Are Online Etsy Courses Worth It?

Are online Etsy courses worth buying? Learn from my story.

Have you ever found yourself hesitating to invest in your Etsy shop? Are you struggling to choose the right Etsy course, plagued by thoughts like, “Will I get my money back?”, “Is this teacher legit?”, or “Are the testimonials genuine?” I have been there too, and I took a leap of faith with an Etsy course. 

In this post, I will be sharing my experience with Etsy course and the lessons I have gained. The goal is that you can learn from my story, make an informed decision, and choose a course that delivers results.

So, are online Etsy courses worth buying? 

My Story with Online Etsy Course

Before delving into my learnings, let me share my story.

I officially resigned from my full-time job at the end of June this year, fully committing to my Etsy shop in July.

I have been running my Etsy shop since April 2023, dedicating myself to it full-time. My Etsy Shop specialises in digital products, catering mainly to teachers and homeschooling parents. Every product in my shop is either hand-drawn or designed by me. I am sharing this information with you because it holds significance for what comes next.

Here’s what was going through my mind:

• I need to generate cash flow quickly.
• Let’s make Etsy work.

During my research phase, I turned to Google and YouTube, exploring various strategies to set up and optimise my Etsy shop. During the process, I stumbled upon a specific Etsy Coach on YouTube. While I won’t disclose the coach’s name to maintain objectivity, I decided to hop on to a strategy call, driven by my goal to achieve fast results.

The strategy call covered:

1. Fact-finding: Discussing my goals and current Etsy shop status.
2. Course Demo: Providing insights into the course structure and packages.
3. Price: Outlining pricing options, payment plans and discounts for on-call decisions.

During the call, I opted for an online course (lifetime access) + community access + 6 months coaching, opting for an instalment plan. The total investment exceeded USD7,000.

Over the subsequent 6 months, here’s what unfolded:

• Online courses can be completed within a week, despite the recommendation to spread them out. Given my full-time commitment, I managed to finish them in one week and started to implement the strategies quickly. This is perfect, especially when compared to courses that unlock modules based on financial milestones. The lifetime access feature is an added benefit, allowing me to revisit the content whenever needed.
• Coaching calls took the form of group sessions on Zoom, where the coach took turns addressing students’ questions. These group calls accommodated various time zones. This did not work well for me especially when it is a late-night call and I will need to wait for my turn.
• Engaging with coaches and seeking clarification was not limited to coaching calls. Students will have access to the community platform to ask questions, with coaches offering public responses visible to all participants. While this openness fosters a collaborative environment, some students express reservations due to concerns about idea and strategy theft.
• It’s crucial to note that coaching isn’t exclusively conducted by the face of the brand but involves the entire coach team. This varied approach introduces a range of perspectives, but it also means that not all coaches are familiar with the specifics of my shop.
• Responses from the coaching team frequently directed towards utilising strategies from specific modules of the online course. While this aligns with the course structure, I had initially expected more nuanced and in-depth answers tailored to individual Etsy shop.
• Given the diversity of coaches responding to questions, answers often leaned towards generic advice or strategies that I had already explored in my shop. 
• I formed a valuable network of friends through the course. Our private group, away from the community, became a hub for sharing insights and strategies. This camaraderie led to a breakthrough on Pinterest got my Etsy shop, a challenge I had struggled with for an extended period.

My experience encompassed both positive and negative aspects. While I may not consider it a fully recouped investment financially, the course provided intangible gains. It connected me with like-minded individuals, facilitated a quick Etsy shop setup, and equipped me with foundational knowledge. Most importantly, it guided me on how to better choose courses in the future, preventing potential losses.

Read on to see how I would approach it differently if starting anew.

---

---

How I Will Choose Online Etsy Courses in the Future

What is invested may not always return in monetary terms, but the invaluable learnings can propel us forward. Some of you may be thinking, “Haven’t you yet recouped your investment? Why invest again?” My response is simple – just because I have not attained desired results from one investment, does not mean I should penalise myself to invest in another that could potentially reshape my Etsy shop’s trajectory. Commitment to making it work is an ongoing learning process.

Consider the following factors for a strategic approach to future Etsy course investments:

Define Your Goals

Clarify your objectives for the investment. Are you seeking a specific skill set or a strategic approach? This clarity is important to find an investment that aligns with your goals.

Mentor vs. Teacher

Are you picking a mentor or a teacher? Let’s keep it simple. A teacher should have achieved what you’re aiming for – like a guide who’s been there, done that. On the flip side, a mentor might not have exactly hit your goal, but they’re your cheerleader, pushing and motivating you throughout your journey. Think of a sports team coach.

Regardless of mentor or teacher, go for someone who genuinely cares about your success, not just your money. You can spot this through student testimonials or how they act during strategy calls. And here’s the thing: success leaves clues. A mentor is like the secret key to success. Find someone who matches your vibe, cares about your goals, and, most importantly, has results to show.

