Don’t Rely on Third-Party Platforms—Start Building Your Own Customer List Today
You’ve got an Etsy store, maybe an Amazon storefront, and you’re active on social media like Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook. But here’s the big question: are you actually building your own brand? If all your traffic is going straight to Etsy or another marketplace, you're missing out on a massive opportunity to grow your business independently.
I can’t tell you how many times I hear, “I’m sending all my Instagram traffic straight to my Etsy store.” Let me say this loud and clear: DO NOT DO THIS.
Why You Shouldn’t Rely Solely on Etsy or Amazon
While marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon are great for getting started, they aren’t designed to help you build your own brand. They have built-in audiences, but that comes with a downside—they control your customer interactions. You don’t get direct access to your customers, and if Etsy changes its policies or algorithms, it could massively affect your sales. Essentially, you’re playing by their rules, not yours. Don't believe me? I'll share my own Etsy horror story in a later post.
Build an Email List: Your Key to Long-Term Success
Instead of sending all your traffic to a third-party marketplace, you should be capturing those leads and building an email list. Why? Because your email list is one of the most valuable assets you can have for your business. It allows you to directly communicate with potential buyers, promote new products, offer discounts, and—most importantly—create a lasting relationship with your customers.
Real-World Example:When I first started, I relied heavily on Etsy. Over time, I realized I wasn’t building a direct relationship with my customers. I started capturing leads through my website, offering a 10% discount in exchange for their email addresses. A year later, that email list became the backbone of my business, driving sales, creating a loyal customer base and millions of dollars in sales. But it didn't happen overnight.
Steps to Get Started
Create a Lead Magnet: Offer something valuable in exchange for a customer’s email—like a discount, a free guide, or a helpful tutorial related to your products.
Set Up Email Marketing Software: Platforms like Klaviyo or Mailchimp make it easy to start collecting emails and automating your communications.
Direct Traffic to Your Website, Not Etsy: Use social media and ads to bring people to your own site where you can capture their emails. Keep your Etsy or Amazon store as a backup or alternative purchasing option, but always prioritize driving traffic to your website.
Why You’ll Thank Yourself a Year From Now
When you build your email list, you’re building real value for your business. You’re no longer at the mercy of Etsy’s algorithm or policies. You have a direct line to your customers and the ability to market to them whenever you need.
So don’t put all your eggs into one basket. Start capturing leads today. Your future self—and your business—will thank you a year from now!
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