. * Sales peak around Black Friday and remain high until early December. * Planning for post-holiday sales is essential for continued success.
Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Emily's Success Story 02:51 Understanding Q4 and Holiday Sales Dynamics 05:51 Tips for Print on Demand Sellers 09:01 The Importance of Personalization 11:54 Customer Service Strategies for Q4 14:53 Preparing for Q4 Throughout the Year 17:58 Exciting New Course Announcement 21:03 Final Thoughts and Holiday Shopping Inspiration Resources: Gold City Ventures https://goldcityventures.com/
In this episode, Julie Berninger and Sasha Hutchison discuss effective strategies for Etsy sellers to prepare for Black Friday and the holiday season. They cover the importance of creating gift guides, utilizing Etsy promotions, collaborating with other sellers, and engaging audiences through social media. The conversation also touches on adapting listings for seasonal trends and exploring business growth opportunities beyond Etsy. Takeaways: * Creating gift guides can significantly boost sales during the holiday season. * Etsy sellers can benefit from participating in promotional sales without feeling pressured. * Collaborating with other sellers can expand your audience and increase visibility. * Engaging your audience early about upcoming sales can create excitement and anticipation. * Rethinking sales strategies beyond just Black Friday can lead to greater success. * Adapting product listings to seasonal trends can attract more customers. * Utilizing social media effectively can enhance marketing efforts for Etsy shops. * Building relationships with other sellers can lead to fruitful collaborations. * Understanding Etsy's promotional strategies can help sellers make informed decisions. * Exploring additional revenue streams can help grow an Etsy business beyond the platform.
Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Black Friday Strategies for Etsy Sellers 06:08 Utilizing Etsy Promotions and Sales 12:04 Engaging Your Audience for Black Friday 17:46 Adapting Listings for Seasonal Trends Resources Mentioned: Etsy Holiday Trend Guide Share & Save Program Awin Signup Other Resources: Watch on YouTube Gold City Ventures Beyond Program
In this episode, Julie Berninger interviews Cody McGuffie founder and CEO of Everbee, an e-commerce platform that assists Etsy sellers in product research and marketing.
Try Everbee: https://go.goldcityventures.com/everbee
Cody shares insights on seasonal trends, particularly the significant sales spikes during Q4, and dispels myths about summer sales being slow. He also reveals upcoming features for Everbee that will enhance data accuracy and trend tracking for sellers. The conversation emphasizes the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, particularly in the digital product space.
Q4 is a critical time for sales, often doubling revenue for sellers. Here is what you can do to prepare.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
03:36 Trends in Etsy Selling and Personalization
07:53 Niche Markets and Successful Selling Strategies
10:48 The Role of Social Media in Etsy Sales
13:44 Holiday Sales Trends and Insights
17:44 Summer Sales and Market Activity
19:47 Upcoming Features in Everbee
24:07 Data Accuracy and Sources
30:48 Final Thoughts and Advice
Resources:
Gold City Ventures: https://goldcityventures.com/
Everbee: https://go.goldcityventures.com/everbee
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zE4LiP4jIEk
Etsy's Cat Craze: A Purrfect Opportunity for Sellers
The cat niche on Etsy is booming! In this video, we dive into the surprising popularity of cat-related products and how you can capitalize on this trend.
Key Takeaways:
- Cat vs. Dog: While dogs may have a slight edge in search volume, cats are still a major force on Etsy.
- Cat-ify Your Products: Consider adding cat-themed variations to your existing products. This could include cat-shaped crochet toys, cat-inspired wall art, or even cat-themed phone wallpapers.
- Digital Downloads: Cat-themed digital downloads like printable wall art and pet care information sheets are highly sought after.
- Physical Products: Cat-themed physical products, such as cat shelves, cat toys, and cat collars, are also big sellers.
- Niche Down: Explore unique cat-related niches like cat psychic readings or cat costumes.
- Leverage Current Trends: Ride the wave of current trends, such as Halloween-themed cat products or political cat-themed merchandise.
Specific Product Ideas:
- Cat Toys: Crochet cat toys, catnip-filled toys, and interactive toys.
- Wall Art: Cat-themed wall art, digital downloads, and custom pet portraits.
- Home Decor: Cat-themed pillows, blankets, and furniture.
- Accessories: Cat collars, cat hats, and cat backpacks.
- Digital Products: Printable pet care information sheets, phone wallpapers, and custom pet icons.
By understanding the current trends and tapping into the growing cat niche, you can significantly boost your Etsy sales. Remember, creativity is key! Think outside the box and find unique ways to incorporate cat-themed elements into your products.
Watch on YouTube (this Episode): https://youtu.be/tJ1qCveLymg
Watch on YouTube (Dog ideas): https://youtu.be/HfsCujPHzuc
Everbee: https://go.goldcityventures.com/everbee
Gold City Ventures: https://goldcityventures.com/
This episode delves into the potential of medical subspecialties as lucrative niches on Etsy for digital products. While popular niches like nurses and doctors are often saturated, exploring subspecialties can offer a more unique and less competitive market.
Key Points:
Subspecialty Examples include EMT, pharmacy techs, veterinary techs, radiology techs, lab techs, surgical techs.
Use tools like eRank to estimate search volume for specific keywords.
Product ideas include digital study guides, notes, flashcards, printable gifts, badge reels, funny jokes, and more.
Resources:
Gold City Ventures: https://goldcityventures.com/
eRank: https://go.goldcityventures.com/erank
Everbee: https://go.goldcityventures.com/everbee
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FOGhPLsQF1A
This episode dives deep into the lucrative potential of dog-related products on Etsy, highlighting highly searched but often overlooked niches. From practical items like dog stairs and ramps to personalized gifts and themed merchandise, the dog-centric market on Etsy is booming.
Key Points:
High-Demand Dog Products: Dog stairs, ramps, food scoops, crates, bowls, ornaments, apparel, and more.
Personalized Products: Customize items with dog names, pictures, and breed-specific designs for increased appeal.
Niche-Specific Ideas: Explore subcategories like dog weddings, Halloween costumes, and memorial items.
Vintage-Inspired Trends: Capitalize on the popularity of vintage-themed dog products, as seen with 90s-style personalized shirts.
Profit Potential: Discover examples of Etsy listings generating substantial revenue from dog-related items, including custom phone cases and personalized shirts.
Resources:
About Gold City Ventures: https://goldcityventures.com/
eRank: https://go.goldcityventures.com/erank
Everbee: https://go.goldcityventures.com/everbee
Julie interviews eRank Founder, Anthony Wolf, to find out if eRank accurate and where is the data from? See below for an eRank free trial link.
They discuss eRank's features, data sources, and how it aids Etsy sellers in optimizing their listings. They delve into buyer insights from an annual survey, emphasizing the importance of quality images, effective communication, and shipping strategies.
Resources: If you want to try a premium eRank plan for 7 days sign up using the Gold City Ventures link below and then navigate to the second linked page to sign up for the free trial.
Resources:
eRank Account: https://go.goldcityventures.com/erank
eRank Free Trial: https://members.erank.com/a/goldcityventures
Gold City Ventures: https://goldcityventures.com/
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5KaYX3fesSw
Teachers can sell products on Etsy like t-shirts, printables, and classroom decor. This episode explores what is bestselling in the teacher niche. Key Takeaways:
- Niche Down: Targeting specific teacher subniches like math teachers or third grade teachers can increase visibility.
- Bulk Sales: Offering teacher gifts in bulk can appeal to schools and individual teachers.
- Personalized Products: Customizing items with teacher names or grade levels can make them more appealing.
- Teacher-Related Accessories: Items like pens, tote bags, bracelets, and classroom decor are in demand.
- Seasonal Themes: Incorporating holiday-themed elements can boost sales throughout the year.
- Digital Products: Printable resources like worksheets, classroom decor, and hall passes are popular.
By focusing on these areas and understanding the specific needs of teachers, sellers can effectively tap into this lucrative niche on Etsy.
Gold City Ventures: https://goldcityventures.com/
eRank: https://go.goldcityventures.com/erank
Everbee: https://go.goldcityventures.com/everbee
Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/7H_1t9gUa5k
Nurse Niche Etsy Opportunities
Lucrative Niche: The nurse niche is highly profitable on Etsy, with some shops having hundreds of thousands of sales.
Popular Products: Nursing school notes, study guides, t-shirts, sweatshirts, badge reels, ornaments, and gifts are in demand.
Niche Down: Targeting specific subniches like oncology or NICU nurses can increase search visibility and sales.
Customization: Holiday-themed and personalized products can stand out in a competitive market.
Repurposing: Existing products can be relabeled to appeal to nurses, such as labeling a retirement gift for a nurse. By focusing on these areas and leveraging Etsy's search features, sellers can tap into the lucrative nurse niche and increase their sales.
About Gold City Ventures: https://goldcityventures.com/
Everbee: https://go.goldcityventures.com/everbee
eRank: https://go.goldcityventures.com/erank
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ETkOL5DW8iY
Julie covers ideas for Etsy sellers in the coffee lover gifts niche. She discusses various trends and opportunities within this niche, such as combining food and non-food items, emotional support items, teacher gifts, Christmas tree decor, and mug wraps. The host also highlights the popularity of iced coffee candles and suggests that sellers in the homemade soy candle industry could tap into this trend. The conversation concludes with the importance of social media presence and the potential for viral marketing.
Gold City Ventures: https://goldcityventures.com/
Everbee: https://go.goldcityventures.com/everbee
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Nb9VHAg07sY
Julie Berninger discusses unique gift basket ideas for Etsy sellers. She explains Etsy's new creativity standards for gift baskets and provides examples of traditional gift baskets for women and men. Julie then explores creatively assembled gift baskets that meet Etsy's standards, such as seasonal gift baskets, goth gift baskets, and gift baskets for teenagers and tweens. She also suggests ideas like book blind date gift sets, flower girl gift groups, DIY slime kits, and Play-Doh sensory kits. Julie emphasizes the potential for sellers to repurpose their existing products as gift baskets and highlights the importance of understanding trends and using social media to promote these unique gift baskets.
Takeaways
- Etsy has new creativity standards for gift baskets, including having a clear theme and sourcing items from different companies.
- Traditional gift baskets for women and men are popular, but sellers can explore unique gift basket ideas to stand out.
- Creatively assembled gift baskets that meet Etsy's standards include seasonal gift baskets, goth gift baskets, and gift baskets for teenagers and tweens.
- Other unique gift basket ideas include book blind date gift sets, flower girl gift groups, DIY slime kits, and Play-Doh sensory kits.
- Sellers can repurpose their existing products as gift baskets and use social media to promote them.
Resources:
Gold City Ventures:
https://goldcityventures.com/
Everbee:
https://go.goldcityventures.com/everbee
Watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/ITvaH0XGNI0
Emily, a successful 6-figure Etsy seller, shares her journey of starting and growing her print on demand and digital product shops. She emphasizes the importance of research and finding niche markets to target. Emily also discusses her graphic design skills and the importance of practice and simplicity in creating professional-looking designs. She shares her productivity strategies, including using templates and setting goals, and how she balances creation and consumption of content.
Contact Emily: https://www.instagram.com/ecommemily/
Gold City Ventures: https://goldcityventures.com/
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AeBYEexJZeA
In this episode, Julie interviews Meagan, an Etsy seller in the faith and family LDS niche who wants to expand her business beyond Etsy. Megan shares her journey of starting on Etsy and growing her shop to 300 sales. Julie suggests participating in a bundle and creating an email sales sequence to promote the flagship product. They also touch on the topic of social media and the potential benefits of creating videos. Takeaways * Having a flagship product to sell can help drive sales and establish your brand. * Participating in bundles and creating email sales sequences can be effective strategies for promoting your products. * Creating videos on social media can be a fun and engaging way to connect with your audience.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AOFfA5lgWgM
Connect with Meagan: https://printstouplift.com/
Gold City Ventures: https://goldcityventures.com
Beyond: https://goldcityventures.com/beyond
Mary, an Etsy seller in the Catholic niche, discusses her journey of selling machine embroidery products and transitioning to selling printables. She shares her desire to move off Etsy and reach her Catholic clientele. The conversation explores the idea of Mary becoming a Catholic influencer and the challenges she faces in feeling like a thought leader. They discuss the potential of creating lifestyle content, such as home decorating and holiday activities, to attract and engage her audience. The conversation also touches on the possibility of launching a membership and the importance of understanding her audience's needs and preferences.
https://goldcityventures.com/beyond
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kMHEoaBG3Wg
Lisa, a seller in the Gold City Ventures community, shares her journey of starting an Etsy shop to help with daycare costs and her transition to digital products. She discusses her goals of growing her shop and making it a bigger business. The conversation explores the idea of finding a flagship product, with a focus on handprint art and trivia games. Lisa also talks about her experience with social media, specifically Pinterest, and her plans for building an email list and engaging with customers. The conversation focused on identifying the target audience for Lisa's printable products and determining the best approach to reach them.
Gold City Venture's Beyond Program: https://goldcityventures.com/beyond/
Contact Lisa: https://www.instagram.com/midwestprintableco/
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pL74eiK5-Ww
Halloween is approaching and it's a great time to discuss how to appeal to Halloween shoppers. Julie Berninger shares ideas for Halloween products with good search volume and low competition on Etsy sourced from eRank. The main themes include vintage and retro aesthetics, girlie Halloween, dog breeds, specific Halloween terms like 'momster', accessories like headbands and socks, home decor items like pillows and doormats, boo baskets, dioramas, Halloween slime, digital products like trivia and bingo, Twitch emotes, and wall art.
eRank: https://go.goldcityventures.com/erank
Gold City Ventures: https://goldcityventures.com/
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9vSCfZRO3aY
Julie talks with Etsy digital products seller, Stephanie, about her plans to create a larger digital products business for busy moms. Her niche is women pursuing businesses.
Takeaways
- Starting an Etsy shop can be a great entry point into the online business world.
- It's important to be flexible and willing to pivot your business direction based on what sells and what your target audience wants.
- Understanding your target demographic and their needs is crucial for building a successful business.
- Consider exploring trends and niches within your niche to find new opportunities for growth.
- Building a Facebook group can be an effective way to connect with your target audience and create a community.
