Etsy is NOT for Artists 🎨 (Why your Art Isn't Selling)
TLDRIn the video titled 'Etsy is NOT for Artists 🎨 (Why your Art Isn't Selling)', Dylan Jarus explains the challenges artists face when trying to sell their work on Etsy and offers strategies for success. He differentiates between artists with a strong following and those without, emphasizing that the latter need a different approach. The video provides a four-step plan: prioritizing making money over artistic fulfillment, creating art for profitable customers, adjusting pricing to match demand, and turning art into functional items. Jarus shares his expertise in corporate e-commerce and applies it to Etsy, helping sellers increase their revenue. The summary encourages artists to adapt to market demands and leverage their skills to build a profitable brand on Etsy.
Takeaways
- 🎨 **Etsy's Nature**: Etsy is not an art gallery but a marketplace; artists need a different approach to sell their work effectively.
- 👥 **Artist Types**: There are two types of artists on Etsy - those with a strong following and those without. Each requires a distinct strategy.
- 📈 **Revenue Focus**: Artists should decide whether to prioritize making money or creating art that feeds their soul, as it impacts decision-making and shop clarity.
- 🧘♂️ **Prioritizing Survival**: Prioritizing income allows artists to later enjoy their craft with financial security, potentially building their brand faster.
- 🛍️ **Customer-Centric Art**: Instead of making art for personal satisfaction, artists should consider creating for profitable customers with expensive taste.
- 📊 **Adapting to Demand**: Artists should adapt their work to what the market demands, using tools like polls on social media to gauge customer preferences.
- 🎨 **Functional Art**: Transforming art into functional items increases accessibility and sales, as opposed to purely decorative pieces.
- 💰 **Pricing Strategy**: Pricing should reflect demand; without it, high pricing isn't justified, and artists may need to generate demand through marketing.
- 📉 **Demand Over Time**: If there's no demand, artists must reconsider their approach, including the potential need to lower prices or change their product offerings.
- 📈 **Brand Building**: Focusing on making money first can help build an audience and fan base, which can be leveraged for future product offerings.
- 📝 **Shop Presentation**: A well-presented shop with clear branding, an about section, and a shop story is crucial for establishing an artist's identity and attracting customers.
Q & A
Why does the title suggest that Etsy is not for artists?
-The title implies that while Etsy can be used by artists, it is not inherently designed for them. Artists may not make a significant profit by simply showcasing their creativity on the platform without proper marketing strategies and understanding of the business aspect.
What is the first step Dylan Jarus suggests for artists on Etsy who want to make money?
-The first step is to prioritize between making money and creating art that feeds the soul. Artists need to decide whether they are willing to prioritize financial success initially to gain financial stability and later focus on the joy of their craft.
What does Dylan Jarus mean by 'making art for profitable customers'?
-It means creating art that caters to the tastes and preferences of customers who are willing to spend more money. This approach may require artists to adapt their aesthetic to match what is currently in demand and profitable in the market.
How does having a strong following affect an artist's success on Etsy?
-Having a strong following can significantly influence an artist's success on Etsy. Artists with a built-in audience are more likely to have their work sought out, which can lead to higher sales and revenue without needing to focus as much on marketing.
What is the importance of understanding supply and demand for an artist's pricing strategy on Etsy?
-Understanding supply and demand is crucial for setting the right prices for art on Etsy. If there is no demand for the art, artists cannot charge premium prices. They must create demand through marketing and by making their art more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.
How does turning art into functional items help artists on Etsy?
-Transforming art into functional items increases the utility and appeal of the products, making them more attractive to customers. This approach can lead to higher sales volumes and revenue, as customers are more likely to purchase art that serves a purpose in addition to being aesthetically pleasing.
What is the role of branding in an artist's shop on Etsy?
-Branding is essential as it helps to establish an artist's identity and differentiates their shop from others. A strong brand can attract a loyal customer base and increase the perceived value of the art, potentially allowing the artist to charge higher prices.
Why is it suggested to stop making art just for oneself?
