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11 Tips to Get Your First 100 Orders on Etsy for Print on Demand
Are you an aspiring print-on-demand seller on Etsy looking to break free from the nine-to-five grind? Whether you're a busy parent, underpaid employee, or just looking for an additional income stream, these 11 tips will help you achieve your first 100 orders on Etsy faster than you ever imagined.
Tip number 10 is a game-changer, so make sure you read to the end where I'll also share a special free gift with you. Let’s dive in!
1. Put the “FUN” in FUNdamentals with Print on Demand
More products doesn't necessarily mean more sales.
Focus on what people want to buy, not just what you want to sell. After coaching hundreds of students in my print-on-demand program, I’ve seen beginners make the mistake of trying to sell what they want to sell, like their own photos on canvas, without considering market demand.
Unless you’ve built a brand around such unique products, reaching those $10,000+ months will be much slower. Instead, use tools like eRank, Everbee, and Sales Samurai to discover what people are actively searching for.
Create products around these keywords and niches. Emotional appeal is crucial – your product should speak to the buyer's emotions and desires. Mastering these fundamentals is key to rapid profitability.
Emotional connection is one of the primary drivers of consumer behavior. Buyers often purchase items that resonate with their personal experiences, values, and emotions, and absolutely love personalization. Therefore, understanding your target audience and what drives their purchasing decisions is essential.
Your products should not only be high quality but also meaningful and relevant to your customers. Learning these fundamentals involves a deep dive into market research, understanding trends, and continuously adapting your product offerings to meet customer needs.
This is exactly what I teach my students inside The PODHacks™ Accelerator. In the program I give you the step-by-step blueprint to creating a $5,000-$10,000+/mo Print on Demand business in as little time as possible.
2. Create or Download a Powerseller's Checklist
Consistency is crucial. Until you become an expert at uploading listings to Etsy, create a step-by-step checklist, or download mine (for FREE) that I've created for you.
This should include SEO-rich titles, descriptions, tags, and sections for your store. What gets tracked gets improved, and a checklist will ensure you don't miss any critical elements.
The process of creating and optimizing listings can be complex, and a checklist helps maintain consistency, which is essential for building an effective store. Make sure your checklist covers every detail, from production partners to ensuring your descriptions are engaging and your titles are keyword-rich.
A well-organized checklist also helps streamline your workflow. It reduces the chance of errors and ensures that each listing is optimized for maximum visibility and sales.
By following a consistent process, you can save time and improve the overall quality of your listings. This consistency also helps build trust with your customers, as they will come to expect a certain standard from your store.
Over time, this can lead to increased customer loyalty and repeat business.
3. Research or As I Like to Call It…Gold mining
Spend most of your time researching. Understand what products resonate with customers, and draw inspiration from successful listings. Follow best-sellers on Etsy, Amazon, and Shopify, and check Pinterest for trending ideas.
Success leaves clues, so use these insights to inform your product designs. Researching allows you to see what styles of products are popular and gives you inspiration for your own unique creations.
There are numerous hacks you can use during your research, such as analyzing star seller listings or best-seller collections. In my coaching program, I go in-depth with video modules that guide you through this research process, providing a roadmap for creating a successful print-on-demand business in just a couple of hours a day.
Effective research involves looking at both qualitative and quantitative data. This means not only analyzing what is selling well but also understanding why these products are popular.
Pay attention to customer reviews and feedback, as they can provide valuable insights into what customers like and dislike about certain products. Additionally, keep an eye on emerging trends and shifts in consumer behavior.
By staying ahead of the curve, following upcoming holidays (start listing your products up to 60 days before key dates like Valentine's Day) i.e. you can create products that meet new demands and stand out in a crowded marketplace.
4. Steal Like an Artist…
Study professional stores to understand their product offerings, and aesthetics. Tools like EverBee can help you see the estimated sales volume and tags used by successful products.
