Stop following THIS Etsy advice

[@sbryant6797]

Thank you so much for this Mandy. Started my Etsy shop in July, have 40 sales and I try to continually learn (watching KZbin) while designing and uploading. Which means I surround myself with Etsy gurus all telling me different things. I had to stop listening because it was stressing me out. I was learning I wasn’t doing enough or I was doing it wrong, my designs must suck because I don’t have sales, my seo is all wrong, my tags aren’t right, my description is too long/too short, I haven’t set up my emails right, I need to post on Instagram 4x a day, my banner could drive sales if I did it right, and my mock-ups need to be different. I don’t mind suggestions and I love learning, but I needed to focus on one thing at a time. You are the only guru I am listening to now because my hair is not on fire after I watch one of your YT videos. Thank you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

[@studiomdesignsco]

I hear ya, the content out there can be exhausting 😅 Thank you for being here, I’m grateful for you! 💜

[@fewsproducts]

I feel exactly that way! Too much information out here. You get confused on what to do. Thank you so much for the video! This is gold!🙏💕

[@GraphixChic]

LOVE the title SEO guidance! The keyword stuffing (as you put it) is just too redundant. I've started focusing on longtail titles, but I will go back through to make some improvements where needed. And as a graphic designer, I am 100% on board with quality designs over quantity. I have no interest in wasting time and money trying to pump out a ton of useless products. Lastly... THANK YOU for not trying to get me signed up on every platform known to man. It's overwhelming and far too aggressive from certain POD people just trying to make a buck off us newbies.

[@Bekind95]

I had to giggle when I read what you said, "THANK YOU for not trying to get me signed up on every platform known to man". I feel the same way. Mandy gives so much more than she asks for. There is usually a "guru" training in a KZbinr's video followed by a pitch to sign up to the platform, then another training a few minutes further into the video with another sign up to the platform pitch, and sometimes there are 4 or 5 pitches in a 10 to 15 minute video lol. I have learned to fast forward over these as I can tell what is coming. I will say that I don't mind one pitch per video as long as they use the platform they are pushing themselves, because they have to make money or there is not much incentive to doing the videos, and a few of these platforms are helpful, so there is that.

[@OrangeVilla]

Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to set the record straight for us POD beginners. Your content is gold! I was overwhelmed by all the gurus on KZbin and their conflicting (sometimes aggressive) advice. Now I have narrowed down to just 3 solid mentors to follow, and you are the top one. I’ve learned a ton from your time blocking series and truly appreciated the deep dive in each topic. ❤

[@ikantdanz]

So much great advice here. Thank you for sharing. I just discovered your channel a few days ago and have been binge watching like a Netflix series. It is so refreshing to find someone being so real. Thank you!

[@staciphelps4034]

She’s a lifesaver,right? Her videos finally taught me the practical skills I so desperately needed. Her Thrive community is awesome too if you can swing it!

[@ikantdanz]

@@staciphelps4034 I will check into that, thank you.

[@jammarketingco]

Quick request for potential future video: how to decide what (and when) to put items on sale. What works--what doesn't work? Which indicators do you use to determine your on sale strategy (if you have one)? What's your perspective on a loss leader approach and when do you use it (if ever)? Thanks and happy holidays!

[@KingN3y0VL4]

Mandy this is my first time watching your video and you are awesome. I opened up my shop about 8 months ago and only have 29 sales. I recently just opened a new shop a couple days ago only because I made so many mistakes with the first one. I remember one time, around the summer, I changed all my titles and tags thinking I was improving them. BOY WAS I WRONG lol. That literally destroyed my shop for months. Another mistake I made was the one that you mentioned, trying to make multiple products with the same designs with so many definitions niches. I was listening to every youtuber. With this new shop I'm going to focus on one to two products and keep the same ONE niche. I now understand my targeted audience and my designs have gotten A LOT better then when i first started. Now that I know what I'm doing lol. I think this shop is going to do well. I'm definitely going to subscribe because you actually tell the truth just like Simply Shawna and Starla. Wish me luck with this new shop.

[@EnlightenedHustlers]

I really love our approach and honest tips!!

[@nhampton77]

I just wanted to say that I am really enjoying your video. You're transparent and give great advice. Thank you for creating these.

[@DMArts88]

Funny that you mentioned gurus suggesting just start a new shop after a few months 😂 *cough* Dylan *cough* Jahraus

[@ihssannouri4996]

Dylan’s suggestions are really stressful 😂 I stopped watching her

[@melodeelucido1446]

WOW this is a 2-timer! Watch it 2 times to get all the points. The examples you include here are soooo helpful! More please, Thank youso much Mandy💖

[@DarkStarStudios]

I started my Etsy shop in June and have 317 sales so far, whoop whoop! I fell into the trap of listening to these so called Etsy ‘gurus’ on KZbin. But what I soon realised that it’s the data that works, it’s research and then after that, more research. I soon went from POD (got 1 sale in two months) and then switch to selling sublimation designs for tumblers and mugs. At first I was just going any old design to get the listing numbers but I’ve really dialled in the research. I’ll be evaluating by listings that will be renewing soon and either optimising or deleting. You’ve just got to keep growing as a shop and not get disheartened when things slow down. I’ve done the bad Etsy ads thing and put up everything to advertise, £400 spent and zero sales, ouch!You are so right, it’s a marathon and not a sprint!

[@kimbachar2503]

You’re amazing Mandy!! That’s why I’m part of your community. You’re my down to earth Midwest Homegirl! Lol Wisconsin here! 👋❤ Highly recommend her community group!

[@studiomdesignsco]

Thank you Kim! I’m glad I can be helpful and so happy to have you in our group! 💜

[@jammarketingco]

Exactly what I needed to hear--right down to the pickleball references! Thank you for the encouragement--I've been so busy with my other business that I have been neglecting my Etsy shop and beating myself up about it. It's refreshing to take a step back and set a strategy that will require the discipline to stay on course by leveraging data over time. Excited to dig in deeper and stay the course. Thanks Mandy!

[@kattalley1384]

Love your straightforward approach. I've gone through/heard a lot of these. Had to wade through them and figure out what works for me. Thanks for your help in sorting these out.

[@Joeyloveable]

I really appreciate your points.

[@thealethiaco]

I am really tired of the etsy videos with the “i made $$$$” in 30 days. i’ve had my shop up for a long time. Haven’t made many sales but i also work full time so i havent been getting a listing up daily. i’m working on it though.

[@blissessentials524]

That's how I felt when I started, I was waiting for my first sale, but I didn't get it until about 4 months in and about 400ish listings. And those 400 listings are gone, basically 99%didnt sell so I let them expire..I'm a year in as of this month and getting daily sales. Just keep listing u will get your sales 😊

[@thealethiaco]

@@blissessentials524 Thank you. omg. So I had my shop for years but I sold digital stuff and really didn’t go in there to update or upkeep until this year. So I switched to tshirt design because I finally found some joy. I make my designs from an idea so each one takes me hours to make. But I won’t give up. I’m a perfectionist and will work on one thing for literally hours. :/ I hate copying as it doesn’t feel natural. So I’m working against the grain and doing some of my own stuff. I guess it’s sink or swim. I add a few traditional things but they feel fake. I won’t give up though.

[@Brenda-l3z]

I've had my shop up for almost 2 years and no sales besides 2 I bought myself.

[@blissessentials524]

@@thealethiaco nice! It takes me forever to come up with designs and brain storming and research..just that alone takes the whole day, and I work on listing it the next day. It's just a lot of work 😩 hard work pays off tho. I also hady work stolen, after hours of coming up with it for it to be stolen is the worst feeling to experience, similar to losing a loved one..kinda.

[@blissessentials524]

@@Brenda-l3z I don't think u can buy your own stuff. Won't Etsy shut your shop down?

[@pamelahowell6064]

Mandy is it ok to improve titles on listings with no sales or just 1 sale, or on listings with only a few views?

[@HappyFeelsGood]

THANK YOU! I needed to hear this.

[@Amanda-mw9su]

Thank you for always being real but so encouraging!!

[@kimsheern6167]

You're so helpful! I have utilized so many of your tips and I'm off to a good start on my Etsy journey. Thank you! I tend to get stuck in the weeds when I encounter new Etsy problems and I need your advice on this one. I don't offer gift messaging yet. I've had a few people write gift messages in the note to seller. I message them to let them know that I don't include gift messages and ask if they are ok with me going ahead with their order without it. I usually get a quick response, but I'm sitting on an order right now where they haven't responded to my question and I'm not sure how to proceed. Send it anyway or cancel the order? Any words of wisdom? Thank you!

[@Tawny593]

Another great advice video. Thank you.

[@lindac1383]

Thank you for your useful tips and videos! Really enjoy your straightforwardness and you sharing all your learnings with us. You always bring a positive light but am realistic at the same time, which I really appreciate - thank you!

[@LindaBlatchford]

Thanks for this video. I like the advice about only doing 1-2 product types and using data to drive designs. One question: do you think 15 different designs in one niche leads to customer indecision?

[@sweetbeep]

I heard her say get 15-20 designs for one subniche.

[@QuixoticEnt]

I followed some of this advice from a so-called "guru" and I think it has hurt my shop. I have several categories of more general items and one specifically for immigrants. The majority of the few sales I have are from the immigrant category. I am now thinking I should remove everything except the immigrant items and just focus on those. I would have to rename and re-brand my shop, but it would allow me to niche down. Anyone have any thoughts on that? I would love to hear from someone with more experience. For context, my shop is about 3 years old; so I'm not just overreacting to low sales after just a few months. My "immigrant souvenirs" are popular enough that several other sellers are now copying them.

