How to Start an Etsy Shop - Beginners Guide (2025) - Part 1

[@VivienneRussell]

I have been on the Etsy wheel for 15 months now and literally did EVERYTHING wrong for about 10 months! My time-saving tip is to follow everything Shawna teaches, make the investment of purchasing her General Niche Calendar (SOOO worth the small investement!) and join her Learn & Earn membership program. I have spent a lot of money on my business that has resulted in absolutely nothing but these 2 items have been the best set of investments into my business I have made, bar none! She is so transparent and genuine and literally walks you through what she has done to create a very profitable business in record time!

[@shawnalynn2083]

I am so glad the Calendar and Learn & Earn program has been so helpful for you Vivienne! What a wonderful review, thank you so much! And you are such a valuable part of the membership! I LOVE having you in there!

[@VivienneRussell]

@@shawnalynn2083 Thank you for being the best coach EVER! We ALL love you!

[@vantaniapelzer9844]

@viviennerussell @simplyshawna exactly my experience! Thanks for sharing, and I'm all in learning from Shawna!

[@chrismazz75]

I made my very fist organic sale in the beginning of December, and my second one today! I hope this is the start of something wonderful! Sorry, just had to tell someone..

[@shawnalynn2083]

Whoo hoooo! Congrats! That is so exciting! I am so glad we got to be the first to celebrate this with you!!!!!!

[@chrismazz75]

@@shawnalynn2083Thank you for always being so encouraging in your videos.

[@scarlettwinters5642]

That’s wonderful, I’m hoping I’ll be able to say the same this year!

[@carolharrington4745]

This information was a "divine Intervention" for me!! I literally never thought about sacrifice. I'm willing to do it, I just never thought of it. The way you carve out time - asking yourself how you can get more time for your Etsy shop (uber to shoool)! I love the way you think! Keep it coming! So now I force myself off my scrolling addiction to gain more time for my shop. Thank you!!

[@SeekingEdenHomestead]

Thanks Shawna! This video was so packed with good info i had to watch it multiple times! I like the idea of 10-15 at a time after you do the research work. Finally got my first two sales!!

[@mnkygirl13]

I'm on my second watch now 👍🏼

[@shawnalynn2083]

I am so glad this was helpful! This method def helps me move faster! Whooo hoooo! COngrats on those two sales!!!!!!!!

[@dorathyh7762]

Absolutely love everything about this video! I started my shop a month ago and am working on overcoming the overthinking part. Watching your videos has truly given me so much hope.Thank you, Shawna! Also, your makeup style is stunning!

[@shawnalynn2083]

You are going to do amazing things! Thank you so much for sharing your story. And thanks for your comment about tha make up!

[@ambersucces9867]

I've taken your advice Shawna on doubling down on listings that are showing signs of momentum like favorites and sales and it works! I noticed a design was getting alot of favorites but no buys so I changed my pregnancy item trom targeting "bringing in a little sister" to "bringing in a baby girl" and it worked. Its been selling every other day now ❤ Thank you Shawna

[@shawnalynn2083]

Love this Amber! Congrats on identifying a great way to retarget that!

[@ambersucces9867]

@@shawnalynn2083 I also just purchased your niche calendar and its so good! I quickly found out what I need to work on in January and every month following to help grow my sales. Also the Tucker illustrations and tips are the cutest!!!

[@dianaacosta3211]

I loved your video in Spanish but I missed your voice so much Shawna. You are my #1 inspiration with my Etsy shop. I have a full time job, 2 teenagers , a cat single mom and no money for ads . But I already have more than 1000 Listings since I took it seriously in May last year . Now I can see the difference on my Listings and my Designs . I had 11 sales this Q4 all organic, to me that was great because it means that It does work I just have to plan better in advance before every Holiday . Thanks a lot Shawna for everything! Best wishes for everybody in this 2025!

[@shawnalynn2083]

I am so glad you are seeing results and feeling inspired! Thank you for sharing your story with us Diana! Happy New Year! I am wishing you daily sales super duper soon!!!

[@tealeandreason]

Thank you Simply Shawna for your amazing channel! I have been watching consistently for the last six months and picked up so many tips. You are an inspiration!! Question for you - do you deactivate your Christmas listings for a while? Thank you thank you thank you for your content and encouragement!

