How do you make your work seem different than everything else that’s already out there?

When you’re a creative person you’re probably able to create a host of different products. However, this does not mean you should sell everything you are able to make. 

In fact, many Etsy shop owners make the mistake of starting to broad and open shops selling a range of things like knitted toys, art printables and macramé plant hangers. 

But then they get no sales. 

The reason? 

Because their shops look too confusing. 

Be Specific

The most successful Etsy shops sell products within very specific niches. That is, they focus on one kind of product or one type of audience. 

For example, suppose a customer wants a printable productivity planner. She searches on Etsy and finds a beautiful planner but when she clicks through to the store, she is confronted with children’s colouring books, personalized baby shower decorations, and Halloween photo props. I’m sure she won’t spend much time in this variety store with its confusing array of products. Instead, she’ll prefer to find a seller that specializes and is an expert in productivity products. That is, one selling only planners like the one she’s looking for. A seller that she can trust to make a quality product. 

Selling a great variety of products gives you a dollar store stigma and makes your shop look not very professional. 

Developing a unique and recognizable style is the key to successfully carving out a niche for your shop. 

So when setting up your shop you need to be consistent in what you offer.

Additionally, you must be yourself and use your personality as a source of inspiration. This way your products will be unique and recognizable as you.

Benefits of Finding Your Niche on Etsy

Carving out your niche on Etsy has many benefits, such as:

• develop trust with your customers
• market your products to a target audience
• stand out as an expert in your area
• look professional
• develop your brand and recognizable style

How To Find Your Niche

• What do you do that’s unique?
• What can you create that solves a problem?
• Can you target a specific event?
• Can you target a specific audience?
• What is something that you are happy to make over and over again?

Narrow down your product ideas and think then how you can get even more specific.

• What specifically will you make?
• How will you make it?
• For whom are you making it?

For example:

You want to make printable journals

I make beautiful journals to help busy mamas clear the clutter in their minds.

You want to make printable mood trackers for young people.

I make printable mood trackers for teenagers to help them cope with everyday stress.

Do Some Research

Search for your item on Etsy and Google.

• How many sellers make the same thing?
• Is the market already saturated?
• How can you create the product with a different perspective? How can you make it different?

It is important to consider whether there is a market for your niche on Etsy and who your potential customers might be.

Now use the prompts on page 19 of the workbook and spend some time considering the niche you want to work in.

When choosing what to sell in your Etsy shop, you need to consider your strengths, talents and skills. Choose to sell something you know. Stick to creating products that fall in line with your expertise and experience then you’ll be sure to be making quality products that will delight your customers. 

Also, it’s worth asking yourself, are you happy to focus exclusively on that product? Is it something you’re passionate about? You want to be sure you’re picking to create something you enjoy making and that makes you happy. There’s no sustainable business if you don’t enjoy it.