5 Steps for Scaling a NEW Etsy Shop in 2024

Summary

In this video, Mandy shares her successful five-step strategy for growing a print-on-demand Etsy shop. She began an experiment in February 2024 and by June, nearly reached 200 sales. Mandy emphasizes the importance of research to identify market demand, creating batches of designs, and refining listings based on data. She advises new sellers to start with focused efforts, use Etsy ads strategically, and continually iterate based on performance. Mandy highlights that success requires consistent effort, research, and adaptation, and offers resources for those seeking further guidance on their print-on-demand journey.

Takeaways

• 🛍️ Etsy Print on Demand Growth: Mandy's new Etsy shop is close to 200 sales in just over three months, using the same strategy that helped her main shop surpass $220K in revenue in two years.
• 🔍 Importance of Research: The first step is identifying demand by researching broad categories and understanding market trends, not just focusing on niche keywords.
• 🎨 Hobby vs. Business: Treating Etsy as a business, not a hobby, is crucial. Designing based on market demand, not personal preference, leads to higher sales.
• 📈 Batching Process: Mandy recommends working in batches, creating 15-20 designs per niche, to gather enough data and drive traffic effectively.
• 🛒 Niche Infiltration: Focus on infiltrating a niche by creating multiple listings within that niche to increase visibility and sales potential.
• 🧐 Iteration and Expansion: Continuously build out your shop by adding new sections and themes, maintaining cohesion while testing different concepts.
• 📊 Investigate and Adjust: Regularly assess your shop's performance using Etsy stats and ads data to make informed decisions and refine your strategy.
• 📈 Strategic Use of Etsy Ads: Use Etsy ads to gather data, boost visibility, and create early sales momentum, despite initial costs.
• 🔄 Repeating the Cycle: Constantly repeat the cycle of identifying demand, infiltrating niches, iterating designs, investigating performance, and intensifying efforts based on data.
• 💡 New Shop Insights: Mandy's new shop success is built on years of experience, emphasizing that beginners should focus on learning and practicing design and market research skills.

Q & A

What was the purpose of Mandy's experiment with the new Etsy shop?

The purpose was to see how long it would take to get a brand new Etsy shop up to 100 sales using the same strategy she used for her other print on demand shops.

How many sales did Mandy's new Etsy shop achieve by the first week of June?

The new Etsy shop was just a couple of sales away from 200.

What is the first step in Mandy's five-step process for succeeding on Etsy?

The first step is 'Identify', which involves researching to understand where there's demand in the marketplace.

Why is research important in Mandy's strategy?

Research is crucial because it helps identify demand in the marketplace, differentiating between designing as a hobby and building a business.

What does Mandy mean by 'batching' in her strategy?

Batching refers to working in sprints to create a significant number of listings at once, allowing for efficient testing and validation of designs and niches.

What is the 'infiltrate' step in Mandy's process?

The 'infiltrate' step involves creating enough listings to gather data and drive traffic to the shop by strategically testing different designs within a niche.

How does Mandy use Etsy ads in her strategy?

Mandy uses Etsy ads strategically to get more data and create early momentum for new shops, boosting visibility, favorites, and sales.

What tool does Mandy use for advanced data analysis?

Mandy uses Profit Tree, a tool created by an Etsy seller for Etsy sellers, to analyze profitability and identify top-selling and most profitable products.

What is the final step in Mandy's five-step process?

The final step is 'Intensify', which involves doubling down on designs and niches that are performing well based on the data collected.

What advice does Mandy give to new sellers regarding setting expectations?

Mandy advises new sellers not to set their day one bar at the height of a day 730 seller, as skill levels and expertise improve over time with practice and learning.