Ready For Results? I Think You Should Hear This, Episode 243

Ready For Results? I Think You Should Hear This, Episode 243

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Double Your Sales Without Spending More on Ads

Ever wish you could boost your sales without spending another dime on ads? Of course you do. So here’s the secret: 

 

The visitors who come back to your site are way more likely to buy than those who only visit once. In fact, returning visitors are 2–6 times more likely to make a purchase.

 

And the best part? You can control how often people come back with a few simple strategies. Let’s dive into how you can turn one-time visitors into loyal customers—and watch your sales soar.

 

Why Getting Visitors Back Quickly Is the Key to Conversions

Here’s the deal: visitors who return to your site within 30 days—or even sooner—are twice as likely to convert. One example from a recent coaching call: only 11% of visitors to the site were returning, yet they made up 33% of the total sales. Imagine what happens when you increase that number!

 

The takeaway: Focus on bringing visitors back as quickly as possible, and you’ll see your conversion rates improve dramatically.

 

What Your Google Analytics Data Says About Your Sales Potential

To start, let’s look at your numbers. Open Google Analytics 4 and check out your “retention report”. This will show you how many of your visitors are coming back versus how many are new.

Set a goal: aim for at least 30% returning visitors. That’s the sweet spot where consistent traffic meets dependable sales. It’s also a great way to benchmark your progress as you implement these strategies.

Here’s an example from a real store that sells jewelry

Why Your Email List Is Your Best Traffic Source

If you’re not already building your email list, start today. Email traffic converts anywhere from 2–7%, far outpacing other channels. Plus, it’s an owned asset—no algorithms or ad spend needed.

Here’s how to grow your list:

  • Pop-ups that work: Aim for a 5% conversion rate by making your pop-ups clear and valuable.
  • Collaborations and giveaways: Partner with complementary brands to attract high-quality subscribers.
  • Gated content: Offer exclusive content or discounts in exchange for an email address.

Let Automation Do the Work: Emails That Bring People Back

Email automations are like having a personal assistant who never takes a day off. Here are the must-have automations for bringing visitors back:

  • Welcome Flow: Send 7 emails over 7 days to make a strong first impression.
  • Browse Abandonment and Cart Recovery: Gently remind shoppers about what they left behind.
  • Post-Purchase Flow: Keep the conversation going with review requests and second-order campaigns.

These automations run in the background, keeping your audience engaged and ready to buy.

Why Sending One Email a Week Can Make All the Difference

Consistency is everything. Sending at least one email a week to your engaged subscribers keeps your brand top of mind and drives regular traffic back to your site.

 

Don’t overthink it—share what’s new, highlight a product, or offer a helpful tip. The key is to stay visible.

 

Need ideas? Check out our “Ecommerce Email Marketing Made Easy” guide for inspiration. Grab it HERE: https://learn.thesocialsalesgirls.com/ecommerce-email-marketing-made-easy/

 

Don’t Worry About Unsubscribes: Why More Emails = More Sales

Here’s the truth: some people will unsubscribe, and that’s okay. What matters is keeping your engaged audience active. Sending more emails reduces list fatigue and improves deliverability, making your campaigns even more effective.

So, stop overthinking it. More emails equal more opportunities to connect, engage, and sell.

Measure Your Success: Tracking Returning Visitors Made Easy

Tracking your progress is simple. Use GA4’s retention report to see how many visitors are returning and how that impacts your sales. Take a snapshot of your baseline, then monitor your improvement as you implement these strategies.

Go to GA4, filter for a month, click on Reports → Acquisition → Retention. Note how many New Users you have vs how many Returning Users you have

Most people only have about 1/10th returning
Your goal is to have ⅓ returning

When you start seeing those returning visitor numbers climb, you’ll know you’re on the right track.

Ready to See Results? Start Bringing Visitors Back Today

Building a system to drive returning visitors takes time, but the payoff is huge. Here’s your plan:

  1. Check your returning visitor rate in Google Analytics.
  2. Grow your email list with pop-ups, collaborations, and gated content.
  3. Set up automations to engage your audience and keep them coming back.
  4. Send consistent campaigns—at least one email a week.

 

You can refer to these podcast episodes for help:

25% of my sales from this one strategy – Episode 4

Are you leaving $ on the table? Here’s what you MUST know about Popups. Episode 27

Organic results that will shock you. Episode 120

If you’re an Inner Circle member, here are the Lessons you should work on:

  1. Show you to get more sales from email ( Get Sales Now unit)
  2. How to grow your list ( Let Leads Now unit )
  3. How to set up automations ( Get Set Up For Success )
  4. How to create and send effective weekly Mini Campaigns  ( Get Set Up For Success )

Focus on what you can control, and you’ll see your sales grow without spending a penny more on ads!

 

RELATED LINKS:

Check out our “Ecommerce Email Marketing Made Easy” guide for inspiration. Grab it HERE: https://learn.thesocialsalesgirls.com/ecommerce-email-marketing-made-easy/

25% of my sales from this one strategy – Episode 4

Are you leaving $ on the table? Here’s what you MUST know about Popups. Episode 27

Organic results that will shock you. Episode 120

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

Get Better Email Deliverability With These 3 Steps, Episode 242

Get Better Email Deliverability With These 3 Steps, Episode 242

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Unlock the Power of Email: How to Boost Your Deliverability and Sales

If you’re an eCommerce store owner, you’ve probably heard this before: email marketing is one of the best ways to drive sales. Why? Because email traffic is up to seven times more likely to convert than cold traffic from social media. And here’s the best part—email marketing doesn’t need a huge budget to get results.

But there’s one thing that could derail your efforts: email deliverability. If your emails are landing in spam folders, all that hard work building your list and crafting campaigns is going to waste. Let’s fix that. Here’s how to optimize your email deliverability and turn your list into a sales-generating machine.

Avoid the Spam Folder: Why Email Deliverability Is Everything

Imagine spending hours on an email campaign, hitting send, and… crickets. That’s what happens when your emails get flagged as spam. Even a solid list and a killer subject line won’t help if your emails aren’t landing in inboxes.

Deliverability is step one. Before you dive into advanced strategies, let’s make sure your emails are showing up where they need to be: front and center in your subscribers’ inboxes.

Keep Your Emails Safe: The DNS Authentication Must-Do

First things first: DNS authentication. I know it sounds technical, but stick with me—it’s important. 

 

Google and Yahoo have tightened their rules for bulk email senders, and if your DNS settings aren’t authenticated, your emails might not even make it to your audience.

 

Think of DNS authentication as a seal of approval for your emails. It tells inbox providers, “Hey, this is a legit email. Don’t block it.” Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds. 

We’ve created free training for Ecommerce store owners who need step-by-step help to get this done. You can get your free copy of the lessons HERE 

Segment Smarter: How to Target Engaged Subscribers

Let’s talk about your list. Not all subscribers are created equal. Some are opening and clicking every week, while others… haven’t engaged in months. This is where segmentation comes in.

Create two segments:

  1. Engaged (60 Days): These are the rockstars who’ve opened or clicked an email in the past 60 days.
  2. Not Engaged (60 Days): These folks haven’t opened or clicked in two months.

Here’s the trick: email your engaged segment every week. These subscribers are already warm, and keeping them engaged is key to driving sales and maintaining good deliverability.

Win Back Cold Subscribers with Re-Engagement Emails

Now, let’s talk about the “Not Engaged” group. Don’t ignore them! Send your best-performing emails to this segment once a month. This isn’t about spamming—it’s about reintroducing your brand and reminding them why they subscribed in the first place.

Every time you bring someone back into your engaged segment, your overall deliverability improves. And who knows? That re-engaged subscriber might just become your next big customer.

Don’t Blast Your List: Protect Your Deliverability Score

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is sending emails to your entire list indiscriminately. It’s tempting, I know, but it can tank your deliverability score.

Here’s a success story: an Inner Circle member was struggling with poor deliverability on Klaviyo. After following these steps—DNS authentication, segmentation, and re-engagement—their score jumped to perfect. The result? More of their emails reached inboxes, leading to higher engagement and sales.

Better Deliverability = More Sales: The Proof Is in the Numbers

When your deliverability improves, everything else gets better too—open rates, click-through rates, and, of course, sales. 

 

A healthy email list isn’t just about quantity; it’s about quality. 

 

And by following these steps, you’re building a list that works for you.

Start Today: Build an Email List That Sells

Here’s your action plan:

  1. Authenticate your DNS settings.
  2. Segment your list into engaged and not engaged.
  3. Re-engage your cold subscribers with your best content.

