Day 28–29: First Etsy Sale – Testing Urgency Psychology

Yesterday, I published a new canvas on my Etsy shop—another piece, made for boys this time. And today, I did something new: I launched my first ever sale — 25% off everything in the shop, valid until August 10th.

Why? Because I’ve been listening to a few YouTube videos and reading about how a limited-time offer creates urgency in the mind of a potential buyer. Apparently, when people know they could come back to buy later, they often don’t. But when there’s a deadline, it triggers the fear of missing out (FOMO), and they’re more likely to make a quick decision.

This is backed by behavioral science. Research in consumer psychology (like from Robert Cialdini’s book Influence) shows that urgency is one of the most powerful motivators in marketing. Limited-time sales, countdown timers, and phrases like “only a few left” create a perceived scarcity, which makes people act faster than they normally would.

Now, I’m not doing this to trick anyone—but to motivate a real decision. My shop is still brand new, and getting that first sale matters not just emotionally, but also algorithmically. Etsy takes early traction seriously—it helps them know which shops are worth recommending.

So here we go. Let’s see if urgency works. I'm trying, learning, and adjusting along the way.

If you’re curious, you can take a look at the new listings on my shop—everything’s discounted for a few more days. Maybe you’ll find something special.