Etsy Conversations Podcast

Have you ever wondered what your auto-mechanic does in their spare time? You probably wouldn’t think they’re at home creating cute, cuddly plush toys for kids. That’s exactly what my guest,Nikki who runs the Etsy shop  enjoys doing when she’s not turning the wrenches in the garage.   Nikki is a one-of-a-few kind of gal – not only is she an Automotive Technician by day, but by night she’s a “plushy artist.” She’s been a crafter for most of her life, starting as a young girl hand-sewing pencil-toppers for her and her friends’ pencils in school. She took her love of sewing one step further as she got older and decided to invest in a sewing machine.  She taught herself how to use the sewing machine and hasn’t looked back since! While she’s no longer creating cute shirts for the tops of her pencils, her skill has evolved to creating plush toys for children of all ages.   Where does she get her inspiration? From the kids, themselves!  I love how creative children are ~ Nikki Nikki opened her Etsy shop about a year and a half ago. Currently selling handmade plush toys, she says a lot of the orders she fills comes from parents of children with big ideas for characters. Parents often send her drawings and sketches of animals that their children have created and she brings them to life through her sewing skills.  On this week’s episode, Nikki shares her story about how she discovered Etsy, why she decided to “jump in head first” despite people telling her that the site was overcrowded, and what her long-term business goals are for .  We also talk about her pricing model, buying materials at wholesale cost, and how she promotes her shop on Facebook and Instagram. We also get her perspective on posting promotional advertisements in the Etsy forums and why she advises against it.  Stitch and Stuffed – Topics Discussed  How she manages her time running her shop while working full-time.  Her ideas for launching DIY kits for kids.  The technical similarities she sees between her full-time job and her Etsy business.  Attending wholesale vendor shows to connect with wholesalers.  How her marketing and promotional tactics have evolved over the last year.  How she uses Instagram and hashtags to promote her business.  Learning the hard way – fulfilling international orders and accurately gauging shipping fees.  What she looks forward to by attending the in April.  Stitch and Stuffed – Resources Mentioned        Stitch and Stuffed – Etsy Shop Shout Outs  –  run by Nikki's friend Amber where she sells beautifully created jewelry, keychains, and hand-stamped items!  Best Ways to Reach Nikki  Etsy Shop:   Social Media: |   Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com For more help growing your Etsy-based business, check out these resources:

Etsy Studio Here's the video I mentioned in this podcast episode: New Etsy Shop Manager Here's the link to join the team. ===================== I'll be speaking at Social Media Marketing World 2017 in March and I'd love to see you there. If you can't attend the conference but are in the San Diego area I'd be happy to meet up to say hello too! Here's more information about the conference: The title of my session is "How to Follow Your Calling and Produce a Podcast You Love"... If you have a desire to start a podcast but you're just stuck... Or if you have a podcast but you've lost your zeal for it, I think in this session I can help you get unstuck. I'll be speaking from my personal experience of what's worked and what hasn't for me in creating a successful podcast. I hope to see you there!

Many of us dream of getting our products into retail stores and on major ecommerce websites, but we often don’t know where to start. Having your products sold by companies like Sears, Best Buy, and Bed Bath & Beyond often feels like a pipe-dream. This week I have a returning guest, where she sells jewelry for fitness trackers like the FitBit. We're talking all about growing your brand and how she has successfully done that. You may remember my earlier conversation with Cyndi from 2015 when we talked about why she niched down from selling health and fitness products to focusing on just fitness tracker accessories specifically, and provided a ton of helpful information and resources for Etsy sellers. If you missed that episode, I recommend checking it out. It's .  This week, I’m catching up with Cyndi to see how her business has grown and evolved over the last 18 months. I must say, this interview has been incredibly informative and insightful! Since our last conversation, has grown exponentially – now with products being sold in retail stores like Kohls, Bed Bath & Beyond, and (hopefully) soon Best Buy! Wow... That’s huge!  Although she’s seen massive success in her business, Cyndi is still a “down to earth” kind of gal and she still holds Etsy close to her heart. In fact, she attributes much of her success to Etsy, since that’s where her products got their start!  I’m sure you’ll love this interview as much as I have and hopefully you'll learn many great, inspirational lessons from Cyndi's story.  Get out there... Approach retail stores... The faster you do it, the better. ~ Cyndi Blais, Funktional Wearables  Funktional Wearables – Topics Discussed  Which e-commerce platforms are the most time-consuming and which give Cyndi the highest return.  How the selling fees on Amazon compare to those on Etsy.  Why she continues to sell on Etsy even after finding success with other platforms and in retail stores.  How she got started selling in retail stores.  How her product line has grown with the introduction of new fitness trackers.  Outsourcing and hiring – how she finds qualified employees.  Marketing tips, strategies, and service providers.  The advantages and disadvantages of running an Etsy shop and her own e-commerce website.  Wholesale selling outside of Etsy.  How she gained traction on eBay.  Her mindset about big name competition, like Vera Wang, launching products within her niche.  How she finds time to plan a wedding while running a business. Resources Mentioned                 Best Ways to Reach Cyndi  E-Commerce Stores: |    Phone: (858) 935-9105  Email: info [at] funktionalwearables [dot] com Social Media: | | | |   Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com For more help growing your Etsy-based business, check out these resources:

