Email a copy of 'How to Get Featured in Etsy Social Media Channels' to a friend
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Ina Steiner is co-founder and Editor of EcommerceBytes and has been reporting on ecommerce since 1999. She's a widely cited authority on marketplace selling and is author of "Turn eBay Data Into Dollars" (McGraw-Hill 2006). Her blog was featured in the book, "Blogging Heroes" (Wiley 2008). She is a member of the Online News Association (Sep 2005 - present) and Investigative Reporters and Editors (Mar 2006 - present). Follow her on Twitter at @ecommercebytes and send news tips to ina@ecommercebytes.com. See disclosure at EcommerceBytes.com/disclosure/.
It’s beyond me how people have been lulled into this mindset that Etsy is to be catered to in any way.
THIS IS YOUR BUSINESS WE’RE TALKING ABOUT HERE !
Etsy is an example of mission creep.
Etsy has “boiled the frog (you) slowly”.
People think it’s completely normal for the parasitic Etsy to meld with and commandeer their business.
THIS IS YOUR BUSINESS WE’RE TALKING ABOUT HERE !
Take control of your business or kiss it goodbye as another Etsy casualty.
Do NOT under any circumstances give Etsy any free advertising whatsoever.
Etsy should only get 3% from us, nothing from shipping, nothing from labels.
Etsy has become a freeloader. Like the bum with the bag on a stick, except rather than pan handle Etsy boldly comes out in broad daylight and pilfers our money.
Cut off Etsy’s hands and let’s be on the lookout for Honest American Venues.
eCrater is one, and 2 more are needed right now.
Don’t let corporate in the door….They invade via a board of directors.
THIS IS YOUR BUSINESS WE’RE TALKING ABOUT HERE !
It sounds great – doesn’t it. Seller beware because this is how it really works:
1) If you are being hit with the 15% Etsy marketing penalty because your shop is doing very well, then this does not matter – you are already paying the extra fee and cannot opt out of it.
2) If you are not part of the forced marketing, then you have the option to decide if you want Etsy to promote your products. You should be aware of the cost involved. Therefore, it is an informed decision a seller makes – but this is not the case with getting featured. You do not have a choice, Etsy does not ask, they do.
3) You do not opt in to the marketing because you are not required to. Etsy, without your consent and without your knowledge, features your item or shop in their social media marketing. Guess what – you get hit with a 20% fee on top of the regular Etsy fees. This can bring your total fees for a single sale as high as 30%. SURPRISE! I have had it happen, so have others. If you are working on a small margin, this can really hurt. Not everyone can markup their products to 5x costs. In some markets, you will price yourself out of the sale.