Kerrie Fitzgerald created a multi six figure subscription box by leveraging the power of a raving fan base and repeat customers -- and she think it's the cornerstone of any brand that is going to have long term success in today's online selling environment. Tune in to this week's episode to hear how Kerrie built a cult like following for her business, why repeat customers are so important to your bottom line, and how you can use Etsy to introduce your customers to your brand while also connecting with them outside of Etsy for repeat business.

Connect with Kerrie on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kerrie.a.fitzgerald/

Today on this quickie episode, I'm digging into my thoughts about SVB and Etsy's complete lack of communication and transparency with sellers. In short: I'm not happy.

If you're wondering where I stand or want to hear my unfiltered thoughts about the whole thing, tune in. Let me know if you agree, disagree, think I'm totally off my rocker or need to preach it over at http://www.instagram.com/lauren.keplinger

Allison Carter and Catherine Hildner were two strangers who connected at a conference, turned into business besties, and a few years later saw a gap in the product based business space and decided to take action to fill it.

 In addition to the two businesses they run individually, Allison and Cat are the founders and hosts of Ultimate Product Party (UPP for short!). 

UPP is a 2 day creative conference that serves product based businesses (and Lauren will be there speaking in person in 2023!)

Allison and Cat create a unique experience and space for the product based business owner where they can connect with other like minded small business owners who are looking to grow, scale, and make more money! 

UPP is definitely not your average biz conference- it’s a business meets FUN party, full of action focused education, and immediate takeaways for attendees to apply to scale. The next chance to attend UPP will be May 17-18, 2023 in Nashville!

Head to http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/UPP for more info and to snag your ticket before they sell out!

Over the past several years of doing the coaching/teaching/podcasting things, I’ve become very familiar with FB ads, and I always get really interesting comments on them. I’m not super easily offended at this point after 10 years in internet businesses, so rather than defend my ad or whatever I take it as an opportunity to read between the lines of what people are actually saying.

Here are a few comments I have gotten in the last 6 months or so: You’re at the mercy of the Etsy algorithm. Nothing can be done. Etsy is built to help those who have multiple sales, period. I’ve tried everything, and I don’t make any sales. Etsy is a scam and all they do is take your money.

Of course Etsy has an algorithm, and that algorithm prioritizes some content over others. Usually the content that performs well, has people clicking on it, and converts people into buyers. All tech platforms have algorithms, and the algorithm’s job is to match the best product to the buyer who is most likely to buy the item.

So does this work against you as a seller? Does it work for your business? Who is really in control here? Let's dive into it today in this episode.

Reminder -- The Traffic Accelerator closes for enrollment February 7 at midnight. See all the details and get registers at http://www.trafficaccelerator.co

On today's episode, I am chatting with Stephanie about her journey to building a successful Etsy shop from her original products that she created for her own wedding.

Listen as Stephanie talks about going from creating products that *she* wanted to understanding what is trending (and how to figure out where else her buyers are looking for trends that she can compliment). 

Stephanie has built her shop smartly and strategically, not being afraid to try new things but also not just throwing spaghetti against a wall and hoping for the best - and it's paid off in a major way!

She says, "I enrolled in the Traffic Accelerator course in August [2022] and it set me up incredibly for the holidays. I posted a bunch of new stuff and I felt like they immediately took off within the first couple of weeks. It was super exciting to see how that information that I learned in that course could come to life in my shop."

Here from Stephanie about what that journey has looked like over the last six months and where she's headed in the future.

Get on the Traffic Accelerator waitlist here - http://www.trafficaccelerator.co

Check out Stephanie's shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/thatpartyshopp

We all have different mental roadblocks that hold us back from taking the next step, whether that step is to start your Etsy shop or to grow your e-commerce business to the next level. I've had conversations with literally thousands of online sellers at this point, and I see common themes in the places where they get stuck or held back in the way they approach their business. 

In today's episode, I'm talking about these three fears or roadblocks, calling them out to address them, and talking through how to move forward in spite of being afraid (because we ALL hit points where we are afraid to do the next thing).

Need help getting started with Etsy or taking your e-commerce store to the next level? Anything you could possible want info about at http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/blog

In moving into 2023, I had some big goals and things that I was super excited to talk about with y’all, primarily focused around my product based business and things that I want to do with it in the coming year. Obviously some of those are currently in a holding pattern while I wait for my house and workshop to be inhabitable again (if you missed it, we had a house fire!) but I got to take some time last week to sit and ponder where I really want to be at the end of December 2023. What is going to move my business forward in a way that feels healthy and sustainable, without making me set goals so high that I'm miserable if/when I reach them because they have forced me to take on too much?

Today I want to talk about goal setting, which honestly is something that I LOVE to do. I think it has to do with the part of me that really loves to daydream about the future and make lists and plans for all the things I’m going to accomplish. We'll talk through 10 goals I'm setting for my business, both the product based and the coaching side of my business, as well as a personal goal that I have that might surprise you!

Want to join me at the Ultimate Product Party in Nashville? Head to http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/upp for more info

Need help getting started with Etsy? Anything you could possible want info about at http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/blog

2022 has been a doozy for me, and in this episode I'm recapping the major hits and misses of the year. There are always highs in business and lows in business and personally, and I'm not holding anything back. 

We'll talk through the top 5 hits, the top 5 misses, and how I'm moving forward into 2023 by giving space to set goals for my product based business as well as my coaching business that work within the confines of everything else we have going on personally in our lives right now (which you'll hear more about in the episode!)

A few additional ways to connect:

Download the Etsy SEO Checklist at laurenkeplinger.com/checklist

Follow along on Instagram at instagram.com/lauren.keplinger

Subscribe to this podcast for all new episodes and to be the first to get the behind-the-scenes bonus episodes!

Today we're going to talk about how you can use the benefits that Etsy provides to grow your overall e-commerce brand, without feeling like you're loyal to Etsy or the sun rises and sets at the boundaries of Etsy.

We're also going to talk about why marketplace platforms can benefit your e-commerce brand even if you already have an established brand, and how to funnel Etsy customers to your own website for future sales and repeat purchases.

Need help with email marketing tech set up? 

http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/email

Want to get on my email list so you can be in the know on all things Etsy and e-commerce? http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/checklist

Looking through my Black Friday Bonanza page and not sure which one to choose? Listen in to hear me talk all about the different offerings, including some BRAND NEW programs, opportunities for one on one coaching, and more.

Head to http://www.laurenkeplinger.com/bf to see the offer of the day that is available!