That voice in your head that sounds so responsible — the one that says the timing isn't right, the market is too crowded, you don't have the skills or the time — has a name. I call it the Protector voice. And in this episode we are talking about exactly what it has been telling you about starting a print on demand Etsy shop and why almost none of it is actually true.

I'm walking through four of the most common thoughts that keep women from starting — or from keeping going — and what the other voice, the Possibility voice, knows that the Protector doesn't. This one is part mindset, part reality check, and completely honest. Because I believed every single one of these things myself. And I almost let them stop me.

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Have a question for What You're Wondering? Submit it to melissacarroll.co/question

Find me online: Website: melissacarroll.co Instagram: @TheModernEtsySeller

Enjoying the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps other sellers find the show and means the world to me.

WYW 4: In this episode I'm answering the Etsy question "Should I Price Low When Starting on Etsy to Get Sales?" I'll walk you through why low prices can actually work against you on Etsy and how to think about pricing from day one. Have a question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? Submit it at melissacarroll.co/question

Follow the show: 🎙️ Apple Podcasts 🎙️ Spotify

Have a question for What You're Wondering? Submit it to melissacarroll.co/question

Find me online: Website: melissacarroll.co Instagram: @TheModernEtsySeller

Enjoying the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps other sellers find the show and means the world to me.

WYW 3: In this episode I'm answering the Etsy question "Should I Offer Free Shipping on My Etsy Shop?" I walk you through how to think about the math, what your competition is doing and why it matters, and how to split test if you're not sure. Have a question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? Submit it at melissacarroll.co/question

Mentioned in this episode: Etsy Seller Handbook

Follow the show: 🎙️ Apple Podcasts 🎙️ Spotify

Have a question for What You're Wondering? Submit it to melissacarroll.co/question

Find me online: Website: melissacarroll.co Instagram: @TheModernEtsySeller

Enjoying the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps other sellers find the show and means the world to me.

WYW 2: In this episode I'm answering the Etsy question "How Do I Get Reviews on Etsy?" Whether you're brand new with zero sales or just struggling to get your first reviews, I'm breaking down the right way to ask — and what Etsy's own policy says about it. Have a question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? Submit it at melissacarroll.co/question

Free Resource: Review Request Message Templates

Follow the show: 🎙️ Apple Podcasts 🎙️ Spotify

Have a question for What You're Wondering? Submit it to melissacarroll.co/question

Find me online: Website: melissacarroll.co Instagram: @TheModernEtsySeller

Enjoying the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps other sellers find the show and means the world to me.

WYW 1: In this episode I'm answering the Etsy question "Do I Need Social Media to Sell on Etsy?" If you've been putting off starting your shop because you don't want to be on social media — or you're already selling and wondering if you're missing out — this one is for you. Have a question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? Submit it at melissacarroll.co/question

Follow the show: 🎙️ Apple Podcasts 🎙️ Spotify

Have a question for What You're Wondering? Submit it to melissacarroll.co/question

Find me online: Website: melissacarroll.co Instagram: @TheModernEtsySeller

Enjoying the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps other sellers find the show and means the world to me.

What if the best Etsy product ideas aren't the obvious ones? What if they're the ones nobody is designing for yet?

In this episode I share seven gifting categories filled with overlooked and underserved moments that represent a huge opportunity for print-on-demand Etsy sellers. From medical milestones to end of season celebrations, these are the specific, hyper-personal occasions that buyers are actively searching for and finding almost nothing.

I also share the story of how discovering the keywords "officiant proposal" early in my Etsy journey changed the way I think about product creation, and why text-based designs make this approach so powerful for sellers who don't have design skills.

Plus I share a free resource, 101 Moments to Design For, packed with even more ideas to spark your next product.

Free resource: Grab 101 Moments to Design For at melissacarroll.co/episode4resource

Follow the show: 🎙️ Apple Podcasts 🎙️ Spotify

Have a question for What You're Wondering? Submit it to melissacarroll.co/question

Find me online: Website: melissacarroll.co Instagram: @TheModernEtsySeller

Enjoying the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps other sellers find the show and means the world to me.

One of the most important decisions you'll make as a print-on-demand Etsy seller is choosing the right product. Pick the wrong one and you could spend weeks building something that was never going to work. Pick the right one and everything gets easier.

In this episode I walk you through the five question filter I use to validate any print-on-demand product idea before investing time in it.

You'll learn the three mistakes most new Etsy sellers make when choosing a product, how to check if a product is actually profitable before you create a single listing, how to use eRank to research search demand and competition, how to find proof on Etsy that people are actively buying a product right now, and why starting with just one product is the single best decision you can make for your shop.

Free resource: Grab the 5-Question Product Validation Guide at melissacarroll.co/episode3resource

Follow the show: 🎙️ Apple Podcasts 🎙️ Spotify

Have a question for What You're Wondering? Submit it to melissacarroll.co/question

Find me online: Website: melissacarroll.co Instagram: @TheModernEtsySeller

Enjoying the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps other sellers find the show and means the world to me.

If you've been hearing about print-on-demand but aren't totally sure what it is or whether it's the right business model for you then this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Modern Etsy Seller, I'm breaking down exactly how the print-on-demand model works, why it's one of the most accessible ways to build a profitable Etsy shop, and the honest tradeoffs that come with it. No hype, just a clear, real look at what building a print-on-demand Etsy business actually looks like.

You'll learn how print-on-demand works from sale to delivery, the seven reasons busy women are choosing POD for their Etsy shops, the real tradeoffs including margins and loss of control, and how to know if print-on-demand is the right fit for your life.

If you're a busy mom, teacher, or working woman who wants to build a profitable Etsy shop without managing inventory or shipping, this episode will help you decide if print-on-demand is your next move.

Follow the show: 🎙️ Apple Podcasts 🎙️ Spotify

Have a question for What You're Wondering? Submit it to melissacarroll.co/question

Find me online: Website: melissacarroll.co Instagram: @TheModernEtsySeller

Enjoying the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps other sellers find the show and means the world to me.