For some Tik Tok influencers, YES! Some will tell you you might see sales in your first week, some might tell you it’s normal not to sell for the first two months, but what is the actual answer? The truth on this is going to be fairly difficult to nail down for a variety of factors: your niche, your marketing, your skills, your product, your SEO, your drive, etc. etc. etc.

How to do everything wrong

For an average person what does it actually look like to list your products on Etsy? I’ll try to shed some light on this for you. I am currently in between my second and third attempt on Etsy. I created my shop over a year and a half ago. I listed a few products for sale. At the time, I did NOT do enough research. I did everything wrong, essentially.

I made products that I wanted to make without considering if people were actually looking for them or if the competition in that niche was too high. I was new to everything Etsy and by the time I learned how to navigate Canva and create mockups and list keywords and create a listing, I was feeling like I had learned a whole new language. I THOUGHT I had great products and perhaps I really did, but I was trying to sell them in a landscape where people had been doing it for years and I needed more practice.

Learn from my past mistakes

I was also not great at listing my SEOs and have learned a HEAP since my first attempt. After having my listings go live, I did what every sane person does and checked their stats every 10 minutes. It was disappointing. 0 views, 0 views, 0 views, 1 view. The elation I felt over having my product seen once was such a thrill. I think it made the whole creative process worth it for that dopamine rush.

Much to my surprise, one of my listings started to gain traction around two months in and it got a bunch of views and favourites. I made three sales within two days and I was honestly SHOCKED because at that point there had been no action for so long.

I was thrilled. I assumed the sales would keep rolling in so I could sit back and enjoy my new lucrative side hustle. Foreshadowing: it didn’t happen. Those three sales were my only sales.

Do not get complacent or lazy early on

I think that happened for a variety of reasons: I did not update my shop. I did not change my listing photos, I did not update my SEO terms to be more relevant, I did not improve my mockups, I did not add new products – all big no-nos in the world of Etsy.

Learning, growing, changing. Trying again

Fast forward about a year later and side hustles start to come back into my radar. I decided to take another crack at it. I deleted everything from my shop other than the one listing that had earned sales and began to create totally new products in a different niche.

This time, I researched what was trending with low competition, researched the best SEO keywords and spent a lot of time creating nice mockups and products that people could actually use. I am really proud of my products this time around and I use them in my own life. One of my checklists is framed and in my kitchen and I use it daily. Perhaps I’ll be brave enough to list them here at some point.

I have since noticed a big jump in my stats vs. the first time I listed products on Etsy. This time through I’ve also posted them on Pinterest with a link to my shop. That has also garnered some extra views and helped me learn a lot about Pinterest. I’ve been getting less consistent with my posts since I’m trying to keep a few balls in the air now, but I hope to get back to trying to make that shop work. My stats still are quite embarrassing, but they are still new listings so I’m hopeful that we’ll see some uptake. I’ve heard that it can take a month or more for your products to start gaining traction and views. I’m at 117 visits for the few products I’ve posted so I’ll count that as a win for now. I will do another blog after I’ve let this simmer for a while. I plan to add a few new products and I’ll update my listings.

Things To Consider When Listing On Etsy As A Side Hustle

While selling digital products on Etsy can be a lucrative venture, it’s essential to approach the idea of becoming “rich” with a realistic mindset. The potential for success in selling digital products on Etsy depends on various factors:

Quality and Demand:

The quality of your digital products and their relevance to the market significantly impact your success. Products in high demand, offering unique value, have a better chance of generating income.

Marketing and Visibility:

• Effective marketing and visibility strategies play a crucial role. Investing time in optimizing your Etsy shop, utilizing SEO, and promoting your products through various channels can enhance your reach.

Pricing and Competition:

• Properly pricing your digital products is important. Consider the competition within your niche and set competitive yet reasonable prices. Offering promotions or bundles can also attract customers.

Customer Reviews and Satisfaction:

• Positive customer reviews contribute to your shop’s reputation. Satisfied customers are more likely to become repeat buyers and recommend your products to others.

Diversification of Products:

• Diversifying your digital product offerings can increase your earning potential. Explore various types of products or create complementary items to cater to a broader audience.

Consistency and Adaptability:

• Consistency in producing quality products and adapting to market trends is essential. Stay engaged with your audience, update your product listings regularly, and adapt your strategies based on performance.

Etsy Policies and Compliance:

• Adhering to Etsy’s policies and guidelines ensures a smooth operation. Violations can lead to consequences such as account suspension, affecting your ability to generate income.

Market Trends:

• Stay informed about market trends and customer preferences. Adapting your products to meet changing demands can contribute to sustained success.

It’s important to recognize that success in any business, including selling digital products on Etsy, typically requires time, effort, and dedication. While some sellers have achieved significant financial success, others may experience more modest earnings. Success depends on a combination of factors, including your product quality, marketing efforts, customer engagement, and adaptability to market dynamics.

If you approach your Etsy shop with a realistic perspective, a commitment to continuous improvement, and a focus on providing value to your customers, you have the potential to build a profitable side hustle. However, it’s crucial to set achievable goals and be aware that financial success may take time to materialize.

These points all lead me to my next project on Etsy. While on the hunt for my next big trending digital product to sell, I stumbled across a video on InsightFactory (an Etsy SEO tool) that talked to a creator who had the same backstory as me (she was 100 times more successful but still). She would sell a few things and then go for a while with nothing and she was struggling to make things happen. She one day stumbled upon a niche item that is quite unique and went out on a limb to start making these products. This got me thinking to step out of my comfort zone and try with something completely different. I will still continue to add items and edit my original shop. I do think I might have more success in this more niched down category, though. 

I have learned so much in just a few weeks. I’m out of my comfort zone, doing something that makes me use my brain in a different way and for a stay at home mom, that is a welcome thing. It has been way more work and way harder than I expected, but the process has been really fun. Will I actually be able to sell things? Time will tell. I promise I will keep you updated.

Will Etsy make you rich over night? No. You need to be consistent and work hard to make even one sale. My experience has been purely in digital products so I’ll speak to that niche. I would absolutely recommend Etsy as a side hustle if you’re even the least bit creative. You can do it!