Deciding how and when to open your Etsy shop is a big decision for many aspiring Etsy sellers. Some sellers simply dive in head first and learn the platform, strategies, and processes as they go while others feel a bit timid about starting down the path of the unknown. is the type of brave woman that dives right into new ideas. Since 2012, Ina has sold beautifully hand-crafted wrap bracelets made of silk, suede cord, and other materials. What really makes her products special and unique, though, are the hand-stamped inspirational messages she uses as little trinkets on her products. She joins me on the show this week to share her story on how she got started selling on Etsy, her primary goal for opening her shop, and where she expects her business to go in the future. We also talk a lot about how she promoted her products early on as well as things she has learned about SEO strategies and promotion throughout her creative journey on Etsy. We discuss how she learned that her product was featured in a BuzzFeed article, in October 2016 and how the feature affected her page views and sales. Ina has a unique way of using business cards to maximize her marketing strategies that she shares in this episode. She also shares her “behind the scenes” secrets on her strategies and processes for pricing, packaging, and shipping her products. To get out of creative ruts, I just need to sit in my studio and play with the colors, the beads, and the materials. ~ Ina Fitzgerald [caption id="attachment_4035" align="aligncenter" width="574"] Wrap Bracelets by Ina - IF Only Pretty[/caption] IF Only Pretty – Topics Discussed Learning the platform and SEO strategies as she grew her Etsy business. Resources she found helpful to overcome the learning curve. How she manages her time while running her Etsy shop, working full-time, and raising two small kids. Preparing for the holiday season. Shipping and packaging processes. Product pricing strategies. Finding affordable and reliable packaging material sources. International selling and how it has affected her business. Promotional tips and strategies that have worked for Ina. Selling and promoting at craft shows. Overcoming creative ruts. Tips for new sellers to sell more efficiently. Hard lessons she has learned while selling on Etsy. Inventory and order tracking systems. Resources Mentioned Connecting with other Etsy sellers Etsy Conversations Podcast (Aww… thanks, Ina!)  - Renae Christine's YouTube channel IF Only Pretty – Etsy Shop Shout-Outs  - offers beautifully crafted leather and artsy anthropology zippie bags. Contact Ina Etsy Shop: Social Media: Email: IFOnlyPretty [at] gmail [dot] com Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com For more help growing your Etsy-based business, check out these resources:

I'm really excited to share this episode again. I’m diving deep into your Etsy questions with Kim Konen, who worked as an Etsy admin from February 2010 to October 2014, and is currently the owner of the Etsy shop, . Our mutual friend Angie Gordon, who runs the Etsy shop  also joined us for this special Q&A session. I frequently receive questions in my email, as well as on the Etsy Conversations Facebook page and Facebook group about different aspects of getting started and running an Etsy shop. So, I wanted to give you a simple way to get all of your questions answered in one central location – on the show! I loved doing this episode because it was really interactive in that I got folks to submit their questions just for the show and they were answered in this convo with Kim. Kim, Angie, and I address some of the most-asked questions you have had, including how to get featured in Etsy Finds and the various things to consider that can affect your shop’s relevancy on the platform. This episode is quite long, because we wanted to make sure we asked and addressed your most pressing questions! Your Etsy Questions Answered How to sign-in to multiple Etsy shops at the same time. (Submitted by Kelli of ) The changes sellers can expect as a result of Etsy’s IPO. (Submitted by Charlotte of ) How to get more views and sales. Tips to improve your Etsy search results. (Submitted by Kara of ) What really affects your Etsy relevancy – and what does not. (Submitted by Diane of ) Etsy’s category algorithm. (Submitted by Beate of ) How to create relevant product titles and keywords. (Submitted by Charlie of ) Why sellers are unable to see who follows their shop. (Submitted by Doug of ) What sells well on Etsy, what doesn’t, and which markets are over-saturated. Resources Mentioned Etsy Teams: Business Consulting Services: | Etsy Questions & Answers - Kim’s Pro Tips Link to your other shop listings in your item descriptions. Comment on Etsy’s new product forum posts the first day they’re published. Test your keywords and categories by running an A/B test. Identify your ideal customer. Actually writing down who they are helps you stay focused on your branding and message. Use the Etsy search bar to get keyword ideas for the most relevant keywords to use in your listing. Place the most relevant, important keywords first in your title. Titles and tags are most important in Etsy’s search engine algorithm. Ask your friends and family for help; give them your shop link and have them describe your shop in 5 words. Best Ways to Reach Kim Etsy Shop: Social Media: Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

Growing a family while growing a business is no small feat but Kara figured it out and she came on the podcast back in September 2014 to share how she made it all work and made the transition to making a full time living off Etsy in . Running a household, and chasing after two small children may seem tiring enough, but juggling an Etsy business on top of it can definitely pack your day full of excitement, wonder, as well as a little extra chaos (...in a good way, of course). This week I’ve pulled out my original conversation with Kara Lamerato, wife, mother of (then) two little little ones, and owner of the Etsy shop, , where she sells beautifully handmade place card holders, wine bottle stoppers, and wine corks for weddings. Kara opened her shop in January 2011 and she shared her story of how she created a successful full-time Etsy business that enabled her to quit her steady 9-5 job to be home with her kids. Kara’s prior work experience was in the finance industry where she realized that she wanted to be home with her children while also earning an income and fulfilling her creative passion. Doesn't that just scream "Etsy business!!" to you? ;) She explained that her shop initially started as a “side hobby” to allow her to splurge on little things like pedicures and cute sweaters, but after the birth of her first child and the heartbreaking experience of having to leave her newborn child to go to work every day, she decided to hunker down and from there planned to make her Etsy business more successful. Kara's story is truly inspirational and one that I really enjoyed hearing. In addition to learning how she achieved her goal of becoming a work-at-home-mom, she provides helpful tips and advice for new, aspiring, and veteran Etsy sellers with regard to Etsy shop promotion, product photography and much more. Kara’s Vineyard Wedding – Topics Discussed How Kara got started on Etsy and the timeline of her path to Etsy success  Transitioning from a full-time career to becoming a full-time Etsy seller How and why she decided to brand her shop and how that was the turning point of her Etsy business experience Kara explains how long it took her to go from “breaking even” to profitable Where Kara finds most of her inspiration for new products lines Stressful experiences Kara has had while using Etsy and what lessons she has learned from them Shipping challenges and refund policies Etsy shop promotion using Etsy teams and social media Using proper SEO and Etsy relevancy techniques to boost product visibility in the Etsy marketplace Kara's tips and advice for new, aspiring, and veteran sellers Resources Mentioned Photo Editing Programs: Etsy Teams: Newsletters: Best Ways to Reach Kara Lamerato Etsy Shop: Email: KarasVineyardWedding [at] gmail [dot] com Website: Social Media: | | | Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

Still stumped when it comes to Etsy Relevancy and Etsy SEO...? Figuring out how to get your shop seen by your ideal customer on Etsy – not to mention trying to get your shop ranked high on Google – is no easy feat! My guest Michele Gallagher – owner of the Etsy shop and founder of has things pretty well figured out. Michele shares her story on how she got started selling on Etsy and how her business evolved to helping other Etsy sellers find success on the platform through her unique consultation and virtual assistant services. She explains how she spent hours doing the research and testing out her methods on getting ranked well on Etsy and on various search engines such as Google. This all leads into why Michele became passionate about helping other Etsy sellers learn what she has learned, grow their businesses, and find success on the platform. We cover a lot of ground in this week’s episode – from how to identify your target audience to learning what tags you should use on your product listings to get the best search results as well as how to use social media correctly to drive traffic to your shop and increase sales. Michele is one smart cookie and I was excited to have her on the show back then and I'm happy to share her brilliant tips and strategies that can help you succeed as a new or seasoned Etsy seller in this re-run of our original conversation. My Craft Assistant – Topics Discussed Michele explains the two ways she helps new and seasoned sellers optimize their shops to find success right from the start The most common mistakes that many shop owners make when selling on the Etsy platform The importance of identifying your target audience and the best ways to market to them Differences between Etsy relevancy and SEO Why Michele believes that creating your tags properly is more important than being in an Etsy treasury (***Treasuries are now a defunct feature on Etsy, so...***) Michele shares a helpful tip on how she manages her time The importance of Etsy sellers utilizing social media to drive traffic to their shops – and how to do it correctly Advice on how to use Etsy teams to grow your business Relationship-building tips that can help shop owners form meaningful relationships with their customers Contact Michele Website: Email: info [at] MyCraftAssistant [dot] com Twitter: Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com For more help growing your Etsy-based business, check out these resources:

