Need to make some money on the side? Like to turn your favourite hobby into cash? In this lecture style session we will look at how to start your side hustle and what it takes to make it work! ETSY is an online marketplace for handcrafted items, vintage items or craft supplies.

Your Tutor is Susan Freer

Sue Freer (BSc(CompSt)) has been teaching at WEA since 2016.

After attaining her Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Studies degree, Sue worked in IT for over 25 years.  After being retrenched she was looking for new creative outlets.  She opened her first online shop on Etsy in 2014.  A couple of years later she wanted to share what she had learnt about online selling and approached WEA with an idea for a new course - How to Sell on ETSY.  She now has 2 active Etsy stores, plus another in-person family business.  She is passionate about helping other people to start their own business - whether it is a side hustle or a full-time job.

Etsy: Sell Your Craft to the World

Course Description

Etsy is a popular online marketplace that allows individuals to sell handcrafted goods, vintage items, and craft supplies to a global audience. 

But while opening a shop on Etsy is relatively easy, turning it into a successful side hustle takes strategy, creativity, and business savvy. 

In this lecture-style session, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to launching your own Etsy store, from setting up your shop to understanding what you can and cannot sell. 

You’ll learn how to avoid common mistakes – like copyright issues or violations of Etsy’s selling policies – that can lead to your shop being shut down before it even gets off the ground.

More than just a technical how-to, this course will explore the deeper aspects of building a thriving Etsy business, including:

• What are tags and why do they matter? 
• How does SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) work on Etsy’s platform? 
• What are your advertising options, and what kind of budget should you expect? 

We’ll break down these questions and more as we explore the real costs, tools, and techniques behind getting consistent sales. 

Whether you’re looking to earn a little extra income or turn your favourite hobby into a business, this session will give you a solid foundation for making Etsy work for you.

Course Structure

This is a lecture-style session with ample opportunity for questions. We will cover the following topics:

• Introduction to Etsy
• A brief look at general business advice
• What you should sell, and what you should avoid
• Steps to opening your Etsy shop
• Working on your shop
• Shipping
• All about great listings
• Where to from here

You will also receive detailed course notes and a handy checklist of everything you need to open your shop. Please bring a pen and notebook to take your own notes.

Course Learning Outcomes

After attending this session, you will have a basic understanding of:

• How to open an Etsy store
• What you can and can’t sell on Etsy
• How to manage your store once it’s opened
• Basics of shipping internationally
• What makes a listing more likely to sell
• Where to find further help and support