This Listing Image Strategy Made Me $3,000,000 on Etsy (Shop Revealed)

In this video, I take you behind the scenes into my personal Etsy account to review the exact listing images I used to sell over 220,000 products on Etsy.
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If you have any questions, please drop them in the comments below.

[@ebayseller6040]

love the orange theme it looks like etsy affiliation without actually breaking any rules lol(gonna need to borrow this idea)

[@JimmySonny]

Finally someone who just doesn't talk in general terms but actually gives you the info. Huge help.

[@dawnlouiseofficial]

I love that you gave us a template for the order in which the images should be in. Thanks for a great video!!

[@kentucker9450]

Wow great video thanks for sharing. I just started on etsy a few months ago and don't have any sales. You just made me realize why! I am not sure how to actually create the template itself. A lot of other you tubers make it seem like you just create a product make a few mock ups and bam instant sales. It is a lot of work

[@dustinkoop]

This was gret insight into your process. This is something that no many people talk about.

[@HelloCustom]

Thanks! I am glad you enjoyed the training.

[@ahthisisgood]

Sometimes the simple things get over looked. Thank you.

[@BlondieLou85]

Thank you for this. ive spent the last week or so creating templates in a similar way to tidy up my store and was startign to wonder if all my thumbnails would look too similar but now im happy with it being that way after seeing this video.

[@HelloCustom]

Yes, I used the same thumbnail for the entire product type and it was never an issue.

[@heatherkufner3879]

Thanks for sharing! Valuable video with tips I can apply to my shop today! I feel optimistic for the coming months!

[@skysettermobiles]

Amazing info! I’ve been on etsy since 2009 and you have given me much food for thought. Thank you so much for sharing your insights! I’m about to launch a new product and will implement so much of what you have shared. So grateful!

[@user-gk8wq5kd9j]

Wonderful presentation! Extremely helpful!

[@HelloCustom]

Thanks so much!

[@urmymotivation-fp6rw]

Awesome video - thanks. Do you have a video on behind the scenes? It would be nice to know how you personalize the items, and pack, and ship - the next day.

[@hardiksharma8601]

This video was awesome❤. I request you to make more videos on 'I spent a day with top sellers' because those videos are very knowledgeable and insightful.

[@nitzanlevi5236]

OMG, You got my jaw dropped. why no one teaches this! I have so much work to do now, good thing it's summer, thank you very much!

[@HelloCustom]

Thanks! I am glad you got value out of the training.

[@sciencesnark833]

Awesome info. Thanks for sharing!

[@HelloCustom]

Glad you liked the video!

[@user-gy8nu5ch4u]

Thank you so much! Very helpful content!

[@HelloCustom]

Thank you!

[@GoodGuysMedia]

its funny that etsy dropped an announcement today - and the only update I wanted was the ability to import master sku lists from printify for custom variations! haha manually entering 12 skus for birth month flower mugs 12 times blows

[@shantillylacevintage5083]

Can you please do a video on Etsy ads and marketing? How much to start with, how many items advertised etc?

[@starryeye3482]

Very valuable video! Thank you so much!

[@HelloCustom]

Thanks so much!

[@starryeye3482]

@HelloCustom I am wanting to take the $67 deal you have going and start Print on Demand having watched quite a few of your guests on your channel have success. Will the $67 deal have everything I need? Thank you again!

[@user-vh4or4vw7s]

Thanks, this is priceless! God bless you and your fam.

[@HelloCustom]

Thanks so much!

[@DansChessLounge]

This is one of the most transparent Etsy videos that I've come across. Thank you for giving out the secret sauce!

[@HelloCustom]

Thanks! Glad to hear you got value from the video.

[@paulinavelasquez310]

Hi thank you for this video so helpful, how will you do it for t shirts ?

[@patelshahin7869]

Omg… this is the most detailed video… I understood my mistakes… I am a new shop owner. I have one listing… a fun tshirt for kids. But i am stuck with no sell and I can’t figure out how to choose the all markets and printers. Even I don’t know how to manage the personalized order…

[@christavanderwalt9491]

Wow Stephen...today you taught me a lot!!! No wonder my sales are 25 in 2 yrs...😢

[@HSdesigns]

Amazing! Kudos

[@tater4ever]

this was amazing , just need to get finding great and profitable niches and then skys the limit.

[@HelloCustom]

Thanks so much!

[@mohammadsyrsyr6987]

Thank you for this wonderful video. I have been working in print-on-demand design for two years and until now I have not sold or designed anything. I do not know why. Is it a problem? Do I have to pay ads for the design?

[@CarrieMarieDeLoge]

Oh my goodness I'm about to legit go fix ALL my listings this week. This made so much sense! Thank you!

[@HelloCustom]

Happy this helped! My hope was showing my real-life example photos would help more than just the strategy.

[@alishaalam5415]

Love the videos, Stephen! Very practical & insightful advice. Did the Love it guarantee result in more sales or more customer service/returns? How did you validate your findings to your response - A/B test or something else? Another way to phrase this would be - If you were to open a new Etsy shop, would you still continue to offer a Love It guarantee? I follow most of your advice - but am curious to know your thoughts on this one. Thanks

[@soon.tobemillionaire]

Love your content. I will start apply these tips now. Also, I'm also thinking about selling pet-related products. Other than the collars, can you give some more suggestions?

[@evelimartir1234]

Thank you❤for sharing

[@HelloCustom]

Thanks!

[@aviannamcfarquhar1117]

Thank you so much for making this video! I have two questions 1) what sizes are your template images 2) how would this apply to apparel?

[@Leo-pf3cd]

I was wondering that aswell for tishirts

[@HelloCustom]

All images are 2000 x 2000 pixels in size. The thumbnail used to be a different size, but I would now make this image square optimized now that Etsy made all thumbnails square shape. The format would be the exact same for apparel: Thumbnail (no design variations) Sizing Chart Color Chart Social Proof Features/Benefits Love It Guarantee

[@aviannamcfarquhar1117]

@@HelloCustom Thank you!!

[@atlross7128]

Great content. How do I show features with a t-shirt?

[@Justin_W]

A lot of great info! Very helpful, thanks! The only thing bothering me was that fake review on that one listing…

[@HelloCustom]

Good catch, what I meant to say was if this is a new product type and you do not currently have any reviews, you can have a friend or family say something about the product so it's not fake, but as a placeholder until you start getting real reviews. I was rolling through that part of the video and didn't notice that until post edit. Apologies for the confusion.

[@Liz-ic6jb]

The point is showing a review in the photo helps to sell the product.

[@bherring6624]

Great video. How would this work for selling wall art that is for download only? What would you put on the thumbnails and other images as there is not any variations. Also, for shops that don't have many reviews, what would you put instead? Thanks

[@stockbatch4109]

Crazy, I can't believe you are MadebyArtly I was competing with you and you were having much better success than I'm currently having selling dog collars. Why did you shut it down when you were doing so well? Between you and Tagpup you guys have the secret sauce that I just haven't figured out yet. If you are all out of the dog collar business I could use a mentor and coach or even some tips!

[@HelloCustom]

So funny! I know that Vlad at TagPup keeps having his account shut down by Etsy, but we chose to go full time/focus on HelloCustom - opening up a lot of the market to other sellers :)

[@Knowledge-College]

Please include what software you used to make the photos etc can you do a video on how to create one of these listings step by step? Thanks !

[@gp19-24]

@@HelloCustom Why did TagPup get shut down by Etsy? Did he break any rules? I would like to know so that my Etsy shop doesn't experience the same thing. Thank you.

[@pyracantha6028]

​@@gp19-24 Vlad talked about this on his channel, I think it was an etsy error unfortunately with their automated systems.

[@abbycat000]

@@gp19-24Vladnhad a previous old Etsy account that had a balance. He didn’t know he owed money and etsy shut down that old account along with his current one. He got it back, but he says it hasn’t been the same. He has a KZbin channel where he has shared all of this.

[@Katsmom6]

How would you recommend formatting a shirts/sweatshirts listing optimally? Is a little different considering the only variations are typically color. Are just several mockups best? I currently have several mockups in different colors followed by the size/color chart and frequently asked questions. Is there a better way for those?

[@theogrey]

This was very informative and insightful. Would you follow a similar formula for t-shirts? I'm on the verge of starting a store but I'm not sure how much customization there will be initially.

[@HelloCustom]

I would follow the exact same format for apparel, but not offer design variations as you would hit Etsy's variation limit having 10 colors, 6 sizes, and 6 designs for example.

[@ZenTradeMind]

Great video:-) May I ask which supplier you used for the dog collars and the buckles?

[@ChristopherKretz]

I am wondering the same thing. I can make my own dog tags and collars, but I don’t know where to find the engraved buckles.