- Collaborating with other influencers in your niche can help you reach a wider audience and gain credibility. Pitching is essential for growing an online business, even if the response rate is low
- Collaborations and bundles can be effective in reaching a wider audience and generating sales
- Building a following and validating the demand for products is important before investing too much time and effort
Contact Stephanie: https://thebusymamabee.com/
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pXIDaur0Pw8
Gold City Ventures: https://goldcityventures.com
Beyond: https://goldcityventures.com/beyond
In this episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings, Julie Berninger interviews Lauren Hooper, an artist and entrepreneur, about her expertise in user-generated content (UGC) photography. Lauren provides tips for creating UGC, including the importance of background, lighting, and showcasing the product in real-life scenarios. She also discusses the impact of UGC on Etsy sales and the value of testing different types of content to see what converts best.
Contact Lauren: https://lauren-likes.com/
Gold City Ventures: https://goldcityventures.com/
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vgcvBFvLeLc
Sarah Edwards, a Cricut crafting expert, discusses the crafting community and the popularity of digital files and finished crafts. We cover: Cricut machine, digital files, finished crafts, SVG files, trends in crafting, selling crafts, crafting, digital files, pricing, layered paper crafts, SVG, sublimation, AI, sublimation printer, Facebook groups, floral craft countdown Takeaways * The crafting community has grown, especially since the pandemic, with a predominantly female audience. * Crafters use SVG files to create their projects, which can be customized and uploaded to the Cricut Design Space. * Trends in crafting include gnomes, dog breeds, and personalized items. * Selling digital files is more popular than selling finished crafts due to scalability and lower costs. The price of digital craft files can vary depending on the complexity and time investment required to create them. * Layered paper crafts command a higher sale price due to the time investment and complexity involved. * Sublimation crafting is growing in popularity, especially with the availability of affordable sublimation printers. * AI is starting to impact the crafting industry, but there is still a demand for hand-drawn and unique designs. * Joining crafting communities on Facebook can provide valuable support, inspiration, and learning opportunities. * The floral craft countdown summit is a great way to learn new techniques and try out different crafts.
Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:56 The Crafting Community and its Audience 03:56 The Popularity of the Cricut Machine 08:49 Trends in Crafting 20:31 The Pricing of Digital Craft Files 22:51 The Popularity of Layered Paper Crafts 26:10 The Growing Trend of Sublimation Crafting 32:54 Joining Crafting Communities on Facebook 39:24 The Floral Craft Countdown Summit Resources: Get your free ticket to the Floral Craft Coundown Summit from Craft with Sarah: https://go.goldcityventures.com/floral-countdown Learn more about us: https://goldcityventures.com/ The Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/exXxqJNCOTg
Julie Berninger and Janet LeBlanc of Paper and Spark discuss the steps to take when starting an Etsy shop from a CPA's perspective. They cover topics such as understanding the difference between a business and a hobby, obtaining a DBA permit, opening a business bank account, and the importance of bookkeeping. They also touch on the issue of Etsy shop suspensions and the need for proper tax ID information. The conversation emphasizes the importance of treating an Etsy shop as a business and making informed decisions based on accurate financial data. This is not legal or tax advice. Please obtain your own professionals. Resources:
Janet's Etsy Seller Spreadsheet
Janet's Get Legit Toolkit Course training
**we are affiliates for both products
Takeaways: * Before starting an Etsy shop, it's important to understand the difference between a business and a hobby, as well as the legal requirements for running a business. * Obtaining a DBA permit (Doing Business As) is often necessary for running an Etsy shop under a name different from your own legal name. * Opening a business bank account can make bookkeeping and tax filing easier, even if it's not legally required. * Proper bookkeeping is crucial for tracking expenses, understanding profitability, and making informed business decisions. * It's important to provide accurate tax ID information to Etsy, and to keep track of all business-related transactions for tax purposes. * Etsy shop suspensions can occur for various reasons, and it's important to understand and comply with Etsy's policies to avoid suspension. * Sellers should be aware of their tax responsibilities, including sales tax and income tax. * Janet LeBlanc's GetLegit Toolkit is a valuable resource for product sellers to navigate their financial responsibilities.
Learn more about Gold City Ventures and Crickets to Cha-Chings: https://goldcityventures.com/
Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0K-1qYQTpVo
Laura Winston, Principal and Chair of the Intellectual Property Practice Group at Offit Kurman, answers your questions on common trademark and copyright issues Etsy sellers face.
Note: This is not legal advice. Please review your own situation with professionals.
Questions covered:
- How do I search on the USPTO web site and understand the results?
- Is the word FRIENDSGIVING trademarked?
- Can I use a song title on a t shirt or baby shower bundle of products?
- What about song lyrics?
- How about an illustration of a famous pop star?
- Is parody on a song title allowed? What about a t-shirt that says âIn my Swiftie eraâ?
- Trivia games â can you use the names of songs? Artists? Candies?
- Can you use a picture of a candy to show how a printable works with that candy?
- Can you sell reproductions of vintage art?
- Letâs talk about Winnie the Pooh. Can I use this image in my product?
- Can I copyright my printable?
- What if something is trademarked in one country and I live in a different country?
- Someone copied my printableâŚbut it doesnât look like it exactlyâŚwhat do I do?
- Should I be using legal templates that I can purchase on the internet?
- How can I be sure an artwork is in the public domain?
If listeners need further advice on trademark and copyright issues, they can contact Laura at lwinston@offitkurman.com or connect on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurawinston/
Watch the Episode on YouTube here
Learn more about Gold City Ventures
Etsy put out a spring/summer trend reportââ and Julie reviews it in this episode of the Crickets to Cha-Chings podcast.
Here are some snippets of trending keyword searches according to Etsy in case you don't have time to read the report:
- +266% YoY increase in searches on Etsy for divorce gifts or items
- +351% YoY increase in searches on Etsy for cozy home items
- +465% YoY increase in searches on Etsy for host or hostess gifts
- +2,159% YoY increase in searches on Etsy for lawn games
- +105% YoY increase in searches on Etsy for wildflower art
- +50% YoY increase in searches on Etsy for pickleball gifts
We're also seeing major vibes for western and pasta night here.
You may be like "eh, my product doesn't fit in these trends" but I would encourage you to think a little deeper about how you can incorporate trending ideas into the product that you already make.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R5wfzV7pQoQ
Etsy Marketplace Report: https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/1255437605579?ref=handbook
Watch our free workshop at: https://goldcityventures.com/
In this live episode of the Crickets to Cha-Chings podcast, Julie Berninger and Sasha Hutchison discuss strategies for growing an Etsy business off of the platform. They provide guidance to Naomi, an Etsy seller selling printables, on how to expand her business and reach a wider audience. The conversation covers topics such as building an email list, repurposing content for social media, and creating YouTube videos. They emphasize the importance of niching down and finding the right platforms to connect with the target audience. The hosts also highlight the need for traffic generation and suggest exploring Facebook groups as a potential avenue for growth. In this conversation, Julie and Sasha discuss the importance of trying new things and not being afraid to fail in business. They also explore the target audience for Naomi's products, including Sunday school teachers, camp directors, and homeschooling parents. They emphasize the need to understand the specific needs and interests of these target customers in order to create relevant and valuable products. The conversation also touches on the potential for affiliate marketing and the importance of staying focused on the core topic of the business.
Gold City Ventures Beyond Program: https://goldcityventures.com/beyond/
Takeaways
- Building an email list is crucial for growing an Etsy business off of the platform.
- Repurposing content for social media can help save time and reach a wider audience.
- Creating YouTube videos can be an effective way to showcase products and attract customers.
- Niching down and finding the right platforms to connect with the target audience is essential for business growth.
- Generating traffic is a challenge for Etsy sellers, and exploring Facebook groups can be a potential solution. Don't be afraid to try new things in your business and allow yourself to fail.
- Understand the specific needs and interests of your target audience to create relevant and valuable products.
- Consider the potential for affiliate marketing to promote complementary products to your target audience.
- Stay focused on the core topic of your business to avoid confusing or losing your audience.
If you missed our Live Q&A, here is the replay on YouTube.
Julie broke down 4 business ideas and how they would work off Etsy 1) subscription book box, 2) beauty professional templates 3) seasonal printables for kids monthly subscription and 4) a blog for dog lovers. She also screenshared what Beyond looks like and the prizes you get with purchase. Special pricing ends April 30th at 11:59PM ET.
Resources: https://goldcityventures.com/beyond/
In this episode, Julie and Sasha of Gold City Ventures and Kennedy of Our Friendly World discuss growing a business off of Etsy. They talk about competitor analysis and the importance of understanding your customers and competitors. They specifically discuss what to do when your competitor is a bigger brand than you and was on Shark Tank! They also discuss the potential for collaborations and sponsorships, as well as the role of video content in driving traffic and engagement. The conversation highlights the importance of repurposing content and experimenting with different platforms to reach your target audience. Links: Kennedy's Business Our Friendly World: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ourfriendlyworld Gold City Ventures Beyond Program: https://goldcityventures.com/beyond/ This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TU_L6OaA5UQ In this conversation, Julie and Sasha also discuss various strategies for driving traffic and generating leads for a handmade crochet kit business. They emphasize the importance of understanding the customer journey and tailoring content to different stages of the sales funnel. They also discuss the potential of affiliate marketing, building an email list, and outsourcing tasks to save time. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the value of collaboration and networking within the crafting community. Takeaways * Understanding your customers and competitors through competitor analysis is crucial for growing your business off of Etsy. * Collaborations and sponsorships can be effective ways to expand your reach and attract new customers. * Video content is a powerful tool for driving traffic and engagement, and it can be repurposed across different platforms. * Experimenting with different platforms and strategies is important to find what works best for your business. Understand the customer journey and tailor content to different stages of the sales funnel * Consider affiliate marketing as a way to leverage the networks of others to promote your products * Build an email list to capture leads and nurture relationships with potential customers * Outsource tasks to save time and focus on high-value activities * Collaborate and network within the crafting community to expand your reach and opportunities
Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:00 Competitor Analysis and Insights 04:06 Understanding the Woobles and Differentiating Your Products 09:06 Taking Advantage of Competitors and Building the Market 12:24 Repurposing Content and Driving Traffic with Video 15:18 Exploring Collaborations and Sponsorships 22:16 The Role of Video Content in Attracting Customers 25:49 Experimenting with Different Platforms and Strategies 28:03 Understanding the Customer Journey and Tailoring Content 35:24 The Potential of Affiliate Marketing and Building an Email List 45:32 Outsourcing Tasks to Save Time and Focus on High-Value Activities 52:07 Creating Efficient Workflows and Maximizing ROI 58:22 Collaborating and Networking within the Crafting Community
In this episode, Julie Berninger and Sasha Hutchison of Gold City Ventures interview Jenny, an Etsy seller who sells printables. They discuss Jenny's journey from selling physical products to focusing on printables, specifically in the golf niche. They explore the potential for Jenny to expand her business beyond Etsy by creating a lifestyle brand and leveraging social media. They also discuss the importance of custom and personalized products and the potential for affiliate marketing. The conversation provides valuable insights and ideas for Jenny to grow her business. In this conversation, Julie and Sasha discuss different strategies for monetizing an Etsy shop that sells golf-themed products. They explore options such as affiliate marketing, creating video content, and targeting specific niches within the golf community. They also discuss the importance of understanding the target audience and their preferences. The conversation ends with rapid-fire ideas for expanding the product offerings and leveraging affiliate marketing.
This is another coaching call-style podcast and there will be two more following in the series!
They discuss:
- The customer journey of people searching for niche printables
- Why picking a niche once you start selling off Etsy is the way to go
- Where Etsy sellers posting on social are messing up
- What to post on social media to attract your ideal customer
- Ways to monetize with YouTube and affiliate marketing by performing product reviews
- How the Gold City Ventures team can improve their new offering Beyond
- & more!
Stay tuned to learn more about Beyond which launches mid-month to the Gold City Ventures community!
Resources:
Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3VCSKIx5bUM
đ Learn more about Gold City Ventures -- https://goldcityventures.com đ
Amber sells metaphysical and celestial-inspired jewelry on Etsy. She wants to grow her business so she can leave her full-time job. This episode is a casual live coaching call for the Crickets to Cha-Chings podcast with Julie Berninger and Sasha Hutchison of Gold City Ventures.
They discuss what they each outsource both in their business and their home, how to create social media content if you don't have the time, keywords that are hot in the metaphysical space, building your personal brand, growing your email list if you sell in person, and more.
Resources:
Gilded Butterfly Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gildedbutterflyshop
E-Printables Course: https://goldcityventures.com/e-printables-course/
Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2IYLYb-NEG4
^^ The E-Printables Course is open for enrollment until Monday 4/1 at Midnight!
đ Learn more about Gold City Ventures -- https://goldcityventures.com đ
Julie Berninger of Gold City Ventures chats with Kennedy of Our Friendly World Etsy shop. Kennedy sells crochet kits, crochet patterns, and finished crochet products. This episode is in a casual live coaching call style for the Crickets to Cha-Chings podcast.
They discuss how to interpret keyword research from tools such as eRank, ideas for monetizing a blog with display advertising, Etsy ads, & more!
Resources:
Our Friendly World: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ourfriendlyworld
Our Friendly World Website: https://ourfriendlyworldcrochet.com/
E-Printables Course: https://goldcityventures.com/e-printables-course/
Gold City Ventures YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/qIc90wmEgLQ
đ For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! đ Learn more about Gold City Ventures -- https://goldcityventures.com
Etsy Gift Mode presents a huge opportunity for Etsy sellers. Julie Berninger of Gold City Ventures explains this new shopping experience and how to change your shop sections, pictures, and tags to take advantage of it. She also covers the Etsy email marketing policy change and TikTok shop.
Topics covered in this episode:
1 - Etsy Gift Mode
2 - Etsy Email Marketing policy change
3 - Tik Tok Shop
Resources:
Gift mode article: https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/1232461378911?ref=handbook
Gold City Ventures YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/goldcityventures
đ For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! đ Learn more about Gold City Ventures -- https://goldcityventures.com
This is the Etsy SEO help you need in 2024! Julie Berninger of Gold City Ventures reviewed articles in the Etsy seller handbook and YouTube videos from the team at Etsy for hours to determine exactly how to improve your Etsy SEO search algorithm ranking in 2024.