[@Raima230]

Thank you so much Mandy for your video again. I am learning so much from your videos and can’t say thank you enough. You inspire me and motivate me a lot. I am so glad that I am a part of your community. I look forward to learn more from you.👏👍😊

[@studiomdesignsco]

You are so welcome Ratna! I’m so glad to be part of your journey and to have you in our group! 💜💜

[@almagjim]

Hello Mandy, I really like your videos. I recently subscribed to your channel and I am learning a lot. I saw in one of your videos you use Kittl and I have wanted to ask which subscription do you recommend, the pro or the expert? Thanks 😊

[@thealethiaco]

Question: i’ve been working on actually cohesive branding. do i need to go back and re do all of my older listings ? or just keep moving forward? i feel like i keep going back trying to make old listings better and it’s wasting time.

[@studiomdesignsco]

Focus on moving forward so that it’s in place on all your new listings. If you have older listings that are selling I would update just those too so that they reflect your updated branding (since they’re actively getting seen with sales) 😊

[@sweetbeep]

Same!

[@Carontiff]

Love your videos a lot! Thank you so much for the insightful advice, really helpful .❤️❤️

[@blissessentials524]

Could I go in and change photo and not touch the title tags description? And it won't affect the listing? I forgot to watermark my design, it has been stolen several times that I know of. Basically people are stealing the image and putting their watermark on my work.

[@staciphelps4034]

Thank you, Mandy…I needed this today!❤️

[@ForeverSunsetsBtq]

As always, this is solid, fantastic advice that "us" newbies can use! Thank you so much!

[@Om-gg5tk]

Great video,Mandy! Is it ok to sell apparel and mugs in same store if my store is a general store? I am planning to have multiple niches like hobbies, occupations etc in my store and within this niches I am planning to sell mugs and apparel in multiple sub-niches with Printify as my production partner so just thought of asking if you recommend having a seperate mug and a seperate apparel store Or is an all-in-on mug & apparel store okay? I would appreciate your response,thanks!

[@studiomdesignsco]

Start with 1-2 product types (so like sweatshirts + mugs) in a single shop and build it out based on your research of niches and demand. Work in batches on one sub-niche at a time to get several listings up related to that, then move on to the next sub-niche. This gets some volume going, provides some efficiency in your processes, and will start generating data so that you can see which niches/products perform better. As you start to see which ones perform better in terms of visits/favorites and sales, that will validate a design/product. So if a design sells on a sweatshirt, make a tshirt listing, and so forth 😊

[@Bebevegetto]

If I place a design on a shirt and it sells well, do I create a new listing for the hoodie and sweatshirt or update the shirt listing?

[@cindyleinwand5062]

Great video - thank you for all this advice - it really helps!

[@lferriter9784]

This video was exactly what I needed right now. Thank you!

[@jayjayf9699]

It’s really is information overload and I don’t know who to trust

[@ChantelleArts]

a wonderful video, thank you for sharing this info ❤❤

[@findfeature]

Mandy you are the best!

[@anastasiiababenko2757]

Thank you ❤

[@shastatbeans7608]

Thank you

[@sonyal3342]

Thank you! Great advice!

[@chandlereverett8726]

Great Video Thank you,

[@twistedky]

Is it true that Etsy is going to start requiring photos from sellers to limit print on demand shops?? I just started my shop and it’s been getting a little traction so it’s been sad to hear. I draw my own designs but I don’t have time to physically make the products myself

[@redstaredits]

No. You can use mockups as long as they accurately represent what the product looks like.

[@studiomdesignsco]

@redstaredits @twistedky - yep, this! Printify confirmed this directly with Etsy as well 😊 Avoid AI mockups along with this, particularly for apparel (and if you’re not sure, ask the seller before you buy them).

[@twistedky]

@@studiomdesignsco oh great! That makes me feel so much better! I was so disappointed when I heard the rumors😅 thank you both!

[@TemperanceLibraRising]

Somebody asked the last question in a group i referred them to this video beforee even Watching this video. The one you love yo hate

[@qutielove2208]

I'm confused you said that it wasn't behind a paywall but it's $40 a month

[@studiomdesignsco]

My course is not behind a paywall, it’s all here on my channel as a dedicated playlist. The monthly club is a community, live group calls, and additional resources/templates that I have created 😊

[@qutielove2208]

@@studiomdesignsco oh ok thanks for all you do.

[@ellenbryson9676]

How about the advice to never upload more than three new listings a day or your shop maybe shut down?

[@studiomdesignsco]

Oh gosh, that’s definitely another one I have heard and should have included! That almost sounds like someone trying to hold back a new seller 🤯 And also…not at all how Etsy actually works 😅

[@ellenbryson9676]

@@studiomdesignsco thank you!

[@ellenbryson9676]

@@studiomdesignsco that advice comes from someone with a large KZbin audience and Other people interview her, so I assume she’s successful.

[@lynndietrich7816]

So glad someone asked this question. I was going to ask about one that says no more than 1 listing a day. Makes no sense to me. Etsy wants listings so more sales. So confusing. Are these people trying to keep competition down?