REALISTIC advice for someone who wants to start an Etsy shop

Here's my honest advice for anyone wanting to start an Etsy shop for their handmade business right now.
It's not all pretty and you might not want to hear some of it, but after selling on the platform for more than 17 years, this would be my advice to you if you're looking to get started on the platform.
PATREON COMMUNITY 🎥
For handmade sellers who want to use KZbin to grow their business
/ kimbliss
CRAFTING CONNECTIONS CLASS 📒
Find the ideal customers for your handmade business
kimbliss.thinkific.com
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL 💚
For bonus vlogs and occasional content
/ @kimbliss

[@mishti06]

Fantastic advice! I've been a handmade seller on etsy for a very long time...but due to the recent bots im finally just thinking of selling directly via social media. One thing that really erks me as a seller is that when you sell on a platform like this, buyers will usually always tell ppl that they 'bought it on etsy' NOT.."I got it from (shop name/artist)". As an artist, I want recognition for my brand. You won't get that on etsy.

[@KimBliss]

Yeah this has always been a challenge on Etsy for sure. 💚

[@saraweberart3914]

I am in the same boat!

[@CreativeStitchingwithAnn]

Best advice I've heard online is, "forget the BS and focus on your goals and what works best for you". Awesome!!

[@sharonhill349]

I have been on Etsy 4 years doing handmade cards 100% handmade lol I’m not very computer literate, I’m now on 3,200 sales, the average is 5 sales per day at the moment, I’m never going to be a millionaire but love making the cards coming up with new designs, my new baby cards are my niche and even have a couple of bestsellers 😊 it’s very satisfying to hear that ca ching still gives me a buzz 😊 like you say it does take time to build up your shop and find what customers want, build up your ratings so customers can trust you, a it’s hard but rewarding to know someone out there actually likes your work enough to buy it ☺️good video Kim, thank you ❤

[@awlthatwoodcrafts8911]

While it is easy to say that Etsy is "saturated", it is not as simple as that. Saturation, I believe, is more niche-centric. I don't believe that my niche (bird feeders) is saturated at all. Yes, there are a lot of feeders out there when you do a search, but I don't think it is a tough nut to crack. Not like if one decided to open a shop selling earrings, for example. If I were to advise someone wanting to sell on Etsy, I would have one word: passion. Whatever it is you're trying to do/make/sell/yada, you better have a passion for it. It's that passion that gets you through those bad days and keeps you going.

[@paula.mcguinness6075]

Bird Feeders are Not saturated? With 1000's of listings and now, products from TEMU are beginning to be spotted on a regular basis, I would disagree. I do make a few but have yet to sell many that make them worthwhile at this point. If you can than that is inspiring!

[@ptarlow7708]

I so appreciate your honesty. I’ve been on Etsy since 2010. I won’t get rich with my shop but I stick with it because there are times in between the frustration, it can be very rewarding. Yes, change is always happening, so you have to try to keep adapting.

[@KimBliss]

I completely agree. It can be very rewarding, providing you have realistic expectations around what you can expect from the platform. Which is a roller coaster these days eh! 😄

[@reannarudey4]

Hi Kim, I have been working on an Etsy jewelry shop since November of last year. I have made 2 sales but I am still pushing forward with the shop since I love making jewelry. I love watching your videos while I am working on stuff. They are straight forward and I love your honesty.

[@KimBliss]

Thank you so much for watching, it's appreciated. And 2 sales during this time of economic stupidness is a good start! Please don't give up, we need more handmade sellers on the platform who are passionate about what they do. 💚

[@reannarudey4]

@@KimBliss I have been laid off for a few months. I start a new job the end of the month and want to take your KZbin class once I start working again. I think a KZbin channel would help my business if done right.

