Etsy Conversations Podcast

Have you been dreaming of making a six-figure income through your Etsy business? Or maybe you would simply be elated to bring in an extra few hundred dollars a month. Whatever the case our guest for today’s show, Dalia Abdalla, can help you with both dreams! She is the owner of the Modern Pink Paper Etsy shop, a fulfilling and financially successful Etsy business she created while working full-time. In the process she discovered she wanted to help others through teaching so she founded the Etsy Seller Mastermind. The mastermind group is a space for people committed to running their Etsy shop as a professional, legitimate business and helping others to do the same. On today’s show Dalia shares one of the keys to her success: search engine optimization (SEO) and why it’s been so much more powerful for her growth than social media. We dive into how she got started, when she knew this should be her full-time pursuit and why not everyone is cut out to succeed on Etsy. Dalia is incredibly knowledgable about Etsy, SEO, and what it takes to be a success as a creative entrepreneur. She’s a straight shooter who gives solid, practical advice you can implement right away. You’ll want to hear all of that and much more from her on episode 121 of the Etsy Conversations podcast. Tweetable:   The Etsy Seller Mastermind – Topics Discussed Why did she choose Facebook as the platform for her mastermind? What is the best social media platform to start wtih? What does she think about Etsy “teams”? The 3 things you need for a good Etsy shop. Why you should "spy" on your customers! And more! Resources Mentioned by Steven Pressfield by Jack Mitchell Best ways to reach Dalia Email: Etsy shop: Website: Periscope: 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

It's all about this week... :) Frequently the best businesses are born from our own need: we have a problem, and need a solution. We create the solution, and then sell it to others who also need it. That was the case for today’s guest: Joe Leo. Joe isn’t new to the world of selling and customer service. He has owned brick and mortar shops before, but he was new to ecommerce and Etsy when he opened his coaster shop in August of 2015. He and his wife had bought new, white furniture for their bedroom and wanted to keep the end tables pristine by using coasters. Not able to find what he wanted, he created some. Even after he made a set he enjoyed the experience so much he continued making them. His daughter suggested he put them on Etsy and sell them to others. Even though he had no idea what Etsy was he got online that afternoon and jumped in with both feet! It wasn’t long before he was making sales of his handmade coasters, expanding his offerings into other items like snack trays and overall growing his business. He continues to work his full-time job as the marketing director of a radiology group, but sees Etsy as a valuable way to enjoy his free time and make some extra money now and into his retirement days. On this episode of the Etsy Conversations podcast, Joe and I talk about the most valuable tools and resources he has found to help him grow his business, why tracking his sales has been so beneficial and how he manages his time with work, his family, his singing gigs and his Etsy shop! There’s all of that and so much more on episode 120. Tweetable: "   The Coastal Workshop – Topics Discussed The advantages of e-commerce versus a brick and mortar store. How did Joe get started using Etsy and what was his original intent in doing so? One technique he uses to increase sales, and why it’s so effective. How in-person networking added a new stream of revenue for his business. What advertising strategies does he use? And more! Joe's Etsy Shop ShoutOut  - vintage and antique coin shop run by Roger Varouj Resources Mentioned  - A place to advertise your products and direct traffic to your Etsy shop; similar ot Craigslist  - Same as above  - An accounting/bookkeeping tool   Best ways to reach Joe - The Coastal Workshop Etsy shop convo: Website: Email: Social media: Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest - Check out his singing skills at ... These guys are really good! :)   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

My guest this week has the patience of a saint because not only did I have to reschedule our convo once, but we also had lots of technical problems while recording our convo and she was really great about it all :) Shannon is my guest and she runs the Etsy shop ShanB Designs where she makes and sells accessories for people and pets. While reading Shannon's bio I noticed that her jewelry had been featured not just once, but twice in the and also that they had been included as part of the swag bags for the pre-Golden Globes. Naturally, I knew I had to ask about it and how she was able to get such great publicity for her products... Listen in to hear how it all happened. ShanB Designs Topics Discussed Getting publicity in national media outlets Transitioning gradually from FT employment to self-employment Choosing the ideal product line for you Etsy shop promotion ...and much more... Resources Mentioned Best ways to reach Shannon Etsy shop: Social media: , , , Shannon's Etsy Shop ShoutOut - run by Gina and Justin Rodgers. This husband and wife team make and sell household decor items from photos taken by Justin, a professional photographer. Check them out and tell them Shannon sent you!   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

