The Nail Files/

I Went From 0 to 2 Etsy Sales: My Press-On Nail Business Update

If you’ve been following my journey or watched any of my recent videos, you probably know that I launched my first press-on nail collection back in June. From that launch all the way through October, I had 0 sales on Etsy. I tried different things, experimented with pricing, and put in a lot of effort but nothing seemed to work.

Then in November, something finally changed.

I got my first 2 Etsy sales.

This post is my update on what happened, what I did differently, what worked, what didn’t, and the 7 beginner-friendly marketing tips I’ve learned so far while trying to market my press-on nail business on social media.

I’m still figuring it out – but if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck at zero sales, or unsure what to post, I hope this helps you feel less alone.

How My First Etsy Sale Happened (By Accident)

In mid-November, I suddenly received an Etsy notification saying an item had sold for $10. At first, I was confused, none of my press-on sets were meant to be priced that low, except for my sizing kits.

Then I realized what happened.

I had cloned a sizing kit listing to create a Christmas press-on set, updated the photos… and completely forgot to change the price. The set went live at $10 by mistake.

I debated whether I should cancel the order or message the customer to explain the pricing error. But after thinking it through, I decided to honor it. It was my mistake and more importantly, I really wanted to start building traction, confidence, and content.

The customer happened to live in my city, so I delivered the order in person. She was incredibly kind, and the interaction reminded me why I started this journey in the first place. She even mentioned leaving a review which, for a brand-new Etsy shop, means everything.

That accidental pricing mistake became my first sale and, I was just really happy.

How I Got My Second Sale

Earlier in November, Etsy invited me to join their Black Friday / Cyber Monday campaign, which required offering a minimum discount.

During the campaign, my shop was 35% off, and I noticed an increase in traffic and visibility. Shortly after, I received my second order, also for a Christmas-themed set.

Right now, my focus isn’t maximizing profit, it’s building trust, reviews, and momentum. So I’m okay with lower margins while I learn and grow.

The Pricing Changes I Made (and Why)

When I first launched, I priced my press-on sets around $80–$90 CAD. I wanted to test the market and see how people responded.

Over time, I realized just how competitive Etsy is for press-on nails. Many sellers offer sets at much lower price points, and as a new shop with no reviews, it was hard to compete.

Between September and October, I:

  • Reduced my prices slightly
  • Reduced them again
  • Eventually brought most sets down to around $50 CAD

I also added:

  • Nail sizing kits
  • Custom order listings
  • Simpler Christmas designs (less complex than 3D sets)

My goal was to make my shop feel more complete, approachable, and easier for first-time buyers to try.

If you’re still in the learning or practice phase and not ready to sell yet, I also recommend getting comfortable with the basics first. I’ve shared a full beginner guide on how to do your own gel nails at home like a pro (step-by-step), which covers prep, application, and technique, skills that helped me feel more confident before moving into press-ons.

What Didn’t Work for Me

Etsy Ads

After months of zero sales, I tried running Etsy ads at about $5 USD per day. Over a few weeks, I spent close to $100.

The ads brought traffic but zero sales.

For me, Etsy ads didn’t convert at this stage. That doesn’t mean they never work, but for a new shop without reviews or strong traction, they weren’t worth the spend.

Losing Motivation and Going Quiet

After launching in June and seeing no results for months, I felt discouraged. I stopped posting on social media for a while partly because I was busy and partly because I just felt emotionally drained.

Looking back, disappearing didn’t help. Social media is one of the main ways people discover your work and consistency matters more than perfection.

7 Beginner-Friendly Marketing Tips for Press-On Nail Businesses

I don’t have a perfect formula but here are 7 things that helped me or that I believe are worth trying if you’re just starting out.

1. You Don’t Need to Show Your Face

Hands-only content works incredibly well for press-on nails. Nail art, packaging, prep, and ASMR-style clips perform great, even without showing your face.

2. Reuse Your Content

One design can become a short video, a carousel post, a voiceover, a packing clip, and a blog photo. Most people won’t notice repetition and reuse saves time and energy.

3. Batch Your Designs and Content

I often sketch nail designs on my iPad using Procreate before creating them physically. Visualizing ideas first helps me work faster and avoid overthinking.

4. Film While You Work

If you don’t know what to post, just film what you’re already doing. Nail prep, painting, cleanup it’s all content.

5. Tell Your Story

Storytelling matters more than perfect nails. Talk about why you designed a set, what inspired it, or what you’re learning. People connect with honesty.

6. Create Seasonal or Trend-Based Designs

Holiday sets and trending themes tend to perform better on social media. It takes planning, but it helps with reach and discovery.

7. Engage (Even When It Feels Awkward)

Replying to comments and messages does help with visibility and it helps build real connections. I’m still learning this one too.

This is my first time selling press-on nails online, and getting my first two sales reminded me that progress doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s quiet, slow, and unexpected.

If you’re starting your press-on nail business and don’t know where to begin, I hope this post gave you clarity and encouragement. 2026 is here, and it’s a great time to start creating, experimenting, and showing up.

If you have questions, feel free to leave them in the comments I’d love to hear where you are in your journey 🤍

Related Posts:

Tools I Use & Recommend (Affiliate Picks)

These are the exact tools I use in my setup and prep process. I’ve added affiliate links below so you can shop them easily — I only recommend what I actually use:

PRESS-ON SUPPLIES:

NAIL STUDIO MUST HAVE:

MY FILMING GEAR:

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