[@suhanikothari6410]

Great video, Stephen! 👌🏻🙂 For dog collars you have 3 metal colors in the first listing image: gold, silver and rose gold. I suppose these are for the buckle? Which metal color sold the best for you? Thanks!

[@HelloCustom]

Gold sold the best, then silver, then rose gold.

[@suhanikothari6410]

​@@HelloCustom Thanks!

[@RealLifePotions]

Thanks for the video! Are you using the Etsy new size suggestions for thumbnails?

[@HelloCustom]

Now that Etsy displays a square thumbnail, the orientation of how I would lay everything out would be different. I will create a video soon doing this.

[@MadeWithGrace]

@@HelloCustom Yes, if you could please update this template format with the new Etsy thumbnail that would be great. I would like to incorporate this idea into my shop, without it being cut off or cropped out. Thanks again for sharing this video. I found it very helpful indeed.

[@pubgiant24]

Great video, thanks. I have an etsy shop, use printify exclusively. My items (runners, notebooks, prints, etc) don't have nearly as many variables as the products you used to illustrate your process. (ie- posters are just matte, 4 sizes) So I am wondering what to fill the slots with. Mocks, reviews, etc. Any tips are appreciated. Lastly, you have "ships today" etc.. but I assume you are using POD, perhaps not? Thanks so much.

[@HelloCustom]

Products with low variations are perfect for design variations, so this could be one. If you do not need any how to order images, just make sure to include the others. Regarding the 'Ships Today,' we made our own products, but you could say 'Ships Fast' for POD products.

[@pubgiant24]

@@HelloCustom thank you, sir!

[@ebayseller6040]

how did you ship the picture frames same day? you were putting pictures in frames and shipping them yourself? no pod? made canvas in house too or?

[@808chickenhuntahz]

Do patterned NAMES on blankets work on Hello Custom?

[@sarahjane936]

I'm curious how Etsy's new personalization image policy will change your strategy. I feel like they just killed personalization as most people can't afford to by a sample of every one of their designs, so very curious about you're thoughts.

[@haywardrice6327]

I'm new to Etsy, andI watch a lot of your videos and I have Hello Custom, which will probably be huge in 4th qtr. I'm sure your help along with other videos have helped me have a decent starting success, but the love it guarantees is the part that scares me. I don't use it on each listing. I am doing lots of personalized group listings. Would you still use the guarantees in your larger listings, and if you did, how often are they actually getting refunds? I worry about people using the shirt for occasion and then saying it was bad quality.

[@HelloCustom]

If you are seeing lots of refunds, you can choose to not include this. I have also seen people say for non-personalized products. For me, I believe the increase in conversion rate having it offset the refunds and was worth having it as the increased conversion rate lead to higher rank and more organic sales.

[@laurachevrette8060]

Thank you for making this video! I have a question if you are using Printify to fulfill your orders, but put a badge stating ships next day, how is this possible when production times take anywhere from 1-3 days? Are you just saying that to get the customer to buy or are you using another print provider who can make and ship these the next day? Thank you

[@HelloCustom]

Great question! In my case, I did my own production so was able to ship same day. Many Printify sellers say "Ships Fast" as their badge to get a similar effect, given the 1-3 lead times.

[@laurachevrette8060]

@@HelloCustom thanks, this is something I am definitely going to add to my listing pics!

[@alexmoya6]

Hi Stephen, just to confirm - when you create these listings in this format where you have so many different variables that the customer can choose from, do you have to manually switch the design files once the customer places the order? As I understand this can’t be done on hello custom? Thanks!

[@pumpkingrower906]

Thanks for this information. However, when you get all these orders, do you have a warehouse with the items made already, or are they made to order? I'm just starting to work on my images, but I need to learn how to do a better job before I post.

[@HelloCustom]

We had a warehouse and made the products upon order, but the same strategy would apply if you do not make the products yourself.

[@markpardel8747]

How would your "Love it guarantee" work with POD and personalised products? I mean if a customer just says they dont like it for example , the POD comoany isn't going to tefund you and then thr customer needs to send the item back somewhere and if its oersonalised as well with their name for example would he impossible to resell .

[@justine5099]

Would you still put variations on the bottom image of the thumbnail for a t-short where just the color T-shirt is different?

