Handmade & Beyond Podcast

https://www.handmadeandbeyond.com/blogDo you know why there's a Black Friday and what it means? It gives most retailers a chance to finally get out of the red and into the black to become profitable. Most online businesses are the same way.    You've had slow sales the last few months...    So have a large percentage of other businesses… But Q4 is your chance to finish the year with a bang and get...

Today I count down the top 5 weirdest items I've found on Etsy during my Freaky Friday episodes!  These are the fan favorites.  You're not going to believe #1.  This is gonna get weird!  

Running an Etsy business is no small feat, and finding ways to save time without sacrificing quality is often the key to success. That's where Artificial Intelligence (AI) comes into play. AI has the potential to streamline many aspects of your Etsy business, but like all powerful tools, it comes with its fair share of caveats. I'll talk about the exciting ways AI can make your Etsy business more...

Crap has finally hit the fan!    A huge BBC article came out this week trashing Etsy and its holds on seller funds… And finally, this gets Etsy to do something!  They released a statement this week about the changes they're making in the coming days in regard to holding seller funds.  I talk about those changes and some other news going on in the Etsy world in this brand new episode of seller news...

Do you want to make more money in your Etsy business? Sure you do! You've heard and I've talked about a lot of the different ways you can increase revenue and make more money on Etsy.    You know the normal greatest hits, better SEO, marketing, more listings, better listings, social media, etc.    Well, this episode is going to be vastly different.    A breath of new, valuable fresh air to speak....

Don't kill the messenger. In today's seller news episode, I want to talk about a new Etsy feature that a lot of sellers seem to dislike. I can see both sides, but I do believe there are benefits to this new feature. Also, I discuss the pending UPS strike and how to prepare. All this and more in this new episode. Don't miss it! Get the Etsy Sales Accelerator Guide which gives you even more ways to...

What's your Etsy work schedule like?    When do you work on what?    Do you struggle with what to focus on and when?  I've been there.  I struggled with this in my first year of running my Etsy business full-time.  Suddenly, I go from having no time, being told what to do and schedule in the corporate world, to having complete control over my time.  Of course, complete time freedom was awesome!  B...

In this episode, I break down the Etsy Fall 2023 trend report. You can view the report here: https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/1148199715118 Watch My Exclusive Workshop "How To Generate Your First $1,000/month on Etsy In Just 30 Minutes a Day" (with no social media)  

The majority of Etsy shops fail.    Why is that?    What's going on that makes it so hard to find success on Etsy or any business for that matter.    This is what I dive into today so hopefully you can avoid failure and fight a statistic that's not on your side.  Here's what you'll learn in this episode: How statistics are against new businesses 5 Reasons why Etsy businesses fail  Get the Etsy Sal...

Have you had Etsy hold your money hostage in reserve?  This can be frustrating for sellers. In today's episode of Seller News, I dive into this topic so hopefully, you can understand why this happens and how to avoid it happening in your shop.  Here's what I'll cover: What is a reserve? How can my funds be released earlier from a payment account reserve? Why was a reserve placed in my payment acco...

It's an all-new episode of Etsy seller news!  I want to keep you updated on all the stuff you need to know as a seller so you can't focus on growing your business.   Here's what's going on in today's episode: -You can earn commission through Etsy's Creator Co program through social media posts.  You can apply here:   www.creatorco.etsy.com -USPS is changing their rates again on July 9th.  There's...

My views are low… what's up with that?    This is a traffic problem many sellers come across.    Unlike road traffic, this is the traffic we want.      Here's what you're going to learn in today's episode: I'm going to dive into why should only pay attention to visits and the difference between them. Important stats you should pay attention to The two problems you can learn from looking at the num...

In this new episode of Etsy Seller News, I talk about the inform consumers act that goes into effect on June 27th.  This new law requires marketplaces to disclose information about sellers such as name and address.  The point of the law is to make buying online more transparent and safe.  However, sellers do worry about people getting and abusing their personal information.  Don't worry I break do...