Don’t overthink it—just get started. 

And if you want more support, join the Inner Circle for advanced email strategies and personalized coaching. Let’s make email your store’s secret weapon!

 

RELATED LINKS:

Get Our FREE Step-By-Step DNS Authentication Instructions & Checklist

https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/avoid-the-spam-folder-do-this-today-episode-200/

Become a Marketing First store owner.

https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/become-a-marketing-first-store-owner-episode-160/

What happens when you put Marketing First.

https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/what-happens-when-you-put-marketing-first-episode-198/

Double sales without spending more?

https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/double-sales-without-spending-more-episode-146/

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

Is your website set up to convert? 7 steps to follow. Episode 241

Is your website set up to convert? 7 steps to follow. Episode 241

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox.

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox.

or scroll down to get the highlights

7 Essential Steps to Make Your E-Commerce Site Conversion Ready

We’ve all been there. When sales slow down, our first instinct is to tweak our website, hoping to fix whatever’s stopping customers from hitting that “Buy” button. But often, we’re just tinkering in the wrong places.

The truth? A few foundational steps can make your e-commerce site much more effective at converting visitors into buyers. Whether you’re new to e-commerce or have been at it for years, these steps will help you feel confident that your site is ready to perform.

Let’s dive in.

 

1. Think Mobile First – Because Your Customers Already Do

Here’s a fact that might surprise you: 80% of your traffic probably comes from a mobile device. Sometimes, it’s even more—90% or 95% when I’m looking at a client’s GA4.

If your site isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re missing out on most of your potential sales. Think about how your homepage, product pages, landing pages, and checkout look and function on a phone. Is the layout clean and user-friendly? Are call-to-action buttons easy to find and tap?

Don’t just check the design—test it as part of your workflow. Before you publish any new content, make it a step to check it on mobile. This applies to emails too—ensure that CTAs in your emails are visible without scrolling.

 

 

2. Pop-Ups: Your Secret Weapon for Collecting Leads

Yes, pop-ups. Love them or hate them, they’re the #1 tool for collecting email leads that convert. Why? Traffic that comes to your site from an email is 2-7x more likely to make a purchase than cold traffic.

The key is to do pop-ups the right way:

  • Set them to appear after 12 seconds on-site (not immediately).
  • Make it easy to close the pop-up with a visible “X” or a “No, thanks” button.
  • Offer something enticing, like a discount, free gift, or entry into a giveaway.

Remember, most people need to see a pop-up three times before they’ll sign up. Add a little tab at the bottom of your site so visitors can pull up the pop-up again later.

 

3. Is Your Homepage Doing Its Job in 5 Seconds?

When someone lands on your homepage, they should immediately know what you sell and whether it’s for them. “There’s no room for guessing in our world. Clarity is everything.”

Ask yourself:

  • Can visitors identify what your store offers at a glance?
  • Is your messaging straightforward and easy to read, especially on mobile?

Pro Tip: Test your homepage clarity by showing a screenshot to someone unfamiliar with your business—bonus points if they’re 12 years old. If they can’t tell what you sell or what to do next, it’s time for a refresh.

 

 

4. Guide Customers with Clear Call-to-Actions

Your homepage isn’t just about showing visitors what you sell—it’s also about telling them what to do next. A clear, specific call-to-action (CTA) makes all the difference.

Think about the one thing you want visitors to do first. Do you want them to shop your bestsellers? Explore new arrivals? Learn more about your products? Highlight this action with a prominent, well-placed button.

“What is the one thing you want people to do when they hit your site? Make it super clear.” CTAs reduce decision fatigue and help customers navigate your site with ease.

 

 

5. Turn Your Product Pages Into Sales Machines

Your product pages are your ultimate sales tool. They need to work hard to answer every possible question a customer might have.

Here’s what to include:

  • Large, clear images from multiple angles (at least four per product).
  • Details that address common customer questions (e.g., “Does it have pockets?” or size charts for clothing).
  • Contextual images to show scale (like a quarter beside a piece of jewelry).

“Think about the questions customers would have before hitting ‘Add to Cart,’ and make sure your photos answer them.”

 

6. Shipping Costs Should Never Be a Mystery

One of the biggest reasons for abandoned carts? Hidden shipping fees. Customers shouldn’t have to add items to their cart just to find out how much shipping will cost.

Be upfront about your policies with a sticky bar at the top of your site. For example:

  • Flat-rate shipping (e.g., “$9 shipping on all U.S. orders”).
  • Free shipping thresholds (e.g., “Free shipping on orders over $75”).
  • Clear notes for oversized or international shipping charges.

It doesn’t have to be free—it just has to be clear.

 

7. Trust is Everything: The Power of Reviews

Think about the last time you made a purchase online. Did you check the reviews first? Your customers do the same thing.

If you don’t have reviews, start collecting them ASAP. Automate this process by sending an email to customers after they purchase. You can even incentivize reviews for new businesses with a small offer, like a discount code or gift card.

“If somebody sees 100 five-star reviews, that’s way more powerful than if they only see one.” 

Display your reviews prominently on product pages to reassure hesitant buyers.

 

Keep It Simple and Consistent

These steps might seem basic, but they’re foundational to a high-converting e-commerce site. And remember, conversion optimization is an ongoing process. Over time, we make changes to our websites and don’t always go back to check how they look.

Make it a habit to review your site regularly, especially on mobile. Once you’ve nailed these basics, you’ll be in a much stronger position to turn your visitors into buyers—and boost your bottom line.

And remember, the most common reason store owners don’t hit their sales goals—whether it’s $1,000 a month or $1,000 a day—is simply not having enough traffic. The sales formula is straightforward:

Traffic x Conversion Rate = Number of Orders
Number of Orders x Average Order Value (AOV) = Sales

If you’re an Inner Circle member, take this a step further. Head to the “Get Set Up for Success” unit and work through these lessons:

  • Website Essentials
  • Brand and Homepage Audit
  • Build a Product Page that Converts
  • Simple SEO

With the right traffic, a conversion-ready site, and these tools, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your sales goals!

 

RELATED LINKS

How Kelly increased her conversion rate.
https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/how-kelly-increased-her-conversion-rate-episode-64/

Two Things You Must Remember
https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/two-things-you-must-remember-episode-234/

4 Steps To High-Converting Product Pages
https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/4-steps-to-high-converting-product-pages-episode-232/

The Thing Everyone Forgets About Conversion
https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/the-thing-everyone-forgets-about-conversion-episode-212/

 

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

Two Things You Must Remember, Episode 234

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox.

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox.

or scroll down to get the highlights

Two Crucial Things You Need to Know About Growing Your Sales

Today, I want to share two things about growing your sales that are absolutely essential to remember. They’re simple but game-changing if you truly understand and apply them. Plus, I’ve got a little gift for you, so be sure and read to the end.

You Already Have a Saleable Product—Here’s What to Do Next

First things first, let’s talk about proof of concept. If you’ve had even one person (who isn’t your mom, sister, or best friend) pay you for your product, guess what? You have a saleable product. That means someone out there, probably a stranger, saw what you were offering and said, “Yes, I’ll buy that!” That’s proof of concept right there.

So many business owners second-guess themselves once sales slow down.

 

You start thinking, “Maybe it’s my product. Maybe the price is wrong. Maybe people just don’t want it.” Stop. If you’ve already made sales, you know people want your product. Now it’s about getting it in front of more of the right people.

 

Here’s what I want you to remember: You have a saleable product if you can get it in front of the right people. Write it down. Stick it on your computer. Don’t let those voices in your head tell you otherwise.

Stop Blaming Your Website: Why Finding Your Audience Matters More

I hear this a lot: “It must be my website. If I just had a fancier site or better photos, the sales would roll in.” Listen, I’m not saying your website doesn’t matter. But here’s the truth: it’s probably not the reason your sales aren’t where you want them to be.

Some of the ugliest websites I’ve ever seen make millions of dollars in sales. Why? Because they get their products in front of the right audience. Think about a craft fair. You’ve probably seen booths with terrible displays, but they’re still selling because they’re in the right place with the right customers.

Here’s what’s really happening:

 

We tend to default to the work we enjoy the most—like tweaking our website or obsessing over photos. But that’s not the work that will move the needle in your business. The real work, the hard work, is marketing. It’s getting your product in front of new eyeballs and building an audience that actually wants what you’re selling.

 

Do the Math: The Simple Formula That Drives Sales

Now, let’s talk about the sales formula. It’s not rocket science, but it’s something a lot of us forget to actually apply. Here it is:

Traffic x Conversion Rate x Average Order Value = Sales

Pretty simple, right? But here’s the kicker: most of us don’t do the math. We set big sales goals without figuring out how much traffic or how many conversions we need to make that goal happen.

For example, if you did $3,000 in sales last Black Friday and this year you’re aiming for $5,000, you need to ask yourself: How much traffic will I need to hit that goal? Let’s say your conversion rate is 1% and your average order value is $50. To hit $5,000 in sales, you’ll need 10,000 sessions on your website during Black Friday weekend.

That’s why it’s so important to sit down and do the math before you set your sales goal. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for frustration, even if you’re working super hard.

Set Yourself Up for Success: How to Create Achievable Sales Goals

Here’s where most of us slip up. We set sales goals based on feelings rather than math. It’s easy to say, “I want to do $5,000 this Black Friday!” But if you’re not taking the time to figure out how much traffic and conversions you need, you’re shooting in the dark.

This is where things can get tricky because setting a realistic goal requires planning and focus. You have to actively work on boosting traffic, improving your conversion rate, or increasing your average order value if you want to see growth.

The good news is, once you know how much traffic you need, you can create a plan to drive those visitors to your site. Maybe it’s running ads, sending out more emails, or working on your SEO. Whatever it is, you can’t just hope for more traffic—you need to plan for it.

Want to Hit Your Sales Goals? Here’s a Free Tool to Help You

Alright, I’ve got something that’s going to make this whole process a lot easier: a free calculator to help you set your sales goals. You just plug in your goal, your conversion rate, and your average order value, and it’ll spit out exactly how much traffic you need.

This tool is super helpful whether you’re setting monthly sales goals, preparing for Black Friday, or launching a new product. It takes the guesswork out of the process and helps you plan based on real numbers.

You can grab the calculator by signing up here:

SIGN UP HERE

Take Control of Your Sales Today with These Simple Strategies

So, let’s recap:

  1. You already have a saleable product—your job is to get it in front of more people.
  2. Stop blaming your website and start focusing on finding the right audience.
  3. Do the math. Traffic, conversion rate, and average order value drive your sales.
  4. Use the calculator to set realistic goals and create a plan to reach them.

It’s all about being intentional with your time and effort. Stop wasting energy on things that won’t move the needle, and start focusing on the strategies that will.

Ready to take control of your sales? Grab the free calculator to help set your goals and make sure you’re on track. And if you want to dive even deeper, check out the free workshop I’ve linked below. It’ll help you get clear on what’s really going to move the needle in your business.

 

RELATED POSTS:

The Powerful lWork That Will Get You To Your Goals
https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/the-powerful-work-that-will-get-you-to-your-goals-episode-159/

The Thing Everyone Forgets About Converion
https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/the-thing-everyone-forgets-about-conversion-episode-212/

How To Create Profit Goals
https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/how-to-create-profit-goals-episode-209/

The Forumula For Sales Every Day
https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/the-formula-for-sales-everyday-episode-231/

Proof Of Concept Event At Sock Doggo
https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/proof-of-concept-event-sock-doggo/

 

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

4 Steps To High-Converting Product Pages, Episode 232

4 Steps To High-Converting Product Pages, Episode 232

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox.

No time to listen now? We'll send it to your inbox.

or scroll down to get the highlights

Create High-Converting Product Pages: Expert Tips from Kate Tilbury

If you’re struggling to convert your site visitors into paying customers, then keep reading. Our brilliant Conversion Specialist, Kate Tilbury, has a knack for understanding what makes people click “buy” on a product page, and she’s sharing her expertise with us. Kate’s going to break down exactly how to create product pages that get visitors adding to cart. 

From Big Brands to Small Businesses: Kate’s Journey to Conversion Mastery

Originally from Canada, Kate now lives in the UK and has been working in e-commerce for over 20 years. She’s worked with some big-name brands and honed her skills in conversion optimization, but she didn’t stop there. In 2020, she decided to take the plunge and launch her own brand, Rowdy Kind, a line of sustainable bath products for kids. Kate grew Rowdy Kind to a six-figure business in just three years before selling it in 2023.

What’s even more amazing is that while she was building her own brand, she was also an active member of our Inner Circle community. She saw a gap in the training we were offering and decided to step up and help fill it. 

 

“Many e-commerce businesses spend a lot of time learning how to drive traffic through social media, ads, and email marketing, but they don’t spend nearly enough time optimizing what happens after someone lands on their site.” 

 

Sound familiar? It’s something I see all the time too.

You can have the best marketing strategy in the world, but if your product pages aren’t up to scratch, you’re leaving money on the table. That’s why Kate decided to create a new training module for our Inner Circle members focused entirely on optimizing product pages.

First Impressions Count: Make Your Product Pop with the Perfect Image

Let’s start with the basics—the very first thing your customers see: the main product image. This is the hero of your product page, and it’s got to make a great first impression. “People shop with their eyes,” Kate says. Your main image is what appears on your collection page, in Google Shopping results, in your emails—it’s everywhere!

So, how do you make it count? Kate recommends making sure the image is square, has a clean, plain background, and that the product is the star of the show. “Think about it like online dating,” she jokes. “You want to put your best foot forward and show off your product in the best possible light!”

Say What You Mean: Crafting Clear, Compelling Product Names

Next up is something that might seem simple but is often overlooked: your product names. You want to make sure your product names are clear and descriptive. Kate shared a funny story about a big brand that was getting terrible reviews on Amazon for a travel-sized toothpaste. The problem? They listed it as “Brand X, Flavor Y, 2 oz.” People thought they were getting a full-sized tube and were shocked when a tiny travel size arrived. As soon as they changed the name to “Travel Size Toothpaste,” the complaints stopped, and the positive reviews started pouring in.

So, take a look at your product names. Are they clear? Do they tell the customer exactly what they’re getting? Use customer-friendly language, not industry jargon, and always think from the buyer’s perspective.

More Than Meets the Eye: Using Secondary Images to Sell

Now, let’s talk about secondary images. It’s not just about showing off the front of your product. Kate emphasizes that more images equal higher conversions. “People want to know exactly what they’re getting,” she explains. “They need to see your product from different angles, understand its size, and get a feel for the texture or material.”

Think about it—if you’re shopping online and can’t pick up the product, you need as much visual information as possible to make an informed decision. Show different angles, close-ups, and even lifestyle shots to give your customers a full picture of what they’re buying. According to Kate, the sweet spot is about six images. Any more than that, and it might start to overwhelm your customers.

Words That Work: How to Write Product Descriptions That Convert

Your product description is your chance to really sell the benefits of your product. And here’s the key: focus on benefits, not just features. “Features are great, but what customers really want to know is how those features will benefit them,” Kate says.

Instead of saying, “This suitcase is 20 inches,” say, “This suitcase is the perfect carry-on size for hassle-free travel.” See the difference? One just states a fact, while the other speaks directly to the customer’s needs and desires. Keep your descriptions scannable—use bullet points and make them easy to read. Your customers should be able to glance at your product description and immediately understand why they need it.

Your Ultimate Product Page Checklist: Steps to Boost Conversions Today

Alright, so how do you put all this into action? Here’s a quick checklist based on Kate’s advice:

  1. Main Image: Make sure it’s square, with a plain background, and that the product is the focal point.
  2. Product Name: Keep it clear and descriptive. Use language your customers understand and that makes them immediately know what they’re getting.
  3. Secondary Images: Aim for around six images that show the product from different angles and provide context on size and material.
  4. Product Descriptions: Use bullet points to highlight the benefits, not just the features. Make it scannable and easy to read.

 

If this all feels a bit overwhelming, Kate suggests starting with your top-selling products. Focus on the 20% of your products that generate 80% of your sales. And if you’re gearing up for a big sales season like Q4, make sure your featured products for that period are optimized first. This way, you’re maximizing your ROI for your busiest sales periods.

Transform Your Sales with Simple Tweaks: Start Now

So, there you have it. Some simple, actionable steps you can take to start optimizing your product pages today. Remember, it’s all about making it as easy as possible for your customers to say “yes” and click that “buy” button. If you’re an Inner Circle member, be sure to check out Kate’s full training on this—it’s packed with even more insights and step-by-step instructions. And you can even book a session with Kate, she’s our newest expert coach!