[@belindaroadley]

Gurus have a lot to answer for regarding setting up false expectations. You're a lot kinder to them than I am, 😅 I believe that the vast majority know they're peddling bull💩 hopes and dreams, but they know it gets views. I have an artist friend who wanted to sell their painted artworks as digital downloads on Etsy. They thought, WOOHOO, passive income! Once I explained to them the work involved in gaining traction, they immediately quit. Like... for starters, passive income as a phrase is misleading anyway, coz you're really just doing the work up front for later gains. It's not like you can just fling a turd onto etsy and do nothing and suddenly you're a bazillionaire. Secondly, you have to keep doing the work! Like you rightly said, things change. And even if you're not trend-hopping, you still gotta make things people want to buy right now. Oh dear, I'm wall-of-texting your comment section, I'll shut up now. 😂 Thanks for the video Kim!

[@KimBliss]

Haha! "Wall of texting", love it. 😄

[@mestayno]

some real talk never hurts

[@kitnkatshopcanda890]

Thank you. Thank you so much. Even though we have finally made the transition from our direct shop being the main "breadwinner" from Etsy - we STILL have our Etsy shop. I also follow Etsy Seller boards, etc. I get so tired of the posts of folks wondering WHY they aren't making 6 figures selling stickers with "purchased digital art", etc. Or folks trying to tell them they just haven't gotten the most effective SEO (ours stinks, but we still manage to make sales?!?!) or they need to give Etsy even more money for ads when Etsy doesn't have the traffic to support it. I keep thinking of the phrase "a fool and his money are soon parted".

[@KimBliss]

You're welcome and glad you enjoyed the video. There's just so much rubbish out there. Some of it is down right unethical and can lead people to get into debt. It just grinds my gears. 🙁

[@falcieridesigns]

I much prefer channels that are honest about the struggle, the good and the bad. Channels that are always telling me how amazing everything is, just make me feel worse about myself. Knowing that the struggles I face are the same as people similar to me, is what keeps me focused and moving forward.

[@alexisedwards1111]

Thank you for the honest advice- it was extremely helpful

[@gillianmcmurray]

Thanks Kim. The ability to adapt and change - the best advice ever for selling on Etsy 😁

[@KimBliss]

I just wish we didn't have to adapt and change *quite* so much! 🤪

[@Erdnussbuttertoast]

something that i've noticed, usually from crochet artists, is that the way they scale their business is by moving to digital with patterns and that that is the natural progression of every crochet artist. In reality, handmade businesses are hardly scalable when you're staying ACTUALLY handmade, and with their chosen niche (usually plushies), there isn't much in way of improving/ displaying your skill enough to justify a higher price.

[@KimBliss]

Agreed. This is why I recommend diversifying products within the scope a niche. But then this is true in any business, not just handmade.

[@evanurulfianty7444]

her eyes really match with her sweater...so gorgous...

[@janneoksanen4162]

Great video again! My Etsy store got suspended last week, over something I have little clue about but I have a hunch it was because I logged into my account from different computer in different town, just to switch my store's Vacation mode off. I submitted an appeal, but got a more or less automated denial rather quickly. Still not explaining WHY my store got suspended. This is the kind of wanton gangsterism Etsy does, not to mention their technical support is downright hostile. I was quite bummed by this for the first couple of days, but now it's starting to feel oddly liberated. Mostly thanks to your videos, I had already started preparing for things to go awry with Etsy, and building a website/Online store of my own (as it was already built-in to my web hosting service). I was hoping the two to co-exist for a while, but now I'm not missing the pressure from Etsy anymore, and I can focus on actual products and more exclusive, but more committed customer base.

[@ameliajones4216]

I loved this. Thank you!

[@stevenfoulger6066]

The frustrating thing about trying to drive traffic via social media is that nobody likes or shares anything anymore. I've had people contact me about something I made that they saw on my page, but THEY DIDN'T EVEN BOTHER TO LIKE THE POST! Incredibly frustrating!

[@sueburton6920]

Thanks for the honest advice I'm currently sat on this decision your timing was spot on

[@KimBliss]

You're welcome, Sue. I hope it was helpful. 💚

[@quartierkrambylorana]

Lovely Video. I'm on etsy since 2020 and by no mean I get a lot from it :) It's a hobby and I love to make videos about how I create my products (also really solid handmade products... if you know you know.). Do I dream to earn more money with it? Yes. Is it possible? Hmm maybe with a good marketing strategy, but then the aspects of a hobby gets lost. So yeah, I think I stick with my 2 orders per week and just be happy about it.