Yes! This week we're bringing on the bling again with Angela Frazier of the (now re-named) Etsy shop . Planning the perfect wedding is a stressful task for many brides-to-be... From picking out the perfect colors and flowers to choosing the perfect gown, many soon-to-be brides lose sleep trying to figure it all out. And what if you’re looking for an item that no one else has? Where do you turn? Well, Angela has that little nook covered... Angela started her Etsy business in December 2012 after attracting an impressive amount of attention for her uniquely designed “bling shoes”. Like many women, she was on a hunt for accessories that had never been seen before, but unfortunately, her hunt came up short. So, she decided to create her own handcrafted, fashionable shoes for herself. And boy did she hit the ground running with her new idea! In this episode Angela shares her story of how she got started on Etsy, the products she offers and how she comes up with her unique designs. She explains how her Etsy shop went from only 12 sales in the first 6 months to nearly 100 in the next by making a few tweaks to her photos and tags... Very important lessons right there... Angela shares SEO tips on how to maximize the Etsy search engine to improve your product rankings and get seen by your potential customers better. She also explains what she does to incorporate social media marketing tactics into her everyday marketing plan and how they helped her grow her business successfully. Her story is truly an inspirational one, and her funny, positive attitude is very contagious. I hope you’ll enjoy this episode and learn a lot of helpful tips which you can use to take your business to the next level :) AV Wedding Designs – Topics Discussed Angela explains why she tries to purchase the very last shoes available on a store’s shelves Angela's first experiences as an Etsy shop owner and the challenges she has had to overcome in her first year How Angela decided to maximize the simplicity and benefits of owning an Etsy shop and how it compared to the work involved in establishing her own website Different design ideas Angela has sold on Etsy, including her unique camo collection How she transitioned from working in a bank to becoming a full-time Etsy seller How having an in-home shop has helped Angela cross-sell and upsell her other products We talk about social media marketing and how she uses it to increase awareness of her brand and products Angela explains how she promotes her Etsy shop offline through various local shows and business card distribution Tracking the return on her marketing efforts Specific tips and advice from Angela for new Etsy sellers Contact Angela: Etsy Shop: Website: Social Media: | | Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com For more help growing your Etsy-based business, check out these resources:

Listen in to get all the latest information about what's going on in the Etsy community. Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too! Facebook: Like the Pinterest: Instagram: Google+: Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

This week’s episode is a special treat... A blast from the past! I’ve dived deep into the archives to dig up some of episodes from earlier shows – ones that longtime listeners have loved, but which you may have missed if you're a newer listener. In this week's conversation, we talk all about hand-thrown pottery and ceramics. My guest is Diane Waters, and she owns and runs the Etsy shop Muddy Waters Ceramic Creations. Diane has worked with hand-thrown ceramics and pottery for several years, and her passion and love for the craft began after taking a course with her friend at a local pottery supply store. She explains how the challenges of learning this new skill is what fueled her passion and determination to master it, which later led to opening her Etsy shop and selling her handmade wares online. Since opening Muddy Waters CC on Etsy in January 2012, Diane has sold nearly 400 pottery pieces, ranging from ceramic mugs, cups, bowls, and dishes to trinket jars, tea pots, and Raku pieces. We discuss the many ways she promotes her shop and ways to connect with your customers beyond creating promotional posts on Facebook or Twitter. Other topics of our discussion include the importance of good quality product photos, getting involved with teams and community events, and the importance of connecting with others for business growth. Diane's love for the craft and desire to create and make has been an inspiration to many creative entrepreneurs. Muddy Waters Ceramic Creations – Topics Discussed Diane shares the story of how she began selling on Etsy. How she decides what she wants to create each day and why she chooses to create each piece exactly how she does. What Raku is. Diane describes the different firing and decorating techniques she uses to make each of her pottery and ceramic pieces and how they work. The advantages of using different sized kilns when making certain types of pottery items. How Diane manages her time as a creative entrepreneur, wife, mother, and owner of 3 dogs and 3 cats. Diane shares how she stays motivated to keep working on her store and making her wares and what she does when she starts feeling unmotivated. Why Diane refuses to check out the competition in her niche. How she decided which Etsy teams to join and how much time she dedicates to them. Contact Diane Etsy: Muddy Waters Ceramic Creations Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram Website: MuddyWatersCC.com Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in iTunes and Stitcher. That really helps to get the word out about the show. Connect With Me: Twitter: Follow @ConvoMePodcast Facebook Group: Etsy Conversations - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too! Facebook: Like the Etsy Conversations Podcast Facebook Page Pinterest: Etsy Conversations Podcast Instagram: @EtsyConvo Google+: Etsy Conversations Podcast Email: Use the Contact Form OR interview [at] convome [dot] com