Another issue with Etsy is that even when you bring in your own customers, Etsy sabotages you by suggesting other creators and vendors right beside or below your product. “Oh, you like that, what about all these other vendors? You might like them better!”
So true! This is one reason why having your own website can be so beneficial-you get full control over the shopping experience and can keep your customers focused on your unique offerings.
1. She invested a lot of time into growing a following on social media, but this didn't contribute much to her success 2. Media outreach - getting her products into blogs or magazines that get a lot of traffic, by reaching out and sending them products 3. Paid ads, but only do this if you already have the budget for it 4. Dicthing etsy and having your own website so you're not at their mercy 5. Be kind to customers even if they complain to promote good worth-of-mouth recommendations 6. Make products that people consistently want to buy, she did this by doing custom orders for people and then just making more of the idea if this went well and continuing to sell it to others
If you listen to podcasts like How I Built This with Guy Raz, media outreach is exactly the next step founders take when trying to scale up and make it big. Listened to the Drunk Elephant episode, and she sold exclusively online on her own website until she was able to get into Sephora.
You described my situation with Etsy perfectly. I started there as a hobbyist in 2020 and now I want to get more serious. I had good sales for the first couple years but now I'm lucky to see a few. I learned so much with your video and this was the needed push I need to get my own website running for a shop. I also had no idea about magazines and media outreach!
This is such a smart way to go about things - the old school way of getting press. I wanted to start my own business but really was not sold on having to do social media again. But i do love writing pitches to publications! So, thank you, I think you just solved a really big problem for me!
Thank you... I didn't even considered having a media feature! I sell crochet and art as a side hustle as a student. I'll definitely try the blogs and magazines :) My favourite parts of the business are the creativity and contact : so making my creations and talking with customers. Not the marketing unfortunately.. So when I'll grow, it's the marketing agent that I will hire hahaha
This! I think anyone selling a course based on how they made money making something and can help you learn that, they should also be willing to share their financial statements. I want to see that Profit & Loss Detail. How much are you actually getting paid after all the cost of goods/services and expenses. So, Yes, the Net Profit Margin, as well... not the Gross Profit Margin.
Her net profits have nothing to do with this video and would only pertain to someone who wants to do what she’s doing - sell polymer clay charms. Anyone else, selling anything else, would need to do their own homework. The value of this video is in her process, not her details. Telling her financials would only persuade, or dissuade, someone into selling polymer clay charms and that’s not what she’s trying to do. It’s about people growing their own business, not copying hers.
@@NiaLaLa_V 🤣 hahaha… I don’t have time to respond to this at the moment, because Life, ya know, but I’ll get to it later… just know… you’re funny… and misguided. ✌️
168k a year is pretty good. I have no idea how to run a business, I also have ADHD and I struggle to focus and stay in a routine. I just wish there was a way I could make money like this easily. I have no idea what I am doing.
the adhd makes it so hard. i know what to do, i start, i get lost, i get too tired to research. my best trait is making the million dollar ideas, i cant sell it though or track profits.
I was the same for a decade, a dozen million dollar ideas and not much happening on the outside. What we need is to learn to ground our ideas, it’s pretty much energy work. Try fire breathwork, yoga, qigong, learn about your energies and how to properly channel it. Commit yourself for two years to perfect one thing/business, expect nothing, remove ALL emotions from it make it a habit literally like brushing teeth or hair ❤
When you focus for 2 years you essentially grow roots for your idea so to speak, afterwards it starts to bloom and bear fruit. Have seen it happen over and over again. It’s foolproof. Having Etsy or own websites is great, but also try selling in local Facebook groups, marketplace, TikTok store, eBay, amazon etc try a new platform every now and then.
How much do you pay your team to make these? How much does each person make per hour? Are these fair trade? Also, it would be helpful and interesting to see a breakdown of your income and expenses, as well as how much time you spend on each task per week. Thanks! Super cute charms...cool idea.
I'd like to know, as well. I make realistic food charms, jewellery, and necklaces, myself, and I do wonder if your workers are also reaping the benefits of your newfound income and limited working hours (as I know the average, well-made piece can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to make).