[@renecasteel]

Finally, an honest video. Thank you.

[@HeleneBlonsky]

Been thinking about this for a while….. and this, I believe, is the deciding factor -> if I have to drive my own traffic so much I may as well open up my own web shop.

[@HeleneBlonsky]

I must add that your videos are so refreshingly real and I love your sense of humour 😊

[@KimBliss]

Agreed. If you have the budget for your own website, then I 100% recommend it. 👍

[@Cuterate]

You are so true ! thank you for sharing for newbies ❤

[@AmanahLyfeGifts]

I love listening you your videos while I clean my house. Just opened my Etsy shop and my own shopify store. As I get orders on Etsy, I make content with it and send traffic to my shop through Pinterest and IG. That’s my strategy. I’m definitely not relying on Etsy and hope to leave it soon. Hoping to start a KZbin channel too and make content and community that I can send to my website.

[@KimBliss]

Hey nice one! You won't regret the community building. Finding people that just get it and enjoy your work will really help carry you through on the toughest days. 😁👍

[@livingisawesome1403]

Again, regardless of handmade or not, there may be a gap in the market but no market in the gap. Hand made sellers still need to do product research and see if their product is in demand. Then they can supply. Etsy will not leave money on the table, if your item is in demand / fills a need, Etsy will push it.

[@KimBliss]

The same can be said for all those sellers that jump on trends and bestsellers until supply outstrips supply. This is what a lot of people who focus on product research often tend to forget.

[@livingisawesome1403]

@@KimBliss A shop that focuses on trends won't survive... given that trends change. A good range of in-demand products, brand, social proof wins in the long run.

[@KimBliss]

True. No one is suggesting that a shop only focuses on trends though?

[@livingisawesome1403]

I would like a video on how you do your market research.

[@kimmiekimkimmie]

So if I have to drive my own traffic I may as well use other platforms.

[@livingwellwithmandy]

Recently had my shop closed for no reason! Impossible to get ahold of anyone. It’s terrible

[@KimBliss]

I do wish they would be clearer with people about the exact reason for closing a shop. I suspect they don't want to incase it opens them up to legal challenges though. Which speaks volumes.

[@barrybark3995]

been selling on Etsy 4 yrs and not had any problems . Sure its competetive but that makes me try harder. From what ive learned/read in the past it was an easier ride.

[@KimBliss]

No it most definitely wasn't easier. Different for sure, but there have always been challenges. Stick around for another 4 years. You'll see. 😊

[@TiffanyM3]

Perfect timing, Kim! I have a dormant Etsy shop, but have been planning to open a 2nd shop since last year. I held off to see where Etsy was going with all its "growing pains," and finally decided to open my new shop a few days ago... until Etsy hit me with a $29!! setup fee (I'm in the US). I'm currently deciding if it's worth the cost or if I want to simply rebrand my current shop.

[@KimBliss]

Yes I saw this! I thought Etsy was charging £15 (or dollars, I forget which) to open a new store. Then I helped a friend open one over the weekend and she was charged £22! I don't remember seeing a notification about that fee increase. Very sneaky on Etsy's part.

[@lindaelliott3550]

Think it is $15 plus whatever state tax - depends where you live.

[@KimBliss]

This was feom Etsy when we created the store: "*$28 USD (excluding tax), converted to your local currency."

[@lindaelliott3550]

@@KimBliss think it’s the conversion rate that bumped it up. You can’t do anything these days without add ons !!!

