47 Marketing Material IdeasThat Actually Drive Sales
Build brand recognition and increase repeat purchases with the right marketing materials. From thank you cards (40-50% return rate) to behind-the-scenes videos (3x higher engagement), discover what works for Etsy sellers in 2026.
💡Quick Answer: What Marketing Materials Do Etsy Sellers Need?
The most effective marketing materials for Etsy shops are thank you cards with discount codes (40-50% return rate), behind-the-scenes video content (3x higher engagement), and branded packaging inserts (80% more memorable than plain packaging). These materials build customer relationships and drive repeat purchases.
Top 5 Essential Marketing Materials:
- 1. Thank You Cards with 10-15% discount codes for next purchase
- 2. Behind-the-Scenes Video Content showing your creative process (15-30 seconds)
- 3. Branded Business Cards with QR codes linking to your shop
- 4. Package Inserts with care instructions and your brand story
- 5. Social Media Graphics optimized for Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok
Why These Work:
- • Build personal connection
- • Increase repeat purchase rate by 35-50%
- • Turn customers into brand advocates
- • Cost-effective (most under $0.50 per order)
- • Easy to create and implement
Investment Breakdown:
- • Thank you cards: $0.15-0.35 (DIY) or $0.50-1.00 (pro)
- • Video content: FREE (smartphone + light)
- • Business cards: $0.05-0.15 per card
- • Digital materials: FREE or $12.99/month
- • ROI: 3-5x within 90 days
Why Marketing Materials Matter More Than Ever in 2026
The shift in Etsy's algorithm and buyer expectations
📊The Shift in Etsy's Algorithm
- Etsy's 2026 algorithm prioritizes external traffic and repeat customers. Shops that bring their own traffic from social media, Pinterest, and email lists get rewarded with higher search rankings.
- The Data:
- • Shops with external traffic rank 40% higher in Etsy search
- • Repeat customers have 3x higher conversion rates
- • Off-platform marketing increases Etsy visibility by 2-4 weeks
❤️The Human Connection Advantage
- In a marketplace of 7.5 million sellers, authenticity wins. Buyers aren't just purchasing products—they're investing in your story, your craft, and your brand.
- What Buyers Want in 2026:
- • Behind-the-scenes content (62% of buyers)
- • Personal connection with the maker (58%)
- • Sustainable, thoughtful packaging (71%)
- • Brand consistency across touchpoints (54%)
18 Marketing Material Types for Your Etsy Shop
Physical and digital materials that build brand recognition and drive sales
Thank You Cards
Examples: Handwritten notes, discount codes, QR codes, care instructions
Pro Tip: Include 10-15% discount code for next purchase. Track redemption rates to measure ROI.
Business Cards
Examples: QR codes, shop info, mini product cards, seed paper cards
Pro Tip: Include in every order and at craft fairs. Use QR codes for easy shop access.
Branded Stickers
Examples: Logo stickers, thank you seals, product labels, freebies
Pro Tip: Include 2-3 extras as freebies. Customers reuse them for free advertising.
Packaging Inserts
Examples: Care cards, brand story, product info, social media prompts
Pro Tip: Encourage social sharing with "Tag us for 15% off" prompts.
Branded Packaging
Examples: Custom boxes, tissue paper, stamps, branded tape
Pro Tip: Start with stamps or stickers before investing in custom boxes.
Video Content
Examples: Behind-the-scenes, process videos, product demos, day in the life
Pro Tip: Film 15-30 second clips on smartphone. Post 2-3x per week on TikTok/Reels.
Social Media Graphics
Examples: Product photos, quote graphics, promotional posts, story templates
Pro Tip: Use Canva templates. Batch-create 20-30 graphics at once.
Email Marketing
Examples: Welcome series, product launches, seasonal sales, abandoned cart
Pro Tip: Collect emails from every order. Send 1-2 emails per month.
Pinterest Graphics
Examples: Product pins, gift guides, tutorials, seasonal collections
Pro Tip: Pins generate traffic for 3-6 months. Use 1000x1500px vertical format.
Postcards
Examples: Product launches, seasonal promos, studio tours, VIP offers
Pro Tip: Great for announcing new collections or exclusive customer promotions.
Promotional Flyers
Examples: Craft fair promos, local events, community boards, partnerships
Pro Tip: Distribute at coffee shops, libraries, and local boutiques (with permission).
Sample Packs
Examples: Product samples, business cards, stickers, brand story
Pro Tip: Send to micro-influencers (1K-10K followers) for authentic reviews.
