Yet another side-eye glance at your endless to-do list, wondering if this Etsy hustle is worth your energy? You’re not alone and today, we’re talking about something that weighs on so many creative sellers: Can handmade truly be sustainable? Spoiler: Yes, it can…if you stop trying to grow it unsustainably. In this episode, we’re unpacking how you can build a sustainable handmade business around your life, not your anxiety. We’ll cover: Why chasing constant growth hurts more than it helps How Ets...
Aug 19, 2025•8 min•Ep. 207
Ever feel like your Etsy shop is a little all over the place? You’ve got some mugs, a printable or two, a sticker pack, a t-shirt, maybe a wedding sign from last spring and one random Halloween file that’s been sitting there since last fall. You’re creative. You’re experimenting. You’re uploading what you’ve made. And it feels like you’re doing the right thing by keeping the shop active. But Etsy doesn’t reward activity, my friend. It needs to think you’re an authority for what you make. If your...
Aug 14, 2025•8 min•Ep. 206
If you’ve been pulled in a hundred different directions with your marketing and you’re not seeing the growth you want, this episode is your permission slip to simplify. Because Etsy deserves to be your number one priority. Not Instagram. Not email. Not whatever new platform just launched. In this episode, I’ll walk you through: Why Etsy is more than a marketplace and how it actually works in your favor The difference between chasing attention and showing up where buyers already are How Etsy’s al...
Aug 12, 2025•6 min•Ep. 205
In today’s episode, I’m busting the myth that social media is the secret to Etsy success. And I’m showing you what actually matters, especially if you’d rather focus on your products than chase likes. We’ll cover: Why Etsy doesn’t care about your social media following What the algorithm does reward (and how to use that to your advantage) How sellers are scaling without an audience or a single reel And what kind of visibility actually grows your shop without burning you out Mentioned in the epis...
Aug 06, 2025•6 min•Ep. 204
You’re making sales and showing up and your Etsy shop is doing fine… But you’re not seeing that next level of consistent growth. If you’ve hit a plateau in your traffic or sales, and you're stuck in that “some sales, but not daily” phase, this episode is for you. In today’s episode, I’m walking you through three smart, strategic tweaks that can help you scale what’s already working so your shop doesn’t just survive…it grows. We’ll cover: Why “more listings” isn’t always the answer The small list...
Aug 05, 2025•6 min•Ep. 203
You crushed it during the holidays, right? Your Etsy shop was busy, your orders were flowing, and it finally felt like everything was clicking… And then January hit. Crickets. If you’re tired of riding the seasonal rollercoaster, this episode is for you. I’m walking you through how to use that Q4 traction to actually grow your shop year-round, not just survive the slow season. We’re covering: Why Etsy momentum doesn’t have to reset every January How to repurpose your holiday success for spring, ...
Jul 31, 2025•5 min•Ep. 202
You’ve done all the “right” things. Great products? Check.Keyword-optimized listings? Check.You’re showing up in search…at least you think you are… And yet? Crickets. Today’s episode is for the seller who feels like their shop is invisible. Because if your listings are getting seen but not converting, something deeper is going on and I want to help you fix it. We’re diving into: The real reason shops stay invisible (it’s not what you think) Why decent SEO alone isn’t enough to drive traffic or s...
Jul 29, 2025•7 min•Ep. 201
Let’s talk to the in-between seller. You’re showing up… kind of. Tweak a listing here. Swap a photo there. Check your stats once in a while. But deep down? You’re not sure this whole Etsy thing is actually working. If you’ve been in start-stop mode with your shop, today’s episode is for you. We’re talking about why your shop isn’t broken and how you might just be stuck in a cycle that’s keeping you invisible. Inside, I’ll walk you through: Why getting halfway in keeps your shop stuck How Etsy’s ...
Jul 24, 2025•5 min•Ep. 200
If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering, “What does Etsy even want from me?” this episode is your cheat sheet. Because Etsy’s algorithm isn’t some secret code you have to crack. It’s not about chasing trends or going viral. And it’s definitely not only rewarding giant shops with huge followings. So what is it looking for? Today, I’m walking you through the three things Etsy’s algorithm actually wants from your shop and how to give it what it’s asking for without burning out or starting from scr...
Jul 22, 2025•6 min•Ep. 199
Feeling lost on Etsy? Start here. Starting your Etsy shop can feel like diving into a Pinterest board of pressure. You’re trying to do all the things and you’re staring at other shops thinking, “How the heck am I supposed to catch up?” If that’s you, this episode is your calm in the chaos. Whether you’re brand new or stuck in that “sort of launched but still kind of confused” stage, I’m giving you three mindset shifts that will help you move forward without spinning your wheels or trying to buil...
