The Handmade Shop

If you’re wrapping up the year and feeling unsure what actually worked (or didn’t) in your shop, this episode is for you.Today, we’re doing your Etsy Data Debrief. A simple, non-overwhelming look back at 2025 so you can walk into 2026 with strategy.This is one of my favorite December rituals, and it’s something most Etsy sellers skip. But when you take just 30 minutes to review your traffic, top listings, and low performers, you can stop guessing and start making decisions that actually move your shop forward.In this episode, I’ll guide you through:Where your traffic really came from in 2025 and what to do with that infoHow to identify the real best-sellers in your shop (not just the ones you like most)Why “almost” listings are your biggest source of low-hanging growthAnd how to pull 3 key takeaways to shape your 2026 product and visibility strategyIf you're not a numbers person, that’s ok! This is about making smarter decisions with the data your shop is already giving you.What you’ll learn:How to find patterns in your Etsy traffic that highlight what’s actually workingWhy your top listings often share subtle traits you can double down onHow to spot conversion problems hiding in plain sightWhat to do with listings that fell off (and how to prevent that in 2026)A simple framework for turning your 2025 stats into next year’s strategyMentioned in this episode:DM Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjwaggoner1:1 Coaching Application: https://sarahjwaggoner.com/coachingYour Next Steps:Work with Me: https://sarahjwaggoner.com/etsy-visibility-acceleratorFollow me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SarahJWaggonerJoin my Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theheartlandcreativeFollow me on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@sarahjwaggonerFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjwaggoner

We’re deep into December, and while you’re probably still shipping orders and checking your stats, this is actually the perfect time to look back at the listings that didn’t do well this year.I know it’s not the most glamorous part of running a shop. But reflecting on your low performers might be one of the smartest things you do before 2026 kicks off.Because those listings are handing you data, direction, and a chance to refine your product line so you’re not dragging dead weight into the new year.In this episode, I’ll walk you through a three-step process to review your underperformers with intention so you can decide what’s worth fixing, what might need a tweak, and what it’s finally time to let go of.Here’s what you’ll learn:Why low-performing listings aren’t failures (and what they are instead)What to look for in your Shop Stats before jumping to conclusionsHow to figure out if a listing still deserves a place in your shop3 clear options: refine, repurpose, or retireWhy retiring a listing might actually help your overall visibilityMentioned in this episode:1:1 Coaching: https://sarahjwaggoner.com/coachingYour Next Steps:Work with Me: https://sarahjwaggoner.com/etsy-visibility-acceleratorFollow me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SarahJWaggonerJoin my Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theheartlandcreativeFollow me on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@sarahjwaggonerFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjwaggoner

Planning your year on Etsy and not sure what to keep, cut, or create for your shop in 2026? Let’s fix that.We’re in that weird Etsy season right now because orders might still be rolling in, but your brain is already jumping ahead to next year. And one of the most common questions I get this time of year is how to know what to focus on and what to get rid of.In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact three-step framework I use with my coaching clients to plan out a profitable, aligned product line for the new year.We’ll talk about:What to keep (because it’s already doing the heavy lifting)What to tweak (because it’s close to converting)What to let go of (because it’s cluttering your shop)And how to map your product types across the year so you’re not launching in panic mode every seasonResources mentioned:1:1 Coaching Application: https://sarahjwaggoner.com/coachingYour Next Steps:Work with Me: https://sarahjwaggoner.com/etsy-visibility-acceleratorJoin my Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theheartlandcreativeFollow me on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@sarahjwaggonerFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjwaggonerSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SarahJWaggoner

If you’re listening during a big sales weekend (or gearing up for one), your shop might be buzzing…and maybe it’s exciting, or maybe it’s starting to feel a little chaotic. Either way, you can get through the rush without burning out.In this episode, I’m walking you through six simple strategies to help you manage an order rush calmly, confidently, and without losing your sanity. These systems are designed for immediate use, even in the middle of the rush.What you’ll learn:How to batch your orders so you’re not jumping from one task to the nextWhy prepping your messaging ahead of time saves your sanityHow to use processing times like your built‑in guardrailsThe mindset shifts that keep your experience positiveWhy scheduling a break isn’t a luxuryHow to set your shipping deadline early so you don’t crash into the finish lineYou’ve built a shop people want to buy from, now let’s keep it great for you too.Your Next Steps:Apply for 1:1 Coaching: https://sarahjwaggoner.com/coaching/Work with Me in EVA: https://sarahjwaggoner.com/etsy-visibility-acceleratorListen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SarahJWaggoner/podcastsJoin my Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theheartlandcreativeFollow me on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@sarahjwaggonerFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjwaggoner

Welcome back! If you missed last week’s episode in the series (“Fix It Before January”), go listen first! It sets the stage for today’s episode.Today we dig deeper into a subtle but powerful issue that sneaks up on many sellers: invisible keywords. You might have done everything “right” with great products, solid photos, and well‑written listings, but still see your traffic fading. That’s because your keywords are slowly losing relevance. This episode will help you spot it and fix it before January hits.What you’ll learn:Why keywords don’t always stay “good forever”How to identify listings that are silently losing visibilityThe three data signals you must check in your statsWhat to change, how little you need to change, and how to keep your momentum goingWhy this work matters now while you still have traffic coming inResources mentioned:Apply for 1:1 coaching: https://sarahjwaggoner.com/coachingPart 1 of series: “Fix It Before January” episode - https://open.spotify.com/episode/7bp5cHdOHCsxB4HZrl4728?si=AajLVTxaQg6Pc0vc0uU46gYour Next Steps:Work with Me: https://sarahjwaggoner.com/coachingJoin my Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theheartlandcreativeFollow me on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@sarahjwaggonerFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjwaggoner