6 Reasons People Buy on Etsy

Knowing buyers

If you’re selling handmade on Etsy then you are part of something important. Something big. Something that will change, is changing, the world we live in.

People love handmade. Not just because it’s the cool new thing either. Our reasons are much deeper. More soulful. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that the reasons people love handmade go to the most elemental parts of being human.

Ask yourself if these ideas make you want to buy?

• You’re doing business directly with a maker. No middleman.
• You know exactly where in the world the item you’re buying comes from.
• You’re supporting a community (Etsy) that you’re a part of and/or admire.
• You’re getting a good deal and can make sense of the price.
• You’re buying something truly unique (maybe ooak) that speaks to who you are.
• You are NOT supporting a corporation who also happens to own a mining company, a chemical plant, and a few oil rigs.

The bottom line is that the “new way” of buying and selling online is more human. It makes sense to us at the core.

Etsy Sellers Should Understand These Feelings

Most purchases have at least some level of emotional trigger. Even basic needs such as food are influenced by how we feel about one option over another.

As an Etsy seller you should understand the human emotions that are involved when someone decides to buy your product. Understand it, and then build on it.

Taking the same bullet points from above for example:

• You’re the maker: Talk about who you are and why you do what you do. Talk about your motivations, your dreams, your inspiration. If other people are impacted by your work (such as your family or a group you support) then share that. Enhance the idea that the buyer knows who they are buying from.
• You live somewhere: The Travel Channel, Conde Nast, National Geographic, Globes. There is a reason these all exist. People love to dream and learn about far away places. The fact that you are somewhere other than your buyer is an advantage. Tell about where you live and where you work. Tell about it through the eyes of a traveler and your buyers will become immersed in your story.
• You’re part of Etsy: I know Etsy, Inc. is a company but the Etsy Community is exactly that, a community. Get involved in the community by being a part of teams and contributing to conversations where you can. Share your involvement with your buyers. Let them feel that you are part of Etsy and not just passing through.
• You offer a good value: The price of your work will probably speak for itself, but if you’re aware of a particular monetary value in your offer, by all means point it out.
• Your items are unique: If you create your items totally from scratch, or you sell vintage items that are not going to be duplicated, then you should be making sure buyers read that in your product description. It may seem obvious but you should say it anyway! If you sell the same item over and over again, you can still point out how unique it is compared to what’s available at the local mall. Simply saying “this is unique” reinforces one of the core reasons buyers are shopping Etsy.
• You care about our world: You don’t have to be a flag-waving member of Greenpeace to show that you care about the environment. If your items are eco-friendly you should say so. If you support some world-improving cause, you should say so. Just make it clear that you’re part of the solution, not the problem. People are fed-up with destructive businesses and want to support the problem solvers.

Share It All in 200 Words or Less

I just pulled that “200 Word” number out of thin air so don’t put too much weight on the number. The point is this:

You have to share all that stuff in about 10% of the words you would think necessary.

People want to know you, but they won’t wait around long. Be very liberal with the editor’s red pen. You can always mention that there is more information on your blog and point people there if they want the whole story.

Do This Today And Increase Sales

People are influenced by emotions. As long as you’re telling the truth, then there is nothing at all wrong with thinking about those emotions when you decide what you’re going to say in your Etsy shop.

Know why people buy and focus on it. You’ll be glad you did.

Image courtesy of PaulSteinJC on Flickr