No Etsy Sales? Try this visibility trick

I got over 100,000 Pinterest impressions and it wasn’t by going viral or spending money on ads.

It started with a simple mindset shift:

Etsy isn’t a discovery platform. It’s a checkout page.

Once I stopped waiting for Etsy to bring me traffic, everything changed.

I’ll show you exactly how I used Pinterest and email to get more eyes (and more buyers) on my products.

But first, let’s talk about why you’re stuck and why it’s not your fault.

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Etsy Is Not a Traffic Machine

Etsy’s algorithm favors momentum. You need sales to get visibility, but you need visibility to get sales.

It’s a catch-22.

If you’re just relying on Etsy search, you’re missing the biggest opportunity staring you in the face:

Pinterest.

You think Pinterest is just wedding boards and DIY crafts.

But for product-based businesses? It’s a place to be.

The Pinterest Shift That Made My Shop Explode

I was barely using Pinterest. Just pinning a few things here and there. Then one day, I decided to treat Pinterest like a traffic strategy.

I created branded pins.

I linked every product directly to its Etsy listing.

I scheduled content consistently.

Within two months, I had over 100,000 impressions. And my Etsy traffic? Finally moving.

No ads. No budget. Just pinning with intention.

Let me break down what worked:

• Fresh pins daily using Canva templates (simple designs, clear product shots)

• Keywords in pin titles and descriptions (treat Pinterest like a search engine)

• Direct links to Etsy listings or blog posts that featured my products

You don’t need to go viral. You just need the right eyes. And Pinterest sends people who are actively searching, saving, and shopping.

But even with 100k impressions, there was still something missing…

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You Don’t Own Etsy. But You Can Own This.

You don’t own your shop visitors.

You can have 10,000 people click your links, but if they leave without buying, they’re gone forever.

So I started collecting emails.

I created a simple freebie, a printable, a discount code, a behind-the-scenes guide to my process. Something easy. Something helpful.

Every Pinterest pin now had a call to action: “Get 10% off when you join my insider list.”

That list became my biggest asset.

Each week, I send out one short email. Not spammy. Not salesy.

Just:

• A new product drop

• A behind-the-scenes photo

• A tip or tiny story from my life

And every single time, I make sales. Even on slow weeks.

These are my people. They want to hear from me. They open, click, reply. They tell their friends.

This is how small shops grow big audiences: one email, one person at a time.

How to Start (Even If You Hate “Marketing”)

I used to roll my eyes at people who said “build your list.”

But now I get it.

If you’re just getting started, here’s what I recommend:

Create a lead magnet.

• Think: small, beautiful, helpful.

• Examples: A printable checklist, an exclusive Etsy discount, early access to a collection.

Use Pinterest to drive traffic.

• Design fresh pins (use Canva, repeat styles weekly).

• Link every pin to your opt-in page or Etsy listing.

Email once a week.

• Keep it light and human.

• Write like you’re messaging a friend: “Hey, I just finished a new piece and thought you’d love it…”

If that's intimidating, here’s my rule of thumb: Progress beats perfection.

Your first email might flop. Mine did.

My first freebie? Nobody downloaded it.

But I kept tweaking. Kept showing up. And eventually, it made sense.

The Email That Changed Everything

I remember the exact email. It had a photo of a new product I wasn’t even sure people would like.

The subject line? “Made this in my pajamas – want a peek?”

I hit send and walked away.

Within an hour, I had five sales.

That’s when I realized: People don’t want perfection. They want a connection.

They want a story, a reason, a tiny window into why your work matters.

Pinterest brings them in.

Email makes them stay.

And Etsy? Etsy is just the checkout page.

If you’re sitting there wondering why no one sees your shop, I want you to hear this:

You don’t have a product problem. You have a visibility problem.

But that’s fixable. And it doesn’t require going viral or dancing on TikTok.

• Use Pinterest to find your people.

• Use email to build trust with them.

• Use Etsy to make it easy to buy.

You’re not selling “items.” You’re inviting someone into your creative world.

And trust me, the right people want to be there.

So here’s your next step: go make a pin today. Not perfect, just done.

Write an email tomorrow. Short and kind.

Then do it again next week.

You’re not just running a shop. You’re building a brand.

And it starts with being seen.

Have a wonderful day,

Miroslav from The Design Nexus

TOOLS YOU SHOULD TRY

Even if you sell products other than mugs or t-shirts, it doesn't mean it will cost you more.

There are tools that can help you with the tasks, and most of them have free versions.

• Research: Alura

• Graphic Designs: Creative Fabrica

• Design Editing: Canva, Kittl

• Vectorizing: Vectorizer AI

• POD Fulfillment: Printful, Printify

Disclaimer: Within the article, you will find affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through these links, I want to sincerely assure you that I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you.