Etsy Insights: video tips

Locked

Discussion interactions are currently paused.

Hello! I’m Sara, a product manager here at Etsy. My team works to identify opportunities to help you grow your business on Etsy, and after doing a lot of research, we decided to work on listing videos.

We know you love hearing from buyers, and we do too! We asked buyers about listing videos and want to share what we’ve learned:

Videos provide a lot more information about the product that they can’t get from photos.
Videos don’t lie: Buyers expect photos to be edited, but videos tell the truth about an item and can create more trust.
Videos influence their decision to purchase (or not to purchase) an item.*

Some quotes from buyers:

“The pictures can look one way, but the video gives you more information about the fabric.”

“The video is telling me that it’s a weird fit. It’s telling me things that I’m not seeing in the still images.”

“I like that she gets close to the camera, that’s what I’d do if I was trying it on.”

While testing videos on the listing page with buyers, we learned that buyers are more likely to purchase an item with a listing that has video.*

*Based on a July 2020 analysis of over five million buyers, comparing the purchasing behavior of those who were shown listing videos to those who were not.

The holidays are around the corner and we’ve already seen shoppers start their holiday searches early on Etsy! Consider adding videos to your listings to make them stand out to holiday shoppers, as we’ll be promoting videos onsite and on the Etsy shopping app during the busy holiday shopping period!

Here are some quick tips to keep in mind:

We recommend you upload videos to the listings that get the most traffic. Try to work your way up to 10 videos, and once you have a sense of what types of videos are performing well, you can add videos to even more listings.
Make sure you capture details that you’re not able to capture with your photos: angles, color or shine, movement, texture, size, item in use, variations, and even the unique process of making your item. Let your craft shine!
Looking for some inspiration? Here are some video styles to try out:

Stop motion, like this example from ErenTraut.
Process, like this example from YourWeddingPlace.
Lifestyle, like this example from DWittRestoration.

What video tips have you found work best for your shop and category?

KASSELA

Posted 5 years ago · Edited 5 years ago·Last reply 4 years ago

23 comments

PalmIslandGlassworks

·4 years ago

Owner

I love that the videos have no sound. A majority of my items are garden stakes which need to be photographed and video taped outside. Inevitably, there is always a big delivery truck or loud vehicle driving by just as I am filming. I can laugh now because I don't have to edit the sound out.

DivineCrossings

·4 years ago

@ChewsMe @no one has video capability in thumbnails and Etsy doesn’t read the forums. There are only other sellers here, none of whom can help with this issue. If you'd like to make a suggestion, you can contact Etsy directly.

ChewsMe

·4 years ago

Can you allow us to make our videos the primary thumbnail in the photo gallery? Is it only certain shops that have this capability? Maybe you can allow the photo gallery to scroll through automatically while customers are in search mode.

WillowGraceStudiosCo

·5 years ago

Thank you.

DivineCrossings

·5 years ago

@WillowGraceStudiosCo @The app won’t accept videos...at least not as of now. Your best bet is to use a browser on either your phone or your tablet and upload the video there.

WillowGraceStudiosCo

·5 years ago

I love this idea! Can you upload a video to a listing on the app? I am not seeing a way unless I am missing something.

DivineCrossings

·5 years ago

@TagTeams @Sound isn’t available....at least not yet. (Except for videos on your home page’s about section...you can add sound to that/those video(s).)

WhimsyWreathDesignCo

·5 years ago

I love the video feature in listings! I'm already taking photos so it's not too much more work to make a short video for the listing too. And I do admit that I like the no sound feature (for now) because it takes that stress out of making the video. It's such a great way to give a better look at a product!

TagTeams

·5 years ago

Am I doing something wrong? Posted my 1st video today, for a music box/player, but I'm not hearing it play. Kind of defeats purpose with no sound, no? Maybe I misunderstood what the video was for. Please explain. Still learning. Thank you!

GardenGateDesign

·5 years ago

I have made a few videos but I think Etsy is compressing the file in some manner as my videos look better before posting as opposed to after I put them up on the listing. . . color and clarity not quite right same lighting, setup and camera on the stills vs video. . . the stills I use a graduated gray background and the videos are all white background . . .