[@maddicares61]

Shawna, firstly, Happy New Year to you and Tucker and thank you so very much for this video ( in my opinion) it's your "Ultimut" best ever! You are always brilliant, but this resonates with me so much in the way you explain how much you gave up and the hard work you put into your shop. I am in my second year with my Etsy shop and this Christmas was up 100% .Not making much profit yet, and am probably being too " nice" with difficult customers as I want to keep getting 5 star reviews ( 50 now) and Star seller and have 180 sales,but I am working very hard and giving Etsy every single spare second I can, wow it's hard isn't it!! I am hoping to join your teaching program when I can as you (and Tucker) of course,are Fab and just so "real"🥰🐶

[@shawnalynn2083]

Lol! Maddi! Thank you! I am so glad you loved this one! And it really is hard!!! BUT... AND I PROMISE!.... it WILL get easier! I will keep my eyes peeled for you in the community! We sould love to have you:)

[@ChristinaLasota]

Enjoying the information you are sharing! Look forward to watching more videos. Thank you!

[@shawnalynn2083]

I'm so glad you're enjoying it! Make sure to check out part 2 too!

[@saadeterdogan7793]

​@@shawnalynn2083where is the Part 2

[@aschuh682]

OMG this is beyond helpful. Thank you so much, Shawna.

[@shawnalynn2083]

You are so welcome! I am so glad you found it helpful!

[@sonz4205]

Love this video. I have learnt to batch from you and when I don’t do it, I struggle again. Thank you for this. I also gave up watching tv unless it’s playing in the background while I work and I don’t have access to my my personal social media account anymore, I don’t miss it one dot. It’s all about getting somewhere with Etsy, researching, learning and listing. Thank you! Hope you and Tucker have the best 2025! ❤

[@shawnalynn2083]

You got this Sonia! And I don't miss it at all either! I prefer surfing Etsy doing market research to scrolling Facebook anytime!

[@sonz4205]

⁠@@shawnalynn2083same here! My mind has really shifted. I loved that this video reflected that I’m on the right track ❤. Im rewatching it 😅 Thank you X

[@WhyteNight1_1AM]

Thank you! You are appreciated Mrs. Shawna! 🎉A Blessed New Year to you and yours!

[@shawnalynn2083]

You are so welcome and I am wishing you a Blessed New Year as well!

[@mayrag6019]

Thank you so much for the general calendar's video, I will go watch it right away, I'm sure it's going to be so helpful as usual 🤗

[@shawnalynn2083]

You are so welcome Mary!!

[@JenniferAY]

Great Video, Shawna!

[@shawnalynn2083]

I am so glad you liked it Jennifer! Thanks so much!

[@judygayjones8050]

The steps to design, download, find where my mock-ups are, Printify and download back to Etsy. It’s a lot to learn but my biggest problem is I have an apple laptop and it’s completely different from what I was use to. I’m working each day trying to make it all click. Love your videos Shawna.

[@christina9841]

The hardest thing for me is carving out time... I'm only able to carve out an hour and a half each day, and that's with me bringing sleep down to six hours.. :( So that is the hardest part... but the days I don't work,there is more time.... thank you, Shawna..you are such an encouragement as always... ❤

[@shawnalynn2083]

I am soooooo rooting for you Christina! We are all in your corner!

[@VivienneRussell]

Shawna's research/SEO/batch design/batch listing + consistency method is what is working for me with my ability to only spend a few hours a day.

[@guillecarrillo4022]

muchas gracia me gusta Your video is of high value, I am grateful to you. Happy 2025. I wish you good health and life. Thank you for existing. shawna

[@shawnalynn2083]

Thank you so much! I am so glad this was helpful and I wish you a happy and healthy new year as well! Big hugs to you!

[@Helginyc]

Where have you been all this time i try to do it right????? ypu are Amazing!!!!

[@shawnalynn2083]

I am so glad this was helpful!

[@mnkygirl13]

I'm married and work outside the home so I have a casual situationship with Etsy for 1.5 yrs. Not by choice; I want so badly to give it more time but I also want to stay married and my husband hates the time I spend on it😂. But I've learned a lot here and I'm seeing it build slowly.

[@chrismazz75]

@@mnkygirl13 Maybe you can encourage him to have a poker night with the guys so you can dive in to Etsy?

[@shawnalynn2083]

It is a struggle to find the balance, but I’m glad you’re seeing results and that you’re still married! LOL! Family is definitely the priority! You and your husband might really get a kick out of this video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqOXnGpnhpqElbcsi=l1L_l9JDpTjp2c1Z

[@zimeliene]

I don't usually write comments, but I just wanted to say a huge thank you Shawna! 🙏 Just ordered your calendar last year and it is such a great tool, also for my art print niche! I've learned so much from you, and it's been a game-changer for my Etsy shop. Thanks to you, I've been able to really grow my digital prints on Etsy. Now, because I'm so inspired by your POD journey, I'm thinking about starting print on demand and offering my artwork as framed canvas art prints. Do you think I should add these to my current shop, or would you recommend creating a separate shop just for the framed canvas art? 🤔 I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this! 😊 Big hug from Germany!!

[@shawnalynn2083]

Hay there! Thanks so much for connecting and letting me know! That makes my heart so happy!