Learn more at: https://goldcityventures.com/
Resources in the video: https://www.etsy.com/legal/policy/search-advertisement-ranking-disclosures/899478564529
https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/115015745428-How-Etsy-Search-Works?segment=selling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAvxU7fEkO4
https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/115015663987-Search-Engine-Optimization-SEO-for-Shop-and-Listing-Pages?segment=selling
đ For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! đ Follow along on IG for business insider savvy and connection -- https://www.instagram.com/goldcityventures Learn more about Gold City Ventures -- https://goldcityventures.com
Gold City Ventures puts together an annual Black Friday deals roundup for Etsy sellers. Find it here: https://goldcityventures.com/etsy-seller-resources/
These deals apply for handmade, POD, or digital product sellers.
Some require using the special Gold City Ventures links or coupon code.
đ For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! đ
Follow along on IG for business insider savvy and connection -- https://www.instagram.com/goldcityventures
Learn more about Gold City Ventures -- https://goldcityventures.com
Black Friday Deals -- https://goldcityventures.com/etsy-seller-resources/
What titles, tags, and keywords should you add to your Etsy listings this year for the holidays?
Can you package your existing listings in a different way to capitalize on what holiday shoppers want?
Julie Berninger of Gold City Ventures presents her best ideas for Etsy sellers this holiday season based on the following Resources:
- Etsy Holiday Merchanding Guide
- Etsy Marketplace Insights: Holiday Trends
- Our Link for eRank: https://go.goldcityventures.com/erank
- Share & Save Program
Gold City Ventures E-Printables Course is closing for enrollment November 6th at Midnight ET.
- Sign up for E-Printables here
đ For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! đ
Follow along on IG for business insider savvy and connection -- https://www.instagram.com/goldcityventures
Learn more about Gold City Ventures -- https://goldcityventures.com
Julie and her business partner Cody from Gold City Ventures discuss what's been going on with some POD sellers and the future of mockups.
They also cover the current Etsy listing image requirements and other best practices and how they think the POD manufacturers will respond.
For those outside of the POD space, they also talk about interesting opportunities for handmade sellers to expand their revenue sources (including a cool story with the woman who runs Happy Rugs).
And of course, what all this means for digital product sellers too.
Cody shares his beginnings in the digital product space and the strategy that made him successful.
đ For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! đ
Follow along on IG for business insider savvy and connection -- https://www.instagram.com/goldcityventures
Learn more about Gold City Ventures -- https://goldcityventures.com
Julie and Cody of Gold City Ventures are continuing on with the podcast.
I am happy since I know so many of you were disappointed that all of the old episodes would disappear.
That issue is solved - and we have a better plan.
The âteam at Gold City Venturesâ will be producing new episodes for you going forward.
We recorded one final episode for you today as my truly final goodbye.
I'll be stepping away from the business and letting Cody & Julie run the podcast from here on out.
The episode today is a little different - Julie and I chatted casually about some of the hot topics in the Etsy space right now.
We cover shop suspensions, optimizing for google, listing image changes, video and more.
We also cover trends weâve seen from the unique position of seeing thousands of shops created on Etsy through our courses
..including what niches seem to be doing well right now and seller qualities that seem to lead to success.
đ For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! đ
Follow along on IG for business insider savvy and connection -- https://www.instagram.com/goldcityventures
Learn more about Gold City Ventures -- https://goldcityventures.com
My plan was to shut down the business and move on.
But after I sent the last goodbye email, my friend Julie from Gold City Ventures reached out to me.
She proposed an interesting opportunity.
It allows me to keep the podcast and all prior episodes live for you
..and for Julie and her business partner, Cody, to take over the responsibilities that I need to offload.
I'm excited to announce that their business, Gold City Ventures, will continue on with my podcast, Crickets to Cha-Chings.
Today we released one of two final episodes with me as the host and then Gold City Ventures will take over from here on out.
I've known Julie for years and I am so excited to see what new energy and insight she brings to the podcast.
Cody and Julie have individual Etsy shops with thousands of sales as well as an Etsy coaching business, âGold City Ventures.â
They both have experience as podcast hosts with their respective personal finance podcasts too.
Check out my announcement and learn more about Julie's personal story in this podcast episode today.
đ For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! đ
Follow along on IG for business insider savvy and connection -- https://www.instagram.com/goldcityventures
Learn more about Gold City Ventures -- https://goldcityventures.com
Itâs great to be back and talk about all things Etsy and e-commerce with you (and thanks for so many DMs about last week's episode!)
This week is all about what we would do differently if we could go back in time and start our Etsy businesses all over again -- and there's a laundry list of things that I would do differently.
When I first started on Etsy back in 2012, the internet was a vastly different landscape. I was completely lost and trying to figure everything out all on my own. I didn't have a clear vision of building an e-commerce brand or anything like that, I was simply trying to keep up with the daily grind. If I knew then what I know now, I would have definitely taken a step back and taken a more strategic, long-term approach.
Speaking of which, Iâm excited to share some insights with you on how to think beyond the immediate and plan for the future in regards to your e-commerce brand.
Itâs essential to consider what matters to you and your vision for your business beyond the day-to-day tasks. Don't feel pressured to follow someone else's version of success or strive for massive financial gains. Itâs all about making intentional decisions that align with your goals and values.
In this episode, we've got some fantastic tips and advice to help you grow your small e-commerce business into something amazing, by taking a thoughtful and long-term approach. By the end of this episode, my hope is that it inspires you to look beyond putting out the everyday fires in your business, and instead take an approach that sets you up for succcess a month from now, a year from now, and 10 years from now.
So, grab your cup of coffee or tea, sit back and get ready to become an e-commerce entrepreneur extraordinaire!
đ For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! đ
Follow along on IG for business insider savvy and connection -- http://www.instagram.com/lauren.keplinger
Join the waitlist for the upcoming application only small group experience -- http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/apply
This episode is jam-packed with valuable insights to help you grow and succeed in your Etsy shop (and, more importantly, in your e-commerce business as a whole.)
Here's what you can expect:
- The state of Etsy sales: Discover the reasons behind the decrease in Etsy sales in 2023 and what it means for sellers.
- Where Etsy is growing and what it means for an individual seller's business
- Insights into Etsy's revenue model and how it affects your bottom line as a seller (it's not as clear as you'd think!)
- Why Etsy is focusing on growing its seller base (in my opinion) and what it means for your competition on the platform.
- Tips to protect your business and not have these changes come as a surprise: Learn about practical strategies to adapt your business and protect your success amidst market changes.
- Where I think we're headed: my personal prediction for the future of what's happening on the platform, and how it might shape the way you want to run your business moving forward
Join us for an energizing and informative conversation about Etsy and what's been going on over the last several months or more. We'll break down complex concepts into easy-to-understand steps and emphasize practical benefits to help you take actionable steps towards growing your Etsy shop.
You don't want to miss this episode -- make sure you tune in today!
đ For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! đ
Follow along on IG for business insider savvy and connection -- http://www.instagram.com/lauren.keplinger
Join the waitlist for the upcoming application only small group experience -- http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/apply
In today's world, buyers are more conscious about the impact their purchasing decisions can have on the businesses they support. They want to align themselves with brands that share their values. And you know what? This trend is especially true for small businesses, creatives, and artisans like us...
Now, I know what you're thinking..."No way, I'm not going there..."
But the thing is, brand values don't have to be controversial or political, my friend. They can be centered on authenticity and creating a connection with your customers. People crave that deeper connection with the brands they love. They want to feel a values-based bond that goes beyond just a transaction. And get this â they're even willing to pay a bit more for products or services from brands that align with their values. Talk about a win-win situation!
The podcast episode also highlights the power of brand loyalty and trust. When your customers feel that connection with your brand values, they're more likely to stick around and support your business for the long-haul. It's like having your own tribe of loyal supporters cheering you on!
So, here's the big question: What are your brand values, my creative friend? What sets you apart in the handmade or small business e-commerce world? It's time to dig deep and tap into what makes your brand special. Maybe it's about quality products, personalization, sustainability, or empowering your customers through your creations. The possibilities are endless!
đ For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! đ
Shop workshops and trainings: http://www.cricketstochachings.com
Read the blog and download the freebies: http://www.laurenkeplinger.com
Follow along on IG for business insider savvy and connection -- http://www.instagram.com/lauren.keplinger
Are you tired of spending countless hours managing your handmade business and you're looking for some tools and tricks to streamline and improve your efficiency?
In this episode, we reveal the top productivity tools and apps to streamline your business and save you time -- making you able to get more out of the limited time you have available!
From email marketing automation to print-on-demand service, social media scheduling and analytics and more, these resources will revolutionize the way you run your business to make it more profitable, less overwhelming, and finally help you to get ahold of the time sucking things that take up your day.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn how to efficiently manage your online business and focus on what you love most - creating and selling your products.Â
đ For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! đ
Shop workshops and trainings:Â http://www.cricketstochachings.comÂ
Read the blog and download the freebies:Â http://www.laurenkeplinger.com
Follow along on IG for a peek behind the scenes (and all my favorite books and failures at gardening!) --Â http://www.instagram.com/lauren.keplingerÂ
Are you tired of spending countless hours managing your handmade business and you're looking for some tools and tricks to streamline and improve your efficiency?
In this episode, we reveal the top productivity tools and apps to streamline your business and save you time -- making you able to get more out of the limited time you have available!
From email marketing automation to print-on-demand service, social media scheduling and analytics and more, these resources will revolutionize the way you run your business to make it more profitable, less overwhelming, and finally help you to get ahold of the time sucking things that take up your day.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn how to efficiently manage your online business and focus on what you love most - creating and selling your products.Â
đ For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! đ
Shop workshops and trainings:Â http://www.cricketstochachings.comÂ
Read the blog and download the freebies:Â http://www.laurenkeplinger.com
Follow along on IG for a peek behind the scenes (and all my favorite books and failures at gardening!) --Â http://www.instagram.com/lauren.keplingerÂ
Have you heard about Etsy's new affiliate program, which allows content creators and sellers to earn a commission for promoting Etsy products on their website or social media, including your own products?
Let's talk about the good, the bad, and the reason that I think Etsy is rolling out this new program so you can get a full picture about whether or not this is beneficial to you as the business owner!
đ For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! đ
Shop workshops and trainings: http://www.cricketstochachings.com
Read the blog and download the freebies: http://www.laurenkeplinger.com
Follow along on IG for a peek behind the scenes (and all my favorite books and failures at gardening!) -- http://www.instagram.com/lauren.keplinger
In the world of handmade eCommerce businesses, there's often a misconception that creativity alone is enough to guarantee success.
In reality, finding the perfect balance between creativity, data that gives you information about next steps, and business strategy is crucial to truly thrive in the online marketplace.
In this episode, we'll explore the importance of each piece of the e-commerce puzzle, and how they work together to create a flourishing handmade business.
đ For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! đ
Shop workshops and trainings: http://www.cricketstochachings.com
Read the blog and download the freebies: http://www.laurenkeplinger.com
Follow along on IG for a peek behind the scenes (and all my favorite books and failures at gardening!) -- http://www.instagram.com/lauren.keplinger
In this week's myth busting episode, we're tackling the common misconception that you can simply sell anything online without considering market demand and competition.
We'll cover things like why having a defined target audience and offering unique products that cater to their needs and preferences is crucial, especially in today's world of e-commerce. These days, it's not so much about niching down your store but having a specific segment in mind who the product works for, and that differentiation helps you not to get lost in the sea of other generic, bland products that people slap up online.
But it's not all business - we're also talking about the importance of balancing your personal interests with market demands. It's not as easy as "only make what you love" or "only make what sells" -- there's a real sweet spot that often gets overlooked.
Whether you're a seasoned Etsy seller or just starting your crafting journey, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration to help you navigate the ever-evolving world of eCommerce.
Want more?
Shop workshops and trainings: http://www.cricketstochachings.com
Read the blog and download the freebies: http://www.laurenkeplinger.com
Follow along on IG for a peek behind the scenes (and all my favorite books and failures at gardening!) -- http://www.instagram.com/lauren.keplinger
Have you been blasted with Facebook ads over the past several years selling you on the idea of starting an online shop and creating a digital asset that you can sell for "passive income" while you frocklic into the sunset to spend your millions?
Yeah, me too.
And I'm here to tell you as someone who has a physical product shop, a digital product shop, a podcast, blog, and many digital courses -- passive income is the biggest lie the internet is out to sell you. Let's talk about it on this myth busting episode.
Ready to take your business up a notch and get step by step training and help?
Check out the shop at http://www.cricketstochachings.com for all of our templates, workshops, and trainings
(and I promise there's no BS in there about creating something from nothing and doing no work - just honest, down to Earth, straight to the point teaching about creating a business that brings you MEANINGFUL income...even though that takes work!)
While starting an online business is significantly cheaper than starting a brick and mortar business, itâs not free.
At the very least you have material or equipment expenses, and some costs to create some basic branding, listing fees on Etsy, etc, and itâs important to be prepared for these expenses, otherwise the efficiency of how you run your business is going to majorly suffer.
Being prepared for business related expenses and then being able to take some of your revenue and reinvest it back into your business is going to allow you the freedom and flexibility to grow in strategic ways and not be constantly putting out fires to stay afloat.
Let's talk about it.
Ready to take your business up a notch and get step by step training and help?
Check out the shop at http://www.cricketstochachings.com for all of our templates, workshops, and trainings.
When you started thinking about building a business online, what was your expectation for success for that business?
A month? 6 months? A year?
Well I'm here to tell you: whatever that timeline was, it will probably take you longer than that. In the age of internet smoke and mirrors where everyone is telling you that you can grow a six figure business in 2.5 seconds flat, I'm going to be the outlier and call BS.
And don't worry, it doesn't have anything to do with your products. It has do with unrealistic expectations of what it looks like to build a successful business. In this episode I'm breaking down the timeline to e-commerce business success, and busting through the myth that you'll be rollin in the dough in the next 30 days.
