Etsy Selling Strategies Lecture

Introduction

• Speaker: Darla Moore
• Founder of Handmade Alpha Academy for Etsy Sellers
• Manager at eRank.com, an Etsy SEO tool
• Focus: Strategies to achieve 100 sales on a new Etsy shop started in September

Key Objectives

1. Prove Success is Possible on Etsy
   • Success needs realistic goals, time commitment, and effort
2. Correct Print on Demand (POD) Strategies
   • Experience from running a successful handmade jewelry shop
3. Enjoyment in Building a Shop
   • Passion for the products being sold

Shop Creation Strategy

• Niche Focus: Started with a passion for fantasy books
  • Knowledgeable about industry, target audience, and popular items
• Legal Licensing: Obtained to avoid copyright issues
  • Paid royalties to authors

Product Development

• Product Testing
  • Ordered samples to ensure quality
  • Samples were tax-deductible
  • Took own product photos using samples
• Product Photography
  • Importance of unique, high-quality photos over generic mockups
  • Learned photography from a professional coach

Marketing Strategies

• Limited Choices
  • Adopted key insights from "The Paradox of Choice" by Barry Schwartz
  • Offered limited but trending color options
• Owning Domains
  • Secured all social media accounts and domain associated with the business name
• Pre-launch Social Media Engagement
  • Posted teasers and engaged with potential customers

Email Marketing

• Funnel Building
  • Set up an email list with automatic discount codes
  • Used MailChimp for easy setup and GDPR compliance

Etsy Shop Optimization

• Complete Shop Profile
  • Filled out every available section (about, FAQs, photos, etc.)
• SEO Strategy
  • Focus on precise keywords relevant to the niche
  • Used eRank to track changes and optimize listings

Post-Sale Practices

• Customer Communication
  • Regular updates throughout the transaction process to humanize the brand
• Review Responses
  • Public responses to reviews lock them in and show responsiveness

Opportunity Seeking

• Licensing and Partnerships
  • Reached out to authors and secured licensing deals
  • Explored partnerships and influencer marketing

Building a Passionate Brand

• Emphasized the importance of niche demand and quality
• Importance of persistence and hard work
• Encouragement to stay motivated and proactive

Conclusion

• Promotion of the Etsy coaching program
  • Testimonials from successful students
  • Emphasis on step-by-step guidance and community support