😂😂😂. Really? These questions of yours, basically its none of your bussiness. Its called bussines practice and telling everyone all the details is something youre not privy to. So, How much do YOU make every year? Whats your bank accnt balance, do you have health insurance, own a home, are you married, do you cohabitate and share bills? 😂😂😂 JHC……youre post is such a downer. She built a small bussiness, created from scratch and supported by real customers, 1000% percent better than mass production in China or Cambodia. “Fair trade”. 😅😅😅
@@firefeethok_tui2355 Perfectly legit question of someone who makes a video saying that she will "share the exact strategies she used to grow her charm shop". and that she is "spilling the tea on how she consistently makes $122k a year so you could do this for your handmade business too." Also, as a potential customer, I would want to know if she's paying the actual makers a decent wage. I thought I'd give her the benefit of the doubt, which is why I asked instead of assuming. In my opinion, it could bump up her sales if she were to show that she practices fair trade.
@@firefeethok_tui2355 Perfectly legit question of someone who makes a video saying "I'll share the exact strategies I used to grow my charm shop" and "I'm spilling the tea on how I consistently make $122k a year so you could do this for your handmade business too." Also, as a potential consumer, I'd want to know that she's paying people a decent wage for making the charms. I thought I'd ask rather than just assume. In my opinion, she could bump up her sales if she shows that she's practicing fair trade.
@@firefeethok_tui2355 Perfectly legit question of someone who makes a video saying " I'll share the exact strategies I used to grow my charm shop" and "I'm spilling the tea on how I consistently make $122k a year so you could do this for your handmade business too." Also, as a potential consumer, I would want to know that the people actually making the product are getting paid a decent wage. In my opinion, it could bump up her sales if she were to show that she practices fair trade.
this was a lovely video especially because i am someone looking to start my own polymer clay business soon. the points in the video were concise and also easy to understand. it also taught me things i’ve never considered business wise so i feel more confident and prepared for when i do open up shop. thank you for this insight!!
Could you please make more videos talking about how you handle those difficult customer interactions for lost broken packages and or just difficult interactions in general? Im worried about selling physical items (I crochet so I’m leaning towards selling digital patterns) because I’m not sure how to navigate this part of the business side. Is it better to completely replace the item for free? Offer them a future discount? Etc. thank you too for this video, I have already learned so much
Hi! I think customer service is very important, but I generally try to balance good customer service with protecting my business. For difficult customers, it’s important to stay calm and professional, no matter what. Listen to their concerns, show empathy, and offer solutions. A replacement, future discount, or partial refund can help smooth things over.
I've been setting money aside to launch my own business in a similar "miniature" department next year. I am so excited to build some connections and open new job opportunities as well ❤ the world needs more small businesses! :) corporate greed takes out the soul!
Thank you so much for generously sharing things that helped you! Even though I am not a shop seller I got a lot of value out of your video. I’m realizing that as a transformational singing coach I can do media outreach by researching magazines where I could share my story of going from shy musician to stage performer on the other side of the world. I had not considered this form of marketing before but your video gave me the idea!!! Thanks ❤
You're so welcome! I'm thrilled to hear that the video gave you some new ideas. I’m excited for you to explore that opportunity and see where it takes you. Thanks so much for your kind words, and best of luck with your journey! ❤
Thank you for defining the business side of creative work. I was a successful artist for a while and I met plenty of talented artists that could not wrap their head around simple business concepts. The most successful artists I met had a talent for business and/or had a partner that focused on the business side on their behalf. Customers can’t buy what they can’t see. Many artists abhor sales activities, which is fine IF you still tend to it by hiring it out, but even doing that feels like “selling out” to most artists, relegating them to years of bitterness and poverty. I wasted a lot of my own valuable time trying to share the knowledge with folks completely unable or unwilling to manage the business side of art. (Love your charms, btw!)
Thank you for sharing your experience! Balancing creativity with business is tough, and not everyone is comfortable with both. You're right that getting help, whether through a partner or hiring out, can make all the difference. It’s about valuing your art enough to get it to the people who will appreciate it. Thanks for the love on the charms! 😊
Thank you for the feedback and for watching the video! While I aim to be transparent, discussing specific profit details can be a bit complex due to varying factors like expenses, team salaries, and overhead costs.
@@CreativeHiveCowhich is exactly what adds up in costs, bringing the profits down Is there anything to prevent your workers from using the skills you taught them to make the peoducts to launch competitor businesses?
