Latest / The Modern Etsy Seller Podcast / EP 6. How Do I Get Reviews On Etsy? | Etsy Tips for New Sellers

Transcript

EP 6. How Do I Get Reviews On Etsy? | Etsy Tips for New Sellers · The Modern Etsy Seller Podcast

• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: Hey there and welcome to the Modern Etsy Seller Podcast and What You're Wondering, the segment where I answer one specific Etsy question in under five minutes.
• 0:12
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Melissa, a busy working mom with two profitable Etsy shops, and I'm here to help you build yours.
• 0:17
  SPEAKER_00: Let's dive in.
• 0:18
  SPEAKER_00: Today's question is how do I get reviews?
• 0:21
  SPEAKER_00: Reviews are one of the classic chicken and egg problems of Etsy.
• 0:25
  SPEAKER_00: Reviews help you get sales, but you need sales to get reviews.
• 0:28
  SPEAKER_00: Two things to keep in mind when you're just starting out and don't have any reviews yet.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: First, people buy things without reviews all the time on Etsy and everywhere else.
• 0:37
  SPEAKER_00: So while it may stop some buyers, if you have a good product, something people actually want, they will still buy, especially on a platform like Etsy where buyers already trust the marketplace.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_00: Second, reviews will happen naturally as you get sales and create happy customers.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_00: It takes time, but it will happen.
• 0:55
  SPEAKER_00: But if you want to help things along, you can ask for reviews.
• 0:59
  SPEAKER_00: Now, asking for reviews is a little bit controversial, and there is absolutely a right and a wrong way to do this.
• 1:06
  SPEAKER_00: So let's break it down.
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_00: Etsy already prompts buyers to leave reviews through a notification on their home screen.
• 1:13
  SPEAKER_00: They do not send a message through Etsy or an email, but the people who can't stand those little notification numbers, they'll take care of it.
• 1:21
  SPEAKER_00: For everyone else, Etsy's nudge may not be enough on its own.
• 1:25
  SPEAKER_00: Some sellers worry that reaching out on top of Etsy's notifications will feel like too much, that buyers will become annoyed and in turn leave negative reviews.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: But there's a big difference between piling on with automated messages and multiple follow-ups that sound robotic and sending one thoughtful message that sounds like it came from a real person.
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_00: After over 8,600 sales between my two shops, I have never once received a bad review or an angry message because of the Etsy notification or because I reached out and asked for feedback.
• 1:57
  SPEAKER_00: Not once.
• 1:57
  SPEAKER_00: So while the concern is real, it is absolutely the exception and not the rule.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_00: The loudest voices on this topic are either people who did it the wrong way or people repeating advice they've never actually tested.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: Here's what I recommend if you want to reach out and ask someone to leave a review.
• 2:12
  SPEAKER_00: Once you verify that the order is delivered, send one follow-up message.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_00: The goal is to check in, make sure they're happy, let them know you're available if anything isn't right.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_00: Then at the end of that message, mention that you're a new shop and that reviews make a big difference.
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_00: One message, no follow-up to the follow-up, no reminders.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_00: The key is the sequence here.
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_00: You're leading with the customer first, making sure they're taken care of, and then making a small ask.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_00: That's not pushy, that's just good customer service and a really smart business move.
• 2:44
  SPEAKER_00: You'll probably find that you don't want to do this forever.
• 2:47
  SPEAKER_00: You may, but it's an extra step.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_00: As your shop grows, you'll probably find there are other places you want to spend your time.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_00: So do it long enough to build some social proof.
• 2:55
  SPEAKER_00: After that, let Etsy's reminders and people's natural tendency to leave feedback do the work.
• 3:00
  SPEAKER_00: Now, a few things you cannot do when asking for a review.
• 3:03
  SPEAKER_00: You cannot, excuse me, you cannot ask for a five-star review or a positive review.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_00: You can ask for a review, but not a specific rating.
• 3:13
  SPEAKER_00: Also, you cannot tell someone what to say.
• 3:15
  SPEAKER_00: And you cannot offer any incentives, no discounts, no freebies, nothing in exchange for the feedback.
• 3:21
  SPEAKER_00: These things violate Etsy policy and FTC guidelines.
• 3:25
  SPEAKER_00: I put together a few ready-to-use message templates that you can grab and customize for your own shop.
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_00: You can find them at melissacarroll.co slash episode six resource, or you can click the link in the show notes.
• 3:36
  SPEAKER_00: But remember, reviews take time.
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_00: Focus on great products and great customer service, and they will come.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_00: If you have a question you'd like me to answer on a future episode of What You're Wondering, head to melissacarroll.co slash question or click the link in the show notes to submit.
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_00: I'll see you next time.