My guest this week is Hilary Lorenz and in 2010 she founded in Abiquiu, NM. Abiquiu is located in the high desert and that's where Hilary built by hand a large studio out of stone, mud, wood and tin. It's a space that she has also created for a select group of artists to come and create each year and we discuss her process for doing this in our convo. Each year Hilary splits her time between New York City and New Mexico... She spends several months in Abiquiu deeply engaged in her practices -art, running, mountaineering. She is a multidisciplinary artist who explores intersections of running, nature, and solitude and a highly accomplished artist. Her recent exhibitions include Nomadic Geographies (2014), Wave Hill, NY, In the Spirit (2014), Pioneer Bluff, KS, Tracing Nature, Muriel Guepin, NY (2012). Group exhibitions include, Influencers (2014) Print Center of NJ, Corridor Gallery, (2012) Brooklyn, NY and many more. She is also a Fulbright Fellow and the NEA-MidAtlantic Fellow. In 2011 Hilary had the pleasure of running on Track and Field, Allora and Calzadilla sculpture at the 54th Venice Biennale Lorenz received an M.A. and M.F.A. from University of Iowa and is a Professor at Long Island University-Brooklyn, NY. She was definitely one I wanted to talk to about time management since she has a lot on her plate. Stonetrigger Press Topics Discussed The value of storytelling in selling products How a 30-day creating and blogging challenge helped propel Etsy sales early on Art exhibits vs. craft fairs ...and much much more Resources Mentioned - a comprehensive resource for the printmaking community - great place for finding free or low cost shipping supplies. Just find your local market and start searching. Best ways to reach Hilary Email: Hilary [at] HilaryLorenz [dot] com Etsy shop: Social media: Website: Blog: Hilary's Etsy Shop Shoutout - listen in to hear how this Etsy seller uses a very creative and unique selling technique that has garnered her almost 30,000 sales to date and be sure to check out her Etsy shop... Let her know Hilary sent you! 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

Joelle Poulos runs the Etsy shop and she's been selling on Etsy since she was just 16 years old. Now five years into her Etsy journey, she makes her full-time living selling her handmade art in various forms, both on Etsy and through her own ecommerce website - . Her handmade business affords her the opportunity to travel the world at will and I'm pleased to have her back home in the United Kingdom as my guest this week on the podcast. Joelle is an artist and a photographer (a skill that has come in very handy for her when it comes to product photography), and having multiple creative outlets has afforded her the benefit of being able to make her living using her different creative skills. She sells temporary tattoos, art prints, stickers, apparel, and more in her and through her . On she focuses on photography and SEO. In her own words: I love to maintain my creativity but still make a living from it Joelle's Emporium - Topics Discussed Starting off slowly then finding a product that strikes a chord on Etsy SEO for Etsy success made really, really simple... And free! Dealing with unhappy customers ...and much much more Resources Mentioned (formerly PinWoot) - for generating traffic (and more) through Pinterest , , and - additional ways to promote your Etsy shop , , and (this one is a local UK site) - good places to find freelance photographers to help with your product photography Here's an article Joelle wrote on her blog about how she does her Etsy SEO and gets great results: Best way to reach Joelle Website: Etsy shop: Social media: , , Joelle's Etsy Shop ShoutOut - Run by Sara Charles, she hand-illustrates, prints and sews her own brand of unique vagabond-style clothing and accessories. Please check out her shop and let her know Joelle sent you! :) 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 almost one year now I've been waiting to attend the . I first found out about it last year after the event had already occurred so I was kind of bummed :( Fortunately, the event this year is scheduled for April 7-10, 2016 and you still have time to sign up for it... So, don't be like me and let a whole year go by before seizing the opportunity to attend :) Naturally, I'm sure you'd like to learn more about it first and that's exactly why I have the founders on the podcast this week. Nicole Stevenson and Delilah Snell founded about a decade ago and about 5 years ago and in our convo we dig in to how both events came about, what each has to offer, and what attendees can expect. Craftcation & Patchwork Show - Topics Discussed Of course we discuss both events in-depth :) Online workshops offered on Time management and life balance for business owners ...and lots more good stuff for creative & handmade business owners Resources Mentioned Blog post: (or any other conference) - an organized repository of blogs Editorial calendar - there are a number out there... Or you can use an Excel spreadsheet too :) - social media management tool - automation/productivity tool for streamlining a wide variety of tasks - website for finding groups and communities to network with - lots of creative groups on here Contact Nicole & Delilah Website: 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

