Latest / The Modern Etsy Seller Podcast / EP 33. 5 Reasons to Add Giftable Products to Your Etsy Shop + Beginner Friendly Product Ideas

Transcript

EP 33. 5 Reasons to Add Giftable Products to Your Etsy Shop + Beginner Friendly Product Ideas · The Modern Etsy Seller Podcast

• 0:05
  SPEAKER_00: Hey there and welcome to the Modern Etsy Seller, the podcast where busy women build, grow, and profit on Etsy.
• 0:11
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host, Melissa Carroll, a full-time teacher, a busy mom, and an Etsy seller who's built two successful Etsy shops in the small moments of everyday life.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_00: Here you'll find simple strategies, real behind-the-scenes insight, and the clarity you need to stop second guessing and start moving forward one intentional step at a time.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_00: Let's get to it.
• 0:33
  SPEAKER_00: Hey guys, welcome back.
• 0:34
  SPEAKER_00: Today we are going to be talking about why you should be adding giftable products to your Etsy shop.
• 0:41
  SPEAKER_00: I absolutely love selling giftable products in my Etsy store.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_00: And if you are still trying to figure out what you want to sell, or if you are looking to add another product in your shop, I strongly recommend choosing a product that leans giftable.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_00: When I was first trying out print on demand back in March 2024 in my digital shop, I started by adding t-shirts.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_00: And honestly, I chose t-shirts because that was what I kept seeing and hearing about in the limited research I had done on print on demand.
• 1:12
  SPEAKER_00: But by the time I decided to open a separate shop in August, I knew I did not want to keep selling t-shirts.
• 1:18
  SPEAKER_00: I wanted to choose a product that felt more naturally giftable.
• 1:22
  SPEAKER_00: And look, I know t-shirts can be given as gifts.
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_00: People give clothing as gifts all the time, but I don't feel like t-shirts or clothing really in general leans as naturally into gifting as some other products do.
• 1:36
  SPEAKER_00: Because there are sizes to figure out and personal style comes into play with clothes.
• 1:42
  SPEAKER_00: The buyer has to know what the person will actually wear, and that can make the purchase feel a little bit riskier.
• 1:48
  SPEAKER_00: So I wanted a product that was easier for someone to confidently choose for another person.
• 1:54
  SPEAKER_00: Something they could buy for a coworker, a friend, a teacher, or their real estate agent.
• 1:59
  SPEAKER_00: So that decision led me to trying candles as the first product in my new shop.
• 2:04
  SPEAKER_00: And it completely changed the direction of my print-on-demand business.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: Since then, I've added other giftable products and I've become even more convinced that choosing a product that naturally lends itself to gifting can be a really smart move, especially for a new seller.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: So today I'm going to share five reasons you should consider selling some giftable products on Etsy.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_00: Then I'll give you my top five giftable product choices for new sellers, along with three newer products on Print to Five that I'm keeping my eye on.
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_00: First, though, let's talk about what actually makes a product giftable.
• 2:37
  SPEAKER_00: Anything can technically be given as a gift, just like anything can technically be purchased for yourself.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: But there are some products that are simply a more natural fit for gifting than others.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_00: A set of wine glasses, for example, is a more likely gift than a shower curtain.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: And then as the person creating the product and the listing, you have the power to make it feel even more giftable.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_00: You do that first through the message or text that you place on the product.
• 3:03
  SPEAKER_00: That message can connect the product to a specific person, occasion, or relationship.
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_00: Then you reinforce that through the listing itself by using gift-focused keywords in your title, tags, and description.
• 3:17
  SPEAKER_00: Those keywords help the shopper understand who the product could be for, while also helping Etsy connect your listing with people searching for that type of gift.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_00: I also think about whether the product could work as part of a larger gift.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_00: A lot of smaller accessory type products like notebooks, makeup bags, and mugs can easily be added to gift baskets, gift boxes, or even care packages.
• 3:41
  SPEAKER_00: Even larger products like throw blankets can become part of a themed gift basket.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_00: That gives you another angle for the listing.