@@soarpurpose this is the mindset of someone who will not succeed. Running a business means looking out for your workers, because you need them. Nobody gets to the top by pushing others down. Truth is, most people don't have the capacity to manage a business successfully, if they did, then every worker would just start their own business after learning how to make products. Business management is a lot of work, more so then just creating a cute product. Successful businesses start small, take care of the humans involved, both customers and workers, and reinvest most of the money back into the business. The last person to make money is the person at the top, and they get only a portion of the profits after all taxes and everything else is paid. And when you own your own business you pay on your taxes every quarter, instead of once a year, and you have to be proactive about it to not have trouble with the government. It doesn't pay to have a scarcity mindset. And there is no such thing as easy money without work.
@@roflpill It depends on many factors. I used to run a successful pet sitting business when I lived in Australia. Until I got burnt out & had a mental health crisis. The pet sitting (taking care of pets in their own homes) model seemed to originate in the USA. Business owners in the US also could legally pay their employees much less comparatively than Australia. Some also used contractors to avoid obligations for employees such as superannuation, sick leave & holiday pay. And it's actually quite common for workers in such businesses to start their own competitive businesses (which doesn't have to involve hiring). And if someone is paying a decent wage to their employees, such as required in Australia, then can ultimately be running a business to mainly be supplying a few jobs to others, while not actually making much of a net profit. While bearing all the extra obligations & stresses such as paying taxes etc (if hiring employees). Even the people who boasted 6 figure pet sitting businesses in the USA, didn't really make more than working at a fast food outlet, by the time wages etc paid. Having a dose of reality isn't "pushing others down". It's having a grip on reality about whether it's sustainable. Or just burnout city.
@@roflpill dunno where my reply went but your comment sounds like you are naively assuming workers will stay loyal. Also the business owner is essentially bearing extra risks to provide others with jobs, if don't get paid even the equivalent of the wages themselves. It's actually super easy to start a small business without employees or contractors.
Thank you so much for providing this info! I’m currently working on getting better at polymer clay charms and eventually will open up a store :) definitely will be subscribing!
Wow, I'm so glad to hear that! 😊 I love when something new sparks inspiration or a fresh perspective. Thank you for watching and sharing your excitement!
That is very helpful, thank you so much for sharing this! I am a travel advisor and get paid commission but only a small percentage goes to me. I don’t charge a planning fee and often I feel frustrated with how much time/effort I put into my work with very little reward. I find that referrals in my industry have been the most effective way to build my business, I am trying to specialize in higher end products now because I find them amazing, I aspire to travel in this way and hope to have fewer clients with a more reasonable compensation. I will try to implement some of yours tips. Ps: social media wasn’t particularly effective for me either.
It's great that referrals are working for you, and as you move towards premium offerings, those referrals can become even more valuable. Social media can be tricky, so focusing on networking and word-of-mouth might be more effective in the luxury market. Best of luck with your business!
hello, Mei..Jessica's here...😃 I already watched your vids since several years ago (when you often say that you dont put any ads on there 😁).. just wanna say thank you so much for sharing so many things to us online..❤️
i would LOVE a crafty job from home like the people you spoke of working for you , how would i word it exactly when looking for such a job ? i do ebay full time and need a lil part time something from home immediately. so its a for sure pay check
@XenosFiles is right. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork can be great for finding freelance crafting opportunities. They allow you to showcase your skills, set your rates, and connect with clients looking for specific services. It’s a good way to find flexible, remote work that fits around your current commitments.
Appreciate your continued dedication to helping average folks try to build wealth and not get rekt in the process, I love your confidence so keep shrugging off the naysayers. Your experience is clear and I look forward to your pragmatic and bullish viewpoints in a world that’s increasingly easy to get caught up in the constant negativity and bearish sentiment.... Long & short-term trading is generally safer, allowing investors to weather market volatility. I have managed to grow a nest egg of around 100k to a decent 432k in the space of a few months... I'm especially grateful to Evelyn Infurna, whose deep expertise and traditional trading acumen have been invaluable in this challenging, ever-evolving financial landscape.
