Etsy Seller Interview with Samantha of CreativeMillennial

How CreativeMillennial got started

Introduce your Etsy shop and tell us your story. How did you begin and decide on what to sell on Etsy, and how do you create your products?

I began selling on Etsy in April of 2020. Like most of us, the pandemic hit hard, and unfortunately I lost my job on March 24th, 2020. So there I was, with no job, no income, and the pandemic making everything seem hopeless and impossible. However, I was determined not to let this affect me and began brainstorming different ways to make money.
I already had a successful travel blog (which was also hit hard by the pandemic for obvious reasons) and had designed and sold pins and Lightroom presets for it on my website. I hoped that by selling them on Etsy, I would make a few dollars a month and have a small income while things were sorted out.I made a few more templates for Instagram and Pinterest and put them on Etsy, and they were an immediate hit! I was so shocked and excited that I started making five new templates a day and quickly grew my shop to where it is today.
I decided to sell social media templates because I have always worked in marketing and design and love aesthetics, and I noticed some people just don’t have the time, patience, interest, or eye for aesthetics. And, while creating the perfect feed is enjoyable for me, it can be exhausting for others. I create all my products on Canva!

Favorite items

What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?

My favorite products are my Scandinavian templates and my Gen Z Instagram templates. Both of these templates are very different from one another, but they are both highly aesthetic and captivating. I love simplistic design but also have a fun side, and these two templates show just that.

They both sell extremely well. Sometimes I just want to make simple beige and classy templates, but I know not everyone likes just that, so having many options for all types of styles and needs is best.

Getting sales on Etsy

How long did it take for you to earn your first sale and how do you currently attract customers to your Etsy shop?

I made my first sale within the first week of being on Etsy. In the beginning, my shop was explosive; I was making four figures a month from it within three months. However, now it has settled and is at a much more constant and lower pace than the first year (unfortunately)! I attract people to my Etsy shop with Pinterest! I have a page where I promote my products and get people to come to my shop and buy.

Managing CreativeMillennial

How do you manage your shop? Are you running solo or do you have any team members? What tools or services do you use to run your shop and how do you handle fulfillment?

It is just me managing my shop. Since all my products are digital, there is no shipping or fulfillment. I do all the design, customer support, marketing, and more! To run my store, I use:

• canva: to create
• Pinterest: To market
• Etsy: to sell
  

The future of CreativeMillennial

What goals do you have for your shop in the future?

My goals for the future are the same as they have always been: to help small brands and businesses showcase their offerings on social media in the best way possible. I love to read my reviews and get messages from people who love my work. I find joy in seeing something that comes so easily to me help someone else in such an intense way!

Advice for new sellers

What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?

Start today and let the rest fall into place. Starting is often the hardest part; we want everything to be perfect, but it will never be. Begin with one listing and expand and learn as you run your shop.Also, you will have to spend money to make money.

Some sellers really get inspired by hearing numbers. Feel free to share these if you like.

Question: How much is your monthly revenue?
Answer: My highest monthly revenue was: ​​€4,693.86; Currently: €290

Question: What is your average profit margin?
Answer: 90%

Question: What is your shop’s conversion rate?
Answer: 1.9%