• 3:49
  SPEAKER_00: The buyer may not be looking for one main gift.
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_00: She may be searching for something to add to a group of gifts.
• 3:57
  SPEAKER_00: So when it makes sense, I use phrases like gift basket idea, gift box item, or small gift for in my tags and the listing description.
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_00: The more ways you can help the shopper picture giving the product, the more giftable it becomes.
• 4:13
  SPEAKER_00: Now let's get into the five reasons you may want to add giftable products to your own Etsy shop.
• 4:19
  SPEAKER_00: The first reason to consider it is that Etsy shoppers are already looking for them.
• 4:24
  SPEAKER_00: You do not have to convince people that Etsy is a place to find a gift.
• 4:28
  SPEAKER_00: They already see it that way.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_00: When someone wants something more personal than what they might grab at, say, Target, Etsy is a natural place for people to look.
• 4:37
  SPEAKER_00: And gift buyers are not always searching for a specific product first.
• 4:40
  SPEAKER_00: They're often searching for the right thing to give to a specific person for a specific reason.
• 4:46
  SPEAKER_00: So for example, for a coworker because they're leaving for a new job, or for their neighbor to thank them for watering their plants while they were away.
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_00: That gives giftable products a natural advantage because the buyer is already arriving with a reason to spend money.
• 5:00
  SPEAKER_00: They have a recipient, an occasion, and sometimes even a deadline.
• 5:04
  SPEAKER_00: Your job is not necessarily to convince them that they need a mug.
• 5:08
  SPEAKER_00: Your job is to show them why your mug is perfect for the person they are shopping for.
• 5:13
  SPEAKER_00: This is one reason I talk so much about creating products around customers, occasions, and messages.
• 5:19
  SPEAKER_00: That is how gift buyers are thinking.
• 5:21
  SPEAKER_00: They're not sitting at home saying, I really need a nine-ounce candle today.
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_00: They're thinking, my coworker is retiring and I want something special for her.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_00: When you create for those moments, your products fit naturally into the way many people are already shopping on Etsy.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_00: The second reason giftable products can be a smart addition to your shop is that gift buyers are not always looking for the cheapest option.
• 5:45
  SPEAKER_00: They are often looking for the product that feels the most right for the person they're shopping for.
• 5:51
  SPEAKER_00: Price obviously still matters, and most people have a price range in mind when they start shopping.
• 5:57
  SPEAKER_00: So I'm not saying someone will pay any old amount just because something is being given as a gift, but I am saying that when a buyer finds a product with a message that perfectly fits their recipient, that connection can become more important than saving a few dollars.
• 6:12
  SPEAKER_00: Let's say someone is shopping for a retirement gift for a coworker.
• 6:15
  SPEAKER_00: She may see dozens of generic retirement themed items or several products using similar retirement messages.
• 6:22
  SPEAKER_00: And if she wants one of those, likely she'll be looking for the cheapest one.
• 6:27
  SPEAKER_00: But most of them may not feel like they were made for the specific person she has in mind.
• 6:32
  SPEAKER_00: So if she comes across one that does, if she finds one with a message that sounds exactly like her coworker or perfectly fits their relationship, it becomes much harder to compare that product to a less expensive, more generic option.
• 6:47
  SPEAKER_00: At that point, she's not only comparing the products themselves, she is deciding which one feels like the better gift.
• 6:54
  SPEAKER_00: And when your product feels more specific to the recipient, price may not be the only thing that's driving that decision.
• 7:01
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, the third benefit of adding giftable products is the type of reviews that they can generate.
• 7:07
  SPEAKER_00: Positive reviews build trust, they reassure your future shoppers, your potential customers, and they make potential customers feel more confident about ordering from your shop.
• 7:18
  SPEAKER_00: Of course, we want our customers to say that the product arrived safely and quickly, that it looked like the photos and that it met their expectations.
• 7:26
  SPEAKER_00: But a lot of times, gift reviews will include something extra because the customer might also tell you what happened when the gift was given.
