Side Hustle: Can You Really Make $2200 a Month on Etsy?
Can you really make $2200 on Etsy? Can you really make $2000 a month on Etsy? $1000 a month? $500 a month? $200 a month?
The answer is yes, and I am currently doing that.
You may have heard of Etsy as a platform for selling handmade goods, but did you know that it’s also a great place to make some serious side hustle money?
First off, let’s talk about what exactly Etsy is. It’s an online marketplace where independent sellers can set up their own shops and sell their products directly to customers.
These products can range from handmade crafts and art to vintage items and digital downloads.
With over 33 million buyers worldwide, there is definitely a market for almost any type of product on Etsy, whether it is a physical or digital item!
When I first started my Etsy shop, I wasn’t expecting it to become such a successful side hustle. I was in desperate need of a creative outlet during a very stressful time in my life.
My goal was also to make more and invest more so I can retire early. So, I tried to make some extra money from my creative pursuit. It ended up being a win-win situation.
My Etsy Shop Results
Here is an example of my results. This is just to show you that it is possible to reach these results, even with a full time job. Now, you may be thinking, this is way over $2200, but my profit margin is 30-35% of my revenue (or $2,169.6-$2,531.2) .
So how exactly does one make $2200 a month on this platform? Well, the key is in finding a niche (or several niches), creating high-quality products/designs, ensuring your listing is optimized for Etsy buyers to find you, and being consistent in your approach.
How to Make Passive Income with Print on Demand
I started a print on demand (POD) shop in October 2022. Print on demand is a way to create and sell products without having to hold inventory.
Instead, the products are created and shipped directly to customers from a third-party supplier. The supplier I use is Printify.
After doing some research, I decided that print on demand was the best route for me because it required low upfront costs and allowed me to focus on the design aspect rather than managing inventory and shipping.
To get started, I signed up for an account with Printify who integrated with Etsy. This made it incredibly easy for me to upload my designs onto different products like t-shirts, sweatshirts, and mugs.
Then, Printify pushes the listing out to your Etsy shop. You make a few tweaks in Etsy, and then your item is up for sale!
This is Not A Get Rich Quick Scheme
Although a great side hustle with potential for growth, Etsy is not a get rich quick scheme. I researched thoroughly before getting started, which meant watching a ton of You tube and social media accounts of POD “gurus.”
Unfortunately, their videos can make it seem like this is an easy way to rake in thousands, or hundreds of thousands of dollars quickly.
I want to be honest as I’m not trying to sell anything, this is not a super easy way to make money.
But, you can realistically make $2200 a month or more on Etsy.
The truth is, it takes time and effort to build a successful Etsy shop
While some people may see quick success, for many it can take months or even years to reach a consistent income of $2200 per month. This depends on several factors such as the uniqueness and appeal of your designs, marketing efforts, and whether or not you stay consistent.
To be successful on Etsy, consistency is key. This means consistently creating new designs, optimizing listings with keywords and tags, and tweaking what works and what doesn’t work for you and the customer.
This also means staying on top of trends and constantly evolving to meet the demands of customers.
It is not easy, and it can take time to reach a certain amount. Your success all depends on the time and effort you put in.
Also, education or investing in a course helps to cut through the noise that is out there on this topic. Choose a course where you align with the coach or course creator. No one wants to learn from someone that annoys them!
Etsy Is The Best Side Hustle
While it may not be a full-time income (yet), there is so much potential for growth as an Etsy seller. I didn’t start out at $2200 a month. Read my article recapping my revenue from last year, which was my first year on Etsy.
However, having an Etsy shop is one of the best side hustles around. While many of us have a full-time job, it is certainly possible to master this popular side hustle in your spare time. I’ve done it, and will show you how.
Check out my article about how to get found on Etsy. This will help you get started with some SEO tips and tricks. SEO, or search engine optimization, you will learn is an important factor to success on Etsy.
To some, $2200 a month may not seem like much money. To many of us, that extra cash can be put to work.
I invest my extra Etsy revenue in index funds to support my path to early retirement.
There Are No Specific Skills or Experience Required to Succeed on Etsy
In today’s gig economy, where remote work and side hustles reign supreme, platforms like Etsy have emerged as beacons of opportunity.
Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent seeking flexible home jobs, or a small business owner aiming to supplement your income, Etsy offers a platform that caters to diverse needs.
Its inclusivity and accessibility make it an ideal avenue for those seeking to make a huge difference in their financial standing.
For those who don’t feel like they belong in a 9-5 setting, this is a perfect way to start your own business.
For those residing in rural communities, Etsy offers a pathway to economic growth and financial independence.
The great thing about Etsy is that it caters to a wide range of talents and passions.
You don’t need to be an expert in graphic design to have a place on this e-commerce platform.
However, having some basic skills and experience can certainly help boost your success.
Time Management
One important skill to have when starting any side hustle is time management. If you will be balancing your full-time job with Etsy, being able to prioritize your tasks and set aside dedicated time for your shop will be crucial.
Just Do It!
Additionally, having some knowledge in marketing, photography, and customer service can also come in handy, but it is not necessary, and can be learned along the way. I’ve learned so much from just doing! You get better as you push forward, and that helps you gain confidence.
Find a Niche (or several)
Another aspect to consider when starting your Etsy journey is finding your niche. With millions of shops on the platform, you may want to find a unique selling point that sets you apart from others.