Easter Rabbit Candles Easter Decorations Easter Bunny | Etsy

Beeswax Candle Easter Bunnies Beeswax Rabbit Centerpiece | Etsy

Beeswax Easter Rabbit Antique Chocolate Mold Beeswax Bunny | Etsy

Beeswax Baby Birds Candle Baby Birds Beeswax Candle Honey | Etsy

StudioAvai

·5 years ago

I tried a video but couldn't get the size right a month ago, I will make another attempt, it would be good for my clothing.

DragatakisJewellery

·5 years ago

So many beautiful videos!

I believe that especially jewels listings must have a video so that the customers can easily decide on order having seen the reality of a jewel better than some pictures, This is one of my favorites, that I took with my phone!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/252769733/helmet-necklace-18k-solid-gold-handmade?ref=shop_home_active_21&frs=1

eshopica

·5 years ago

It's amazing, I tried putting videos on listings. Surprisingly It increased the sales.

CleverBadger

·5 years ago

I've played around with videos a bit more now.

For my Christmas ornaments, I put them on a tree and did a pan through the branches to show them hanging. I think that one turned out well.

https://www.etsy.com/CleverBadger/listing/892467017/jane-austen-society-of-obstinate?utm_source=Copy&utm_medium=ListingManager&utm_campaign=Share&utm_term=so.lmsm&share_time=1604504671281

For my ceramic pumpkins, I did a video to show it from all angles and show the bottom, so that buyers can see the hole in the bottom showing it's hollow.

https://www.etsy.com/CleverBadger/listing/881742712/ceramic-pumpkin-handmade-wheel-thrown?utm_source=Copy&utm_medium=ListingManager&utm_campaign=Share&utm_term=so.lmsm&share_time=1604504585692

With my scarves, I wanted to show the weight and movement of the yarn as well as the pattern.

https://www.etsy.com/CleverBadger/listing/788593499/squared-up-infinity-scarf-bulky-square?utm_source=Copy&utm_medium=ListingManager&utm_campaign=Share&utm_term=so.lmsm&share_time=1604504723235

https://www.etsy.com/CleverBadger/listing/845089670/velvet-soft-basket-weave-scarf-with?utm_source=Copy&utm_medium=ListingManager&utm_campaign=Share&utm_term=so.lmsm&share_time=1604504752803

I'm planning on doing some process videos as well with hand-throwing pottery and stamping jewelry.

CrystalWindChime

·5 years ago

@RebelButtonsShop Your video looks great. I thought the holographic sparkle was very evident. Post more.

RebelButtonsShop

·5 years ago

@CrystalWindChime wrote:
@RebelButtonsShop Your video looks great. I thought the holographic sparkle was very evident. Post more.
Thank you! That's very encouraging. I'll definitely be making more!

RebelButtonsShop

·5 years ago

I love that I was able to add a video to my listings! Some of my buttons have a holographic sparkle to them, which is very hard to capture properly in a photograph. The video shows the sparkles perfectly!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/828328067/pineapple-bottle-openers-magnetic-bottle

eshopica

·5 years ago

Thanks to you I've decided to put some videos on my listings. It makes sense. I'll try it. Thank you Kassela

MartyMerlinCrochet

·5 years ago

I have just added videos to most of my cat toys listings, would love to have any feedback!

This is the link to the newest added to the shop, some creepy eyeballs toys

https://www.etsy.com/it/listing/879282528/globo-oculare-gioco-per-gatti-con-erba?ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1

Looking forward to know what y'all think of it

Naturalpaperlovers

·5 years ago

Hi there, I have the problem that I can not upload my videos from my I-phone or computer. Whereas I can upload videos to Instagram, facebook, pinterest etc. it does not work with etsy? Perhaps you can help me. Thank you.

Jutta

AntoniaWoolWear

·5 years ago

Hello!!

I sell wool sweaters and cardigans, handmade in Uurguay by artisian women. My store is moving but not enough, i feel i am missing something.

I would appreciate some criticism, as I have seen other stores in other countries charging thousands for similar items and mine are just not moving.

Thanks a lot

Carolina

WildvineandCo

·5 years ago

I made 4 videos of my listings today and I can’t add any of them to my listings? I used my iphone and I just assumed I could upload to my store. Could someone help me please?

Naturalpaperlovers

·5 years ago

Hi, I have the same problem, do have an answer in the meantime or solved the problem?

Thank you and have a nice day

Jutta