🎓 Enrollment for my complete Etsy Training Program, the Handmade Alpha Academy Winter Class of 2022, begins December 1st. Get on the waiting list for a private invitation and our community member discount when doors open: bit.ly/HAAWaitingList
Also, a relatively low cost and low effort product people could add is digital download products. I sell exclusively digital download patterns for embroidery in my Etsy shop and this Black Friday was my best season yet. Inevitably though, I've also gotten a couple of people who didn't pay any attention and thought they were getting a physical product, even though my 1st image says "digital download," the last two of my listing images also disclaim it's a digital product, and the listing title and the description all say "digital product" in various ways. To make taking care of help requests easier, I've added a "how to download your digital pattern" tutorial instructions to my swipe files.
these are some great ideas! I loved Canva ever since I saw your video and I didnt even know about the affiliate program. And the Social Media Marketing! LOVE IT!
Glad it was helpful! I was approved really fast for their affiliate program but have never gotten around to actually promoting my link. 😅 It was super easy to set up though!
Aww, thanks Aaron!!! I cover super short videos every Tuesday and longer interactive live streams where you can ask questions every Friday! Welcome aboard! 🐺
Awesome video! What is your suggestion for someone who knows what products they want to create designs for (apparel, drinkware, & wall art), but doesn't have a specific niche to create the designs for? I'm having difficulties choosing one niche. I have many ideas for different designs, but they're not specific to one particular niche. 😔
I'd recommend thinking about the type of person you most want to help. For example, if you create "cat" themed products, you might check the general demographics for cat owners. If you found that a majority of cat owners are woman, ages 50-60 (totally making these numbers up for the sake of example) but you don't particularly want to cater your entire brand to women who are ages 50-60, maybe selling products themed around a different demographic would be better for your longevity. In this case, we'll say that most dog owners are men, ages 30-40, and maybe that is a demographic you'd prefer to work with. This can be applied to aaany niche, so focus on the types of people YOU want to work with. The cool thing about defining your niche is that you get to choose your audience. Maybe it's cool dads, or crazy cat ladies, or teens who love retro fashion. Maybe its hipsters, or teachers, or doctors. The list goes on. You just need to decide who you want to work with and who you will enjoy creating marketing for.
@Starla Moore Thank you. I do have an interest in a direction for product creation (if it is really considered a viable one). It's mainly creating products around motivational/inspirational quotes/sayings (with a few affirmations sprinkled in). Not sure if there is a market for that or not, or how I would go about targeting an audience for it (it may not be as big as the pet niche). One thing I would like to do is create social media channels around a particular niche and post content on the subject. And of course, plug some of my products in here and there. I finally took the steps to set up an Etsy shop, now I just need to learn the bells and whistles of how things work and where things go. I went out and bought some popcorn so I could Starla Moore and chill. 😊 I'm going to start binge-watching your videos to get some more nuggets of info. I've learned a lot so far. Thanks for posting the content.
I recently started my Etsy shop where I decided to sell DIY painty party traceables/templates bundles with commercial use license. My question to you is would adding POD art from those templates that I've painted okay or is it better that I stay to the ONE niche of paint party traceable for those who want to start a paint party business but don't have any drawing experience and those who already have a paint party business and looking for quality art traceables to help save them time so they focus more on the paint party side of their business? I appreciate your feedback!
There's really no wrong answer to this, so I'd say try it out for a while and see if it inspires interest with your customers! If I was hosting a paint party, I'd love to have a really nice example to display of what the finished piece should look like!
That depends on how you're checking. Typically it can take Etsy 60 to 90 days to collect enough data about your listing and how shoppers interact with it in order to generate a listing quality score. I have a great free workshop that can help explain this process. 🙂 handmadealphaacademy.lpages.co/the-science-of-etsy-success-workshop/
How much did you pay for your ISBN? If you are going to sweat thru the writing of a book, I encourage you to buy the ISBN immediately. I wrote two cookbooks and self published on Lulu. (Amazon didn't do ebooks then) Someone stole both books within a year. I can't even access them. They still sell, but I get nothing.
If you publish of KDP Amazon, they do offer free ISBNs or you can purchase your own...I think they charge $10 for one. You have to research it; it's been awhile since I checked. Sorry to hear about your books! If you have a copyright of your book you have legal rights or if you can prove you are the original author, you ought to be able to sue them and get back royalities! Unfortunately, this option may not be worth it because it can be very expensive! This is so unfair and just plain wicked! I can't stand people who steal other people's hard work and make money from it while the artist/creatives suffer and struggle to make money from their artistic endeavors!