 

RELATED LINKS:

Join The Inner Circle

https://classroom.thesocialsalesgirls.com/inner-circle-membership

Kate’s startup Ecommerce brand (Rowdy Kind — now sold)
https://www.rowdykind.com/

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

From 0 to multiple 6 figures. The story of a creative success, Episode 224

From 0 to multiple 6 figures. The story of a creative success, Episode 224

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I get this question all the time: can artists and creatives really earn an amazing living by selling their products online? The answer is yes, and it’s actually never been easier. 

Today I’m talking with Diane Hill, a designer who has translated her gorgeous paintings and designs into some unexpected (and highly profitable) avenues. Diane has taken her business from zero to multi-six figures, and she’s sharing how she got there, one step at a time. I think it will change how you think about what is possible for you. 

From Art Student to Senior Designer

Diane started studying surface pattern design in England, with a focus on wallpaper. This led her to a placement (a type of long-term internship that occurs during the school year) with a hand-painted wallpaper company that she loved. The only problem was that Diane was pregnant, and after her first week at the new job she had a baby and had to withdraw.

She did, however, stay in touch with the company. They invited her to a party, and she turned up with a hand-painted cushion she had personalized for them. Two months later, she got a call asking if she’d like to do a one-off job, and she jumped at the opportunity.

After that commission, they asked her to work for them full-time. Diane felt like the luckiest girl in the world. Having a baby at a young age didn’t affect her career; it actually drove her to work even harder.

She stayed with the company for seven years and became their senior designer, hand-painting walls in luxury residences, yachts, and hotels all over the world. Then she had her second baby, and the commute—two hours each way—became too much.

But Diane felt she had more to give. She had learned these niche skills and wanted to share them with the world. 

Turning Walls Into Opportunities

During her baby’s 3-hour afternoon nap she would paint murals on the walls of her new home, some of which took a year to complete because of the detail. She asked a friend, a professional photographer, to photograph the murals. Diane built a Squarespace website herself – breastfeeding with one hand and the laptop in the other. Those professional images became her portfolio, and she shared them to her social media account.

Her first post on her private Facebook account blew up, getting shared 250 times. Diane was blown away by the response.

The Instagram Breakthrough

Diane’s BIG break came when someone at Vogue magazine spotted her work on social media, which led to a small feature in an edition with Victoria Beckham on the cover. The images were bold and bright, which she believes struck a chord with people.

So Diane started an Instagram account in addition to her Facebook, and grew very slowly. She  kept posting images each time she painted another wall of her home, and one day she received an inquiry.

It took a couple of years, but gradually things picked up. First, someone local asked her to paint a wall for £300, and she was thrilled. She took a photo, put it online, and another person came along a few months later. Diane put the price up, and that’s how it worked. It grew very slowly.

 

“I got where I am with really good video on Instagram…even though they were shaky, shadowy, terrible videos. It was the videos that really captured people’s attention.”

 

A Game-Changing Pivot

In a couple of years, she was back to painting in luxury Kensington and Mayfair townhouses, this time on her own terms, and booked out a year in advance. She was busy, but she was beginning to get tired. Realizing she couldn’t grow her business further because she was just one person, she pivoted to selling prints of her artwork. The shift to print on demand was a game-changer, allowing her to automate her processes and shifting the dynamic of her business completely.

Meaningful Impact, Explosive Growth

Diane was selling prints while still doing murals in 2020 when her second big break came. The Black Lives Matter movement had exploded online, and she could see that people were sitting at home, furious about what had happened. Diane, who is half Black,  decided to create something for charity.

She did it, thinking she could raise a few hundred pounds because, at that point, she was selling only a few prints a month. But her fundraiser went viral—her Instagram account grew from about 20,000 followers to 100,000 followers in a very short space of time.

She sold so many prints, she raised £14,000 ($17- $18k USD) for charity. The prints were priced at £35 each, so they were affordable. She kept it really simple: one size, free worldwide shipping, and a small profit margin.

After that, Diane got noticed by everyone, including her dream company Harlequin, who reached out to her about a licensing deal. Between that and the fundraiser, her revenue jumped from a few hundred to £10k per month.

 

“It’s about marketing, it’s about visibility, eyes on your work. You could be the best artist in the world, technically able, but if you don’t have the eyes on your work, and if you don’t have good marketing strategy, you’re never going anywhere.”