[@HelloCustom]

Apparel is probably the only product type that I would not do design variations as there would be too many options with color, size, and design. I do see a lot of apparel sellers use a badge that says something similar to "10 Colors XS - 2XL Sizes"

[@yangchen7982]

How were you shipping same day? Not pod?

[@shimonyaakovbegelfer7745]

What an amazing and informative video! Thank You!

[@HelloCustom]

Thanks so much!

[@sunnyinyourarea]

A lot of useful information, do you know any supplier for wooden product that can be sell on etsy?

[@miadu1801]

I have used Merchize, they offer a lot of wooden products

[@moryosef4136]

How do you ship your products in 1 day? do you ship them by yourself?

[@floridehounkpatin2110]

How do you manage the seo when you don't have a niche. K I can see thar you offer many type of products and many niches. İ thought that this would hurt my shop. Also how many listings did you get better getting sales

[@mercyguerrero5240]

Would you follow a similar formula for Earrings? These are all made using Canva?

[@HelloCustom]

Yes, I would follow the same image format for any product type sold. All images were made in Canva 👍

[@AnasKhan-gv9ec]

What is the size of image that you have used ?

[@KC-ed1dj]

Did you ever start that new Etsy business from scratch and show the process in videos? I remember that you were doing that when you started this channel, but then you abruptly stopped. I wanted to know so I can go watch the videos in order. Thanks.

[@HelloCustom]

We got through all the training videos but ended up not launching the shop for the update videos. So, the only thing missing was the update videos, but my complete strategy in order are my first 6 videos on the channel. Launching a KZbin channel and the same time as a software at the same time as managing a 7-figure print shop at the same time trying to launch a new Etsy shop was a little too much for me to balance 😅

[@jmspegel]

@@HelloCustomsounds like you need to hire someone 😊

[@bythegraceofgod413]

@@HelloCustom❤ great video! Do you have your own print shop? Curious about the “one day shipping” or do you use Jesse’s? Great Great video, thanks so much!

[@SurvivorC]

@@HelloCustom

[@quietwaters955]

@@HelloCustomThank you for being transparent! It’s hard to talk about limitations, but as a teacher, that makes you so much more helpful. You aren’t selling the blue sky to us.

[@willhaimerl]

Why did you shut down the shop? Why not pivot to other product types? (Especially with your customization software.)

[@HelloCustom]

The shop was doing great, but I made the decision to go all in on HelloCustom and give it 100% of my effort :) We have very big plans for HelloCustom that I do not think I could accomplish with split efforts.

[@Erieanna1234]

What made you stop selling on Etsy or close down this particular shop? Was it just not worth it, or were there greener pastures elsewhere?

[@jsonjsoff]

I was hoping you would mention about listing format. It looks like you used 4:3 images landscape and cropped out (white bars on both sides) for the thumbnail? Some images appeared to be a direct 1:1 crop though. I'm hesitant on using etsy recommendations because these are often "foolproof" advice and not necessarily "best practice"

[@HelloCustom]

Now that Etsy uses a square thumbnail, I would make all listing images 2000x2000 pixels.

[@jsonjsoff]

@@HelloCustom awesome! Thanks for the reply!

[@roxcastaneda]

I want to buy a collar for my dogs. Can you give me a link to your store, please?

[@HelloCustom]

We closed the shop in January 2024 to go full time on HelloCustom :)

[@JoWake3]

The video was very helpful. But I have one question? You said in video you added "FAKE REVIEWS" on social proof picture. Wouldn't that be something Etsy would flag or NOT allow?

[@disgustinglydelicious9647]

On dog collars, did you say “fake review” there, or am I mishearing? Good video, but I’m stuck on that.

[@HelloCustom]

Good catch, what I meant to say was if this is a new product type and you do not currently have any reviews, you can have a friend or family say something about the product so it's not fake, but as a placeholder until you start getting real reviews. I was rolling through that part of the video and didn't notice that until post edit. Apologies for the confusion.

[@abbycat000]

@@HelloCustomI’d put a fake review if I was starting, why not? Lol I wouldn’t be lying cause I offer good products anyway.

[@Waciglass]

But adding the stars is a bit naughty

[@Ideadelight]

We can sell on other platforms correct? What happened to Shopify? This is very different and more confusing than about a year ago. I thought hello custom was personalized. What changed?

[@HelloCustom]

We are very close to releasing our Amazon integration and then Shopify will follow shortly after. These both took custom build outs, so took longer than expected. My strategy for listing images has not changed since last year, and HelloCustom is still for personalization 👍

[@ChefSaidahFarrell]

This was helpful. Did you mean to say “fake review” around 11:10 minute mark?

