I have an Etsy shop where I sell personalized 3d printed items for a niche community. Ive managed to make a good start and am hoping to move this into a full-time business. I have over a 1000 sales and hundreds of 5-star reviews.

I know my product would be very easy to replicate. After a year, I finally had it happen. I’m based in the US and the saving grace is they’re in the UK. Now, the larger market is in the US, but I sell plenty in the UK. He copied pretty much everything he could, down to slightly changing the description of the listing.

I’ve tried to differentiate a bit with my creativity, design and networking. I am trying to use this as motivation to innovate and drive, but I feel a creeping panic that I am trying to fight off.

Someone help me with a good pep talk and advice before I break down!

  • flyfightandgrin@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Work on the branding and make the product an experience.

    A porsche and a honda are both cars, right? But people pay more for the Porsche because of the experience.

    I’m just saying even with an identical product, you can add better packaging, logo, and media coverage and people will pay more for the nicer wrapped package.
    Visibility is king.

    • fedzo@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Idea is good but the example is dumb. Base model Porsche is way better than base level Honda not because of the brand name, but because of the quality of the product (exactly opposite your point).