You know that little voice that pipes up every time you start something new?
The one that says, “Why are you bothering? It won’t sell. The market’s already full. You’ll just fail like last time.”
Yeah. That voice is rude.
But it’s also incredibly common — especially for creative business owners who’ve had their fair share of “almosts,” flops, and listings that got 12 views and zero sales. So, if you’ve been sitting on your next idea because you’re convinced it’s pointless… let’s talk about that.
The Doubts That Every Seller Has
I don’t care how successful someone looks on Instagram — everyone has those doubts.
The difference is, some of us just got really good at ignoring them long enough to hit “publish.”
That “it won’t sell” loop usually comes from three sneaky culprits:
- Fear of failure. (What if I waste time and it flops?)
- Comparison. (Everyone else’s shop looks so much better than mine.)
- Perfectionism. (I’ll launch once it’s perfect… so, never.)
And while your brain thinks it’s keeping you safe from disappointment, what it’s really doing is keeping you stuck.
The Truth About “Everyone Else Doing It”
Let’s tackle that “the market is too saturated” myth.
Because yes, there might be 100,000 printable planners or baby shower invites on Etsy — but guess what?
They’re still selling.
Saturation doesn’t mean failure. It means proof of demand.
Your goal isn’t to invent a completely new product. It’s to add your own twist — your tone, your style, your ideas — into something people are already buying.
There’s only one you. And that’s your unfair advantage.
Why Your Brain Is Sabotaging You
Your brain is wired to protect you from embarrassment, disappointment, or risk.
Basically, it’s trying to keep you from feeling like an idiot.
But here’s the thing — your brain can’t tell the difference between real danger (like walking into a bear cave) and emotional danger (like listing a digital planner that might not sell).
So when it whispers, “Don’t bother, it’ll fail,” it’s not being mean — it’s being overprotective.
Like that one friend who insists you take a raincoat on holiday just in case.
You don’t have to argue with the voice. You just have to thank it for caring… and do it anyway.
How to Get Around the “It Won’t Sell” Loop
Let’s make this practical. Here’s how to gently outsmart your inner critic:
1. Start small and test.
Don’t aim for perfect — aim for listed. You can tweak, update, and improve later.
2. Gather real data.
Instead of guessing what people want, check your Etsy stats, Google Analytics, or eRank. Facts are much quieter than fear.
3. Focus on what you can control.
You can’t control how crowded the market is. You can control your photos, keywords, titles, and how often you show up.
4. Build momentum with micro-wins.
List one new product. Refresh one old listing. Post one thing on Pinterest. Tiny actions create confidence.
Your Unique Edge (Even in a Crowded Market)
When you start comparing your shop to everyone else’s, remember:
There might be a thousand similar products, but none of them are yours.
Your sense of humour, your colour palette, your layout choices, your customer experience — they’re all fingerprints that make your brand stand out.
If someone says “everything’s been done before,” smile politely and prove them wrong.
When Motivation Slips, Remember This
Every bestseller started as a “why bother” moment.
Every full-time seller once felt like giving up.
You can’t skip the messy middle. You just learn to keep moving through it.
So, the next time you catch yourself thinking “this will fail like everything else”, remind yourself — this is something else.
You’re wiser, more experienced, and more determined than you were before.
You’ve got this. And if you ever forget? Come back here, reread this post, and get back to listing.