• 7:34
  SPEAKER_00: A buyer might say that her friend laughed as soon as she opened it or that her boss thought it was the perfect retirement gift.
• 7:41
  SPEAKER_00: A review that says the candle smells great is definitely helpful, but a review that says my best friend opened this and immediately started laughing helps the next customer imagine getting that same reaction.
• 7:53
  SPEAKER_00: I have tons of reviews like that.
• 7:54
  SPEAKER_00: I actually quickly pulled three to share with you today.
• 7:58
  SPEAKER_00: So let me grab those here.
• 7:59
  SPEAKER_00: So one of the reviews says, I bought this for a dear friend having to start all over.
• 8:04
  SPEAKER_00: She absolutely loved it.
• 8:06
  SPEAKER_00: Another one says, a great gift for a friend who is a coach.
• 8:09
  SPEAKER_00: The scent is great and she loved it.
• 8:11
  SPEAKER_00: And then here's one that says, excellent gift.
• 8:13
  SPEAKER_00: Made my husband laugh out loud.
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_00: Highly recommend.
• 8:16
  SPEAKER_00: Those reviews still speak to the quality of the product, but they also show that it worked as a gift.
• 8:22
  SPEAKER_00: They help to sell that experience of giving it.
• 8:25
  SPEAKER_00: All right, number four, the fourth reason for adding giftable products is the potential for repeat customers.
• 8:33
  SPEAKER_00: I love seeing that little repeat customer star when an order comes in.
• 8:37
  SPEAKER_00: To me, it feels validating.
• 8:38
  SPEAKER_00: It's like, okay, I must be doing something right here.
• 8:41
  SPEAKER_00: And giftable products naturally lend themselves to earning repeat buyers.
• 8:44
  SPEAKER_00: A customer may only need one doormat for herself, but reasons to buy gifts keep coming.
• 8:50
  SPEAKER_00: There will always be another birthday or graduation or special occasion.
• 8:54
  SPEAKER_00: Once someone finds a shop that helps her give a gift that gets a great reaction, she has a reason to return.
• 9:01
  SPEAKER_00: She already understands the product, knows what to expect, and trusts the shop.
• 9:06
  SPEAKER_00: And maybe most importantly, you've helped her solve a problem because gift shopping is not always easy.
• 9:12
  SPEAKER_00: We all know that, right?
• 9:14
  SPEAKER_00: People want to give something that feels personal, but they don't always know what to choose.
• 9:19
  SPEAKER_00: If your shop makes that process easier, they may remember you the next time they need a gift.
• 9:24
  SPEAKER_00: And because there will always be another person to shop for or another occasion that's coming up, giftable products naturally give customers more reasons to return.
• 9:33
  SPEAKER_00: The final benefit I'm going to talk about today for adding giftable products is the potential for multiple item orders.
• 9:40
  SPEAKER_00: A lot of gift shopping is not one-to-one.
• 9:43
  SPEAKER_00: Someone may be buying for five teachers or three coaches or ten bridesmaids or an entire office team.
• 9:51
  SPEAKER_00: That means one customer can naturally need more than one product.
• 9:55
  SPEAKER_00: And they do not necessarily need 10 completely different items.
• 9:58
  SPEAKER_00: They may want the same product personalized for several people or the same basic concept with slightly different messages, or sometimes the exact same product five times over.
• 10:09
  SPEAKER_00: That can turn one customer into a much larger order.
• 10:12
  SPEAKER_00: Last week I had one person buy five, all of the exact same item, and I had another person buy six, also all of the exact same item.
• 10:21
  SPEAKER_00: I didn't need to do anything extra and made way more money.
• 10:25
  SPEAKER_00: And that is one of the biggest advantages I think of giftable products.
• 10:28
  SPEAKER_00: One listing can serve an entire group without you having to create brand new products for every person.
• 10:33
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, now that we've talked about why adding giftable products to your shop can be a smart move, I want to quickly share five products that I think are especially beginner friendly.
• 10:44
  SPEAKER_00: The first is journals or notebooks.
• 10:46
  SPEAKER_00: They work for so many recipients and occasions.
• 10:49
  SPEAKER_00: They're easy to design with simple text and they fit naturally into gift baskets.
• 10:54
  SPEAKER_00: The second is candles.
• 10:56
  SPEAKER_00: Candles are already a familiar gift, and the label gives you plenty of room to create for specific people, relationships, and occasions.
• 11:03
  SPEAKER_00: Remember, I said I started with candles.
• 11:06
  SPEAKER_00: I love creating candles.
• 11:07
  SPEAKER_00: The third is mugs.
• 11:08
  SPEAKER_00: I know mugs are competitive, but they are also affordable, useful, easy for a buyer to understand, and people buy them.
• 11:15
  SPEAKER_00: You will need to find a way to stand out, whether it's through the message, the recipient, the occasion, or the style of design.
• 11:22
  SPEAKER_00: But I really do still think that mugs are a great beginner product.
• 11:26
  SPEAKER_00: The fourth is makeup bags.
• 11:28
  SPEAKER_00: They can be marketed in so many ways beyond traditional makeup bags, such as toiletry bags, charger cases, pencil cases, supply pouches, medication bags, and honestly, the list could go on.
• 11:41
  SPEAKER_00: And the fifth one is tote bags and not your basic boring tote bags, right?
• 11:45
  SPEAKER_00: Printify offers a lot of different tote bag styles now, so there are plenty of options depending on the look and the price point that you want.
• 11:53
  SPEAKER_00: They're practical, they work for a wide range of niches and can also be used as the gift bag that they put smaller items inside.
• 12:01
  SPEAKER_00: Now, there are also three early access products on Printify that I'm keeping my eye on because I think they're gonna have strong gifting potential.
• 12:11
  SPEAKER_00: So I'm just gonna tell you really quickly what those are.
• 12:13
  SPEAKER_00: The first is a metal bottle opener, really liking that one actually.
• 12:17
  SPEAKER_00: The second is a leather toiletry bag, and I actually love this one.
• 12:21
  SPEAKER_00: I think it is so cute and I think it's gonna be big.
• 12:24
  SPEAKER_00: And the third is a square compact mirror, which would be great in a shop that has that leather toiletry bag or those makeup pouches that I was talking about because connected items like that, when you have them in the same shop, it naturally lends themselves to upsells.
• 12:39
  SPEAKER_00: But because those are still early access products, I would definitely order samples before creating some big store around them.
• 12:46
  SPEAKER_00: But they are all products that I'm excited to watch.
• 12:49
  SPEAKER_00: All right, so there you have it.
• 12:50
  SPEAKER_00: There were five reasons that you might want to add giftable products to your Etsy shop along with five beginner-friendly products, plus those three new options I just mentioned.
• 13:00
  SPEAKER_00: Adding even one giftable product can open up a lot of opportunities in your shop.
• 13:05
  SPEAKER_00: It can help you reach shoppers who are already looking for gifts, give buyers a reason to choose your product beyond the price, and potentially lead to stronger reviews, repeat customers, and larger orders.
• 13:17
  SPEAKER_00: And your entire shop does not have to be built around gifts alone for you to benefit from this.
• 13:23
  SPEAKER_00: You can start with one product that makes sense for your current customer or niche and begin creating versions for specific recipients, relationships, and occasions.
• 13:33
  SPEAKER_00: As you choose a product, think about whether someone could confidently buy it for another person.
• 13:38
  SPEAKER_00: Then think about how your message, your listing, your keywords can make it even easier for the shopper to picture giving it.
• 13:45
  SPEAKER_00: Because when a buyer looks at your product and immediately thinks, I know exactly who I would give this to, you have made her decision a whole lot easier.
• 13:53
  SPEAKER_00: All right, that's it for today.
• 13:55
  SPEAKER_00: But before you go, if this episode helped you in any way, I'd love it if you would leave the podcast a quick review.
• 14:01
  SPEAKER_00: Reviews help more Etsy sellers find the show, and your feedback helps me create more of the episodes you want to hear.
• 14:08
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks for listening, and I will see you in the next episode.