This is one of the best video presentations on focusing on your personal online business I have watched... Will definitely watch additional videos. Thank you and best wishes on your future growth. 🤗
Wow, I have seen a few of your videos and always found you so engaging! I came upon this one and I am so very glad I did! I can see how much time and energy you have put forward to get where you are and that is so refreshing to see. I so admire your positive attitude and how strategic you are committed to being. Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing these tips. I cannot believe I found one successful person who is strategically bucking the trend, so to speak and took a different path for success. I too have a Shopify store and will likely reach out for some insight. Thank you so, so much!
Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m really glad you found the video helpful and that my approach resonates with you. Stay tuned for more videos coming your way!
This is an excellent video, thank you so much for the information... very encouraging. I had a physical shop that I closed last year and am just now feeling the urge to create again, huzzah!
Her advice is good but it's always the same with these artists making six figures, they're making the bulk of their money through tutorial video content, not their art.
@@clayfullyyoursYou missed that she has people who work below her. They make the charms now. She’s doing 5 hours of admin. I’ve been following her for years and she does make a nice chunk of change from courses but her charms also bring in a lot of money. Her and her husband have businesses that they’ve been doing for years now. It takes time to get to this level of revenue or profit. There is a scrunchy company that brings in this much money (if not more) and they’ve only been in business for like 3 or 4 years now but early on they got big on TikTok from other people leaving them reviews. And then they started using their local media outlets to get their name out there plus wholesaling.
While it's true that digital products like e-courses can be quite lucrative, I also want to share that my handmade jewelry business has been successful in its own right. Each part of my business plays a different role, and I’m grateful for the growth and success in both areas. 😊
She makes money from both and do you really know she makes "way more?" And so what's to stop folks LEARNING from her...what's the issue? Also you are clearly here making comments about "7 figures" to bring folks to YOUR YT channel which at this point it looks like you are trying to grow...kindof a mean way to do it if you ask me.
i wish this video was available years ago when i first started trying the entrepreneur route. I gave up, but if and when i get back into it, this is really good information.
I think she is underestimating the power of having a good social media presence, audience and her own website to backup the traditional media outreach. I think about my own purchasing habits: I hear about something from a channel or media and then go look at it online to get the full details, and look for a second recommendation. When I hear of something but I can't find a website for it or any reviews then no sale. Also I don't think she mentioned it much in the voiceover but she showed photos of a market stall, so her early days organic growth might have been boosted by in person sales in the local community.
You can do outreach as soon as you open your store. And it doesn't have to be a big magazine or a huge influencer with millions of followers. It could be a blogger or someone with a smaller following. You can also optimize your store for searches online (SEO) to help bring in organic sales. You don't have to post everyday on social media to gets sales. Mei teaches how to leverage building relationships with people who already have an engaged audience because it's a more effective use of time and can get really great results. She posts occasionally on her own social pages to show people that her business is still active, but she focuses most of her time on connecting with others who want to help promote her products. I know because I've taken some of her courses.
Thank you for your kind words! At the start, I focused on building a solid foundation for my store and connecting with my target audience. While I did start doing media outreach eventually, I initially concentrated on optimizing my product listings and leveraging any existing networks. 😊
Amen to having empathy towards your customers! See so many “small businesses” gain popularity over complaining about their customers. Imagine if Jeff Bezos tweeted about every bad Amazon review and embarassed all customers who had made a mistake.
Damn such a smart, sharp and talented lady..loving this! also love the fact she is an entrepreneurial beast and still nice and feminine .... thank you for sharing!
All what you say is good but you have a great unique product which is pleasing on the eye for your customer base and is cute. The product sells itself this isn't because of all your advertising etc this is because of your talent and product, sometimes you look out across the ocean and miss the water. 😊
Anyone that has experience selling online can tell you that nothing magically sells itself with 6-figure revenue. It takes strategy, exposure, and actual work. Mei teaches business owners how to scale their businesses so they can make a living from it.
It’s true that having a great product is a huge part of success. Advertising helps get the word out, but it’s the quality and appeal of the product that really makes a difference. Thank you for watching!
Yes, it’s generally allowed to sell the same items on both Etsy and Shopify. Just make sure to manage your inventory carefully to avoid overselling. Thank you for watching!
