Last year was full of advocacy efforts to celebrate. From in-person meetings to online organizing, and telling your stories in local newspapers, Etsy sellers continue to prove that when you speak up, policymakers listen. We’re so grateful to be able to stand side-by-side with our community of creative entrepreneurs, and would love your help shaping our priorities for the year.
Our latest seller census indicates that financial security and income volatility (that is, predicting future sales and dealing with inconsistent sales) is the top barrier to achieving your business goals. We have the opportunity to propose, test, and advocate for creative public policy solutions that can offer increased economic security and financial stability for Etsy sellers—but we can’t do it alone. Please take a moment to complete our 2018 Priorities Survey, so we can make sure we’re focusing on what matters most to you and your business.
A look back
Last year, we came together as advocates for the creative economy and helped policymakers understand the unique challenges you face in order to make meaningful policy change. Here’s a look at some accomplishments:
Launched a bipartisan Microbusiness Caucus: We worked with Members of the US Congress to launch the Microbusiness Caucus to focus on the needs and concerns of makers and microbusinesses. Thanks to thousands of Etsy sellers writing to their Representatives, the Caucus now has 20 members and counting.
Got face time with decision-makers: Etsy sellers met in person with policymakers across the globe to discuss the issues that impact their microbusinesses, and the changes they’d like to see. We organized seller trips to Washington, DC, and several European cities including Paris, London, and Berlin. And because policymaking doesn’t only happen in Capitol buildings, we also hosted policymakers in the towns where sellers live and work.
Rallied support for net neutrality: We helped persuade Republican Members of Congress to speak out in support of net neutrality. Additionally, influential advocates including Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Jessica Rosenworcel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Senator Kamala Harris, all cited Etsy sellers when explaining why net neutrality matters.
Made your voices heard: Our community proved that Etsy sellers are a constituency lawmakers should care about by organizing digital petitions, letter-writing campaigns, public comments, and calls to US Congress:
- Nearly 6,000 Etsy sellers across the EU signed a letter to their finance ministers
- 3,000 Australian sellers wrote to their Senate
- 33,000 US Etsy sellers submitted public comments to the FCC
- 15,000 sellers sent more than 50,000 messages to Congress about protecting net neutrality
Shaped public debate: We shared Etsy sellers’ needs and concerns through op-ed articles on net neutrality and tax reform, as well as public testimony on tax and trade barriers you face to shipping goods across borders. Etsy sellers published op-eds in local news outlets including the Daytona Beach News Journal, Chicago’s Journal & Topics, and North Dakota’s Inforum.
Despite some disappointing setbacks, your work is making a real difference in these policy debates. This is going to be a critical year for Etsy’s advocacy efforts, and we’re so excited to tackle these issues with you.
Words by Althea Erickson
Althea Erickson leads Etsy’s advocacy and policy work, educating government folks about our sellers and pitching policy ideas to support them. She also runs a little shop called Brooklyn Assembly, where she sells DIY kits that make it super easy to make awesome, personal objects with your hands.