Digital Lookbooks
Examples: PDF catalogs, Instagram carousels, Pinterest boards, flipbooks
Pro Tip: Great for wholesale inquiries and email newsletters.
Social Media Templates
Examples: New product announcements, sale templates, testimonials, meet the maker
Pro Tip: Create 10-15 templates at once. Reuse by swapping product photos.
Blog Content
Examples: How-to guides, product care, gift guides, behind-the-scenes
Pro Tip: Repurpose blog posts into social media content (quotes, infographics).
Customer Showcase
Examples: User-generated content, customer photos, testimonials, reviews
Pro Tip: Always ask permission before reposting. UGC builds trust and social proof.
QR Codes
Examples: Shop links, discount codes, review requests, social media
Pro Tip: Test QR codes before printing. Track scans with URL shorteners.
Product Mockups
Examples: Lifestyle images, styled flat lays, environment shots, size comparisons
Pro Tip: Show products in context. Use Placeit, Smartmockups, or DIY smartphone photos.
Marketing Materials: The Impact
How to Implement Marketing Materials (Step-by-Step)
Your 3-month action plan from setup to optimization
Start with the Essentials (Week 1-2)
Design and order physical materials that build immediate customer relationships.
- • Design thank you card template in Canva with discount code
- • Order business cards with QR code (500 from Vistaprint)
- • Order logo stickers for packaging and freebies (100 minimum)
- • Create QR code linking to your Etsy shop
Set Up Digital Presence (Week 3-4)
Create templates and content for consistent online marketing.
- • Create 10-15 social media graphic templates in Canva
- • Film 3-5 behind-the-scenes videos (15-30 seconds each)
- • Set up email marketing account (Mailchimp or ConvertKit)
- • Design email welcome sequence template
Implement and Track (Month 2)
Include materials in every order and measure performance.
- • Include thank you card + business card + sticker in every order
- • Post 3-4 pieces of social content per week
- • Send first email to customer list
- • Track discount code redemption rates and social engagement
Optimize and Scale (Month 3+)
Double down on what works and expand successful strategies.
- • Analyze which materials drive the most repeat purchases
- • Increase budget for top-performing materials
- • Expand video content if engagement is high
- • Consider paid ads for best-performing content
Marketing Material Strategy by Budget
Starter Budget: Under $50/month
Perfect for new sellers testing the waters
- 1. DIY thank you cards (print at home) — $10
- 2. Business cards (500 from Vistaprint) — $20
- 3. Logo stickers (100 from StickerMule) — $15
- 4. Free digital tools (Canva Free, smartphone videos) — $0
Total: ~$45 + time investment
Growing Budget: $50-$150/month
For sellers with consistent sales ready to scale
- 5. Canva Pro subscription — $12.99/month
- 6. Branded packaging (tissue paper or stamps) — $30
- 7. Email marketing tool (Mailchimp free or ConvertKit) — $0-20
- 8. Postcards (250 printed) — $50
Total: ~$135
Established Budget: $150-$300/month
For established shops focused on premium branding
- 9. Custom shipping boxes (250 minimum) — $125
- 10. Professional product photography — $100-200 (one-time)
- 11. Pinterest/Instagram ads — $50-100/month
- 12. Klaviyo email marketing — $35/month
Total: ~$250-300/month
Marketing Material Best Practices
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌Don't Do This
- •Over-invest too soon — test minimum order quantities before ordering thousands
- •Skip clear CTAs — every material needs a next step for customers
- •Ignore video content — video gets 3x higher engagement than static posts
- •Forget to collect emails — build your owned customer list from day one
- •Use inconsistent branding — mixed fonts and colors look unprofessional
- •Create content daily — batch-create for efficiency
- •Skip tracking results — measure what works to optimize spend
✅Do This Instead
- •Start with low-cost essentials — thank you cards, business cards, and stickers first
- •Maintain consistent branding — use same fonts, colors, and logo across all materials
- •Include clear CTAs — every material should have a next step (shop link, discount code)
- •Track ROI — measure discount code redemption and traffic sources
- •Batch-create content — design 20-30 graphics at once to save time
- •Focus on video content — 15-30 second clips get 3x higher engagement
- •Collect emails — include signup cards in every order for owned customer list
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about marketing materials for your Etsy shop.
Marketing strategies and ROI estimates are based on industry averages and may vary by shop, niche, and implementation. Results depend on consistent application and product quality. This guide is for informational purposes only.
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