Troy Bungart is a connector and that became very quickly evident to me during the course of our conversation. He runs two Etsy shops,  where he sells pottery tool and handmade brushes and where he sells ceramic and fine art products. We talk about how Troy has parlayed his education in photography into his Etsy businesses and also about how he grows his network and community of potters and artists, not just for advancing in business but also as a way of contributing, teaching, and giving back. I hope from what he shares you will also start thinking about ways that you can make genuine connections within your community and come out from your craft room or studio and from behind your computer to network and create similar authentic relationships. Troy Bungart Studios Topics Discussed Learning to sell on Etsy by being a buyer first Balancing a full-time job and two Etsy shops Putting family first, especially when it seems to go against the norm Creative podcasts that you might want to check out ...and much more Resources Mentioned - a podcast which features interviews with a wide variety of artists from around the world Potter's Mastermind Series Facebook group by Paul Blais - a podcast for ceramic artists and potters that features interviews of other ceramicists Troy's Etsy Shop ShoutOut - ceramic pottery from artists in San Joaquin County, CA Contact Troy Etsy shops: and 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

This conversation has been a long time coming... After hearing nothing but great things about the (AHAS) from previous guests (and also doing some personal sleuthing about it myself ;) ), I am so happy to finally have on AHAS Co-founder, Sharon Fain, as my guest this week. If you're a creative business owner and feel like you're floundering in your business or even just a bit disconnected from the creative business community then you'll really want to listen in and hear what the has to offer you as a creative business person. This is the AHAS vision: ...a thriving handmade economy where makers are celebrated, respected and successful as not only artists, but as businesses. We aim to honor those who make with skill, artistry, and love. Academy of Handmade - Topics Discussed The AHAS Awards and Ceremony The need for community and celebration and how the Academy of Handmade is filling that need Membership benefits and expanding chapters ...and lots more Resources Mentioned - a good place to connect with your local creative and handmade community - great place for learning - task organization system to help improve your time management and productivity - great for making graphics and images without needing a ton of graphic design skills on your part Contact Sharon & Learn more About AHAS Website: Email: Sharon [at] AcademyOfHandmade [dot] com ***Promo code: "convome"** - use this code to vote in the AHAS awards for just $5 (regularly priced at $15)... Thank you Sharon! :) I'm giving a shoutout to Nessa of and Jessica of for putting AHAS on my radar... Thank you ladies!   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

Charles and Gayle Curry are the power duo behind the Etsy seller resource arsenal . Their Etsy seller training resource came about after they helped friends and family members start their own successful and thriving Etsy shops. What's even more amazing is that when Gayle and Charles first opened their own Etsy shop - - in 2012, they had made just 3 sales in their first three months! So why were people flocking to them for help with their Etsy shops you ask? Well, they made some changes in their shop and within the space of 7 months they grew their Etsy sales to $13,055.92. Now if that isn't proof in the pudding I don't know what is :) Since then, Charles and Gayle have expanded their wall decal business and now sell in their own Amazon store, ecommerce website, and have opened additional Etsy shops. Their business has also grown to the point that they now have a team that helps with tasks in production and advertising. eShopMarketer Topics Discussed Knowing when to leave a FT job to focus on growing your business Free Etsy training webinar Goal-setting for Etsy sellers and time management eShopMarketer training, membership site and benefits ...and much more Resources Mentioned - Free training webinar for Etsy sellers with Charles and Gayle where they answer your questions, provide valuable seller info and share the secrets to their success - used for renewing listings but the tool can do even more Etsy Shop ShoutOut - run by Katee E., a client of Charles and Gayle's. In her Etsy shop she sells her line of cute and snazzy yet affordable trendy clothing for mothers and kids. Contact Charles & Gayle Blog:  Social media: , , , , , eCommerce site: 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

Sevda runs two Etsy shops - and - in addition to working a full time job in architecture and she's my guest this week all the way from beautiful Istanbul, Turkey. Like a good portion of Etsy seller, Sevda found her way onto Etsy not just for a source of additional income but as a way to share her creative skills with the world. Interestingly, the bulk of her sales are international and so we get to discuss in-depth how she handles international transactions and some of the lessons she's along the way that have helped her offer great customer service to her international customers. This is really good info for you if you're a seller who has some trepidation about selling internationally. Mamma Mia Bridal & Eme Topics Discussed Balancing a full-time job and two Etsy shops Importance and benefits of offering a well-defined product line Effectively selling to an international market ...and much more Contact Sevda Etsy shops: and Email: MammaMiaEme [at] gmail [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