[@nanam9179]

I'm in stage 1, three months ago.. I don't know what to create, and I'm paralyzed with the analysis. 😢🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@chrismazz75]

Same. I struggle so much with it. I get so overwhelmed with the unending sea of possibilities, but when I just dive in and pick one, I don’t feel like it looks good.

[@kristinastichter8531]

Same. I started three months ago and each time I make a design, it seems to take forever.

[@shawnalynn2083]

I am putting this as a topic for a future video! Keep an eye open! But in the mean time! Do you have a resource to help guide you on what to design for? If not... I will give you three to choose from right now and you can make this one you work on all year! Bride Shirt (for a newly engaged bride), Birthday shirt (choose one angle to start - maybe 4oth birthday), or Pregnancy (for that newly pregnant mama). Hope this helps!

[@nanam9179]

@shawnalynn2083 Thank you 🥰🥰🙏

[@chrismazz75]

@@shawnalynn2083 I don't know about others, but for me, who to design for isn't so much the problem. I think it would help me to make a checklist, to-do list, to help keep me focused and on track.

[@stacyosborn4537]

Maybe if you’re making money….simply listed with Cassiy Johnson for mock ups and SKU’s I would assume Shawna knows about it knowing her and through coaching and interviews. Let us know if you’re using it Shawna. And ty for the advice!!

[@shawnalynn2083]

Hey there! Yes! I think this is great and after I completed the video I realized I should have mentioned it!! I haven't played with it too much just yet because I haven't had time to change up my process but thanks for mentioning this because it could be a huge time saver!

[@jdentartist]

Thank you, as always, for a very informative content! I have a question, though. If I were to make 10 to 15 designs under one niche, do they have to have completely different seo titles and tags, or can I use same seo for two or 3 different designs? Tysm in advance!

[@shawnalynn2083]

You are so welcome! I am glad you enjoyed this one! Have a relisten starting at right around 10:58 and but in a nutshell I pretty much use the same block and might just swapp out a few words to target certain aesthetics in my designs! Keep an eye out and in the next video where I move through this process for you I will go into this a little more deeply! I hope this helps!

[@jdentartist]

Thank you so much for your response! But I notice when I use almost the same SEO block with the other listings, I don’t get much views anymore. I wonder what I did wrong? Same thing goes when I double down. But thank you so much for you videos. I’ve been binge watching and been learning so much! Keep them coming ❤

[@cascadehiker50]

I was wondering where your ring is?

[@sharonalicea7998]

Shawna! I’m simply freaking afraid of opening the shop and frustrated die to all the bad rep. Help!

[@shawnalynn2083]

You got this Sharon! You won't know unless you try! When I started I figured the biggest gamble I was taking was with my time because it really didn't take much money to get going! Boy am I glad I rolled that dice!

[@scarlettwinters5642]

Can we have different things in our shop or are we supposed to stay within one niche?

[@shawnalynn2083]

I consistently add to a couple of niches in my shop and try out new ones from time to time. You might find this video helpful! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKuQZYSBlrd4oqssi=cfLiT4wGxOb-CvAO

[@SusanDettmer]

Can I use my iPhone or do I need to invest in an iPad or computer?

[@Ls.Script]

Hello Simply Shawn! I would LOVE to join your community learn and earn. I believe that is exactly what I need as I decided to go SERIOUS Full-Time in opening up my POD business. I clicked the link and Im getting an error. Please send me a way to join the community! Thank you!

[@shawnalynn2083]

Hey there! Thanks for letting me know! I will have to check that link! And we would LOVE to have you! Sending a link your way! www.skool.com/learn-and-earn-academy-2334

[@SusanDettmer]

I keep watching many getting away from Etsy due to fees and rules?

[@shawnalynn2083]

Hey there! I personally don't think the fees are that bad and the alternative is to start your own Shopify shop which you have to run marketing to... it has it's whole own set of fees and rules too! Another great option but a lot more complicated to start (in. my opinion anyway.). Hope the helps!

[@SusanDettmer]

How do newbies pick a coach / mentor if they have no clue how to even work a cricket, know nothing about starting things?

[@shawnalynn2083]

Hey there Susan! I would start by just taking a month to listen to content everyday and really just get an understanding of what it is and how it works. I do POD which is print on demand. I don't use a cricket. The POD company prints and ships everything for me.

[@SusanDettmer]

@ thank you!

[@chrismazz75]

Level 1.4 here.. is there a Facebook group where we can encourage each other? I would really love my own “no friend left behind” small group of people.

[@shawnalynn2083]

Hey there! That is a great idea! We will have to kick the idea of starting one around!

[@SusanDettmer]

Can I use my iPhone or do I need to invest in an iPad or computer?