Looking for ways to potentially increase your Etsy sales this summer? Historically speaking, summer is a slow season for most sectors of retail. However, during this time of the year, shoppers are still on the hunt for seasonally relevant items. It’s also important to note that many shoppers start their Christmas shopping as soon as summer sales begin. As an Etsy seller, you want to capitalize on both the increased consumer interest in summer-related products and those early holiday shoppers. Doing so can help drive traffic to your store. To help you boost sales during the season, eRank has compiled a list of creative summer promotion ideas that can help you attract new customers, encourage repeat business, and make your Etsy shop a summer staple.
Create Themed Discounts
Offering summer-themed discounts can attract more customers, which will make it easier for you to increase sales in your Etsy shop this summer. Consider offering discounts on products that are popular during the summer months. Some examples of these are beach towels, sun hats, or decor that is meant to be used during the warmer months. You could also offer discounts on products that complement summer activities, such as outdoor games, picnic supplies, or barbecue accessories.
Offer Bundle Deals
Bundle deals encourage customers to purchase multiple products from your shop. Create bundles of products that are related to summer activities or themes. For example, you could offer a beach bundle that includes a beach towel, a sun hat, and a personalized beach bag. You could also create bundles of products that complement each other, like a set of matching summer-themed mugs and coasters. Of course, these will make for great gifts, so make sure to update your listings’ SEO to include gifting-related keywords!
💡TIP: Use eRank’s Keyword Tool to update your new listings’ SEO. The Keyword Tool performs a detailed analysis of the top 100 listings found in search results for any keyword you choose on a variety of different selling platforms. Look up one keyword at a time to view an in-depth analysis of each term.
Collaborate with Other Etsy Sellers
The downtime that many Etsy sellers experience during these slower months can be the perfect time to set up a collaboration. Reach out to other Etsy sellers who offer complementary products and consider running joint promotions or creating collaborative bundles. For example, if you sell handmade jewelry, partner with a seller who offers unique summer clothing to create a “Summer Style” package. By working together, both shops can benefit from increased exposure, cross-promotion, and potentially higher sales.
Host a Giveaway or Contest
Hosting a giveaway or contest can generate excitement around your Etsy shop and increase your social media following. Offer a summer-inspired prize, such as a custom beach bag or an item of clothing that is meant to be worn during warm weather. Require participants to follow your social media accounts, share the giveaway, and/or tag friends in the comments. This can help create buzz around your shop and attract new customers.
Run a Flash Sale
Flash sales are limited-time discounts that create a sense of urgency for customers to make a purchase. Try scheduling a flash sale during a popular upcoming summer holiday. In the United States, shoppers are accustomed to being offered discounts around many holidays. This means that they will be actively looking for them as they scroll. Promote the flash sale heavily on social media and through your newsletter. This can help drive traffic to your shop and encourage purchases.
💡TIP: Please be mindful of the fact that flash sales encourage impulse purchasing. Therefore, if you host one, you may notice an uptick in customers’ requests to return items afterward. Before your sale begins, ensure that you have set return and exchange policies for your listings. If you sell non-returnable items, such as digital downloads, know that a flash sale may not be the best option for driving traffic this summer.
List Limited-Edition Collections
Creating limited-edition collections often builds buzz around your products. Consider creating a collection of products that are only available until the end of summer. If you make jewelry, perhaps offer a collection of beach-themed jewelry. Or, if you’re a painter, how about listing a set of summer prints? This can help drive traffic to your shop and encourage customers to make a purchase before the collection disappears.
Showcase Items in Seasonal Gift Guides
Create a seasonal gift guide to display your offerings in an aesthetically appealing manner. These guides often inspire customers to shop for gifts (for the holidays or otherwise). If you want to focus on presenting gifting opportunities for the warmer months, consider creating gift guides for specific summer events, such as summer holidays and birthdays. You could also create gift guides based on summer themes such as beach trips, picnics, camping, or outdoor games.
Give Your Customers the Best Deals This Summer
With the right promotional strategies, you can make your Etsy shop a summer shopping destination and boost sales during retail’s “off-season.” By offering seasonal discounts, collaborating with other Etsy sellers, hosting giveaways or contests, or creating seasonal gift guides, you will make your business more appealing to summer shoppers (and those super-early holiday shoppers).
Remember, the key to a successful promotion is planning and execution. Start preparing for your summer promotions early. Be sure to monitor your results and make adjustments as needed. With a little creativity and effort, this could be a profitable season for your shop after all!
Our team is continuously improving eRank’s tools to better serve our members. Due to this, some of the content featured in this post may differ from the content featured on erank.com.