I purchased 10 ISBNs at a discount from Bowker for $295 last year so I'd have the extras when I needed them. I have used 2 so far (one paperback and one for hardback). So I already have a bunch ready to go for the remainder of my series. 🙂
I'd recommend reaching out to my editor Michelle at Four Eyed Books. She's in the Alpha group under "Michelle Badger". She is my publishing coach. She may be able to help you out.
@@StarlaMoore I am looking at books written nearly twenty years ago (where has the time gone?!). I was offered the chance to buy the ISBNs back then for about $250 each and didn't do it, figuring I was selling thru Lulu as e-books, and not thru bookstores, so I didn't need them.... The statute of limitations may have run out already. My consolation is that the thieves didn't make much $ either.
You actually set your own margins! Redbubble will automatically enter in their costs related to the product and allow you to determine your profit margin by adding a markup to the product. 🙂
Great video Starla! I’ve a quick question. Is it absolutely necessary to put your real name in first and last name while opening an Etsy store? I have a full time job and don’t want my colleagues to know that I am selling on Etsy. So I am wondering if I can use a pen name instead? Or for example if my store name is “XYZZ gifts” then can I put XYZZ in first name and Gifts as last name while opening my Etsy seller account?
Unfortunately for tax purposes, I believe you have to use your actual name by law. But I also think you can hide your name, or utilize your shop name as your Etsy profile. When filling out your registration though, you'll need to use your real name, as you are creating a business.
@@StarlaMoore thanks Starla! The Etsy website says you can’t change your username once you have created it and that your username is public information so May I know which username is Etsy talking about in this case that can never be changed?As in is it the store name they are talking about Or are they saying the first name and last name can’t be changed once created when opening the Etsy seller account?
🎓 Enrollment for my complete Etsy Training Program, the Handmade Alpha Academy Winter Class of 2022, begins December 1st. Get on the waiting list for a private invitation and our community member discount when doors open: bit.ly/HAAWaitingList
Also, a relatively low cost and low effort product people could add is digital download products. I sell exclusively digital download patterns for embroidery in my Etsy shop and this Black Friday was my best season yet.
Inevitably though, I've also gotten a couple of people who didn't pay any attention and thought they were getting a physical product, even though my 1st image says "digital download," the last two of my listing images also disclaim it's a digital product, and the listing title and the description all say "digital product" in various ways. To make taking care of help requests easier, I've added a "how to download your digital pattern" tutorial instructions to my swipe files.
Very helpful info, thank you
I love your sweater!
these are some great ideas! I loved Canva ever since I saw your video and I didnt even know about the affiliate program. And the Social Media Marketing! LOVE IT!
Glad it was helpful! I was approved really fast for their affiliate program but have never gotten around to actually promoting my link. 😅 It was super easy to set up though!
Seriously great video.
Awww, thanks so much!!! 😍
I like quick and easy stuff lol ok you give great advice and deserve my follow great videos.
Aww, thanks Aaron!!! I cover super short videos every Tuesday and longer interactive live streams where you can ask questions every Friday! Welcome aboard! 🐺
Thanks for the great tips!
Glad it was helpful! 💛
Awesome video! What is your suggestion for someone who knows what products they want to create designs for (apparel, drinkware, & wall art), but doesn't have a specific niche to create the designs for? I'm having difficulties choosing one niche. I have many ideas for different designs, but they're not specific to one particular niche. 😔
I'd recommend thinking about the type of person you most want to help. For example, if you create "cat" themed products, you might check the general demographics for cat owners. If you found that a majority of cat owners are woman, ages 50-60 (totally making these numbers up for the sake of example) but you don't particularly want to cater your entire brand to women who are ages 50-60, maybe selling products themed around a different demographic would be better for your longevity. In this case, we'll say that most dog owners are men, ages 30-40, and maybe that is a demographic you'd prefer to work with.
This can be applied to aaany niche, so focus on the types of people YOU want to work with. The cool thing about defining your niche is that you get to choose your audience. Maybe it's cool dads, or crazy cat ladies, or teens who love retro fashion. Maybe its hipsters, or teachers, or doctors. The list goes on. You just need to decide who you want to work with and who you will enjoy creating marketing for.