Research Your Teacher

When checking out potential Etsy teachers, keep it simple but smart. Make sure they’ve actually achieved what you’re aiming for. Specifically, look at what they’ve accomplished, how long it took, and what kind of Etsy shop they run. For instance, since I deal with digital products and education, my ideal teacher should be into that too. I made a mistake before by investing in a teacher selling physical stuff. No wonder the strategies weren’t working—they didn’t fit my digital world.

Another thing to watch out for is if your ideal teacher has succeeded in more than one Etsy shop. This makes them more credible. It’s a way to be sure their success isn’t just luck from a viral TikTok video or Instagram reel. A teacher claiming to be an expert after hitting it big once might just be lucky, not really understanding what it takes. So, when picking your Etsy teacher, focus on someone who matches your niche, has success stories in different shops, and has a track record of doing well over time.

Do Course Research

If I were to invest again, I would dive into thorough research about the course itself. Check out all the options available and what exactly you need at the moment. If it matches up, then it is worth considering.

When there is a coaching component involved, dig deeper. Find out who’s doing the coaching. If it is a coaching team, look into their background or if they are open about their info (doxxed). It is like checking out who’s behind the scenes, making sure you are investing your time and money in something solid.

Key Questions for a Strategy Call

When gearing up for a strategy call, whether the course offers one or not, it is crucial to ask the right questions to get the full picture. Even if there is no call, find an email or a way to ensure these questions are addressed:

Question	Explanation/ Need
Are the online courses prerecorded? If yes, when are they recorded?	This ensures the strategies and content are recent and relevant.
Do you have lifetime access to the course?	This helps you to plan your time wisely for both learning and implementation.
Do you have access to a community, and is it lifetime access?	This allows you to have a supportive community for ongoing assistance. Of course, it has to be actively maintained.
How will the coaching call be carried out? What’s the time zone, duration, and frequency?	This clarifies if it is a group or one-to-one call, ensuring it aligns with your time zone and allows you to fully utilise the coaching investment. Example: If there is a group coaching call at 2am every two weeks for six months, it might not be a wise investment if attending it proves to be challenging.
What are your students’ achievements on both extremes? What are their niches? How long did they take to get there, and where did they start?	This ensures a realistic understanding by considering the outcomes of both successful and struggling students. Consideration: Niche relevance is important, especially in popular or trending subjects, where the potential for virality is higher.
Digging Deeper: What did they start with?	This helps us to evaluate the claims the course proves to give. By comparing students who started from scratch vs. those expanding established shops, you can assess the ease of success based on their starting point. Example: Claims like “Turning monthly income to daily income after implementing strategy from module 3 of the course” should be examined closely based on the student’s initial position – established audience and capital or starting from scratch.

Making Sense of the ROI of Online Etsy Courses

Let’s dive into the crucial aspect of pricing when considering Etsy courses. Here’s a breakdown of common components you might encounter in various Etsy Courses:

• Prerecorded Online Courses
• Live Online Lessons
• Coaching Calls [Group/1-1]
• Access to Community

Regardless of the course type, always approach it with a clear budget in mind. While it is crucial not to set an unrealistic budget beforehand, it is equally crucial to understand the value of what is being offered. Consider the full spectrum of benefits, potential transformation, and evaluate how much it is worth to you.

From my personal experience, if I were to start anew, I would initially opt for the standalone online course. I would implement the strategies independently before delving into coaching calls. It can be a bit of a waste to invest in calls without trying anything first. Once you have implemented strategies, the calls become more valuable. You can seek guidance on specific issues, discuss results, and receive more tailored advice.

It is crucial never to feel pressured into an immediate investment in coaching calls. In my experience, enticing offers were presented during calls, and I succumbed to the pressure. If I were to do it again, I would take a step back, think it through, and even ask for an extension on the offer. Don’t rush – do things at your own pace.

Additionally, inquire about the possibility of a refund, especially if lofty claims are made by the team. The response to this question provides insights into the confidence and credibility of the team, even if a refund option isn’t available.

Remember, your investment should align with your pace and comfort. Take the time to evaluate and ensure that the course not only fits your budget but also brings significant value to your Etsy journey.

---

In the ever changing landscape of Etsy, the key to success lies in adapting our learning strategy. Trends shift, and what works for one might not work for another. When investing in an Etsy course, ensure it is recent and relevant. The Etsy game is all about trial and error—adapting, refining, and uncovering your unique strategy. Consistency and perseverance are the key; as long as you persist, success becomes an inevitable outcome.

What do you think? Are Online Etsy Courses Worth it?

If you love to see more content like this, connect & follow me on social media to stay updated with the latest information.

• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• TikTok

---

Other posts you may like:

• How to Read Your Etsy Sales Data (with Etsy Analysis Tool)
• 6 Clever Hacks to Use AI for Etsy Shop
• 11 Fast & Easy Steps to upload digital files to Etsy