My First Month on Etsy: What I’ve Learned So Far

-

Wow. One month into selling on Etsy, and let me tell you—it’s been a wild ride.

I went into this thinking, "I’ll just list my products, and boom—sales!" Yeah… not quite. Turns out, Etsy is its own little world, and I’m still figuring it all out.

So, if you’re thinking about starting an Etsy shop or are just curious about what this first month has been like, here are the biggest things I’ve learned so far.

1. Etsy is Not a “List It and They Will Come” Situation

I naively thought if I put my tumblers up for sale, Etsy would just magically show them to the right people.

😂 Nope.

Etsy is a search engine, meaning you have to help people find you by using the right keywords, updating listings, and staying active. It’s work.

💡 Lesson: I’ve been tweaking my listings, learning about SEO, and figuring out how to get my products in front of the right customers. (If you’re curious about Etsy SEO, check out this post where I break it down!)

2. Your Dashboard is Your Best Friend—Use It!

I’ll be honest—I wasn’t really paying attention to my Etsy dashboard at first. But once I did? Game changer.

📊 It tells you everything:
✔️ What people are looking at
✔️ What they’re favoriting
✔️ Where they’re coming from

And here’s what I learned… it doesn’t matter what I think is cute or cool—it matters what the customer thinks is cute and cool. (Ouch, but also… noted.)

💡 Lesson: Pay attention to the data! If a certain product is getting all the love, lean into that. (Even if you thought another one was the star of the show.)

3. Photos Matter More Than I Thought

I knew good photos were important, but I didn’t realize just how much they affect sales.

✔️ Bright, natural lighting = YES
✔️ Multiple angles = YES
✔️ Lifestyle photos = YES

A listing with meh photos will get scrolled past, while a listing with clear, high-quality images gets way more clicks.

💡 Lesson: I’ve started experimenting with different backgrounds and props to make my products stand out. (I’ll probably do a separate post on how I take my Etsy photos once I refine my process! Haha!)

4. The First Sale is a Rollercoaster of Emotions

The moment I got my first sale; I did a full happy dance. 💃

Then immediately after, I had a mini panic attack. 😳

  • Did I price it right?
  • What if they don’t like it?
  • What if I mess up shipping?!

But I packed it up, shipped it, and survived. And when I got that first review? Pure joy.

💡 Lesson: The first sale is a huge milestone, but after that, it’s about staying consistent and building momentum.

5. Marketing is Just as Important as Making

I originally thought my focus would be on creating products, but I quickly realized… marketing is just as crucial.

✔️ Posting on social media (Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, all the things…)
✔️ Engaging with customers (Replying to messages, sharing behind-the-scenes content)
✔️ Driving traffic outside of Etsy (Because you can’t rely on Etsy alone!)

💡 Lesson: I’ve been experimenting with Pinterest and will be sharing my thoughts on that in tomorrow’s post!

6. Etsy Fees Add Up (So Price Accordingly!)

Let’s talk money. Etsy takes a cut of every sale.

  • Listing fee: $0.20 per item
  • Transaction fee: 6.5% of the sale
  • Payment processing fee: Varies

At first, I underpriced my items because I wanted to attract sales. Big mistake. I quickly realized that after Etsy’s fees, I wasn’t making as much as I thought.

💡 Lesson: Pricing for profit is key—it’s not just about covering materials, but also factoring in fees, packaging, and my time. (I break this down more in this post about pricing.)

7. Customer Messages Can Be… Interesting

Most people are amazing, but I’ve already had some… interesting interactions.

🚩 “Can I get this for $5?” (Uh, no.)
🚩 “I saw this at Walmart for cheaper.” (Then buy it there, my guy.)
🚩 “I love this, but I don’t want to pay for shipping.” (I feel you, but shipping isn’t free!)

💡 Lesson: I’ve learned to set boundaries and not take things personally. The right customers will appreciate handmade work, and those are the people I want to attract.