@Starla Moore Thank you. I do have an interest in a direction for product creation (if it is really considered a viable one). It's mainly creating products around motivational/inspirational quotes/sayings (with a few affirmations sprinkled in). Not sure if there is a market for that or not, or how I would go about targeting an audience for it (it may not be as big as the pet niche). One thing I would like to do is create social media channels around a particular niche and post content on the subject. And of course, plug some of my products in here and there.
I finally took the steps to set up an Etsy shop, now I just need to learn the bells and whistles of how things work and where things go. I went out and bought some popcorn so I could Starla Moore and chill. 😊 I'm going to start binge-watching your videos to get some more nuggets of info. I've learned a lot so far. Thanks for posting the content.
Girl I’m so ready to start
Only 2 days!!!! 💛💛💛
I recently started my Etsy shop where I decided to sell DIY painty party traceables/templates bundles with commercial use license. My question to you is would adding POD art from those templates that I've painted okay or is it better that I stay to the ONE niche of paint party traceable for those who want to start a paint party business but don't have any drawing experience and those who already have a paint party business and looking for quality art traceables to help save them time so they focus more on the paint party side of their business? I appreciate your feedback!
There's really no wrong answer to this, so I'd say try it out for a while and see if it inspires interest with your customers! If I was hosting a paint party, I'd love to have a really nice example to display of what the finished piece should look like!
How many days should I wait after listing to check if SEO is doing good or not ?
That depends on how you're checking. Typically it can take Etsy 60 to 90 days to collect enough data about your listing and how shoppers interact with it in order to generate a listing quality score. I have a great free workshop that can help explain this process. 🙂
handmadealphaacademy.lpages.co/the-science-of-etsy-success-workshop/
How much did you pay for your ISBN?
If you are going to sweat thru the writing of a book, I encourage you to buy the ISBN immediately. I wrote two cookbooks and self published on Lulu. (Amazon didn't do ebooks then) Someone stole both books within a year. I can't even access them. They still sell, but I get nothing.
If you publish of KDP Amazon, they do offer free ISBNs or you can purchase your own...I think they charge $10 for one. You have to research it; it's been awhile since I checked. Sorry to hear about your books! If you have a copyright of your book you have legal rights or if you can prove you are the original author, you ought to be able to sue them and get back royalities! Unfortunately, this option may not be worth it because it can be very expensive! This is so unfair and just plain wicked! I can't stand people who steal other people's hard work and make money from it while the artist/creatives suffer and struggle to make money from their artistic endeavors!
I purchased 10 ISBNs at a discount from Bowker for $295 last year so I'd have the extras when I needed them. I have used 2 so far (one paperback and one for hardback). So I already have a bunch ready to go for the remainder of my series. 🙂
I'd recommend reaching out to my editor Michelle at Four Eyed Books. She's in the Alpha group under "Michelle Badger". She is my publishing coach. She may be able to help you out.
@@StarlaMoore I am looking at books written nearly twenty years ago (where has the time gone?!).
I was offered the chance to buy the ISBNs back then for about $250 each and didn't do it, figuring I was selling thru Lulu as e-books, and not thru bookstores, so I didn't need them.... The statute of limitations may have run out already. My consolation is that the thieves didn't make much $ either.
Starla I just watched this revenue streams vid. Red Bubble looks like a no brainer! Can you tell me what their % of your sales is?
You actually set your own margins! Redbubble will automatically enter in their costs related to the product and allow you to determine your profit margin by adding a markup to the product. 🙂
Great video Starla! I’ve a quick question. Is it absolutely necessary to put your real name in first and last name while opening an Etsy store? I have a full time job and don’t want my colleagues to know that I am selling on Etsy. So I am wondering if I can use a pen name instead? Or for example if my store name is “XYZZ gifts” then can I put XYZZ in first name and Gifts as last name while opening my Etsy seller account?
Unfortunately for tax purposes, I believe you have to use your actual name by law. But I also think you can hide your name, or utilize your shop name as your Etsy profile. When filling out your registration though, you'll need to use your real name, as you are creating a business.
@@StarlaMoore thanks Starla! The Etsy website says you can’t change your username once you have created it and that your username is public information so May I know which username is Etsy talking about in this case that can never be changed?As in is it the store name they are talking about Or are they saying the first name and last name can’t be changed once created when opening the Etsy seller account?