 

In hindsight, Diane feels that the key ingredient to her success was a sort of “fake-it-til-you-make-it” strategy.  She didn’t wait until she already had clients to put herself out there as a muralist, she painted her own walls and posted those. By positioning herself as a muralist for hire, she paved the way to becoming just that.

New Products, Broader Horizons

Diane paints on a special, hard-to-find silk paper, and her process videos are so captivating that followers began asking about her materials. Seeing an opportunity, Diane considered ordering paper and brushes in bulk from China to resell, but was nervous about the financial commitment.

She decided to test the waters with pre-orders, which did really well, so she used the money to buy more and did another set of pre-orders, which also sold out. Her starter brush kits and paper selection have grown to a big part of her total revenue.

The E-Book Evolution

Diane could see that the brushes and silk were really helping people, and she loved seeing her customers’ work with them. With the help of her sister, she started writing some blog posts on how to paint chinoiserie, always linking back to the brushes and the silk. While it was rewarding to help fellow artists, she knew she could make it bigger.

The downloadable pdf was born of this desire to give away serious, helpful information. Diane wanted to show exactly which brush and paint she used, how she blended, did the details, and even how to mount and frame the artwork. She wanted to talk about the history and put it all in a beautiful book rather than just a blog post.

Diane launched the e-book last November, pricing it at £25. She created urgency with a limited-time 30% discount. And it sold really well, thanks to an email marketing strategy and social media promotion. She was slightly apprehensive since it was her first e-book, but she sold about 500 copies in the first week. Diane received amazing reviews about how helpful it was.

Her second e-book also started with a blog post about her journey in building a six-figure art business. She created an Instagram post asking, “Want to know how I built a six-figure art business?” Using the ManyChat, Diane was able to send commenters the link to her blog post.

The response was overwhelming, with 5,000 comments on that one post. It was a no-brainer for Diane to turn this into an e-book.

This one was bigger, so she charged more and put significant effort into the marketing. Unlike her first e-book, where the marketing was minimal, she went all-in on this one. Within a matter of weeks, it became her most successful product launch.

What Diane loves about it is that it’s a digital product, so there’s no shipping involved, and it’s 100% profit. It sells her knowledge and genuinely helps people. And it’s highly scalable, because once created, it can be sold many times without additional production costs.

She says it has been game-changing to her bottom line.

Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Artists

Many artists don’t quite think of themselves as businesses. They see themselves with an artist mindset rather than a product business mindset. However, they need to do all the same things that a product business would do. Diane is a believer that all the marketing methods that any other business would use, artists need to use as well because they are selling a product. Diane has gained all of these tools from our course The Inner Circle (link) and applied them to her art business.

A few of her followers have expressed disappointment in Diane’s transition to selling digital products, feeling that she’s stepped out of her lane. What she wants every artist or anyone trying something different digitally to know is that those people will always be there. You have to use your data and look at the numbers to remind yourself that what you do is meaningful to people.

 

When people appreciate your product with their credit card, it means they see value in what you do. Diane keeps her focus on all the joy she’s putting out, and not on the tiny few who don’t like it.

 

From Passion to Profit: The Inspiring Journey of Diane Hill

Diane’s journey from a young artist studying surface pattern design in England to becoming a successful entrepreneur is truly inspiring. She leveraged social media for growth, transitioned from murals to prints, and expanded her business through smart marketing and new revenue streams. Her ability to adapt and innovate through the use of digital tools and platforms has allowed her to build a thriving six-figure art business. Her story is really a testament to the power of persistence, creativity, and strategic thinking. 

If you want to see Diane’s work or purchase any of her ebooks you can find them at www.dianehill.co.uk/ or on Instagram @dianehilldesign

RELATED LINKS:

Diane’s Website
www.dianehill.co.uk/

How Artist Camila Prada Gets Paid For Her Art

https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/how-camila-prada-finally-gets-paid-for-her-art-episode-5/

Makers And Designers: Formula For Growth

https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/makers-and-designers-formula-for-growth-episode-65/

Is It Time To Pivot? Here’s How You Know

https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/is-it-time-to-pivot-heres-how-you-know-episode-69/

 

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.

New FREE Course

GROW YOUR SALES

(without breaking the bank)

Conversion School is a step by step process to grow your sales,
without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies, or discounting your products.

Works for Ecommerce stores at all stages.

Start getting consistent sales, and see significant sales growth every month.