Remember the old adage that if you had a chance to do things over what would you have done differently?  What if I apply this to my Etsy business so it could help you? Hindsight is always 20/20 of course. But as I've been going through this process of starting, building, running, and growing an Etsy business for the last 10 years I've learned a ton.    Most of which was trial by fire.    Doing som...

AI is everyone and now it's taking over marketplaces.    You now see tons of AI-generated stuff for sale on etsy such as art, templates, graphics, and more. But the real question is… is this allowed on Etsy?     Let's dive into this in today's episode of seller news. Kind of a light Etsy news week so I want to cover a hot newsworthy topic that is of course controversial.  Handmade sellers view AI-...

Most sellers that start an Etsy business find that things move very slowly...  In an instant gratification society, this is tough to deal with.  We want things fast.  We do not like to wait.  Online business is no different.  Waiting for results and sales is frustrating.  Honestly, it's the reason many sellers give up. Success on Etsy takes time.  It would be best if you had that expectation when...

Many sellers on platforms like Etsy often view competition as a detrimental factor, citing it as the primary reason for underperformance in their shops. As an eternal optimist, I'd like to present a different perspective on this issue. Let's talk about why competition is not just beneficial, but essential, and how it can help you improve your Etsy shop's performance. There is a common belief that...

Should you quit Etsy? I hear this debate constantly. Since I'm not the quitting type and I would never promote such a thing, I am going to give you plenty of reasons why you shouldn't quit. I am also going to give you the exact steps and pitfalls sellers go through that causes them to quit so you can avoid them. Don't forget to download the Etsy Quickstart Guide!  The perfect guide for those looki...

Your Friday dose of Etsy Seller News is here!  Grab a coffee and find out everything that's going on in the Etsy universe that you need to know!  Today I cover the recent sell on Etsy ad shutdown, the Etsy design award application deadline, the new Etsy ad campaign, and more!  Don't miss this one!  Listening will make your weekend better lol.     🔥Learn what to do to reach 100 sales with some mot...

I recently did a deep dive into the Etsy business I've been running for 9 years.  I uncovered some details that were pretty amazing and shocking.   In this episode, I want to spill all the details of what I found and learned.   Every Etsy shop and niche is different but maybe this inside look at what's going on in my business can help shed some light on your shop or give you better expectations. ...

Etsy has become a hub of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. With millions of sellers and buyers worldwide, it's a platform that continuously evolves with emerging trends and niche markets. As we look ahead, I want to dive into some of the potential trending niches on Etsy in the near future. These exciting areas offer opportunities for sellers to capitalize on these niches and expand their Ets...

This episode of seller news is a doozy.  It's full of highs and lows lol.  I talk about the recent fee increase scheduled soon and who it impacts.  I also go over Etsy's recent Q1 financial report and what's in it that's important for you to know as an Etsy seller.  Spoiler alert there are positives and negatives of course.  Lastly, I talk about the design awards coming soon and how to enter so yo...

Embarking on the entrepreneurial adventure of owning your own business and Etsy shop is an exhilarating experience, but it's also one fraught with inevitable blunders. The journey is a rollercoaster of learning and growth, but you can steer clear of some common pitfalls to make the ride a little smoother. Today, I'm excited to share with you the top 5 colossal mistakes that can sabotage your Etsy...

Hold on tight, because we're diving headfirst into that dreaded slow sales season!  Yes, it happens every year like clockwork, and it's no surprise when you consider all the vacations, camping trips, and beach outings.  Etsy sellers often feel the pinch during these warm-weather months. But fear not, because I am here to help! I've got powerful solutions to help you weather the storm and even thri...

Welcome to another episode of Seller News!  Here are the deets of what this episode is all about: Etsy is investing over $50 million in 2023 to ensure that the platform remains safe and special for its community as it grows. Key areas of focus include clearer policies, removing counterfeit items and listings, easier appeals, transparent communication with sellers, and reducing fraud. These efforts...