How One Sale Spiked My Etsy Side Hustle's Revenue

Ever notice how some furniture stores seem to be “going out of business” every few months? It’s a classic move because, as unsubtle as it is, it works. Deals, discounts, and limited-time offers are powerful tools for getting customers to finally make a purchase.

Take Andrew Church, an industrial engineer from Pennsylvania. While maintaining a , he also had a part-time gig as a wrestling referee. Fueled by ambition and a love for woodworking, he decided to experiment with a slab of slate, carving his last name into it. After buying the right tools, he realized how unique and versatile the material was, and that not many people were using it creatively.

Inspired by a bit of state pride, he began crafting Pennsylvania-shaped cutting boards from reclaimed slate. When he decided to , listing them online seemed like the next logical step. That’s how his was born. Soon after, he got that first exciting email: a stranger had bought one of his creations. A few days later, another order came in, and then another. It was a steady, if slow, stream of business.

Without much of a grand plan, he saw a holiday approaching and decided to try something. He sent a quick note to his Facebook followers and his small email list with a simple offer: 20% off for one day only. The response was immediate. It was like turning on a fire hose—he sold more in that single day than he had in the previous two weeks combined. Many of the new customers told him they’d been eyeing his cutting boards for a while but couldn't quite pull the trigger. The limited-time offer was the push they needed.

Your Not-So-Secret Weapon: Deals and Special Offers

If you've ever bought something you didn't really need just because it was on sale, you're not alone. We're all wired to respond to a good deal. Offering a special sale is one of the most effective tools in your arsenal, turning a casual browser into a committed buyer.

This doesn’t mean you have to constantly slash your prices. The key is to create a sense that the offer is special and temporary. Here are a few common approaches you've likely seen:

• : A simple percentage or dollar amount off.
• : A short-term, store-wide price drop.
• : An incentive to get more by purchasing now.
• : A reward for bringing in new business.
• : Perks for repeat customers who spend more.
• : A way to let people experience your product first.

Think about your own behavior. You might choose a flight that’s less convenient to earn more airline points or visit a coffee shop you don't love just because you're two stamps away from a free drink. These incentives work. They are a powerful way to get attention and drive action in any .

The Psychology Behind the Sale

You don’t need a degree in psychology to understand why this works; you just need to know that it does. The effectiveness of these offers boils down to two key principles: scarcity and urgency.

• : This is the feeling that there are limited items available. It triggers a fear of missing out on the product itself. The thought is, “If I don’t buy one now, they might be gone forever.”
• : This is about the limited time frame of the deal. The opportunity is what's scarce. The thought is, “If I don’t buy it now, the deal will disappear.”

By ethically incorporating these elements into your marketing, you can significantly increase your success. It’s a core strategy behind many of the .

Find Your Own Unique Angle

While the principles are universal, the execution shouldn't be a carbon copy of someone else's idea. Years ago, two entrepreneurs launched a “fire sale” of digital products that was only available for 72 hours. It was a massive success, bringing in six figures. It worked because, at the time, it was a unique approach in their field.

Soon after, copycat bundle sales flooded the market. While some did okay, none captured the magic of the original. The novelty had worn off. The same thing happened with the famous Million Dollar Homepage, where a student sold pixels on a webpage for a dollar each. The first to do it made a fortune; the imitators that followed did not. The lesson is simple: don’t just copy a tactic. The next clever idea is out there waiting to be discovered.

Simple Guidelines for Effective Offers

Running a special offer is more of an art than a science, but a few guidelines can help make it a success.

1. : Build anticipation. Let people know a sale is coming without giving away all the details. This creates a group of eager buyers ready to go when the offer drops.
2. : Don't make customers jump through hoops. A confusing process, like a complicated referral program, creates friction and reduces participation.
3. : A 10% discount on a single, full-priced item isn't very inspiring. The offer needs to feel substantial enough to get people excited.
4. : Before launching, double-check your website, shopping cart, and any discount codes. Nothing kills the excitement of a great deal faster than a checkout process that doesn't work correctly.
5. : People will inevitably ask for extensions. While a brief grace period might be okay, sticking to your deadline builds credibility and teaches your audience to act quickly next time.

When I last spoke with Andrew, his had brought in over $25,000. That initial 20% off sale didn't just bring in a rush of orders; it expanded his customer base. Many of those first-time buyers have since returned to purchase more. He now has an ambitious plan for a transition, hoping his project can eventually replace his engineering salary. His story shows how even simple can grow significantly with smart, strategic promotions.