8. 30 Sales in My First Month? I’ll Take It!

Some Etsy sellers get hundreds of sales in their first month, while others take weeks to get their first one.

Me? I got 30. 🎉

And you know what? For a side hustle, I’ll take it. There’s so much room to grow, and I know I’m just getting started.

💡 Lesson: Every sale is progress! The goal isn’t just quick sales—it’s long-term success.

Final Thoughts: It’s Only the Beginning

One month in, and I still feel like I’m figuring it out as I go. But here’s what I know for sure:

✨ Etsy is not a quick-money scheme—it takes work.
✨ Learning SEO, pricing, and marketing makes a huge difference.
✨ The excitement of each sale never gets old.
✨ I love what I’m building, and I’m excited for what’s next!

If you’re also selling on Etsy, how was your first month? Any surprises? Let’s share stories in the comments!

📌 Shop my designs here 🛒

Until next time,
Jecca

Location: San Antonio, TX 78261, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My First Sale - That wasn't a friend or family member.

-
There comes a moment in every small business owner’s journey that feels like a rite of passage. No, I’m not talking about picking the perfect logo or finally figuring out how to price your products without second-guessing yourself (although those are both real struggles). I’m talking about The First Sale. Not the “Oh, honey, I’ll buy one” from your mom. Not the “I love your work! Do you take Venmo?” from your bestie. Not even the “I’ll support your business!” purchase from your cousin who still owes you money from 2009. I mean the first REAL sale —from a complete stranger. Someone who doesn’t share your last name, isn’t in your group chat, and gasp actually wants what you made! How It Happened So, there I was, minding my own business (literally), when I got The Notification. You know the one. 📩 Cha-ching! You’ve made a sale! At first, I assumed it was my sister or a coworker trying to be sneaky. But when I checked the order details… I didn’t recognize the name. I blinked. Could...
Read more

✨ Flex Friday: Fiesta, Family & a Sparkly Little CEO in Training ✨

-
Sometimes the biggest wins don’t come from big crowds or big booths… They come from a two-hour craft fair at an elementary school , under paper flowers, surrounded by community, family, and the unexpected magic of handmade joy. This week’s flex? A Fiesta-themed event hosted by my niece Gracie’s school , and y’all — it ended up being everything. Gracie, the Accidental CEO 👧🏻✨ Knowing she might get a little bored, I brought Gracie some silicone beads to play with while she sat at my booth. You know, just something to keep her busy. Cut to: Gracie crafting up the cutest little keychains you’ve ever seen , and casually laying them out on the table like she’s been doing markets for years. No sign. No price. Just sitting there being adorable. Then it happened… A woman walked by, picked one up and said, “Oh my gosh… these keychains are BEAUTIFUL!” 😍 I blinked. Gracie blinked. I said, “Yep! They’re for sale!” ( Internally: Are they? They are now. ) The lady BOUGHT it. Gra...
Read more

🔍 Flex Friday: 3 Things That Helped My Etsy Listings Get Found

-
 Let’s talk about something that every shop owner stresses over at some point: “How do I get my listings SEEN on Etsy?” When I first launched Rise Up Designs, I spent hours creating products — tumblers, wraps, keychains — and then stared at my stats wondering why no one was finding them. 😩 Sound familiar? Now, I’m not saying I cracked the Etsy algorithm (I wish! 😂), but I have figured out a few key moves that made a difference in getting found — and getting sales. So for today’s Flex Friday, I’m sharing 3 real things that helped my listings show up more consistently. 1️⃣ Get serious about your titles Your title isn’t just a description — it’s a search tool. I used to write cutesy or vague titles, but now I start by thinking: 💡 What would my ideal customer type into the search bar? Example: Instead of “Sparkle Teacher Cup” I go with:  Teacher Tumbler with Straw – Back to School Gift – Glitter Glass Can – Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea It may sound less poetic, b...
Read more