Ready to take your business up a notch and get step by step training and help?
Check out the shop at http://www.cricketstochachings.com for all of our templates, workshops, and trainings.
Do you ever feel like selling online is a constant rat race to keep up with everyone else in your industry?
Or you feel like you don't even want to try out a new project or new style that you see because there are already so many people doing it, how can you even compete with them?
Or you worry that your business is in a downward death spiral because your competitors keep taking your ideas and designs, and you don't know how to keep up?
If you've had those feelings before, this episode is for you! Selling online CAN be a constant hampster wheel of creating new things and feeling like you're always two steps behind, but it doesn't have to be. Let's talk about how you shift into a space where the competition isn't at your neck, and have freedom to create things in your business that allow you to stand out.
Want more step by step and in depth teaching? Check out the shop at http://www.cricketstochachings.com for all our templates, workshops, and trainings, and make sure you get signed up for May 16's training all about Increasing Your Etsy Conversion Rate.
I'm baaaaack! After a long hiatus while I dealt with my personal life/house fire, I'm back with a new episode, and I can't wait for you all to hear.
This week on Crickets to Cha-Chings, I'm talking with Jon Lincoln, founder and CEO of GoImagine. GoImagine believes that by creating a handmade marketplace that donates 100% of profits to charity, there's an opportunity to transform the online economy into an engine for social good.
And I, as a longtime e-commerce seller, believe that diversification and exploring new platforms and new opportunities for growth is always good. Join me in this conversation with Jon to talk about the who, what, and why GoImagine was created, where they are doing things differently, and what they see as the future of e-commerce.
Looking for more trainings, tips, workshops, and templates? Head on over to my brand new shop at http://www.cricketstochachings.com and see everything we have to offer!
Kerrie Fitzgerald created a multi six figure subscription box by leveraging the power of a raving fan base and repeat customers -- and she think it's the cornerstone of any brand that is going to have long term success in today's online selling environment. Tune in to this week's episode to hear how Kerrie built a cult like following for her business, why repeat customers are so important to your bottom line, and how you can use Etsy to introduce your customers to your brand while also connecting with them outside of Etsy for repeat business.
Connect with Kerrie on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kerrie.a.fitzgerald/
Today on this quickie episode, I'm digging into my thoughts about SVB and Etsy's complete lack of communication and transparency with sellers. In short: I'm not happy.
If you're wondering where I stand or want to hear my unfiltered thoughts about the whole thing, tune in. Let me know if you agree, disagree, think I'm totally off my rocker or need to preach it over at http://www.instagram.com/lauren.keplinger
Allison Carter and Catherine Hildner were two strangers who connected at a conference, turned into business besties, and a few years later saw a gap in the product based business space and decided to take action to fill it.
In addition to the two businesses they run individually, Allison and Cat are the founders and hosts of Ultimate Product Party (UPP for short!).Â
UPP is a 2 day creative conference that serves product based businesses (and Lauren will be there speaking in person in 2023!)
Allison and Cat create a unique experience and space for the product based business owner where they can connect with other like minded small business owners who are looking to grow, scale, and make more money!Â
UPP is definitely not your average biz conference- itâs a business meets FUN party, full of action focused education, and immediate takeaways for attendees to apply to scale. The next chance to attend UPP will be May 17-18, 2023 in Nashville!
Head to http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/UPP for more info and to snag your ticket before they sell out!
Over the past several years of doing the coaching/teaching/podcasting things, Iâve become very familiar with FB ads, and I always get really interesting comments on them. Iâm not super easily offended at this point after 10 years in internet businesses, so rather than defend my ad or whatever I take it as an opportunity to read between the lines of what people are actually saying.
Here are a few comments I have gotten in the last 6 months or so: Youâre at the mercy of the Etsy algorithm. Nothing can be done. Etsy is built to help those who have multiple sales, period. Iâve tried everything, and I donât make any sales. Etsy is a scam and all they do is take your money.
Of course Etsy has an algorithm, and that algorithm prioritizes some content over others. Usually the content that performs well, has people clicking on it, and converts people into buyers. All tech platforms have algorithms, and the algorithmâs job is to match the best product to the buyer who is most likely to buy the item.
So does this work against you as a seller? Does it work for your business? Who is really in control here? Let's dive into it today in this episode.
Reminder -- The Traffic Accelerator closes for enrollment February 7 at midnight. See all the details and get registers at http://www.trafficaccelerator.co
On today's episode, I am chatting with Stephanie about her journey to building a successful Etsy shop from her original products that she created for her own wedding.
Listen as Stephanie talks about going from creating products that she wanted to understanding what is trending (and how to figure out where else her buyers are looking for trends that she can compliment).
Stephanie has built her shop smartly and strategically, not being afraid to try new things but also not just throwing spaghetti against a wall and hoping for the best - and it's paid off in a major way!
She says, "I enrolled in the Traffic Accelerator course in August [2022] and it set me up incredibly for the holidays. I posted a bunch of new stuff and I felt like they immediately took off within the first couple of weeks. It was super exciting to see how that information that I learned in that course could come to life in my shop."
Here from Stephanie about what that journey has looked like over the last six months and where she's headed in the future.
Get on the Traffic Accelerator waitlist here - http://www.trafficaccelerator.co
Check out Stephanie's shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/thatpartyshopp
We all have different mental roadblocks that hold us back from taking the next step, whether that step is to start your Etsy shop or to grow your e-commerce business to the next level. I've had conversations with literally thousands of online sellers at this point, and I see common themes in the places where they get stuck or held back in the way they approach their business.
In today's episode, I'm talking about these three fears or roadblocks, calling them out to address them, and talking through how to move forward in spite of being afraid (because we ALL hit points where we are afraid to do the next thing).
Need help getting started with Etsy or taking your e-commerce store to the next level? Anything you could possible want info about at http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/blog
In moving into 2023, I had some big goals and things that I was super excited to talk about with yâall, primarily focused around my product based business and things that I want to do with it in the coming year. Obviously some of those are currently in a holding pattern while I wait for my house and workshop to be inhabitable again (if you missed it, we had a house fire!) but I got to take some time last week to sit and ponder where I really want to be at the end of December 2023. What is going to move my business forward in a way that feels healthy and sustainable, without making me set goals so high that I'm miserable if/when I reach them because they have forced me to take on too much?
Today I want to talk about goal setting, which honestly is something that I LOVE to do. I think it has to do with the part of me that really loves to daydream about the future and make lists and plans for all the things Iâm going to accomplish. We'll talk through 10 goals I'm setting for my business, both the product based and the coaching side of my business, as well as a personal goal that I have that might surprise you!
Want to join me at the Ultimate Product Party in Nashville? Head to http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/upp for more info
Need help getting started with Etsy? Anything you could possible want info about at http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/blog
2022 has been a doozy for me, and in this episode I'm recapping the major hits and misses of the year. There's highs in business and lows in business and personally, and I'm not holding anything back.Â
A few additional ways to connect:
Download the Etsy SEO Checklist at laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
Follow along on Instagram at instagram.com/lauren.keplinger
Subscribe to this podcast for all new episodes and to be the first to get the behind-the-scenes bonus episodes!
Today we're going to talk about how you can use the benefits that Etsy provides to grow your overall e-commerce brand, without feeling like you're loyal to Etsy or the sun rises and sets at the boundaries of Etsy.
We're also going to talk about why marketplace platforms can benefit your e-commerce brand even if you already have an established brand, and how to funnel Etsy customers to your own website for future sales and repeat purchases.
Need help with email marketing tech set up?Â
http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/email
Want to get on my email list so you can be in the know on all things Etsy and e-commerce? http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
Today we're going to talk about how you can use the benefits that Etsy provides to grow your overall e-commerce brand, without feeling like you're loyal to Etsy or the sun rises and sets at the boundaries of Etsy.
We're also going to talk about why marketplace platforms can benefit your e-commerce brand even if you already have an established brand, and how to funnel Etsy customers to your own website for future sales and repeat purchases.
Need help with email marketing tech set up?Â
http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/email
Want to get on my email list so you can be in the know on all things Etsy and e-commerce? http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
Looking through my Black Friday Bonanza page and not sure which one to choose? Listen in to hear me talk all about the different offerings, including some BRAND NEW programs, opportunities for one on one coaching, and more.
Head to http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/bf to see the offer of the day that is available!
You hear so much these days about digital products, that it almost feels like you're like an old-school seller if you sell physical products rather than digital products.
But today on this episode, we're talking PHYSICAL products. Not digital, not printables, but actual physical products that you have to ship to your customers.
Because that's my background (and my most successful product line) and it's where I started and continue to shine. Digital products are great, but they aren't the be-all-end-all of selling online.
Let's talk about scaling physical products, some major things I've done to have more highly scalable items that are personalized, and how to up those profit margins so you are making physical products that are worth your time and energy!
Need more help optimizing sales? Check out my SEO checklist at http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/checklist for a free 8 step download to optimized Etsy SEO.
Are you stuck on the hamster wheel of feeling like all the profit that you're making in your business is getting reinvested, and you aren't actually taking home any income?Â
STOP right there
Let's take a deeper look at what is going on with your business financials and how to finally get a hold of them so that you can write yourself a paycheck not just every now and again, but every single month.
For more info and resources mentioned in this episode, head to http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/episode134
I'm not going to lie, it's been a tough year in online business.
Many people are experiencing slower sales across all platforms than they have in previous years, and aren't sure what to do about that or why it is happening.
Today on the podcast, we're talking about it. What parts can you control? What parts are out of your control? And how do you objectively look at your business and your products in order to see where you can make improvements and where you need to go next.
Need more help wtih step by step SEO teaching?
Join the Traffic Accelerator and master the Etsy search algorithm today -- http://www.trafficaccelerator.co
Did you miss Lauren's webinar last week "3 Strategic Shifts You Must Make to be Successful on Etsy"? You're in the right place! This week's podcast is actually the release of that very webinar with a special course announcement included!Â
The doors for Lauren's brand new course, Traffic Accelerator, are now open! If you are ready for a no-nonsense course focused on tangible steps to take to drive traffic directly to your Etsy store, this is the course for you. If you're considering this course, it's time to take the leap- the doors close on August 31.Â
Purchase the Traffic Accelerator:Â
trafficaccelerator.co
The day has officially arrived, the doors to Lauren's newest Masterclass "3 Strategic Shifts You MUST Make to Be Successful on Etsy in 2022" and her new program, "Traffic Accelerator" are officially open! Listen to this week's episode to hear Lauren describe what the difference is in her new course and how it differs from other training programs. If you have struggled to get your Etsy shop off the ground or achieve the success you had hoped for, this class is for you. The Masterclass is free, but you must register, so don't miss your chance!Â
The Traffic Accelerator doors are ALSO open! This is not an ongoing enrollment course, which means, the doors close on August 31. Exciting perks are available for those who enroll early or are on the waitlist, so check your email if you qualify! We hope you will join this new cohort-style way of learning to master your Etsy SEO.Â
Register for the Masterclass:
11 am and 7 pm EST
LaurenKeplinger.com/masterclassÂ
Traffic Accelerator Program Enrollment: Â
TrafficAccelerator.co
In this week's solo episode, Lauren continues her series on SEO and the change that it can have in your shop's success when executed strategically. She reveals a new project she recently embarked on with a friend and the organic success they have seen all because of strong SEO. Learn also about Lauren's new SEO Accelerator and how you can be the first through the doors of this course launch.Â
Connect with Lauren:
Waitlist: LaurenKeplinger.com/masterclassÂ
Instagram: Lauren.Keplinger
Website: LaurenKeplinger.com
You've heard of Etsy SEO (or maybe you haven't) but do you really know what goes into it, why it is so important for your shop, and where to focus your energy when you create your listings to make sure they get found in the Etsy search?
In today's episode, we'll talk through all those things so that you can get found in the Etsy search, get in front of their huge international audience, and get more sales withou having to learn TikTok dances or master social media.
Get on the Traffic Accelerator Waitlist here - laurenkeplinger.com/traffic
In this week's solo episode, Lauren talks about 3 ways that SEO can and will change the trajectory of your Etsy store or any e-commerce business. Learn about why SEO is what Lauren loves to talk about, and why it has become her passion to teach. Wondering why your shop isn't producing the results you believe it should? Check out this episode, for some tips and real talk with Lauren based on her own experiences.Â
Are you ready to springboard your success through investing in your SEO? Mark your calendars for August 24 when the doors open for Lauren's revamped SEO course! Visit laurenkeplinger.com/traffic to reserve your spot!
Connect with Lauren:
Website: https://www.laurenkeplinger.com/
Instagram: Lauren.Keplinger
In this solo episode, Lauren discusses tangible steps and strategies that you can implement into your Etsy shop to help jumpstart its success. She also sheds light on circumstances that can influence the profitability of your shop and actions you can take to avoid common pitfalls.Â
Are you ready to springboard your success through investing in your SEO? Mark your calendars for August 24 when the doors open for Lauren's revamped SEO course! Visit laurenkeplinger.com/traffic to reserve your spot!
Connect with Lauren:
Website: https://www.laurenkeplinger.com/
Instagram: Lauren.Keplinger
In this week's solo episode Lauren discusses the importance of setting boundaries in your business. Some of these tips might seem counterintuitive to shop owners who are just starting out, but make no mistake that laying a firm foundation of healthy boundaries in your business now, will help you to thrive in the future. Learn how Lauren recommends you respond to special order requests, her take saying no and her opinion that 'not all money is good money.' All of this and more in this week's episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings.Â
Connect with Lauren:Â
Website: https://www.laurenkeplinger.com
Instagram: Lauren.Keplinger
Episode sponsor: Libsyn
Ready to launch your podcast career? Get a free first month of Libsyn when you use the code: friendat checkout!Â
Have you been experiencing slower than normal sales? Have you seen other sellers saying the same? Worried this is the beginning of the end for your business? Make sure you're not falling into this trap so that you don't throw in the towel in your business.
Need more help? Download the free Etsy SEO Checklist at laurenkeplinger.com/checklist or find ways we can work together at laurenkeplinger.com/learn
In this week's guest episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings, Lauren chats with Katie Hunt of Proof to Product. Katie talks about how a self-designed wedding invitation turned into a lucrative business assisting product-based business owners in placing their products on shelves. Katie and Lauren discuss the shift in eCommerce as a whole since the onset of COVID and the difference its had on consumer behavior. Listen to this and more in this week's episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings.Â
Connect with Katie:
Website: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/
Podcast: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/
In this week's guest interview, Lauren interviews Elizabeth Chapel from Quilt Candy! Together they discuss their shared entrepreneurial spirit and the different mindsets they had in beginning their creative businesses. Elizabeth also shares inspiration on how to take a heavily hobby-centric niche and explore its scalability without becoming too broad in your scope. Listen to this collaboration of creative entrepreneurs in this week's episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings.
For your 30-day free trial to Audibe:
laurenkeplinger.com/audible
Connect with Elizabeth:
Website: quilterscandy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quilters_candy/
In this week's guest episode, Lauren interviews Erin Alexander of Product Powerhouse. Lauren and Erin when is the right time for a Shopify site. They talk about the differences between Etsy and Shopify and some of the strategies that you can employ on both platforms to make your business the most lucrative. All of these tips and more in this week's episode of Crickets to Cha-ChingsÂ
Magic Spoon:
Offer: magicspoon.com/crickets
Promo Code: Crickets for $5 off!
Connect with Erin:
Website: productpowerhouse.co
Instagram: www.instagram.com/product.powerhouse/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/productpowerhouse
In this week's guest episode, Lauren interviews Emily Kerr-Finell, co-founder of Wholesale in a Box. Lauren and Emily discuss how to determine if taking your business wholesale is the right choice for you. Emily breaks down the main aspects of your business you should consider first, as well as offers tips on how to break into your local wholesale markets. All this and more in this week's episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings.Â
Connect with Emily:
Website: www.wholesaleinabox.com/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wholesaleinabox/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wholesaleinabox/
Email: team@wholesaleinabox.com
In this week's guest episode, Lauren interviews Lisa Joworski of AWE Struck Aspirations. Learn about Lisa's passionate career in therapeutic recreation working with the older population and how that fueled and inspired her digital download Etsy store.Â
Connect with Lisa:
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AwestruckAspirations
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWEStruckAspirations/
In this week's guest episode, Lauren interviews Ang Swann-Doyon from The Social Focus. Ang talks about creating social media that meets your target demographic where they naturally already hang out. Learn key tips for special strategy and more in this week's episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings.Â
Connect with Ang:Â
Website: https://www.thesocialfocus.co/Â
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesocial.focus/Â
Brooke McMichael got started in the world of monogramming and applique several years ago, but when the pandemic hit the need to have a business with less inventory and easier fulfillment took over. She transitioned from finished monogrammed items to creating digital embroidery files, joined Scale Your Sales, and her business has taken off (without having to be shipping merchandise and dealing with supply chain issues!) Tune in to hear her story of making that transition and developing the expertise to grow her shop using what she knew of the industry to develop her own digital downloads.
If you missed the masterclass on Thursday, here's the audio version. I hope you enjoy, and I'd love to see you inside the Scale Your Sales program -- http://www.scaleyouretsysales.com
If you haven't yet, head to laurenkeplinger.com/bootcamp to register for the Build Your Brand Bootcamp.Â
Happening April 25-April 28, we're doing a daily training with private daily podcasts, shop audits, and a pop up community.
In this week's solo episode, Lauren discusses a change you can make in your Etsy store to increase your conversion rate. Are you seeing a lot of traffic but not the conversions you want? Do know what conversion rate is typical for where you are in your shop? Are you offering too many choices to your customers, leading to decision fatigue? All of these questions and more are discussed this week in Crickets to Cha-Chings.Â
Connect with Lauren:
Brand Bootcamp Signup: https://creativemomboss.lpages.co/bootcamp/
Instagram: @Lauren.Keplinger
Website: https://www.laurenkeplinger.com/
Let's talk through what that looks like -- do you really want a full time income?
what if you just want a supplemental income?
can you hit that income goal with time intensive items?
what kind of changes do you need to make to hit the revenue level you are wanting?
Need more help?Â
laurenkeplinger.com/checklist for the 8 step Etsy SEO Checklist
In this week's solo episode Lauren talks about the ever-emerging issue of failure to take the next step, and why it occurs. Whether you are in the research and learning phase of your shop, are looking for the next stage of growth, or haven't even launched your shop, this episode is for you! Learn about Lauren's theories as to why inaction is so prevalent and what she recommends to her students in this week's episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings!Â
Resources:Â
Instagram: Lauren.Keplinger
Etsy Step-by-Step Setup: Etsysetupsuccess.com
In this week's guest episode, Lauren talks to Amy Eaton. Amy is a professional photographer turned photography coach. Hear some of Amy's tips and tricks on what makes a great product photo. Amy is also channeling her skills into a new venture to help creatives and makers alike! Listen to all this and more on this week's episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings.
Connect with Amy:
Website: https://www.amytakespictures.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.takes.pictures
In this week's solo episode, Lauren shares tips about things you can do if you feel like you're struggling with business burnout. She shares her own personal experiences with feeling burnt out over the last couple of years, and the cyclicality of her burnout that is a new discovery! All of this and more in this week's episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings!
Iâd love to connect with you!
Instagram: @Lauren.Keplinger
In this week's guest episode, Lauren interviews Julie Berninger of Gold City Ventures. Julie is a fellow Etsy seller and coach, specializing in helping her students create and launch businesses in the printable space. Listen to Lauren and Julie discuss tips they would have for students, no matter the stage of their business. Hear about how Julie turned a temporary tattoo shop into a business where she teaches others how to identify their niche! All this and more in this week's episode.Â
Download the SEO Checklist to get started increasing your traffic today:
http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
Connect with Julie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millennialboss/
In this week's guest episode, learn how Emily took a personal interest and passion and turned it into a profitable business! Emily put her seamstress and knitting skills to work to launch Blue Corduroy, specializing in hats of all shapes, textures, and sizes! Learn some tips and tricks from someone who took a passion and turned it into a profit in this week's episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings.Â
Connect with Emily:
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueCorduroy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily_bluecorduroy/
In this week's guest episode, Lauren interviews Scale Your Sales student, Angela Shehan. Angela's Etsy shop, Punaballoo specializes in punny print on demand items. Learn about Angela's experience diving right into the world of Etsy and some different strategies she deployed before she invested in Scale Your Sales in this week's episode.Â
Connect with Angela:Â
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Punaballoo
Website: https://www.punaballoo.com/
In this week's guest episode, Lauren interviews Scale Your Sales student, Cheri. Cheri opened her Etsy shop, The Rustic Rhode just 11 months ago and has already hit six figures in sales! Learn about Cheri's recipe for success and the most important lessons she learned as a Scale Your Sales student. Don't forget, doors are open now, enroll today!
Connect With Cheri:Â
Etsy: The Rustic Rhode
Scale Your Sales Sign-Up:
ScaleYourEtsySales.com
Are you afraid of being successful in your business? Are you letting that fear holding you back from moving forward, because you think that if you are successful it means giving up other very important things in your life? Let's talk through it today on this episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings
Join Scale Your Sales during this special bonus period - http://www.scaleyouretsysales.com
Do you have squirrel syndrome? Do you find yourself jumping from task to task, frustrated when you don't have success on any one thing (or platform)? If so, this episode is for you! Learn how squirrel syndrome derails the success you can have with your business, and how to fix it so that you can be in it for the long haul! laurenkeplinger.com/masterclass for the Masterclass happening Feb 17, 1pm Eastern
Tune in this week to hear Lauren's interview with Scale Your Sales student, Kim Tranquilli. Kim's Etsy store, FindUrHappiness, recently rebranded to The Sunny Paper Studio experienced an 11x increase in sales over the last 18 months. Learn how Kim has scaled her sales, and what decisions she made to streamline her processes and find her niche in this week's episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings!
Masterclass Registration:
LaurenKeplinger.com/Masterclass
The Sunny Paper Studio Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSunnyPaperStudio
Today on the podcast, we are talking through an incredibly important mental shift, whether you are brand new to business, been selling on Etsy for a while, or are just dipping your toes in the pool. Don't miss this mini episode as we talk through the mindset surrounding starting a business and how you frame what you're doing. Â
3 Sneaky Mistakes that will sink your Etsy shop (Feb 17 at 1pm Eastern) - laurenkeplinger.com/masterclass
In this week's solo episode, Lauren announces the newest Scale Your Sales enrollment period and what is changing in the program for 2022. Learn about listing critiques and Lauren's 20-minute hot seat, exclusive for Scale Your Sales students. Don't miss the special enrollment period, beginning February 17 after her Masterclass.Â
To enroll in the Masterclass visit:
LaurenKeplinger.com/masterclass
Connect on Instagram: Lauren.Keplinger
In this week's podcast, Lauren interviews second-time guest, Liz Wengard. Liz is a Scale Your Sales student who doubled her Etsy sales in less than a year while raising a young family. This week, Liz talks about her family's recent decision to put more of an emphasis on her Etsy store while her family continues to grow. Learn how Liz has scaled her shop and about her future plans in this week's episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings.
Connect with Liz:Â
Instagram: LizsDesigns
Etsy: Lizâs Wood Designs
Lizâs Digital Designs
In this week's solo episode, Lauren discusses running a business when you are mentally exhausted. It's no secret the last two years have been nothing less than unexpected, but do you have an outlet to express your feelings? And what can you do to alleviate stress on yourself in your workspace? Join Lauren in this week's episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings. Â
Website: www.laurenkeplinger.com
Need help with your Etsy traffic - download the SEO Checklist at http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
Connect on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lauren.keplingerÂ
In this week's guest episode, Lauren interviews DeAnn. DeAnn is a Scale Your Sales student who found her sweet spot in business that allowed her to go full-time! Lauren and DeAnn discuss the importance of fine-tuning the details and knowing when it's time to take the leap of going full-time. Check it out in this week's episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings!Â
Connect With DeAnn:Â
Web: https://cantsitstillcrafts.com/
Instagram: CantSitStillCrafts
Etsy: Canât Sit Still Crafts
In this week's solo episode, Lauren discusses creating guilt-free policies in your Esty shop. Setting policies that you stand behind should be your first step in launching your shop. But what are some common policies you should consider? And are you selling yourself short by being flexible with every customer? Listen to Lauren's opinions, suggestions, and current policies in this week's episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings!
In this week's solo episode, Lauren discusses what did and did not work in her Etsy shop in 2021. Dive in as she discusses her 2021 goals, challenges, successes, and new endeavors! Learn also what goals Lauren has set for herself in light of 2022.Â
Looking to connect with Lauren? Slide into her DMs on Instagram:Â
@lauren.keplingerÂ
In this week's episode, Lauren interview Michelle Palacios to discuss goal planning for 2022. Michelle discusses her steps to creating tangible goals that make follow-through manageable instead of overwhelming!Â
Connect With Michelle:
Web: https://mandkcollective.com/
Instagram: MandKCollective
In this week's episode Lauren Interviews Nicole Stevenson from Dear Handmade Life. Learn all about Nicole's journey from starving artist to multi six-figure entrepreneur! Explore all that the Dear Handmade Life community has to offer, and enjoy the conversation about the importance of grit in this week's Crickets to Cha-Chings!Â
Dear Handmade Life
Instagram: dearhandmadelife
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dearhandmadelife
In this week's episode, Lauren interviews Michelle of Lushy Labels! Michelle's personalized wine label Etsy store boomed with 2,000 sales in just 6 months! Learn why she believes prioritizing personalization and customer service are two major keys to standing out on Etsy.Â
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LushyLabels
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lushylabels/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LushyLabels/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lushylabels/_created/
In this week's episode, Lauren interviews Scale Your Sales student, Kellie Abernethy. Kellie's Rest of the Nest Etsy store is 18 months old with 3,800 sales! Learn about Kellie's belief that grit and perseverance are the key factors in the success of your Etsy store. Listen now!Â
Sign up for the email list: https://www.laurenkeplinger.com/email
Rest of the Nest Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RestoftheNestÂ
Rest of the Nest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restofthenest/Â
Rest of the Nest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resttoyournest/Â
In this week's solo episode, Lauren talks about the hotly debated topic of Black Friday! Should you even consider running a Black Friday special? If you don't run a Black Friday special, what are other strategies you can employ? Lauren discusses all of these questions and more this week on Crickets to Cha-Chings!
In this week's solo episode, Lauren talks about the hotly debated topic of Black Friday! Should you even consider running a Black Friday special? If you don't run a Black Friday special, what are other strategies you can employ? Lauren discusses all of these questions and more this week on Crickets to Cha-Chings!
In this week's solo episode Lauren talks about the benefits of building your email list on Etsy. Do you know the different regulations, terms, and conditions that you have to follow when building an email list? Do you see the importance, or are you a skeptic? Learn all about email this week on Crickets to Cha-Chings.
Join the waitlist for Lauren's newest course: LaurenKeplinger.com/Email
Tune in this week to hear Lauren interview Lacey Gist about great strategies to prepare for your holiday shipping this season. Learn about different platforms that help you compare prices in one place, and expert takeaways for various shipping methods.Â
Connect With Lacey:Â
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PeachBloomCreations
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peachbloomcreations/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peachbloomcreations/
In this week's solo episode, Lauren talks about her recent foray into the world of digital downloads. Learn about the reasons that adding a digital download option to your shop's offerings are beneficial as well as misconceptions about the world of digital. Lauren herself breaks down her experience this week, so check it out!Â
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauren.keplinger/
In this week's episode Lauren talks about one of her FAQs, knowing when you're ready to hire an employee. Learn about Lauren's personal experience hiring her first employees, what she learned, and what she'd change and suggest before you make the jump!
In this week's episode, Lauren talks about some tips for the upcoming holidays! It might seem early to be thinking about Christmas, but the early bird gets the worm!Â
Check out Lauren's tips for the holidays and how to best prepare/strategically take advantage of the uptick in traffic.Â
To watch Lauren as she ventures into the world of vlogging, check out her Youtube Channel! LaurenKeplinger.com/youtube
In this week's episode, Lauren interviews Tannice. Tannice is a Scale Your Sales student and runs the shop, MahjuArt, which specializes in decoupaged art pieces in the form of jewelry, ornaments, and any other surface she can think of! Tannice started her shop in 2020 in the midst of Covid, and she is a great example of jumping right into your shop and not letting fear or overthinking inhibit taking action!Â
Connect with Tannice:
Etsy: Mahjuart.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mahjuart20/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mahjuart/
Pinterest: https://br.pinterest.com/MahjuArt/_created/
This week, Lauren interviews one of her students, Maddy. Maddy started her shop, WinnieandMe, which specializes in custom acrylic keychains. Maddy balances her Etsy store in addition to being a student, working towards her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Learn how Maddy balances her store and being a student without allowing it to take over her life!Â
Connect with Maddy:Â
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopwinnieandme/
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopWinnieandMeÂ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShopWinnieandMe/Â
In this week's episode, Lauren talks about 3 major mindset shifts that you must master for Etsy success. How do you shift from thinking of your Etsy store as a hobby to a profitable entity? How do you set goals and strategize growing your shop? How do you set long-term goals and why is that important? Lauren addresses these questions and more this week on Crickets to Cha-Chings.Â
Interested in learning more? Secure your spot for Scale Your Sales, live this Friday, September 10 at 12 noon EST. Save your seat at LaurenKeplinger.com/masterclass
In this week's episode, Lauren interviews Lindsey Daniels of The Dandelion Bay. Linsdey talks about her handmade jewelry Etsy shop, struggles she faced at the beginning, and how a product refresh lead to her making 5-figures in less than 12 months!Â
Want to check Lindsey Daniels out online?
The Dandelion Bay Etsy Shop:Â https://www.etsy.com/shop/thedandelionbay/
The Dandelion Bay (Pinterest): https://www.pinterest.com/thedandelionbay/_created/
The Dandelion Bay (Facebook):
https://www.facebook.com/thedandelionbay/
The Dandelion Bay (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/thedandelionbay/?hl=en
This week we are talking about how to use our shop's data to reverse engineer your success! Many people shy away from looking at the raw data from their shop, but it truly is the best way to strategize your goal setting. We are looking at a few examples to take this strategy step by step.Â
Download Reverse Engineer Your Profit Goals: laurenkelplinger.com/data
Listen to Why Conversion Rate Matters (and how to improve yours if it's low!): https://cricketstochachings.libsyn.com/why-your-etsy-conversion-rate-matters-and-how-to-improve-it-if-yours-is-low
In this week's Crickets to Cha-Chings episode, Lauren talks about interesting questions that arose during an Instagram AMA. Does raising the prices of the products in your shop mean you're greedy? And who is the determinant to say that you are? Does having the cheapest product on the block guarantee success, or should your pricing be strategic?Â
Get Lauren's take on these questions and more in this week's episode!Â
In this week's episode, we talk to Nichole Young! Nichole is a Scale Your Sales student who started her Etsy shop just over a year ago. When a large embroidery-based Facebook group announced it was shutting down, Nichole took the initiative to establish a new support community! Learn how this community serves as a source of inspiration while also strategically building Nichole's loyal customer base, all in this episode!Â
Want to check Nichole out?
The Fernway Studio Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFernwayStudio
The Fernway Studio: https://www.instagram.com/thefernwaystudio/
The Fernway Studio:Â
https://www.facebook.com/thefernwaystudioÂ
Snarky and Modern Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/snarkyandmodern/
In this week's solo episode, we reflect on some of the lessons I learned after 20,000 sales on Etsy. It's been a wild ride these last 10 years, and it's time for us to dive into some lessons I wish I'd committed to earlier. Spoiler alert: there is a bonus tip for all you dedicated listeners!Â
Need help getting more traffic to your shop? Check out the SEO Checklist at laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
In this week's episode, we speak with Emily from ScrubHatsbyEmily! Emily's work as an operating room Nurse inspired her store and after Covid hit, her shop boomed. Learn how she leaned into the trend and grew her business in a time of uncertainty.
Check out her shop at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ScrubhatsbyEmily
One thing that people know about me is that I am not about sugar coating things or being wishy washy and un-opinionated....which means that I tend to make statements in a pretty definitive way - do this, don't do that, etc.
When I tell you all the best practices or the most strategic way of building your shop, I'm totally teaching you what I'm doing right now...but after 3+ years of teaching and 9+ years of selling on Etsy, sometimes things change along the way.
This episode is my look back at the way I started teaching about Etsy, the things that I still do, and the ways that my teaching has changed over the years.
Etsy SEO Checklist - laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
The first half of 2021 has been.....more similar to 2020 than we wish! This episode goes behind the scenes of my monogrammed baby gift Etsy shop to look at what is working, what is NOT working, where I am changing things up for the second half of the year, and what has surprised me about the post COVID sales landscape.
Need help getting more traffic to your shop? Check out the SEO Checklist at laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
What happens when you have a product that suddenly goes viral? How does it impact your business, and how do you keep that momentum going?
Mackenzie Twardus had this experience after a well known speaker tagged her product on Instagram, and her sales blew up. Listen in to hear about what the experience of going viral was like, where she went right and wrong in the process, and how she has kept up her sales momentum for future growth.
Kate Ahl is a Pinterest master, and today on the podcast she's sharing her knowledge of how to build your Pinterest account for a product based business, specifically an Etsy shop.
We talk through:
- Algorithm changes and how that impacts your reach
- Video and Story pins and how to work those to your advantage
- Changes to the platform and where she sees it heading in 2021
Listen in for all the tips and tricks about Pinterest from someone who has spent years mastering the platform.
Need more help building and growing your Etsy shop? I've got you covered with a wide range of information at http://www.laurenkeplinger.com
Today I'm coming at you with some unpopular opinions. These are things that I've observed after 8.5 years of selling on Etsy that I just think are overrated and/or misused about the platform and what people think.
We're talking:
ODR
Halting sales because of an influx of orders
Why Etsy isn't "taking" your profits
Why OVERSATURATION isn't the reason that your products aren't selling -- and what you can do about it.
Want more help? Download the Etsy SEO Checklist at laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
Need support and community- laurenkeplinger.com/facebook
Karen Dibert of The French Dog talks to us today about creating a brand rep program for her Etsy shop.
We dive into:
1) How to search for reps, what that looks like for her shop, and how she uses the brand rep search to increase her Instagram reach and exposure
2) What kind of brand rep benefits she offers, how that works for her financially, and what the incentives are for the rep to continue to work with her
3) The good, bad, and ugly of times that it has worked fabulously and times that it has...not.
If you're thinking of creating a brand rep program for your shop, or you offer seasonal items and are looking for a new way to get involvement in your community and get your name out there, you don't want to miss this episode!
Join the Facebook group and continue the conversation - laurenkeplinger.com/facebook
Download the SEO Checklist for help getting your name in front of your ideal customer -- Laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
What's coming down the pipeline for 2021? Where do I see Etsy headed and changes to the platform in the future? That's what we are talking about in this episode!
Get on the waitlist for Scale Your Sales when it opens on Friday, May 7 at http://www.scaleyouretsysales.com
One of the biggest ways to build a successful business is by doing what things that other people aren't willing to do.
That looks different in a digital versus a product based business, and has ebbed and changed over the course of the 8.5 years of my own business, but it is something that has been constant throughout those years of building and growing and something that I give a lot of credit to in the success I've had.
Today we're talking through what that looks like for your Etsy shop, including:
How to go one step above your competition with your customers
Tangible ways to set yourself apart and give a better customer experience
My rant about "passive income" and what that usually means (particularly in digital learning programs)
Giving the best experience you can to the people who are investing in you, and ultimately what the biggest take away is on how to have uncommon success.
Waitlist for Scale Your Sales - scaleyouretsysales.com
Aline Fedorowicz has built a successful Etsy business by broadening her horizons, expanding on her income streams, and still being able (and having time!) to take on the passion projects that she WANTS to make.
If you're worried that the market for highly detailed, customized items on Etsy is waning, listen in today to hear how Aline has been able to master the balancing act between lower priced, quicker produced items and intricate, higher priced artistically fulfilling art.
SEO Checklist - laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
I was recently inspired by a podcast episode I listened to about thinking like a scientist in online business, and all the ways that that can help to remove the emotion and build mental grit as you become an entrepreneur.
Listen today to be inspired, motivated, and take that scary leap forward in your business without fearing failure or feeling like you won't be able to do it.
Download the SEO Checklist at laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
Join the Etsy Roadmap Facebook group at laurenkeplinger.com/facebook
Ashley Greenwood jumped into a brand new Etsy shop last year, and came out the gate in her first 12 months with $25,000 in sales.
And the best part? She's in a notoriously "saturated" niche of wreaths!
If you're feeling discouraged or like everything has already been done, tune into this episode for a shot of inspiration, encouragement, and some serious business savvy on how to build a shop that stands out and rocks some sales right from Day 1.
Struggling to get seen and found on Etsy? Make sure you've downloaded the SEO Checklist at laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
Your Etsy conversion rate is something that is going to be critical to your success as a seller. If you are only converting .5% of the people who come into your shop, the work you have to do to have significant sales is so much harder!
In this episode, we'll talk through:
1) How to know if your issue is traffic volume or conversion rate
2) What a decent conversion rate looks like, and what kind of numbers you should be aiming for
3) Ways that you discourage buyers from buying (and things you may not even know you're doing!)
4) Inspiring buyer confidence in your shop to encourage more people to take the leap and purchase
If you need more help with mistakes you may not know you're making, check out my free masterclass 3 Sneaky Mistakes that Will Sink Your Etsy Shop (And how to avoid them for Etsy Success) at laurenkeplinger.com/masterclass
On today's episode, Sarah Korhnak (of SmallBusinessSarah.com) walks us through the ins and outs of bookkeeping as a small business and Etsy shop owner.
We talk:
⢠First steps to be prepared and make things easier come tax time
⢠How bookkeeping can help us make better financial decisions throughout the year in business
⢠What software she recommends to keep track of your expenses and income throughout the year (hint: it's not what integrates directly with Etsy!)
⢠Sales tax, and when we need to collect it
Liz joined SEO Superstars (now inside of Scale Your Sales) back in September because she wanted to make sure her shop was totally optimized to get passive traffic from the Etsy search.
She celebrated 1000 sales and counting in her shop, while also being a full time stay at home mom and building a business that works around HER life, not the other way around.
Liz tells us her story of setting priorities, chasing after goals, and building a business in the margins of time in her life while also being present for her family like she wants.
JOIN SCALE YOUR SALES - scaleyouretsysales.com
There are certain pieces of building an Etsy business that are absolutely vital for your success. Whether you are selling handmade, digital, vintage, or something else, you must have these things in place if you want to get traffic, have a profitable shop, continue to grow, and stand out in saturated markets.
If you have struggled to gain traction on Etsy and build the business that you are wanting, listen in for three vital factors that you must master in order to be successful as an Etsy business owner in 2021.
REGISTER for the free training, 3 Sneaky Mistakes that Will Sink Your Etsy Shop (and how to avoid them for Etsy success) happening February 12 at 9am Eastern. laurenkeplinger.com/sneakymistakes
Eugenia Salnikova has been a student in my program for over a year, but decided to pivot her business in the midst of COVID last year to create wooden embroidery crafting kits for buyers to create while they are home.
Since last summer, she's grown the business to produce a full time income to support her business partner (her mom) as well as a part time income for herself...so if you are tracking that, that's a full time and a half income in less than a year!
Listen in to hear:
Eugenia's advice on how to grow and pivot to listen to customer's suggestions and create custom orders that can sell again and again
How built this niche business so quickly in the midst of COVID
Where she wants to take it moving forward into this year
REGISTER for the free training, 3 Sneak Mistakes that Will Sink Your Etsy Shop (and how to avoid them for Etsy success) happening Friday, February 12 at 9am Eastern at laurenkeplinger.com/sneakymistakes
Check out Eugenia at etsy.com/shop/happystitchingtime
Today on the podcast we get to hear from Pamela Lagoudakis, a student in my signature program.
Pamela started her Etsy shop, Wonderland Book Sleeves, but found that she was lacking clarity and direction in her business. She joined my program in January 2020, and through the course of last year she re-branded, hit 1000 sales in her shop, and 8x her income...and best of all, she was able to cut back on the hustle and marketing that she was doing, focusing on doing the things she LIKES to do, and increase her income beyond what she imagined at the beginning of the year.
Listen in today to hear Pamela's inspiring story of building a business that works for her without being overwhelmed or frustrated!
Check Pamela out at https://www.etsy.com/shop/wonderlandbooksleeve
Download the Etsy SEO Checklist at laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
For the first time ever, I have a repeat guest on the podcast! Kristyn Burney is back again to talk Instagram in 2021 for Etsy shop owners.
We'll talk through:
- What the heck you should be posting (hint: it's not just product photos!)
- How to set boundaries between your shop and your personal life in your IG account
- Why MY Instagram following is a train wreck, and where I went wayyy off course in building a following
- How to make sure your Instagram is actually profitable, and not just a pretty place with people who don't want to buy your products
Etsy Roadmap FB group - laurenkeplinger.com/facebook
Follow Kristyn at http://kristynburney.com/
Continuing with our business building series to kick of 2021, we're talking financials and getting legit with Janet LeBlanc of Paper and Spark.
The beginning of the year is a fantastic time to make sure your financial house is in order so that you can be prepped and ready to go come tax season, so make sure you tune in for all the down and dirty tips and tricks of financial organization.
Check out Janet's Bite Sized Bookkeeping program at laurenkeplinger.com/financials and use the code LAUREN20 for $20 off!
GIVEAWAY -- laurenkeplinger.com/giveaway
2020 has been a heck of a year, and in this podcast I go through what has worked for my shop, what hasn't worked, the hard and fast numbers for the end of the year, and where I hope to be headed in 2021!
Etsy Roadmap FB Group - laurenkeplinger.com/facebook
Etsy SEO Checklist - laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
We all know pricing your products is a critical part of running a successful Etsy business, but do you have a strategy that makes that work for your margins? Today on the podcast we're talking with Michelle Palacios of M&K Collective, who has made it her mission to support creative business owners in their pricing strategy so that they can run profitable, successful Etsy shops.
Facebook group - laurenkeplinger.com/facebook
Etsy SEO Checklist - laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
Pricing Roadmap Download - laurenkeplinger.com/pricingdownload
Wanting to take your shop to the next level in 2021? Ready to put 2020 behind you and start looking forward to the future? Make sure you tune in to hear four critical pieces you need to have in place to make 2021 your best year yet!
Links:
Etsy Roadmap Facebook group - laurenkeplinger.com/facebook
Etsy SEO Checklist Download - laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
The holiday season is upon us, and that can be a good OR bad thing....depending on how prepared you are!
Let's walk through some things to think about and plan for as we dive into what's sure to be the wildest holiday season yet.
Want that special bundle deal I talked about? Sign up for the SEO Checklist and you'll get all the details when it releases - laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
Jacinta Taylor has built a wildly successful business in an emerging market in Australia - eco friendly household wares. As we head into 2021 where things will (hopefully) begin to get back to normal, listen in to hear her talk about scaling her business through in person events, selling internationally, and standing out in a market place without a huge local awareness.
Looking to scale your sales? Check out the free SEO Checklist at laurenkeplinger.com/checklist to download
Laminated Cotton Shop - https://www.etsy.com/shop/LaminatedCottonShop
In the age of the internet expert, you can fall prey so easily to things that totally derail your progress or distract you from the end goal of having a successful Etsy shop.⣠⣠Today, we're diving into 3 of those myths that you probably believe about selling on Etsy -- and you don't want to miss these.⣠⣠I've been hearing these things since I started selling on Etsy in 2012, and I'm still seeing people post them in Facebook groups and spread them around the web now...but we're going to finally put them to rest and move on!!⣠NEXT STEPS ------------ Join me next week for #ScaleYourSales week where we'll be going live every day at 1pm Eastern to talk about selling on Etsy and how to scale up your sales for more revenue without stress and overwhelm. Make sure you join the community, Etsy Roadmap by Lauren Keplinger at laurenkeplinger.com/facebook to be a part of this amazing week!
Today on the podcast, Samantha Booth is talking all about marketing her shop - from having a roller coaster and not many sales (even with national magazine features) to having steady, consistent, and growing sales through optimizing her SEO and gaining passive traffic from Etsy.
Listen in to hear all her advice about niching down, scaling your sales, and how you can finally let go of the stress of trying to drive traffic on your own.
I went from being overwhelmed, overworked, and making barely minimum wage to having a successful, streamlined six figure shop working less than 10 hours a week. But it wasn't without missteps along the way. Listen in to hear about why I quit my shop at one point, and what the biggest changes were in shifting to a profitable business that worked around my family.
Sign up for the Etsy SEO Checklist - laurenkeplinger.com/7steps
I'm a big fan of working smarter, NOT harder, and streamlining things to do as little work as possible to get maximum results.
And the way to do that on Etsy, my friend, is optimizing your SEO.
DOWNLOAD THE SEO CHECKLIST
Head to laurenkeplinger.com/7steps if you don't have a copy of the checklist
Mistakes are always going to happen, and are a huge part of being a business owner. But the way I see it, the fewer mistakes you have to make the hard way, the better.
When it comes to sharing the behind-the-scenes of my own business, I'm pretty transparent. This is the the stuff I WISH I had had someone tell me when I was first jumping in, or even as I was growing and struggling to make the leap to the next level.
Want to know the things I wish I had done sooner in my business? Listen in for all the details.
Head over to:
laurenkeplinger.com/facebook to join the FREE Facebook group (and I want you to tell me which one of these 5 things you are going to do or let go of!)
laurenkeplinger.com/7steps to download the SEO Checklist and start working smarter and not harder
Back by popular demand - an update and behind the scenes look at my business. Here's what worked and didn't work (hello COVID!) so far in 2020, the tangible numbers of my Etsy shop, and some moving forward goals for the end of 2020.
Join the community and share your goals for the end of the year -- laurenkeplinger.com/facebook
Grace Hayden has mastered the art of connecting with influencers and collaborating to promote her brand of Turkish towels across multiple platforms. Tune in to hear how she develops a promotional calendar, finds people to collaborate with, and sources products that are NOT handmade to build a profitable business.
Connect with us on Facebook at laurenkeplinger.com/facebook
Check out Grace Hayden's shop at thebalimarket.us
And her Shopify education website at itsgracehayden.com
How does an Etsy shop stay relevant as trends and popular items change? Gaby Abrams has built a wildly successful Etsy shop in the ever changing market of digital downloads, and she's here to talk to you about figuring out what is popular, catching on to those "trending items" and turning them into sales machines!
Join the Etsy Roadmap FB Group - laurenkeplinger.com/facebook
Download the free SEO Checklist at laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
Amanda Peterson transitioned from teacher to Etsy shop owner, and then pivoted her Etsy shop to make a completely different product than she started out with.
Listen in to hear how she changed her business model to something that worked better for her lifestyle, matched her interests, and met customer demand...all while balancing her job as a mom of 5 kids!
Struggling to grow your own Etsy shop? Check out the Etsy SEO Checklist here - laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
Mallery Neptune has taken a passionate to serve underserved women in Haiti, and turned it into an ethical, sustainable business that has wide reaching impact.
Tune in today to hear her story of the challenges that she faced in building a business in a third world country, how the business has changed over the years, and what she has learned along the way.
Gift of Hope Haiti - https://www.giftofhopehaiti.org/
For more Etsy tips and business savvy - laurenkeplinger.com
This week we will talk through 5 Quick and Dirty Tips on how to improve your SEO. All of these tips are in preparation for a master class I am offering Friday, April 24, 2020 at noon. You will need to register for this additional course, but my hope is that together we can take your shop from crickets to cha-chings! Follow the link below to learn more and register! LINKS -
laurenkeplinger.com/masterclass
In this weekâs episode we talk 5 tips to improve your shop during uncertain times. The world is a little off right now, thatâs no secret, but how can we use this time at home as an opportunity versus a roadblock? Iâve come up with a few tips to help you get focused on your shop and take advantage of this time.Â
LINKS -Â
laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
laurenkeplinger.com/group/facebook
In this weeks episode we discuss strategies that you can employ and things you should keep in mind when starting an Etsy business os that it can work for you. Not everyone is in the same season of life, and the wonderful aspect of Etsy is that it offers endless flexibility. So how can you harness that flexibility to set and achieve your business goals? Take a listen!
LINKS
laurenkeplinger.com/facebook
Overcoming the Overwhelm - 042
In this weekâs episode we talk to Katie Fleming, a former accountant turned entrepreneurial consultant about how to overcome and control your feelings of overwhelm. A lot of you have expressed to me that you are having trouble taking that final leap to launch your shop because youâre feeling overwhelmed. Whether youâre anxious that your shop will flop or that it will gain too much traffic and you wonât be able to control it, we address all of your fears and provide tools on how to face them, today!
LINKS -Â
Etsy Roadmap Facebook - laurenkeplinger.com/facebook
Start Your Etsy Shop Email Mini Course - laurenkeplinger.com/etsysetup
Katieâs Website - https://www.katiefleming.co/
Katieâs Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/katiefleming/
In this weekâs solo episode I talk about some tips that I have for sellers considering expanding into the international market. There are some larger things to keep in mind such as cost to yourself, how to protect yourself, and the best practices when it comes to interacting with your international customer. We address those aspects of international shipping and more, so give us a listen and if you like what you hear, join the conversation in our Facebook group. Links below!
LINKS -Â
laurenkeplinger.com/facebook
This week we are talking to Etsy shop owner Cindy Funk of Neatokeen, an Etsy store specializing in collectibles and vintage linens. Cindy talks to us about how to successfully brand your shop when the items you carry are one of a kind. We touch on staying in your niche in order to maintain your brand and best practices for interacting with your customers and optimizing your store.Â
LINKS -Â
https://www.etsy.com/shop/NeatoKeen
https://www.instagram.com/neatokeen/
https://laurenkeplinger.com/learn/
Are you worried about the changes that Etsy is making to Etsy advertising? This bonus episode will walk you through what is happening, when it is happening, and what the projected impact will be in terms of hard, real-life shop numbers.
Want to continue the conversation -- laurenkeplinger.com/facebook
In this weekâs episode Lauren gives tips to Etsy sellers at all stages of their store on ways that they can grow or scale. She walks through the four stages of seller: New with unopened store, opened store with inconsistent sales, medium sales but not reliable, and booming business in need of scaling or reigning in. Through each of these stages there are strategies to implement in order to make your store more successful while maintaining a healthy work life vs. home life balance.Â
LINKS -Â
Laurenkeplinger.com/checklist
In this week's episode we talk to Charo Roman, owner of ASEISMANOS Etsy store. Charo is based in Spain and, with the help of her husband and daughter, she hand-makes tech accessories, backpacks and handbags. We discuss some Etsy policies and how they impact international Etsy sellers, specifically the encouragement to offer free shipping. We also talk about things that we wish we'd known when we first started out, so give it a listen!
LINKS-
Facebook Group- http://creativemomboss.com/facebook
Charo's Website- https://www.aseismanos.com/
Creatively Naming Your Etsy Shop-
In this week's solo episode, we talk through some tips for how to begin the planning process for naming your Etsy shop. The name of your Etsy shop is your customer's first impression, so take the time to plan and strategize, while also considering that the name of your shop will not make or break your business. We talk through some common mistakes and some of my personal naming pet peeves you should avoid. If you follow our steps and still find yourself struggling, join the Creative Mom Boss Facebook community for further support!
LINKS-
Facebook Group- http://creativemomboss.com/facebook
Learn with Lauren - laurenkeplinger.com/bass
The importance of social media to drive sales for online retailers is growing exponentially. In this week's episode we talk to Kristyn Burney about how she utilized Instagram's Live, Story and posting features to create meaningful connections with her followers, effectively turning them from followers to fans.
We discuss tips for how to engage with followers and touch on some best practices for using Instagram to further cement your brand.
LINKS-
Facebook Group - http://www.creativemomboss.com/facebook
Kristynâs Website - https://www.kristynburney.com/
Want to work with me? http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/seo
Mastering the Art of Product Photography with Becca Ellison -
Why product photography and its quality is so important including tips to using Lightroom and natural light to ensure your photos aren't too dark, grainy or low resolution as well as tips for maximizing your lighting for photo clarity, branding your photos in order to maximize sales and create consistency and how you can utilize your photos to to appeal to your buyer's emotional state.
LINKS -
Becca Ellison's Website- https://rebeccaellison.com/
Want to learn more about how to take your Etsy shop from Crickets to Cha-Chings? Head over to laurenkeplinger.com/learn for more information about how you can become a star student.â¨â¨
Needing some support and community as you begin your Etsy journey? http://creativemomboss.com/facebook for the FREE Facebook support community
My 2019 Year in Review -
Big changes my business saw in 2019, what worked best for me (and how you can apply those things to your business), what didn't work, and preparing for 2020.
LINKS -
Facebook group - http://www.creativemomboss.com/facebook
SEO Superstar - http://laurenkeplinger.com/seo
Allison Carter has built a successful business simply by listening to her customers - what they want, what they want added to what she already has, and what direction they need her to go in...even when it is something that she's not sure she wants to do.
Listen to all the wisdom she shares about building a business in the margins of time, listening to your customers and pivoting to meet their demands, and building a community that supports your products and cheers you on.
Key Links:
Allison Carter Celebrates: http://allisoncartercelebrates.com/
Etsy Roadmap Facebook Group: http://www.creativemomboss.com/facebook
Feedback is necessary to improve your product and present it with itâs best foot forward. Feedback will also give you the confidence to sell your product and reassurance that you are marketing it to the correct audience.
Consistent feedback can occur through customer reviews or friends and family. However, there are certain pieces of your business that your friends and family may not be qualified for feedback (depending on their background).
For instance, friends and family may not understand how to price your products â they may offer a lot more money for your product simply because they love you.
On the other hand, people who are close to you may not pay you enough for a premium product or may have trouble wrapping their heads around you moving from a hobby crafter to a businesswoman.
The following are questions you need to ask when receiving feedback:
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Who do you think would buy this? Who do you think they would be buying it for?
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How often do you think someone would buy this? What holiday would someone buy it for?
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How would you describe this product?
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How can I improve this item?
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What is your favorite aspect of this item?
Be cautious of getting too many opinions â this can be completely overwhelming and can sometimes be in conflict with each other. Make sure the feedback will be sustainable for your business model, and have an understanding of what your limitations are and how to move forward with the suggestions that you receive.
In this Episode:
- Why you need consistent feedback [ 1:45 ]
- The questions to ask when getting feedback [ 6:00 ]
- How all the opinions can be overwhelming [ 18:20 ]
- Donât forget to ask what their favorite aspects of your product are [ 19:40 ]
Welcome back to this weekâs episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings. On todayâs episode weâre talking with my college friend, fellow military spouse and sorority sister Alyssa Cowan.
Alyssa is the brains behind Stinkmuffin, and sheâs done an amazing job of building her business with balance and grace while also raising two very young children (including an infant).
In this episode, weâll talk about: * How she got started on Etsy, the pull to have something for herself, and why that post partum period can be really tough for someone who is used to being a goal driven person * How Alyssa has set boundaries around what she wanted to do in her Etsy business, and what she prioritized throughout itâs growth * How she managed running her business, having young children, and having a deployed husband without completely losing her mind or having an Etsy business that wasnât able to take off * How sheâs built a business in a crowded marketspace that still stands out by providing customized options and amazing customer service * Why she doesnât feel a pull to underprice her items, and how sheâs built a successful business while being a more premium product * How she separates what she likes to do as a hobby with what she puts into her shop to sell at a profit â and why that is so important to her and to the boundaries sheâs set for the business * How she would start over differently, and the things sheâd do if she was just getting started now
Welcome back to another episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings! Today, we are going to dive into you several of the different kinds of customers that you find on the Etsy platform. I wrote a blog post about this a couple years ago and this updated and expanded version of that blog post.
In this episode, weâll talk about: * Different types of customers youâll encounter on Etsy * Dealing with bargain-shoppers or bargain-hunters - Why I no longer accept coupon codes and not honor expired gift cards * Approach I used to handle customers with high expectations * The best way to manage procrastinating customers especially on holidays * Importance of putting boundaries in place and sticking to them * Adding extra fees for rush orders - is it necessary? * Why you should be in control of your business * Recognizing customer behavioral patterns and protecting yourself from future issues * Responding to unhappy and tough angry customers * Indecisive vs Decisive customers
Hey everyone! Welcome to another episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings. I am so excited for this episode because today I have a very special guest, Adriane Woodle Mrsa. She is a reef maker on Etsy and has been in business for right around 2 years with a sale of over 1500 .
I think it's super helpful for you all to hear from other people who have had success on Etsy or had success in an online business. So I think you guys are going to love to hear what she has to say and I cannot wait for us to dive into this conversation.
In this episode, Adriane and I talked about: * Adriane Woodle Mrsa journey on Etsy - how she got started and her process of building her shop * What her business really is - about Branch and Bloom * How her dad help and influence her to start an online business * The importance of having a vision before starting a business - knowing what you wanted to do, what youâre willing to put into and realistic expectations * Things that help her establish a foundation and grow her business * What she learned during her first few months on Etsy * Her unique design structure - why people are attracted to buy on her shop * How Adrianeâs studio help her create better product * Making profit and pricing - how much your time really worth * Knowing limits to balance your life - Saying no to a sale is okay, drawing boundaries * Managing emotional stress and scrambling moments - - drawing boundaries * How selling on Etsy changed her life * Audiobook and podcast that she love
Welcome back to another episode of Crickets to Cha-Chings!, where we are super focused on taking your shop from struggling sales to consistent Cha-chings!
On today's episode, we are going to be talking about getting ready for the holidays and not be stressed and freaking out about the holidays. I want you to get an early start on it really processing and thinking about what you're going to be doing.
Before we dive into that topic today, I am going to read the review of the week from Stephvic13.
âLauren is very authentic and gives clear direction on how to overcome shipping obstacles. She gives real examples and explains each situation in great detail. Sheâs very confident in her speaking and makes me believe that I can overcome any situation that arises while growing my Etsy business.â -- Stephvic13
If other listeners are out there having shipping issues or feeling not so confident in there customer service, go back to episode 026 - Got a Shipping Issue, Now What?
In this episode, weâll talk about: * How are we going to get our shops ready for the holiday season - 8 steps/process to holiday preparations
- Whether or not your product is going to be something that fits the holiday niche of popular items
- Copying some of your listings and update titles/tags to reflect holiday
- Deciding on your holiday end dates
- Making sure you have product in stock and letting people know what is popular and likely to sell out
- Making things ahead of time if not personalize - TAT of your products and adding rush fees on last minute orders
- How to make this easier on the gift giver and less stress for them - gift wrapping, note cards, inserting gifts and moreâŚ
- Thinking about sales - running a sale, promoting on social media and building up excitement and hype before the date⌠listen to episode 024 about âShould you run a sale to your Etsy shopâ
- Communicating with your audience about everything regarding the holidays - controlling your business and talking about possible shipping issues
- Finding balance between business and family - drawing boundaries
Thatâs all for this week. I have a super special episode coming up next week. This is going to be my first time interviewing a guest on the podcast and I'm really excited for you guys to hear it.
Resources:
Free Holiday Planning Guide
Episode 024 Should You Run a Sale to Your Etsy Shop
Episode 026 Youâve Got a Shipping Issue, Now What
Facebook Group
Today we're diving into the most important analytics so that you're not overwhelmed by all of the numbers that Etsy provides but instead you can just focus on the ones that are going to get the most impact for your shop and the backend of your Etsy shop.
In this episode, weâll talk about:
- Why should we care about Etsy Analytics and how these numbers improve your shop?
- About Etsy Analytics Tracker - download here
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Actual Traffic to your shop
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Deciphering what each traffic stat means, and how they each play a role in how many people are finding your shopMaking Window Shoppers into Buyers
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How do we move those passive browsers into active buyers?
- What kind of rate of buyers should we be looking for?
- About shop Quality Score - obtaining quality engagements and conversion
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All about the money
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What is Average Order Value and how to properly calculate your AOV?
- How shipping fees, free shipping, and profit margins all play a role in your money reports
- Selling to new customers versus having repeat customers, and how your pricing can be affected by each
- Thinking about advertising costs and how you can figuring out whether or not advertising (via Etsy ads or anywhere else) is profitable for you
- Bonus Stat - How to build a loyal following and how we know if that's happening
-
Resources:
Download the Etsy Analytics Tracker: http://www.creativemomboss.com/tracker
FB Group: http://www.creativemomboss.com/facebook
Shipping issues are almost inevitable in an online business, so how do you deal with them when they arise and how do you make sure you are protect from a potential scammer who is just wanting something for free?
In this episode, weâll talk about:
- Big reason why policies are so important and how you can protect yourself through your policies
- Why you should NEVER guarantee that your item will arrive by a certain time - you can only guarantee your side of the transactionâŚyou donât have control over the postal service.
- What are some common shipping issues an Etsy seller encounters, and how to handle each of them in a professional manner
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What to do when:
- Package is lost
- Package says it was delivered but customer says it wasnât
- Package is delivered but is has been damaged or destroyed in transit
- Your responsibilities as a seller and business owner - when do you need to refund, when are you ok NOT to refund
- When to refund or replace and when you should push back - and what kind of proof you need from your buyer
- Filing for refunds when a package has been lost or damaged
- When shipping insurance makes sense and how to figure out if it is something you should be purchasing with your packages
- Dealing with bad review - sometimes people are going to be upset about the transaction even though there is nothing you could have changedâŚso how do you deal with it when it comes?
Key Links:
Facebook group for ongoing support and community
Ultimate Etsy Starter Kit for getting started as an Etsy shop owner
Setting realistic goals is super important as a business owner - but what happens when chasing after those goals takes over your life. In today's episode we're diving into why I set my revenue goals LOWER this year than last, and how you can set goals that work for your family and allow you to have work/life balance.
Key Links:
Episode 11 (Custom Orders on Etsy) - https://www.creativemomboss.com/episode-011
Facebook group - http://www.creativemomboss.com/facebook
Hey there and welcome back to another episode of crickets cha-chings! Today, we are going to be diving into whether or not you should run a sale to your Etsy shop. I see this a lot with people who are struggling to get traction or to have consistent sales of their products. And one of the things that they often times say is âI think I'm gonna run a sale to try and drive more traffic in to try and have more sales.â
But before we jump right into that, I do want to go ahead and read the spotlight review of the week. This one comes from Rachel at Purposeful Pages.
âAfter so much searching to find detailed help for my Etsy business, I was thrilled to find Laurenâs podcast. It is detailed, clear, helpful and full of information and stories that busy, solo, mom-bosses can actually relate to and put to use. So excited to hear each new episode and take her courses.â
Rachel's Etsy shop is Purposeful Pages. She makes all kinds of things for your house and jewelry that are made from upcycled books. So any book lover or your teachers, librarian, anyone who love books, you check that out purposeful pages on Etsy.
Rachel thank you so much for the review and I am so excited that we can work together.
All right! So let's jump in to our topic today. We're going to dive into why people think that's gonna work, why it actually doesn't work that well and what you should do instead.
In this episode, weâll talk about:
- Is it really a good tactic to run a sale on your shop?
- Common reasons why Etsy sellers think running a sale is a good option to drive traffic and generate sales
- What holds people back from purchasing? Is it really the price?
- Factors why buyers love to purchase on your shop and why people are not buying from your shop
- Alternatives to increase traffic to you shop
- Why is it crucial to understand search engine optimization (SEO) on Etsy?
- How to build a foundation of your business using social media?
- Marketing strategies you could use on your social media community
- How relevancy score works on Etsy
- Different type of advertising and marketing sales you could run
- What to do if youâre not getting any traction at all?
- And many more...
So I hope that this has been helpful to you. If you are thinking about running a sale to your shop, I hope that I have helped to explain why I don't think that's a great idea, why don't think that you should take that hit on your profits or to devalue your brand in that way.
If you are wanting more help and you are wanting to join Etsy Roadmap to Success community - a six-week of coaching program that is launching it next week - the doors are only open until Thursday. I hope that you will consider joining us and we will walk through that whole step-by-step process with weekly live Q and A and a whole lot more. If you'd like to check that out, the link is etsyroadmaptosuccess.com and I hope that I will see you in that program!
In todayâs podcast, we are going to talk about the top 7 reasons why building an Etsy shop can really and truly be the job of your dreams.
- It is flexible -It is so flexible depended on what you want from it. It can be part time, can be full time, can be side gig money and can be a supplemental income
- It can ebb and flow with your season of life - You donât have to stay in one place. You don't always have to be full time or always have to be part time or even always have to be open. And it's so amazing for us women, as mothers, to be able to have that flexibility and then it just picks right back up where you left off.
- It can be done from home - It allows you to have so much more flexibility with what you're doing and it also allows you to have an opportunity to sometimes get stuff done
- It can be the jumping off point for anything you want to do - It can take you in a bunch of different directions and you are never married to what you start out with
- It has VERY low startup cost - Your risk is very low and your start up costs are very very low. Your investment in it from the get go is s so low with a listing fee of only 0.20 cents and it allows you to have such higher profits because you don't have so much overhead
- It has very low technology knowledge to get started - You donât have to be tech savvy to get started - platform makes it so easy. They do the marketing and the search engine, you donât have to master backlinks and getting found in google and most importantly, everything is pretty self explanatory and easy and you can have a business up and open in a day..
- You have the complete control over your shop - You can run your business however you want. You can close up shop for a month and donât have to meet quotas. You have the total creative freedom but you also have the total responsibility for the success of your business.
If you are wanting some help and wanting a mentor, a business bestie to get you started and have that accountability, I would love to have you join my master class. It is located at cricketstochachings.com. There are time slots that you can sign up and that class is starting tomorrow. So don't delay in getting signed up for that cricketstochachings.com. I would love to see you there and I hope when you log on to that you will tell me that you came from the podcast because I do love to get that feedback and I love to hear people that are enjoying the podcast.
Hey there and welcome back to another episode of Crickets to Cha-chings!
Today we are going to go over something that I get asked a lot in my Facebook group and through email⌠really through email and that is whether or not you should open a second shop on Etsy. People ask me this question alot especially when they're first getting started.
I wanted to do this as a podcast because it's kind of hard for me to give up a really quick answer when people email me. Also, I wanted to be able to have this episode so I could talk about this subject and really dive into my feelings about having two shops and all of that.
In this episode we talk about:
- Why people think that they should open up a second shop
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Few reasons why I don't recommend or encourage Etsy sellers to open more than one shop:
-
it gets really kind of difficult to manage
- it really spreads you too thin
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it becomes this noble distraction that prevents you from taking any action to move forward
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Advantage of having some cohesion with your Etsy shop
- What you should do if you have all these different products and all these different ideas that donât relate to each other
- The value of thinking from a business perspective and focusing on those ones that makes sense to sell as a business
- Why Roadmap to Success is so important in the success of your business
- Having a vision and clarity on where youâre wanting to go with your shop
- My experience when I started my Etsy shop
- Right way to build your brand
- Is there ever a time that I think opening a second Etsy shop is okay or beneficial
Don't spread yourself so thin by opening up a second shop and trying to be everywhere and do everything to everybody.
I hope this has been helpful for you as you debate about whether or not you want to open up that second shop and you think about the implications of what that means for your business and the work that you're going to put into that. I would love to continue this discussion over in my Facebook group Etsy Roadmap by Lauren Keplinger.
Have you ever gotten bad feedback to your Etsy shop? Or are you worried that at some point in the process of running an Etsy business you'll get bad feedback (spoiler alert: you will! It is inevitable).
Today we will talk about the different kinds of bad feedback, when to listen, when to ignore, when your customers are just plain wrong, and when to listen and take the criticism.
Show notes:
https://www.creativemomboss.com/episode-5
Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/creativemomboss/
Have you ever gotten bad feedback to your Etsy shop? Or are you worried that at some point in the process of running an Etsy business you'll get bad feedback (spoiler alert: you will! It is inevitable).
Today we will talk about the different kinds of bad feedback, when to listen, when to ignore, when your customers are just plain wrong, and when to listen and take the criticism.
Show notes:
https://www.creativemomboss.com/episode-5
Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/creativemomboss/
After almost 7 years on Etsy and over 12,000 sales, I've learned a thing or two about the platform and running an e-commerce business. Here are my top lessons learned after 12,000 sales and what I would do differently if I could go back in time.
See the show notes at:https://www.creativemomboss.com/episode-4
and join the Etsy Roadmap Facebook group at:Â https://www.facebook.com/groups/creativemomboss/
After almost 7 years on Etsy and over 12,000 sales, I've learned a thing or two about the platform and running an e-commerce business. Here are my top lessons learned after 12,000 sales and what I would do differently if I could go back in time.
See the show notes at:https://www.creativemomboss.com/episode-4
and join the Etsy Roadmap Facebook group at:Â https://www.facebook.com/groups/creativemomboss/
Here's my top list of 5 things that are absolutely vital to your success on Etsy - we are going to talk about the things that are the most important to your success on the platform, and how you can stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Here's my top list of 5 things that are absolutely vital to your success on Etsy - we are going to talk about the things that are the most important to your success on the platform, and how you can stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Wanting to get started on Etsy but you're not sure where to start? This episode is for you. We'll talk about how to narrow down your products, how to figure out what will sell best in your shop, and how to appeal to your target customer.
Wanting to get started on Etsy but you're not sure where to start? This episode is for you. We'll talk about how to narrow down your products, how to figure out what will sell best in your shop, and how to appeal to your target customer.
I got started on Etsy back in 2012 as a stay at home mom and military spouse, and have built a six figure income while working from home with my handmade (monogramming) shop. This is my backstory and how I got started selling on Etsy.
I got started on Etsy back in 2012 as a stay at home mom and military spouse, and have built a six figure income while working from home with my handmade (monogramming) shop. This is my backstory and how I got started selling on Etsy.