This is not necessary and niches often find you as you start developing designs and seeing what resonates with buyers, and you! I have so much fun with my designs.
This could be a specific style (retro, floral, preppy), product type (hoodies, mugs, sneakers, wall art), or target audience (teenagers, Dads, Grandmothers).
I did not, and still do not really have a niche in my print on demand shop.
I’m consistently researching what people are shopping for an tweaking it. That means my shop covers several different niches and I like it that way.
Understanding Your Revenue Streams and Expenses
Delving into the financials of running an Etsy shop, it’s essential to grasp the various costs and revenue streams involved.
While Etsy charges a small commission on sales and fees for listing and payment processing, the potential for generating substantial gross revenue remains high.
Other costs may include SEO tools such as EtsyHunt, erank, or Everbee. These tools help sellers identify and analyze top-performing keywords, prioritize listings based on current trends, and monitor competition.
Then, for a print on demand shop, you have to pay for the cost of production of the item and the shipping. This is paid in advance by the Etsy Seller. So you will have to get a credit card for those expenses.
Then, Etsy will pass on your revenue to your bank account daily if you choose that option. Your revenue minus the production cost is your profit.
My profit margin is typically 30-35%, though I’m working on optimizing that to increase profits. I plan to work on pricing items. Increasing the price of my bestsellers is what I have planned and will see how that impacts purchases and profits.
It’s crucial to track all of these expenses to understand your profit margins accurately. This will also allow you to make decisions informed by the data when it comes to pricing your products.
Understanding your target audience is another essential aspect of running a successful Etsy shop. Knowing who your customers are and what they are looking for can give you a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Conducting research, studying your competitors’ strategies, and paying close attention to customer feedback can help you grow your shop.
Can You Scale an Etsy Shop?
Starting an Etsy shop is just the beginning; the real challenge lies in scaling it into a full-fledged income-generating enterprise.
This entails honing your marketing skills, understanding consumer behavior, and positioning your products in a way that resonates with your target audience.
But, much of scaling relies on your ability to remain consistent and just keep going. Don’t give up.
These skills come over time. You don’t need to start with them. New sellers tend to have concerns about how to start, but you just need to start where you are.
It will be one of the best things you do, you just need to stick with it.
How to Stay Motivated and Consistent
One of the key elements in growing your Etsy shop is staying motivated and consistent with your efforts. It’s natural to feel discouraged at times, especially if you’re not seeing immediate sales. However, it’s important to remember that success takes time and perseverance.
To help stay motivated and consistent, here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Set realistic goals: It’s important to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve with your Etsy shop when you first start. Set realistic goals for yourself, whether it’s getting your first sale, getting a certain number of views, or getting 5 listings up. Start with small, realistic goals. This will help you stay focused and motivated.
2. Break everything into smaller tasks: Instead of focusing on your end goal of building a booming shop right away, break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. This allows you to see progress along the way and gives you a sense of accomplishment as you complete each task.
3. Create a schedule: Consistency is key when it comes to growing your Etsy shop. Create a schedule for yourself and stick to it as much as possible. It’s important to find a balance between work and personal life, so make sure to give yourself breaks and time off as well.
Etsy offers a flexible way to pursue entrepreneurship on your own terms. So don’t give yourself another job, take advantage of that flexibility?=.
Build an Email List
Building an email list and providing exceptional customer service are crucial steps in converting potential customers into loyal patrons.
Building an email list is also helpful in case your shop gets shut down for some reason.
It seems that Etsy’s bots sometimes make mistakes and shut down shops for seemingly no reason. Your email list (and maybe a Shopify store) are back plans that you may want to consider.
I have an email list and I never email them. I just collect them as a back up plan in case my shop is shut down by the Etsy bots. There are certain apps that Etsy recommends for collecting email addresses. I use Craft Kit. You can easily integrate it into your store and start collecting subscribers!
How to Get Found on Etsy
Whether you’re selling sticker paper for craft enthusiasts or digital files for Cricut Design Space users, your offerings need to be able to be found!
This is where SEO comes in. SEO, or search engine optimization helps optimize your Etsy listings so that your customers can find your items when they type what they are looking for in Etsy’s search bar.
When someone searches for a specific keyword or phrase on Etsy, you want your products to appear at the top of Etsy search.
Optimizing your conversion rate through relevant product titles and tags, along with compelling visuals can further enhance your success on Etsy.
The Potential of Passive Income
Passive income is the holy grail of entrepreneurship, offering a way to generate revenue even while you sleep.
I love waking up to sales in my Etsy shop.
It is the best feeling! By selling POD items or digital products like downloadable templates or printables, you can create a stream of income that requires minimal effort to maintain.
For Doordash drivers looking to diversify their income streams or parents juggling childcare responsibilities, passive income on Etsy provides a welcome source of financial stability. Truly anyone can do this.
Building an online business that generates passive income is one of the most important things you can do to achieve long-term financial independence.
Turn Your Etsy Dream Into Reality
Achieving a monthly income of $2200 on Etsy is realistic and obtainable.
By consistently adding new products, optimizing your shop for search visibility, and providing exceptional customer service, you can turn your Etsy shop into a thriving business.
With the right strategy and mindset, success on Etsy is well within reach for anyone willing to put in the effort. Just do it! Do it today!
Have more questions about getting started? Leave a comment and I’ll answer as best I can!