[@TiffanyM3]

​@@lindaelliott3550 No, it's actually $29 USD...I can confirm as I live in the US. That's what we're chatting about... Etsy have upped the set up fee, but haven't yet advertised this. 🫤

[@runaroundsueaccessibletrav6357]

yep. I had to work away for a week at my other job so had to put the shop on vacation mode.. I knew the algorithm was going to hate me for it so I launched a 25% off sale for the 4 days before I could post out in the desperate hope that ETSY would love a good sale and this would reawaken the shop... well this little experiment failed.... miserably. Yes I made one sale but only because I directed the purchaser to etsy so she could take advantage of the Sale. Which she did... This didn't work I had 2 view yesterday. 2, before I closed the shop it was about 30..... while away I continued marketing and pushing people to the shop so that wasn't the problem. So I made a sale gave away 25% of my income from the item and my shop is dead in the water...... yes folks are telling me to hang on in there it will pick back up but its been 5 days since I reopened and I was only shut for 6 days..... I am in this for the long haul but it is so grrrrrrrrr.

[@KimBliss]

Oh wow, I'm so sorry to hear that. And just for being away for a week?? Ridiculous.

[@mrssmith1845]

That's happened to me before, it did pick back up eventually, now Idint put it in vacation mode, I just change my posting times to cover my holiday. Good luck 🤞

[@runaroundsueaccessibletrav6357]

@@mrssmith1845 this Mrs Smith, thanks you Mrs Smith. I think next time I am going to list my greetings cards, print them all off do the same with the top selling windspinners and put the stock levels of everything else to zero and then leave my friends inncharge of posting for me while Im in America, that way theres nothing needing to be made when the order comes in which is how I normally work. I am glad yours picked back up.

[@slimplynth]

I had £327 revenue from Etsy in 2023.. £250 profit... I wasn't really doing it properly til October I'd say.. which is when sales really started to be regular... I'm currently at £255 for the year so 🤞 I'll beat 2023 😁 I know I could make more by doing overtime but it's not the point.. if I was doing it for money I would definitely have given up by now.. at the weekend I designed/modeled 2 more pieces of Victorian dolls house furniture 😂 I do really feel relaxed and enjoy the designing.. it's the listings, photos and customer interactions I find stressful

[@KimBliss]

Omg yes. Taking photos and creating listings can actually stop me from adding new things. I hate it so much too. 😄

[@slimplynth]

@@KimBliss if I'm honest I'm only designing the dolls house furniture to justify buying another 3D printer 😁 was always going to buy a resin printer but at least this way it will also force me into selling items into the USA.. I know that may sound crazy but it's something else avoided.. international sales.. for no good reason 🤞

[@hopkins247]

Your gremlin description… Hit a little too close to home😂

[@KimBliss]

It's the business admin aesthetic. 💅

[@theiarocksweddingstationery]

Can I ask - has your shop been shut down by Etsy and you had to get it back opened - if so can you do a you tube about it?

[@KimBliss]

No I've never had my shop shut down by Etsy.

[@alanthiercelin5218]

I just have subscribed to etsy ads for1 month 1$ a day. I will let you know if it worth it or not.

[@emiliaholmberg3320]

With all the issues Etsy seems to face, I think that some other plattform is gonna take it's place in the near future as no1. Since genuine craftsmen are litterally pushed away from the plattform by dropshippers.

[@KimBliss]

I wish they would hurry up, I miss having a platform that genuinely celebrates handmade!

[@LMPeas]

How did we get through a video like this without the "P" word 😂 x

[@KimBliss]

I traumatised myself with it and can no longer say the word without crying. 😄

[@LMPeas]

@@KimBliss 😆

[@Lauratrenzas673]

Hola guapa que cambiarias en la vida

[@alanthiercelin5218]

A lot of people favorit my shop. A lot of people put my items in their carts (sometimes 3 people). But nobody buys . I just shipped 1 item from canada to UK. They charged taxes on it. What do you think they are going to do with those taxes ?

[@KimBliss]

By law they have to collect those taxes and then remit them to the UK Government. It's one of the joys of living in the UK. That and our glorious weather. 😁🌧☔️

[@karenl8837]

If someone ships something to Canada over a certain value, you will pay taxes too, there’s nothing nefarious about it. Some countries ( eg, UK, EU, Canada) have quite low tax/duty thresholds.

[@JohnLee-mk1tj]

💯👏😁