Unlocking Etsy Success: Proven Tips from Multi-Six-Figure Seller Dylan Jahraus

In a recent interview on The How of Business Podcast, e-commerce expert and seasoned Etsy entrepreneur Dylan Jahraus shared her remarkable journey and strategies for building a highly successful online shop. From humble beginnings creating handcrafted wedding décor to managing a million-dollar Etsy business and a dedicated coaching program, Dylan offers invaluable insights for those looking to turn their Etsy dreams into a reality. Here are the highlights and takeaways from her conversation.

Prefer to listen instead of read? Check out the full interview here. 

From Corporate Career to Etsy Success

Dylan’s path to entrepreneurship began in corporate e-commerce with roles at major brands like Zappos and Zulily. When her family relocated to San Diego for her husband’s military career, Dylan saw an opportunity to apply her corporate skills in her own Etsy shop, starting with handmade floral monograms she had created for her wedding. “If I take everything I know from corporate e-commerce and apply it to Etsy, I could make a lot of money,” she recalls. This single product soon paved the way for a thriving brand that now includes hundreds of listings.

Why Etsy? A Strategic Starting Point

Dylan explains that Etsy is the ideal platform for launching a brand, especially for those without a marketing budget. Unlike Shopify, which relies heavily on paid traffic, Etsy brings shoppers directly to sellers’ products. The platform offers unique value, allowing entrepreneurs to establish policies, build a brand, and connect with a customer base interested in personalized and unique items. “If you’re starting a brand or want to grow your e-commerce business, and you’re not on Etsy, you’re missing such an opportunity,” she emphasizes.

Finding Your Niche and Staying Ahead of Trends

One of Dylan’s key pieces of advice is to bring new trends to the Etsy marketplace. She notes that trends on Etsy tend to lag behind mainstream trends, so she encourages her students to look to platforms like Pinterest and TikTok for fresh ideas. Instead of copying popular items already on Etsy, which are often oversaturated, she advises, “Bring something new to the table, and you’ll have a much higher chance of success.”

Building a Customer-Centric Product Range

Dylan’s business expanded from wedding décor to other categories her customers needed, including baby gifts and early childhood products. By focusing on her customers’ life stages and purchasing behaviors, she created a diverse product range, allowing her to increase the lifetime value of each customer. This strategy reflects one of her fundamental principles: start with the customer, not the product.

Leveraging Etsy’s Algorithm and SEO

Etsy is, above all, a search engine, and understanding SEO is essential to reaching more customers. Dylan explains that each listing should target specific keywords and customer needs, even for similar products. This SEO focus allows her students to succeed without relying on ads. “You could take one item and make a hundred listings out of it,” she says, using long-tail keywords to capture diverse customer searches.

Creating a Standout Brand Experience

Drawing from her experience at Zappos, Dylan underscores the importance of customer service. Etsy buyers seek more than a transaction—they want an experience. By providing exceptional service, sellers can build loyalty and attract high-value customers who are willing to pay a premium.

The Benefits of Multi-Channel Selling and Owning Customer Data

Dylan recommends having a website once your Etsy shop reaches around $80,000 to $100,000 in annual revenue. While Etsy is a fantastic launchpad, your own website allows you to collect customer emails, crucial for long-term growth and repeat sales. She emphasizes the importance of diversifying, using Etsy to validate your product idea before expanding to platforms like Shopify and Amazon.

Starting an Etsy Shop: Advice for New Sellers

For those new to Etsy, Dylan’s advice is to keep it simple and move fast. “Don’t let overthinking hold you back,” she warns, urging sellers to avoid analysis paralysis. Launching a listing quickly allows Etsy’s algorithm to evaluate its performance, giving you essential customer feedback to refine your approach.

A Comprehensive Etsy Coaching Program

Dylan’s success on Etsy inspired her to create the Multi Six-Figure Etsy Blueprint, an intensive coaching program designed for dedicated entrepreneurs. The program offers 24/7 one-on-one coaching, community support, and weekly group calls to help sellers master e-commerce fundamentals and develop a profitable Etsy shop.

Key Takeaway: Success is a Choice

Dylan believes that success on Etsy—and in business—is a choice. “Winning on Etsy is not about finding a magical idea,” she shares, “It’s about applying proven business principles.” Her advice is to stay committed, keep learning, and don’t give up during the inevitable challenges.

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With her blend of corporate experience, customer-centric approach, and actionable insights, Dylan exemplifies the possibilities Etsy offers to aspiring entrepreneurs. Whether you’re just starting or looking to grow your existing shop, her strategies for scaling on Etsy can help you take the next steps toward creating a profitable online business.