Jul 17, 2025•6 min•Ep. 198
If your Etsy traffic feels like it hit a wall with no views, no clicks, no momentum…this episode is your sign to stop spiraling and start simplifying. Because more often than not the visibility you want isn’t five strategies or ten new products away. It’s just three small tweaks. In today’s episode, I’ll walk you through the three core shifts that can unlock serious search traffic without overhauling your entire shop or burning yourself out on social. What you’ll learn: Why Etsy rewards shop con...
Jul 15, 2025•5 min•Ep. 197
Overthinking everything about Etsy? Here are 5 things to let go of. If you’ve ever spent a whole afternoon choosing between two fonts, this episode is for you. Because as smart and creative as Etsy sellers are, we can also spiral into major decision fatigue trying to make everything perfect before we hit publish, post, or promote. So today, I’m handing out permission slips. I’m sharing 5 common decisions that most sellers overthink way too much and what to focus on instead. If you’ve been stuck ...
Jul 08, 2025•6 min•Ep. 196
In a Summer Slump? Try this 3-step reset! If you’re halfway through summer and feeling stuck, this episode is for you. We’re talking about what to do when your plans for updating listings, testing keywords, or prepping for fall have taken a backseat…and now you're staring down July wondering what went wrong. Spoiler: you’re not behind. But you are at a turning point. What you do next will help determine how strong your Q4 is and it doesn’t have to involve a shop overhaul. In this episode, I’m sh...
Jul 01, 2025•6 min•Ep. 195
So your views are down, your top listings are slipping in search, and everything that used to work just… isn’t. Don’t panic. You might not have a product problem. You might have a keyword saturation problem. In this episode, we’re diving into what keyword saturation actually means, how to spot it in your stats, and what to do when the competition around your keywords starts crowding you out. If you’ve ever wondered why your traffic is shrinking even though nothing changed, this one’s for you. Wh...
Jun 17, 2025•7 min•Ep. 194
Thinking About Etsy Ads? Here’s What You Really Need to Know Feeling tempted to click that little “Try Ads” button on your Etsy dashboard? I get it. When sales are slow and summer traffic dips, it’s easy to think, “What if I just paid to get more views?” But Etsy Ads don’t create demand. They only amplify what’s already working. So before you spend money hoping for more sales, let’s walk through what Etsy Ads actually do, why they might backfire if your shop isn’t ready, and how to know if it’s ...
Jun 10, 2025•6 min•Ep. 193
How to Keep Showing Up When You’re in Summer Mode Summer schedules can be chaotic…or blissfully slow. Either way, keeping your Etsy shop visible doesn’t have to mean going full speed or launching something new every week. In this episode, we’re talking about how to stay consistent enough to maintain your momentum during the summer, without burning out. You’ll learn how to create a light visibility routine, get honest about your time, and set one simple goal that helps you keep your shop moving (...
Jun 03, 2025•7 min•Ep. 192
Your Whole Summer Etsy Strategy (in One Afternoon): Summer doesn’t have to be a chaotic mess or a total sales slump. In this episode, we’re building your entire summer Etsy strategy (yes, all of it) in one afternoon. Whether your shop slows down in the summer or you’re just trying to enjoy life outside your business, you need a simple, intentional plan that works with your real life. No big launches, no endless content calendar, just three practical steps to help you: ✔ Know what to promote✔ Pla...
May 27, 2025•7 min•Ep. 191
If you’ve been stuck trying to create the “perfect” product before you launch this episode is for you. Too many Etsy sellers wait for certainty before they list anything. But the truth is, your best-selling product won’t come from guessing. It comes from testing. In this episode, I’ll show you: – Why overthinking your product line stalls your growth – What traffic actually tells you (it’s more than just sales!) – How to use real data to build products that sell – Why perfection isn’t the goal LI...
May 13, 2025•6 min•Ep. 190
Not feeling motivated lately? You’re not alone and you’re not doing anything wrong. In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to move forward when motivation is low. You’ll learn: – Why a lack of motivation is completely normal– How to figure out what’s really going on under the surface– How to reset without guilt or pressure– Simple, low-effort ways to reconnect with your Etsy shop Whether you’re burned out, discouraged, or just feeling off, this episode will help you take the next right step ...
May 06, 2025•8 min•Ep. 189
If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time to switch things up in your Etsy shop this episode is for you. Maybe your sales have slowed down.Maybe someone told you your niche is too saturated. Or maybe you’re watching other sellers grow faster and have caught yourself thinking you should start over. Before you make another big change, I want you to pause and ask yourself the right questions. In this episode, I’ll walk you through: Common reasons Etsy sellers feel pulled to pivot Why starting over...
