Etsy Uproar
Another internet storm is on the way. Just like any storm, it will blow over. Before we dive into the topic at hand there are a few things I want to talk about. First, and foremost I react to contrasty differently than most people. Instead of getting rallied up about it and angry I watch. I listen to both sides to make my own choice. Second, I believe that everything on the internet is in a constant state of change. That being said my main mantra for times like these is this to shall pass. But even after saying that I still have my own bias. Let's talk about the Etsy Uproar.
I first learned about the advertising thingy from an article on the subject. I had just woken up one fine morning. I looked at my Google News feed and saw an article about Etsy. Since Etsy is my life I click on it. The article was called Etsy sellers are furious over new mandatory ad fees. My tired mind at four AM thought that it would be a great read.
The article is mostly angry tweets from Etsy Sellers. Talking about how they were going to be put out of business. I shared the article on my Facebook page and my personal Facebook page. Later that afternoon my cousin, who also has an Etsy shop, announced that she was going to be opening her own website. With this announcement, I started to look into other online stores. Places that were like Etsy but not, like Shopify. I decided that Etsy was still the cheapest option for me.
I then checked my email a few days later to find an email from Etsy. I do check my business email every day, but I don't always see my "newest" emails. The email was a link to Etsy's seller handbook. It was going to be talking about the new service. The article was titled Introducing Etsy’s Risk-Free Advertising Service. At a glance, I thought that it was a good service and decided to read it later.
But as of today (March 1, 2020), I have found a statement from an Etsy spokesperson. Here is what the spokesperson had to say on the matter.
The handbook also says that these fees are added to all the other fees. From what my cousin said that is 25% of the new fees being added to the 8% that they already take. I know that that sounds bad. But things change. People and companies change their minds. Let's take a moment to try to understand what Etsy is thinking. They don't think they are hurting anyone. They believe that they are going to be helping the most people on their site. Because they know that they are only successful if the people using their platform are successful.
That might be why they offered a free masterclass to their sellers after the announcement. More on that much later. Since I am writing this blog post while waiting for the class. I timer ticking down is about to give me a heart attack.
Something that caught my eye in the handbook was this.
This is the reason why my cousin and so many others are leaving the site. But I believe that if this doesn't go over the way that they want this will be revoked. Rules like this are never set in stone. In time they will change. Here's hoping that the change will do more good.
He Said She Said
The article is mostly angry tweets from Etsy Sellers. Talking about how they were going to be put out of business. I shared the article on my Facebook page and my personal Facebook page. Later that afternoon my cousin, who also has an Etsy shop, announced that she was going to be opening her own website. With this announcement, I started to look into other online stores. Places that were like Etsy but not, like Shopify. I decided that Etsy was still the cheapest option for me.
I then checked my email a few days later to find an email from Etsy. I do check my business email every day, but I don't always see my "newest" emails. The email was a link to Etsy's seller handbook. It was going to be talking about the new service. The article was titled Introducing Etsy’s Risk-Free Advertising Service. At a glance, I thought that it was a good service and decided to read it later.
But as of today (March 1, 2020), I have found a statement from an Etsy spokesperson. Here is what the spokesperson had to say on the matter.
You might be wondering about the other concerns. The main thing that people are having trouble with is the fee. Mostly the percentage of the fees. In Etsy's seller's handbook, they added a little chart to show what the fees will look like. I would like to look at that table with you."At Etsy, we’re always listening to our sellers and adapting our platform to best meet their needs. Many sellers asked us for marketing products that give them more control with less risk, and we’re excited to evolve our advertising services to directly address this feedback. Offsite Ads will help sellers reach tens of millions of potential buyers off of Etsy, without having to pay any fees unless they make a successful sale. While we understand that changes like these can be an initial cause of concern, we’re confident that once Offsite Ads launches sellers will see the benefits of this powerful new marketing tool."
The handbook also says that these fees are added to all the other fees. From what my cousin said that is 25% of the new fees being added to the 8% that they already take. I know that that sounds bad. But things change. People and companies change their minds. Let's take a moment to try to understand what Etsy is thinking. They don't think they are hurting anyone. They believe that they are going to be helping the most people on their site. Because they know that they are only successful if the people using their platform are successful.
That might be why they offered a free masterclass to their sellers after the announcement. More on that much later. Since I am writing this blog post while waiting for the class. I timer ticking down is about to give me a heart attack.
Something that caught my eye in the handbook was this.
If you’ve made more than $10,000 USD in sales on Etsy in a 12-month period you’ll benefit most from offsite advertising. So, you’ll be required to participate for the lifetime of your shop and you’ll get a discounted advertising fee.
This is the reason why my cousin and so many others are leaving the site. But I believe that if this doesn't go over the way that they want this will be revoked. Rules like this are never set in stone. In time they will change. Here's hoping that the change will do more good.
How this will Affect Me
As some of you may know I run a small Etsy shop. I started it back in January, so it was only been open for a few months. Therefore I am still green and wet behind the ears about Etsy. So since I have an Etsy how will this affect me?
The short answer is I do now know. But I do have some theories. I think that the change will be good for my shop. Since it is free for the most part there is very little risk. It is something that I am hopeful about. But I am also nervous about it. I will be opting out of it for now. I'll watch to see how it is affecting other shops around me. If the change really is for the better I will opt-in.
So that is all I have to say on the matter. I might have more to say about it later down the line. But until then I have spoken my peace. For now, I'm hopeful that Etsy is not shooting itself in the foot.
But I think you might be wondering how to help me through this troubled time. The first and easiest way that you can help is by subscribing to my newsletter. My newsletter is free and comes with a 50% off coupon. The coupon is good for any items in my shop. In my newsletter, I talk about new items that are going to be added to the shop. I send special offers to my subscribers. You will also be the first to know if I am going to events to sell in person. I also add a little bit of news as to what is going on in my life.
The second way you can support me is by shopping at my store. I have trinkets and plushies. That is about it. I update the shop almost monthly. Other ways to support me is by following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Thank you for stopping by, and I'll see you next week.
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