[@HelloCustom]

Good catch! No, I did not. What I normally say is if you do not have reviews, you can have a friend or family member say something about the product. This may not be an etsy verified review, but a true review of the product you can use as a placeholder until real reviews come in :)

[@beatrizlopez1994]

Those product are POD? The dogs?

[@JustLookin2150]

How come none of the products shown are listed any more?

[@SuzanneRowell]

why is your Etsy shop not active?

[@Divyv520]

Hey Man , really nice video ! I was wondering if I could help you with more Quality Editing in your videos and also make a highly engaging Thumbnail and also help you with the overall youtube strategy and growth ! Pls let me know what do you think ?

[@djlelu8521]

How come you closed your Etsy shop?

[@HelloCustom]

We decided to go full-time, full-focus on HelloCustom.

[@djlelu8521]

@@HelloCustomyou jumped in on the wave just at the right time. Yet again, you have your finger on the pulse.

[@floridehounkpatin2110]

The fake reviews aren't against etsy policies?

[@metrobar3367]

Tell ye what yt must pay unbelievable money out coz if I was making millions it wouldn’t even cross my mind to be on yt.

[@HelloCustom]

I started YT for HelloCustom. Millions revenue, not profit 👍

[@metrobar3367]

@@HelloCustom yes but the profit off millions of revenue will be way more then you’ll ever earn on YT

[@abbycat000]

@@metrobar3367It’s his call, dude. He said he’s working on other things. Believe me, he’s going to be making even more.

[@veronikalinhart3801]

@@metrobar3367 That might be true, but many people do YT to help others acheive these goals. He could keep it all to himself, but he chose to share these tips with us, so we can potentially have the same succes as him. :)

[@wendyon4517]

Well... My listing images suck by comparison to even you 8/10 ones. Ive a long way to go.

[@KarlBunker]

11:17: "... and then a fake review." 😲 dafuq????????

[@s.a.4076]

hang on, did you so casually just skip over pointing out "a fake review" being featured on one of your listing slides ?? 😂

[@TheJules11]

Your stores are exactly what is wrong with Etsy and shows why this is no longer (and sadly hasn't been for a while now) a platform for genuine handmade sellers. Crap POD, resellers and DS from China and just encouraging more people to do the same with your 'how to make $$$$'s on Etsy' YT videos (easier to monitize I guess).

[@ChristopherKretz]

This comment suggests that only people who have ability to manufacture items should be able to market their products which is an elitist comment and limiting in understanding how business works. It suggests that people who are artists should be forced to go to a manufacturer to produce their products. The most unfortunate thing about this comment is the self-limiting nature of its origin. Rather than trying to be the best, the commenter wants to simply stay within the bounds of their own ability rather than utilizing everything available to them. Utilizing POD is nothing more than hiring an employee or outsourcing production. The basis of the craft being sold is the art. Secondarily, everything in this store can be made with Cricut products, except the collars. Someone would need a Glowforge or XTool (laser). None of these products are drop shipped or mass produced. My question to the commenter would be, “If someone is not allowed to outsource manufacturing, and become successful on Etsy, needing to make 100s of products per day of their handcrafted item, like a sublimated coffee mug, what should they do?”

[@problemaddictx]

Right, this is "exactly what's wrong with etsy," because it's products like this that are selling like crazy, greasing the gears of today's economy & it's not the same platform as it used to be; is that what you're saying? That's called "evolution" & nothing, not Etsy, this artist/creator/member of the 2024 best-seller list, any big/small POD companies, a.i. art programs, nor anyone else can do to stop change from happening. It sounds like you're big mad because you didn't adapt, and your shops dying because of that. Your word choice is interestingly uninteresting.. reminiscent of those old bland product descriptions that's Etsy was flooded with in the 2010s. Still, somehow it manages to display something at least: your frustration of not understanding the ways value is assigned today. The best way to show your support for what this creator is doing, u did already by commenting while watching the video. You just told youtube "this content is more than worth my time, inspiring my engagement in the community's comment section". The algorithm doesn't care what u feel or typed, just like Etsy doesn't care that you're mad at consumer trends & buyers spending lot's of money, just not in your shop. You're here because you're looking for tips & advice to boost sales- maybe don't insult the guy trying to explain it to u. Best of luck!