Do you ever feel like you’re just guessing your way through your Etsy shop, hoping sales will somehow materialize if you just cross your fingers tight enough?
When I first opened my print-on-demand shop on Etsy several years ago, I had no idea what I was doing.
I simply threw up a few listings with artsy photos, priced things based on my materials cost, and then anxiously refreshed my stats 20 times a day praying for a sale.
Spoiler alert: that strategy didn’t exactly catapult me into Etsy selling stardom.
But everything changed when I discovered the #1 secret to Etsy selling success. And no, it wasn’t fancier product photos, cloning trendy designs, or even witchcraft.
It was email marketing.
I know what you’re thinking… email marketing sounds about as exciting as a tax audit.
But hear me out!
Building an email list has completely transformed my previously stagnant Etsy shop into a real business that supports my family.
And the best part?
You don’t need tech skills, a huge budget, or even a Marketing degree to make it work.
Just a simple plan and the willingness to press send.
Between creating designs, finding the best mockups, meticulously handwriting thank you notes to customers, and refreshing my stats page between breathing breaths, who had time for yet another task?!
It wasn’t until a few months in when sales slowed to a turtle’s pace that I knew I needed to try something different.
On a whim, I decided to add a little signup form to my Etsy shop encouraging visitors to join my mailing list.
I offered a cute printable wall art piece as a freebie incentive that tied into my boho aesthetic.
And people actually signed up!
Those first few subscribers were mostly my mom and her book club friends.
But once I sent out my very first newsletter letting them know about a flash bracelet sale, something shifted.
Sales started trickling in.
And get this…they were from strangers!
Turns out those emails had landed my designs in front of fresh eyeballs.
Fast forward to today over 1,000 subscribers later and emails drive 30-40% of my overall monthly revenue!
Crazy right?
With just a few clicks, I can connect directly with fans who love my style and want to support my small shop.
No shady Etsy algorithm games. No enormous Facebook ad bills.
Just good old-fashioned connecting with the humans. 👋🏻
5 Key Benefits Email Marketing Unlocks for Etsy Sellers
Here’s why every Etsy seller needs to be building their email list starting today:
Puts You in Control: Forget passively wishing and hoping for sales scraps from Etsy searches. Email puts YOU behind the wheel, able to drive traffic and sales directly from your loyal fan base.
It’s Risk-Proof Promotion: Etsy ads and social media spending never guarantee a return. But with email, there are no fees or middlemen. Just free direct access to fans happy to open their wallets.
Autopilot Income: Picture this…You launch a new collection email on Tuesday morning. By Wednesday sales are flooding in from subscribers while you sip margaritas poolside. Email can work its magic in converting sales even while you sleep!
Crucial Customer Intelligence: Email opens up a treasure trove of intel through open and click rates. You’ll learn exactly what special offers, products, and messaging resonate most with your audience.
Money in the Bank: Those subscribers are your insurance policy for the future. Launch your own site one day? Email followers happily trail right behind you, carts in hand!
Small Action, HUGE Impact: How to Start Building Your List Fast
Clearly, email marketing packs a powerful punch for Etsy shops.
But actually building that list from scratch can feel utterly overwhelming.
Where do you start? What tech do you need? How do you find people and convince them to join? Is it even legal??
The good news?
Growing your own money tree isn’t nearly as complicated as you imagine. And you can take the very first step in just 5 minutes.
Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Set Up Your Email Homebase
Skip the chaotic inbox and random Notes docs. A proper email service provides all the tools to easily grow and manage your list.
My #1 pick is ConvertKit. It’s ultra newbie-friendly with a generous free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers. You’ll get handy automation plus beautiful email templates to launch fast.
Step 2: Lure in Subscribers
Next, offer an irresistible bribe…err I mean…incentive for signing up. Think free shipping, discounts, sneak peeks, or unique subscriber-only content.
Get creative with something that ties back to your products! I like to offer printable art and guides that support my artistic brand style.
Step 3: Plaster Your Signup Form Everywhere
Website, product listings, checkout page, social media bios, packaging slips. The more places you prominently promote your signup form, the faster those emails will roll in!
Pro Tip: Don’t DIRECTLY ask customers to join your list through Etsy convos. This violates their terms. But gently suggesting they swing by your Etsy shop bio to access your subscriber-only sale? Fair game! 😉
When it comes to email list building, the KEY is consistency. Avoid setting it and forget it! Promote often and in multiple places across channels.
Before you know it, you’ll have built a thriving community of loyal brand fans. They can’t wait to hear about your newest creations and limited-time deals landing directly in their inboxes!
Then sit back and watch your Etsy sales and stability transform as if by magic. All from sending a few friendly emails! 💌
Overflowing Inbox… Overflowing Bank Account!
I know the idea of tackling yet another business task alongside all your Etsy seller responsibilities already makes your head spin.
But trust me…investing just a few dedicated hours into launching a subscriber list will unlock game-changing growth for your shop.
Sure, you could stick to the status quo and keep wishing upon that elusive Etsy search algorithm like I did. But every day that passes is money left on the table.
Take it from me…the time is NOW!
Why not block off 30 minutes this week to collect those golden email addresses?
Grab another cup of coffee and picture where your business could be 1 year from today with a few thousand RAVING fans supporting your success!
Recommended Tools For Etsy
Design Nexus newsletter – Get simplified Etsy tips and modern marketing strategies — plus a free Digital Product Starter Kit!
Creative But Fine newsletter – This is your source if you want more detailed guides about Etsy and graphic design.
I have made an entire section of helpful and mostly free tools you can use to build a successful online business on Etsy. See the tools here.
Kittl – A go-to place for any person, who wants to make money with print-on-demand on Etsy.
Creative Fabrica. They have millions of cheap graphics that can elevate your t-shirt design.
Vectorizer – This tool transforms your image into a vector with seconds. scalable without losing the quality.
Disclosure: Some of the links above may contain affiliate partnerships, meaning, at no additional cost to you, NechEmpire may earn a commission if you click through to make a purchase.
I'm Miroslav, a passionate graphic designer, Etsy seller and AI enthusiast. At NechEmpire, I'm here to share my knowledge and skills. I want to turn your design passion into a successful online business.
