If you’re a planner enthusiast, you’ve probably considered starting your own planner business on Etsy. With the growing popularity of planners, there’s never been a better time to turn your passion into a profitable venture.
However, with so many sellers on the platform, it can be challenging to stand out and make sales. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can employ to increase your visibility and attract customers.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some proven tips for selling planners on Etsy. We’ll cover everything from creating a standout product listing to promoting your shop on social media.
So, whether you’re new to Etsy or a seasoned seller, keep reading to learn how to boost your planner sales and grow your business.
Understanding Your Target Market
The first step in selling planners on Etsy is to understand your target market. Who are the people that will be interested in buying your planners? Are they students, busy professionals, stay-at-home parents or hobbyists? Knowing your target audience will help you create a product that caters to their needs and preferences.
One way to get to know your target market is to conduct market research. Look at the trends in the planner industry and see what types of planners are popular.
You can also visit forums, social media groups, and blogs related to planners to see what people are talking about. By gathering information about your target market, you can create designs and features that will appeal to them.
Once you have a good understanding of your target market, you can start creating your planner designs. Make sure to incorporate features that will appeal to your audience, such as goal setting pages, habit trackers, or meal planning sections.
By creating a planner that meets the needs of your target market, you’ll have a better chance of making sales.
Researching Your Competition
Another important step in selling planners on Etsy is to research your competition. Look at other planner sellers on the platform and see what types of planners they’re selling. What features do they offer, and how are their planners priced?
By studying your competition, you can identify gaps in the market and find ways to differentiate your product.
Market research is key. When done well it enables you to jump on a profitable idea, whilst also staying unique.
Try to find 2 different products, with unique styles. Try to combine the two to create something unique, yer desirable.
When researching your competition, make sure to pay attention to their product listings. What keywords are they using in their titles and descriptions? How are they showcasing their product images?
By analyzing their listings, you can get ideas for how to improve your own product listings.
Creating a Unique Planner Design
One of the keys to selling planners on Etsy is to create a unique and eye-catching design. Your design should stand out from the competition and appeal to your target market. Here are some tips for creating a unique planner design:
- Use a unique color scheme: Choose colors that are unexpected or that haven’t been used by other planner sellers. This will make your planner stand out and be easy to recognize.
- Add unique graphics: Incorporate graphics that are specific to your target market or that haven’t been used in other planner designs.
- Use interesting fonts: Choose fonts that are easy to read but that add a unique flair to your planner.
- Incorporate unique features: Add features to your planner that are specific to your target market. For example, if you’re targeting busy professionals, you might include a section for tracking meetings and deadlines.
Jump on trends! Products on Etsy are only used for a season or two, therefore you don;t have to worry too much about your products staying in style.
Make products that are bang on trend NOW, and update them as tastes change.
By creating a unique planner design, you’ll make it more likely that customers will choose your planner over others.
Photographing Your Planners for Etsy
Once you’ve created your planner design, it’s time to take product photos for your Etsy listing. Your photos should showcase your planner in the best possible light and give potential customers a good idea of what they’ll be purchasing. Here are some tips for photographing your planners for Etsy:
- Use natural lighting: Take your photos in a well-lit area, preferably near a window. Natural lighting will give your photos a clean and professional look.
- Use a plain background: Choose a plain white or neutral-colored background to avoid distractions and keep the focus on your planner.
- Take multiple angles: Take photos of your planner from multiple angles so that customers can see all the features and details.
- Add props: Add props that complement your planner design and give customers an idea of how they can use the planner.
By taking high-quality product photos, you’ll increase the chances that customers will be interested in purchasing your planner.
Writing Compelling Product Descriptions
In addition to high-quality product photos, you’ll also need to write compelling product descriptions for your Etsy listing. Your descriptions should be informative and highlight the features and benefits of your planner. Here are some tips for writing a compelling product description:
- Use keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords into your description to help your listing show up in Etsy search results.
- Highlight the features: List all the features of your planner and explain how they benefit the customer.
- Be specific: Use specific details and examples to show customers how they can use your planner.
- Use bullet points: Break up your description into bullet points to make it easy to read and scan.
By writing a compelling product description, you’ll make it more likely that customers will choose your planner over others.
Pricing Your Planners Competitively
Pricing your planners competitively is another key factor in selling planners on Etsy. You’ll need to find a balance between making a profit and offering a price that’s attractive to customers. Here are some tips for pricing your planners:
- Research your competition: Look at other planner sellers on Etsy and see how they’re pricing their planners. Try to price your planner competitively with similar products.
- Factor in your costs: Make sure to factor in all the costs associated with creating and selling your planner, including materials, shipping, and Etsy fees.
- Offer discounts: Consider offering discounts to customers who purchase multiple planners or who leave a positive review.
- Test different prices: Try different pricing strategies and see which ones result in the most sales.
“Cheaper” doesn’t always mean “Better”. Pricing your products below your competitors just leads to a price war.
Also, a product with a higher price can lead the customer into thinking your product is worth more. A highly priced product may sell less, but make more money over time due to higher profit margins.
By pricing your planners competitively, you’ll make it more likely that customers will choose your planner over others.
Shipping and Handling Your Planners
Once you’ve made a sale, it’s important to provide a positive shipping and handling experience for your customers. Here are some tips for shipping and handling your planners:
- Use high-quality packaging: Make sure your planner is packaged securely and attractively.
- Offer tracking: Provide tracking information to your customers so that they can keep track of their order.
- Communicate with your customers: Keep your customers informed about the status of their order and any delays or issues that may arise.
- Offer free shipping: Consider offering free shipping to customers who purchase multiple planners or who spend a certain amount of money.
Products listed with Free Shipping are boosted in Etsy search. This means you have a better chance of being seen.
Also, listings with Free Shipping convert sales better – even if the shipping price is just included in the product price
By providing a positive shipping and handling experience, you’ll increase the chances that customers will leave positive reviews and return to your shop in the future.
Promoting Your Planners on Social Media
Finally, promoting your planners on social media is an essential part of selling planners on Etsy. Social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are great places to showcase your planner designs and connect with potential customers. Here are some tips for promoting your planners on social media:
- Use high-quality images: Post high-quality images of your planners that showcase their unique features and design.
- Use relevant hashtags: Incorporate relevant hashtags into your posts to reach a wider audience.
- Engage with your followers: Respond to comments and messages from your followers and build a community around your planner brand.
- Collaborate with influencers: Reach out to influencers in the planner community and see if they’d be interested in promoting your planner to their followers.
Social media is great for maintaining a business, and moving away from being reliant on Etsy for your traffic – but it should be seen as a “next step” from once you are making regular sales.
Stick to the basics, as this is where a business is built!
By promoting your planners on social media, you’ll increase the visibility of your brand and attract more customers to your Etsy shop.
Tips for Maintaining a Successful Etsy Shop
Maintaining a successful Etsy shop takes more than just creating a great product and promoting it on social media. Here are some tips for maintaining a successful Etsy shop:
- Respond to customer inquiries promptly and professionally.
- Continuously improve your product listings based on customer feedback.
- Offer excellent customer service to build a loyal customer base.
- Stay up-to-date with trends in the planner industry and adapt your product accordingly.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to maintain a successful Etsy shop and grow your planner business over time.
Conclusion
Selling planners on Etsy can be a profitable and rewarding venture if done correctly. By understanding your target market, creating a unique planner design, and promoting your planners on social media, you can increase your visibility and attract more customers to your Etsy shop.
By following the tips outlined in this article, you’ll be on your way to growing a successful planner business on Etsy.