Emulating proven strategies will streamline your path to success. Look at how stores present their products, the types of promotions they run, and more importantly the structure of their mockups in their listings.
Looking into the store itself, understand if they are focused on one niche or multiple? Are they offering a variety of products or just a few specialized items? Understanding these details will help you create a store that looks professional and appeals to customers.
Emulating success doesn't mean copying exactly what other stores are doing. Instead, use successful stores as a model to understand best practices and effective strategies. Look at the design elements, marketing tactics, and customer service approaches that these stores use.
Adapt these strategies to fit your own brand and products. By learning from those who are already successful, you can avoid common pitfalls and accelerate your own growth.
Remember, the goal is to create a unique and compelling store that reflects your personal style and brand identity while incorporating proven strategies.
5. Use Quality Suppliers for Print on Demand for Etsy
Your supplier's quality is paramount. Reliable suppliers ensure high-quality products, which is essential since customer reviews can make or break your store. Research and choose reputable suppliers like Printify, TeeLaunch, My Easy Monogram, Subliminator, OwnPrint or ShineOn, to maintain high standards.
A good quality supplier can make the difference between a thriving store and one that struggles. Negative reviews can severely impact your store’s reputation, so it's crucial to partner with suppliers who deliver consistently high-quality products.
I recommend testing a few suppliers to find the ones that meet your quality standards and can handle your production needs reliably. But don't get stuck in the sample sourcing phase…I have worked with plenty of suppliers after learning about them and doing a quick bit of research. Look at reviews or other merchants working with them. Success loves speed.
Building a strong relationship with your suppliers is also important. Good communication and a reliable supply chain can help ensure that your products are produced and delivered on time.
This is particularly important for print-on-demand businesses, where customer satisfaction is closely tied to product quality and timely delivery. Additionally, a good supplier can offer support and advice on product design and customization, helping you to improve your offerings and stay competitive in the market.
6. Listen to James Clear (Author of Atomic Habits) and Habit Stack
Incorporate your Etsy goals into your daily habits. James Clear's “Atomic Habits” explains how habit stacking can accelerate your progress. For example, replace your Netflix time with Etsy research or design work.
Consistent effort, even in small amounts, will compound over time. Once you've committed to a new goal, never go more than two days without working on it. This keeps your momentum going and helps integrate your new business tasks into your daily routine.
By stacking new habits on top of existing ones, you create a structure that supports continuous progress towards your goals.
Habit stacking is a powerful technique because it builds on habits that you already have, making it easier to incorporate new behaviors into your routine. For instance, if you already have a habit of checking your email in the morning, you can add a quick review of your Etsy store’s performance to that routine.
Over time, these small, consistent actions will lead to significant progress. The key is to stay committed and make sure that your new habits align with your long-term goals.
7. Customer Service. They Aren't An Interruption…They Are The Lifeblood of Your Etsy Business
Exceptional customer service leads to five-star reviews. After each sale, reach out to thank your customer and offer support. This proactive communication builds trust and can prevent negative reviews.
Follow up after delivery to ensure satisfaction and address any issues promptly. Engaging with your customers shows that you care about their experience, which increases their likelihood of leaving positive reviews.
If any problems arise, your prompt and supportive response can turn a potentially negative situation into a positive one, further strengthening your store’s reputation.
Customer service is more than just addressing problems; it's about creating a positive experience for your customers at every touchpoint. This includes clear communication about order status, timely responses to inquiries, and a willingness to go above and beyond to meet customer needs.
By prioritizing customer satisfaction, you can build a loyal customer base that will not only leave positive reviews but also recommend your store to others. This word-of-mouth marketing is invaluable for growing your business.
8. Reduce, Reuse & Tag Recycle
Don't stress about creating new tags for each listing. Reuse successful tags across similar products within the same niche. Consistency in keywords across titles, descriptions, and tags will enhance your SEO efforts without unnecessary strain.
Doing the initial research to identify effective tags is crucial, but once you have a set of successful tags, use them repeatedly. This approach simplifies your listing process and ensures that your products are consistently discoverable by potential buyers.
Recycling tags also helps you maintain a focused SEO strategy. By using the same set of tags for similar products, you can build a strong presence in specific search results. This makes it easier for customers to find your products and increases the chances of making a sale.
Additionally, consistent use of effective tags can improve your store's overall SEO performance, leading to higher visibility and more traffic over time.
9. Rifle Focus.
Focus on a specific trend or season, like weddings, Christmas, Father's Day, etc. This concentration allows you to fine-tune your product offerings and marketing strategies, making your store more cohesive and appealing to customers.
Specializing in a particular niche or trend helps you become an expert in that area, which can lead to better product designs and more targeted marketing efforts. Whether it’s a seasonal event or a specific theme, focusing your efforts will help you build a stronger, more recognizable brand.
By focusing on a specific niche, you can tailor your products and marketing to meet the needs of a particular audience. This can help you stand out in a crowded market and attract customers who are looking for specialized products.
Additionally, focusing on a niche allows you to build a reputation as an expert in that area, which can lead to increased customer trust and loyalty. Over time, this focused approach can help you establish a strong brand identity and a loyal customer base.
Key areas to focus on for your Print on Demand success on Etsy;
- Product Focus
- Keyword Focus
- Niche Focus
- Platform Focus
10. The Importance of Product Specialization
Master one product type before diversifying. Each product has unique design nuances and requirements. By specializing initially, you can perfect your process and ensure high quality, setting a strong foundation for future expansion.
Each new product you introduce requires its own set of design skills and production knowledge. By focusing on one product at a time, you ensure that each item meets your quality standards and appeals to your target audience. Once you’ve mastered one product type, you can apply those learnings to other products.
Product specialization allows you to develop a deep understanding of the design and production processes for a specific item.
This knowledge can help you create higher-quality products & designs that meet customer expectations. Additionally, specializing in one product type makes it easier to manage your business and minimize your time spinning your wheels.
Once you have established a successful product line, you can use your expertise to expand into new areas, confident in your ability to maintain high standards.
11. Craft Attractive Mockups.
High-quality mockups are essential. Make sure your product images are clear and compelling. However, more importance should be placed on creating unique products. Most suppliers offer top quality mockups that you can use…
When finding alternative images (say for instance the suppliers aren't that good) for items like jewelry or mugs, highlight key features and ensure text is legible. Eye-catching visuals reduce clicks and increase conversion rates.
Mockups are often the first impression potential buyers have of your product, so they need to be attractive and informative. Use high-resolution images and showcase your products in a way that highlights their best features.
This helps potential customers envision themselves using your products, increasing the likelihood of a purchase.
Effective mockups not only attract attention but also provide important information about your products. Clear, high-quality images can help customers understand what they are buying and make them more confident in their purchase decision.
Additionally, well-crafted mockups can differentiate your products from competitors and highlight their unique features. Investing in professional mockup tools and techniques can significantly improve your product presentation and drive more sales.
Bonus Tip: Free Gift
As promised, here's a special gift to help you get started. Download my free Checklist for setting up your store & optimizing your listings.
This guide will not only provide you with these valuable steps but also show you how to maximize their potential. Usually priced at $10, it's free for a limited time, so grab it now!
Conclusion
Implementing these 11 tips will accelerate your journey to your first 100 Etsy orders. You'll gain more five-star reviews and build a business you can be proud of.
If you want to fast-track your success and create a $5,000 to $10,000 per month print-on-demand business in as little as two hours a day, check out this FREE training I put together. Let's make your Etsy dreams a reality!
By following these strategies, you will not only reach your first 100 orders faster but also build a sustainable business with a strong foundation. Continuously learning and adapting to market trends will help you stay competitive and grow your business over time.
Remember, success on Etsy requires patience, dedication, and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures. Stay committed to your goals, and you'll see the results you desire.
Stay awesome, and happy selling!