Great question! Yes, you can sell the same items on both Etsy and Shopify. Just make sure to keep track of inventory so you don’t oversell. Glad you’re enjoying the videos-thanks for watching! 😊
Sometimes stepping away from social media can really help focus on what matters. Glad to hear RU-vid is still a part of your business journey-hope it continues to thrive for you!
What I have a problem with is that it was my job to make a product and get it in the mail. It’s the shipping service’s responsibility to get to the customer. They should have to pay for the loss!
While it's true that the shipping service is responsible for getting the package to the customer, as the seller, it's also important to ensure a smooth experience for your buyers. Sometimes, offering a replacement or a refund can help maintain trust and customer satisfaction. It's worth looking into insurance options with your shipping carrier to cover potential losses in the future. That way, you're protected, and your customers are taken care of too.
Congrats on this. Building wealth doesn’t have to be hard. You can invest in turnkey apartments with low cost of entry and high returns like I did; making it easier to achieve financial goals.
Thanks for your question! The video is packed with ideas and tips that might help clarify how to effectively sell charms and manage production. I go over strategies for maximizing profits and streamlining the process, so I think you’ll find it really insightful. I hope it sparks some great ideas for you!
Thank you so much for the compliment! I’m thrilled to hear that you found the content valuable and that it resonated with your expertise in business development.
Love this!! I've been in business for over 8 years and literally never done media outreach, so thank you for this information! I need to watch the rest of the video, but wanted to comment because I've actually had huge success on social media and also make six figures. I would say that for me, Etsy and Instagram were vital to the growth of my business. So, I love that you had success using a completely different route that I never even considered! Thank you for this video! It's been a while since I've seen one of your videos, but this one popped up right at the top for me. I love hearing from other makers, especially when it is business-related. Thanks! Edit: I just watched the rest of your video and its great advice, particularly the customer service section. Couldn't agree more! I do disagree on the Etsy part, as I think Etsy is an incredible marketplace for folks that don't know how to drive traffic to their own website. There's a big difference between belonging to a marketplace and having a stand-alone website. People bash Etsy all the time, but I got most of my die-hard customers through Etsy and a lot of my wholesale accounts through there. I've also been featured on media organically as a lot of places like Buzzfeed search Etsy for inspiration. You do have to understand SEO and for me this felt easier than trying to figure out a way to drive traffic to my website. Maybe I was lucky, but I consistently made more sales through Etsy over the holiday season (which is when Etsy really shines!) than I did on my website, for the first few years. Just another viewpoint, as I personally encourage other makers to join Etsy!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! I’m glad you found the video helpful, and I appreciate your insights on media outreach and Etsy. You make an excellent point about Etsy being a valuable marketplace, especially for those who might struggle with driving traffic to their own site. It’s clear that Etsy has been a key player in your business growth and has helped you reach a wider audience. Thanks for sharing your perspective and experiences-it’s always beneficial to hear different viewpoints and learn from each other’s journeys. 😊
Thank you for watching the video and for your interest! Currently, I’m not hiring, but I appreciate your enthusiasm. If things change in the future, I’ll be sure to let everyone know.
Hello! I’m starting a bracelet company with a friend soon! Would you recommend building our own website on Shopify now? Or starting with sites like etsy, big cartel, etc.
Hi! Congrats on starting your bracelet company! 🎉 I’d recommend building your own website on Shopify. It offers more control over your brand and customer experience compared to Etsy or Big Cartel. Shopify’s tools are user-friendly and great for growth. Best of luck!
Shopify is just a platform like WordPress or Squarespace to host your website on except it's designed specifically for ecommerce. It offers things like free (and paid) website themes optimized for selling online, options for your customers to pay in installments, tax collection and management tools, purchasing and printing shipping labels at a discount, etc. They charge a monthly or yearly fee to use it. Has nothing to do with mortgages.
@@jetah50Shopify is not a marketplace or anything like a mall. Shopify is just a platform that is designed for sellers in mind, with great customer service Meaning to the seller who is using their platform). Your Shopify store is built on their specialized for sales platform, but your store does not reside in a "mall" like the way Etsy works. So your store is never in direct competition with similar stores, such as if your shop was on Etsy, Amazon Handmade, eBay, Redbubble, etc.
Thank you for watching! Shopify is actually an e-commerce platform that allows you to create and manage your online store. They don't offer mortgages or banking services.