Side Hustle Spotlight: Etsy Graphics

Blog | January 18th, 2023


Etsy is a site where people can sell homemade and vintage items. For many sellers, it can be quite lucrative. In 2021, Etsy reported earnings of $13.5 billion.


Selling graphics can be a great way to get started on Etsy. As a bonus, you don’t have physical merchandise to stock and mail. All of your items will be digital.

If you’d like to get started selling digital materials on Etsy, read on!


How To Get Started


You’ll need to choose a niche. There’s a variety of digital items for sale on Etsy. If you make a little bit of everything, you’ll be less likely to be found. Instead, you need to specialize. 

Start by choosing a niche and sticking with it. Once you see some growth, you can expand into other niches.

You’ll need to create an Etsy seller account, which only takes a few minutes. Name your store and create a logo. Finally, develop several products and upload them for sale.




Training, Certification, and Permits


Etsy doesn’t require you to have any special training, certification, or permits to sell on its platform. However, you’ll need to check with your country and state laws to ensure you’re running your business legally.

When selling digital products, a graphic design background can be helpful. You’ll be able to make better graphics that are eye-catching and more likely to sell. Even brushing up on visual design basics can be beneficial.


Job Opportunities


Etsy sellers list all sorts of graphic products on the site. If you’re artistic, you can create graphics that people download and print to display. If you have design skills, you can create helpful graphics.

Product examples include:
  • Cards and invitations
  • Customized art prints of pets and people
  • Digital journals and planners
  • Monograms
  • Coloring pages
  • Worksheets
  • Newsletter templates
  • Digital stickers
  • Calendars
  • Infographics
  • Books
  • Digital guides

Expected Returns


There’s a wide range of income potential on Etsy. Many sellers, especially those just starting out or with smaller stores, may only make a few dollars a month. Others earn a decent side hustle income of several hundred dollars monthly. Some sellers manage to earn a full-time income through Etsy.

If you want to be successful on Etsy, you need to start with high-quality products. Make sure you create fantastic product images and optimize your product descriptions so people can find your products. Finally, continue adding to your store. Even if sales are slow, keep moving forward.


Wrap Up


If you’re a creative type and looking for a side hustle, then Etsy can be a great venture for you. It’s a well-established platform that buyers already trust. If you can create products that people find useful, you’ll be able to do well.

As with any online venture, you have to stick with selling on Etsy. You may not see immediate returns, but if you keep working on your store, you may eventually see the profits you want. The most successful sellers are those who are motivated and persistent.



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