Etsy, eBay, and More: Selling Products as a Side Hustle - My Journey to $10,000
Have you ever dreamt of starting a side hustle that could not only bring in some extra cash but also offer the potential for a significant income stream? I'm going to share my own journey, which started with a simple idea and a bit of hesitation.
You see, for years, I felt like the whole idea of entrepreneurship just wasn't for me. I was comfortable in my job, and the thought of building a business seemed like a daunting, insurmountable task. But, then, everything changed. I stumbled upon an episode of a podcast, "The Fire Drill," featuring a woman who was selling printables on Etsy - and she was making good money.
It was an "aha" moment for me. Here was a side hustle I could actually do. I knew about PDFs, I had already created some, and the thought of selling them on Etsy felt more attainable than launching a traditional business.
That's when I decided to jump in headfirst. I joined a mastermind group with other individuals who were also eager to start selling printables on Etsy. The mastermind was a $199 investment, but looking back, it was a priceless investment in both skills and motivation. It helped me move past the fear of starting and gave me the support I needed to actually get going.
Building My Etsy Shop: A Step-by-Step Approach
The initial steps were crucial. I started by building my Etsy shop incrementally, adding products and making adjustments each weekend. It took about three months to reach a point where my shop was bringing in a few hundred dollars a month, and I felt comfortable enough to let it ride.
It took around 10 hours a week to build my initial Etsy shop. Of course, I invested more time when first starting, but once it was launched, it only required a couple of hours a week for routine tasks like answering customer questions and making minor updates. I focused on the products I was familiar with, leveraging spreadsheets and debt-tracking methods I used to tackle our own $107,000 debt. It seemed like a good idea to help others with printables that could assist them in managing their finances.
I also spent a lot of time studying other successful Etsy sellers, looking for ways to improve my products and increase visibility. While I'm not a graphic designer, I am an architect, so I had access to Adobe software that gave me a good head start in creating attractive, high-quality printables.
Reaching the $10,000 Milestone and Beyond
After about 19 months, I hit the $10,000 mark in sales on my Etsy shop. It was a surreal feeling. I was still relatively new to selling on Etsy, and the fact that I was earning a substantial income passively was a major victory. It proved that the side hustle could not only be a source of income but also a potential path to a more significant income stream.
While the initial investment and time commitment were substantial, the learning curve wasn't too steep, and the rewards far exceeded the effort. I learned to make a decent income selling digital products on Etsy with minimal overhead, minimal marketing, and minimal time commitment.
Etsy vs. eBay: Which Platform Is Right for You?
While Etsy was a great platform for me, it's not the only option for selling products as a side hustle. eBay is another popular platform that offers unique benefits and a wider audience reach. Let's break down the key pros and cons of both:
Etsy:
Pros:
- Established Community: Etsy has a vibrant and engaged community of buyers seeking unique handmade, vintage, and craft-related products.
- Easy Sign Up and Selling: Etsy offers a simple and straightforward process for setting up your shop and listing products. You can start selling in a matter of hours if you have your product photos and descriptions ready.
- Discount Codes and Shipping: Etsy allows sellers to create their own discount codes and control shipping costs, making it easy to incentivize repeat business.
- Low Cost to Get Set Up: It's free to set up an Etsy shop, and the listing fees are minimal.
- Unique Product Focus: Etsy is specifically designed for unique, handcrafted items, making it easier to stand out from the crowd.
Cons:
- Expansion Has Reduced Support Service: While Etsy once offered live chat support, they have scaled back due to the increasing demand on their resources.
- Lots of Competition: Etsy is known for having a significant number of sellers, making it crucial to have a strong marketing strategy.
- High Fees: Etsy charges both a listing fee per item and a commission on each sale.
- Limited Customization: Etsy's shop customization options are somewhat limited, especially compared to eBay's HTML customization features.
- No Independence: Etsy reserves the right to modify its fees and policies or shut down a shop without notice, leaving sellers with limited control.
eBay:
Pros:
- Wide International Reach: eBay is a global platform with a vast user base, increasing your potential reach and sales.
- