Etsy Store Journey Updates

Although I have helped many friends with their Etsy journey on the technical side, my own DoodlingJorge Etsy journey started early this year. I wrote about my hopes and the reasons for it on blog post 2023 Attempting to sell on Etsy! – DoodlingJorge

I was hopeful and enthusiastic, but to be honest, greatly underestimated the amount of work it would take.

Although still a very good platform, Etsy has changed a lot in the past couple of years and just recently it is cracking down on a lot of mass marketers and “automated” bots that have caused a lot of challenges for “real sellers” in the system. Lots of videos and on YouTube.

I gave a Etsy for Artists class today. I started the class by saying:

I have not yet been successful on Etsy, but I plan to continue grinding forward.

As I said on my June 10, 2023 on blog Back the Store – DoodlingJorge I am not giving up on Etsy, but decided to do a lot on my own website and store. With the challenge Etsy is having, it is proving to be a good decision, as I want to have some control in case something goes sideways, and my ETSY Store is suspended for whatever reason they deem necessary.

I still have lots to learn, but what I learned so far from travels in this journey:

Define your goals with your Etsy Store
( it is another supermarket / marketplace to place your products)
Combine Digital, Print-On-Demand and physical goods – cross sell each.
It is YOUR job to promote and bring people to the Etsy store. ( adverting, social media etc)
If things are not selling, it is because: No one can find you.
- You need volumes of people to sell one piece.
- You need good photos of what you are selling to get people to click on the listing
- Then you need to convert that visitor into a buyer.
- Then you need to fulfil that order and have them
- If you are lucky enough to hit the jackpot with one piece, then how do you plan to scale?
DO NOT rely only on Etsy alone ( lots of changes happening to the platform )
Consider the Esty costs in your pricing strategy including ( Labor cost, Etsy fees, Payment Fees, taxes , and more…)
Do not try to compete on price. there are ALWAYS people/companies out there that will have a lower price Some even operate at a loss to gain customers or have loss leaders to get emails.

I have to say, and I am reflecting on my own journey, and I do not mind sharing this:

Most advice and niche-based selling is based on research, targeted SEO and relevant products. ( yes that is business but not art. ( still struggling with this one!)
I am not interested in creating art for trending items
I want my art to speak to others, each piece on their own merit (there got to be an audience for me out there)

Etsy Store Journey Updates

Doodling to Relax and Recharge

First Market 2022-23 Season

Back the Store

Stung by Etsy – Struggle it is REAL!

YouTube Channel Launched

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