Are you happy with your print-on-demand sales so far this year?
Or are you feeling a little stuck, like you’re working hard but not seeing the results you hoped for?
Don’t worry—you’re not alone.
The middle of the year is the perfect time to take a step back, look at what’s working, and make a plan for the rest of the year.
This blog will help you check in on your business in 9 simple steps.
You’ll get clarity, find your strengths, and spot the things you can change to make more sales—without feeling overwhelmed.
Let’s take a look!
1. What Products Are Actually Selling?
Be honest with yourself. Which of your items are getting sales right now?
Go into your Etsy dashboard, Amazon account, or wherever you sell, and check the numbers. Write down your top 5 best-selling products.
Ask yourself:
- What type of product is it? (Mug, hoodie, t-shirt, tumbler, etc.)
- Who is it for? (Dog moms? Teachers? Dads?)
- When did it sell? (Was it for a special occasion like Father’s Day?)
Pattern spotting is powerful.
Maybe your funny mugs always do well, or maybe your teacher gifts get the most likes. That’s your clue to make more of those types of products.
And if something hasn’t sold at all after months? It might be time to stop wasting time on it.
Pro Tip: Go all-in on your winners. Update the tags, improve the mockups, and make variations (like changing colors or adding a name field for personalization).
2. Are My Designs Simple and Scroll-Stopping?
One of the most common POD mistakes is making designs too fancy.
Too many fonts. Too many graphics. Too much going on.
Here’s what works best:
- One main message (like “World’s Okayest Cat Dad”)
- Bold, easy-to-read fonts
- Clean space around the text or image
Imagine your product on a phone screen. Can someone read it in 2 seconds while scrolling?
If not, it’s probably too busy.
Remember: A good design doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to connect with someone emotionally—make them laugh, feel seen, or want to give it as a gift.
3. Did I Jump on Any Trends?
Trends can be your best friend—if you act fast.
Ask yourself:
- Did I create any products for big holidays this year? (Like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day?)
- Did I make any designs based on trending sayings or pop culture?
- Did I try new product types when they were hot?
If not, that’s okay. But now you know to look ahead.
Coming up soon:
- Back to School (August–September)
- Halloween (Start early!)
- Christmas and Q4 (Yes, July is the time to prep)
Tools like Etsy search, Google Trends, and even TikTok can show you what people are loving right now.
4. How’s My Storefront Looking?
Your store is like your home. When it’s messy or confusing, people leave.
Check:
- Are your mockups high quality and easy to see?
- Do your titles clearly explain what the product is and who it’s for?
- Do your descriptions answer common questions like size, material, and shipping times?
Mockup tip: Use lifestyle images—like someone holding the mug or wearing the shirt. This helps people imagine themselves (or their gift recipient) using it.
Cleanup tip: Hide or remove products that haven’t sold and don’t reflect your current style.
Your store should feel like a cozy, welcoming place that makes shoppers want to stay and browse.
5. Am I Selling to a Clear Niche?
This is a big one.
Are you selling to:
- Everyone and anyone?
- Or one clear type of person?
A niche is a specific group of people with shared interests. Like:
- Funny dog moms
- Christian women
- Retired teachers
- New dads
- Plant lovers
Here’s why a niche matters: When you focus, your designs feel more personal—and that’s what sells.
Instead of being “just another store,” you become their favorite store.
Try this: Pick your best-performing niche and double down on it. Create 5 new designs just for that group.
6. Have I Checked My Pricing?
Let’s talk money.
If your prices are too low, you’re not making enough profit.
If your prices are too high, shoppers might click away.
You want to be in the sweet spot.
Use tools like Etsy calculators to determine your prices.
Consider adding shipping into your price so you can offer free shipping—people love that!
Bonus tip: Test your pricing! Try increasing your price by $1–$2 on a few listings. Watch to see if your conversion rate stays the same. If it does, you just made more profit without more work.
7. How’s My SEO?
SEO means Search Engine Optimization—basically, how people find your listings.
You could have the best design in the world… but if nobody sees it, it won’t sell.
Fix your SEO by:
- Using long-tail keywords in your titles (like “funny mug for dog dads”)
- Adding niche words in your tags (like “pickleball mom” or “plant lover gift”)
- Writing clear descriptions that explain what the product is and why it’s awesome
Try searching on Etsy or Amazon like your customer would. What pops up first? What words do those listings use?
Use similar words (but don’t copy!) in your own listings.
8. Am I Showing Up on Social Media?
(This is optional and for advanced sellers that would like to test it out)
Want to use free traffic?
Even just one post a week can bring new eyes to your store.
Here’s what to try:
- Pinterest: Post lifestyle mockups and tag them with gift ideas (like “Gifts for Cat Moms”)
- Instagram Reels: Show how your mug or shirt looks in real life
- TikTok: Show off your products
You don’t have to show your face. Use mockups, Canva, or AI-generated images to tell your product’s story.
9. What’s One Thing I’ll Try Next?
You made it this far—great job!
Now it’s time to pick just ONE thing to try next.
Here are some ideas:
- Add a new product type (like candles, flasks, or blankets)
- Try a new niche
- Update 10 of your old listings with better keywords
- Run a summer sale for 3 days
The key is to test it, measure it, and keep moving forward.
Mid-Year Motivation: Keep Going—You’re Closer Than You Think
You don’t need to do everything.
You just need to keep learning, testing, and showing up.
Print-on-demand is a marathon, not a sprint.
And doing a mid-year check-in like this proves you’re serious about making it work.
Be proud of how far you’ve come.
Now let’s finish the year strong!
Ready to Take Action?
Looking for incredible mentors and the tools to start your own print-on-demand (POD) business, or are you ready to take your current business to the next level? Take a look at these excellent courses:
Low Hanging System
Dive into the most comprehensive online course designed to empower you to build an array of PROFITABLE income streams using simple designs and catchy sayings.
Learn how to design simple items and add them to marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon.
Easy POD Mastermind
Step into the spotlight with EasyPOD Mastermind – the VIP club for print-on-demand sellers.
You also get case studies, interactive workshops, and live coaching calls.