-Making art only for oneself can limit the artist's marketability and potential profits. By focusing on what profitable customers want, artists can expand their market reach and increase their sales, which can ultimately lead to greater financial success and the ability to fund future creative projects.
How does adapting one's art to match expensive tastes benefit an artist?
-Adapting art to match expensive tastes can attract a more affluent customer base, which can lead to higher-priced sales and increased revenue. It also challenges the artist to be more versatile and responsive to market trends.
What is the significance of providing a shop story or an about section on an Etsy shop?
-A shop story or about section provides context and personalization to the shop, helping to build a connection with potential customers. It can enhance the artist's brand and make the shop appear more professional and appealing.
What does the 16-step checklist offered by Dylan Jarus contain?
-The 16-step checklist is a guide that includes revenue-generating activities that can be implemented in an Etsy shop to grow the business. It offers tactical and practical steps to help artists increase their sales and revenue on the platform.
Outlines
🎨 Navigating Etsy for Artists: Monetization vs. Creativity
Dylan Jarus, the speaker, discusses the misconception that Etsy is purely for artists. He clarifies that while many artists use the platform, to make significant revenue, artists must approach it as a business. He has assisted over 2,000 Etsy sellers, many of whom are artists, in scaling their businesses to over $10 million in revenue. The video is aimed at artists looking to earn substantial income on Etsy. It offers a 16-step checklist for growing an Etsy shop and categorizes artists into those with a strong following and a brand, versus those without. The advice given is tailored to each group, emphasizing the need to prioritize making money over pure artistic expression, especially for those without an established audience. The video also stresses the importance of understanding the market and adapting one's art to meet customer demands, rather than solely creating for personal satisfaction.
💰 Prioritizing Profit in Artistry: A Strategic Approach to Etsy
The second paragraph delves into the practical aspects of selling art on Etsy. It suggests that artists should focus on creating items that are not only appealing but also functional and cater to profitable customer segments. The speaker uses an example of a wedding fashion designer to illustrate how targeting a specific customer base, such as elopement brides, can lead to higher pricing and profitability. The importance of supply and demand in pricing is highlighted, and the need for artists to create demand for their work is emphasized. The video also recommends that artists turn their art into functional items, such as home decor or apparel, to increase sales and revenue. It concludes with an invitation for artists serious about making a full-time income from their art to reach out for further guidance.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Etsy
💡Artist
💡Revenue Generating Activities
💡Market
💡Pricing
💡Functional and Accessible Items
💡Brand
💡Supply and Demand
💡Aesthetic
💡Customer First
💡Checklist
Highlights
Etsy is not primarily an art gallery; it's a marketplace that requires a different approach for artists to succeed.
Dylan Jarus has helped over 2,000 Etsy sellers scale their businesses to over $10 million in revenue.
Artists on Etsy are categorized into those with a strong following and those without, affecting their market approach.
For artists without a strong following, prioritizing making money over personal satisfaction is crucial for success on Etsy.
Adapting art to cater to profitable customers with expensive taste can lead to higher sales and adaptability for artists.
Artists are encouraged to conduct polls on social media to understand the preferences of their target audience.
Background in corporate e-commerce provides insight into applying business principles to Etsy for artists.
Focusing on customer needs first, rather than personal artistic desires, can lead to better sales and growth.
The importance of understanding and adapting to trends in one's niche market is emphasized for successful sales on Etsy.
Artists without demand for their work need to create that demand to justify higher pricing.
The necessity of branding and providing a compelling shop story to establish an artist's identity on Etsy is highlighted.
Turning art into functional items increases accessibility and can lead to higher monthly earnings for artists on Etsy.
Combining art with functional utility can result in higher profits than selling art purely for aesthetic purposes.
A free 16-step checklist is offered to help grow an Etsy shop with tactical and practical action steps.
An example of a wedding fashion designer is used to illustrate the potential for higher pricing and targeting different customer segments.
The video shares a success story of an Etsy shop that improved their sales after applying the course's strategies.