Apr 29, 2025•7 min•Ep. 188
If your Etsy sales spike before a big holida, then completely disappear, you’re not alone. This “seasonal rollercoaster” is super common…and totally exhausting. In this episode, you’ll learn how to blend evergreen products with seasonal strategy so you can build consistent, year-round traffic without constantly starting from scratch. What we cover: Why seasonal-only shops struggle with long-term visibility How evergreen listings create stability in your shop Easy ways to turn existing products i...
Apr 15, 2025•7 min•Ep. 187
Planning your Etsy product line for the year doesn’t have to mean constant hustle. In this episode, I’ll walk you through a simple, three-step strategy to help you grow your shop without the overwhelm. What you’ll learn: How to use last year’s data to decide what to focus on How to align your product launches with real buyer demand Why planning for rest is just as important as planning for sales Download the free seasonal planning calendar here: sarahjwaggoner.com/calendar Listen now and build a...
Apr 01, 2025•7 min•Ep. 186
Think listing more products will finally get your Etsy shop the traffic it deserves? Think again! Etsy doesn’t just rank listings…it ranks shops. That means if your shop lacks authority in a niche, adding more random listings won’t fix your visibility issues. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down: ✅ Why Etsy isn’t showing your products in search (even if your SEO is “right”) ✅ The real reason more listings won’t magically bring in sales ✅ What actually moves the needle If you’ve been listing pro...
Mar 18, 2025•6 min•Ep. 185
Thinking about selling on multiple platforms to grow your business? Before you spend hours setting up Shopify, Amazon Handmade, or a TikTok Shop, listen to this episode! Today, we’re breaking down the multi-platform myth and why trying to sell everywhere often leads to less profit, more stress, and slower growth. You’ll learn:- Why managing too many platforms is hurting your sales- The real power of an Etsy-first strategy and how to make it work for you- When it actually makes sense to expand (a...
Mar 03, 2025•10 min•Ep. 184
In this episode of The Handmade Shop Podcast, we’ll explain why relying only on social media is a risky strategy for your product business. Learn how unpredictable algorithm changes, declining organic reach, and conversion challenges can hurt your sales, and discover actionable tips to optimize your Etsy shop. Takeaways: Stop relying solely on social media and build traffic on Etsy. Optimize your Etsy shop with targeted keywords and a clear niche. Create a steady flow of sales by building your a...
Feb 25, 2025•6 min•Ep. 183
There’s a lot of misinformation floating around about how long it takes to know if an Etsy listing will work. Should you see results in a week or two? Should you delete anything that hasn’t sold in 90 days? Let’s set the record straight. In this episode, I’m breaking down:✅ Why Etsy’s algorithm takes time to rank your listings✅ The biggest mistake sellers make when they don’t see sales fast enough✅ What to do instead of deleting and relisting (so you don’t sabotage your own progress) If you want...
Feb 18, 2025•5 min•Ep. 182
If you’ve ever told yourself, “I’ll list this product after I retake the photos,” or “I can’t launch yet because I need at least 20 listings ready first,” you might be stuck in perfection mode. And guess what? That’s exactly what’s holding your Etsy shop back. In today’s episode, we’re diving into The ‘Good Enough’ Etsy Shop Strategy: a practical, no-BS approach to getting your products listed, seen, and sold without waiting for everything to be perfect. Because waiting isn’t a strategy and a pr...
Feb 11, 2025•12 min•Ep. 181
Running an Etsy shop can sometimes feel like you’re putting in the work, but the results aren’t there. If you’re struggling with consistent sales, chances are you fall into one of three categories. In this episode, I’ll share: The most common roadblocks Etsy sellers face. Why focusing your efforts is key to visibility. Actionable tips to grow your shop without burning out. Not sure what’s holding you back? Take the free quiz at sarahjwaggoner.com/quiz to find out. Let’s Connect! If this episode ...
Feb 04, 2025•7 min•Ep. 180
If you’ve ever wondered why your listings aren’t getting the traffic they deserve on Etsy, this episode is for you. We’re diving into the most common reasons your shop isn’t showing up in search results. Whether it’s a lack of focus in your product line, keyword mistakes, or an “everywhere-at-once” approach, I’ll guide you through actionable steps to help Etsy’s algorithm notice your shop and boost your visibility. Ready to find out exactly what’s blocking your visibility on Etsy? Click here to ...
Jan 30, 2025•8 min•Ep. 179
Let’s kick things off by talking about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention in the Etsy world: sustainability. And no, I’m not talking about eco-friendly packaging or recycled materials (although, props to you if you’re doing those things). I’m talking about building a business that grows without running you into the ground. If 2024 felt like a chaotic blur of trying to keep up with trends, burning through ideas, and wondering if this whole Etsy thing is even worth it, then this ep...
Jan 21, 2025•9 min•Ep. 178
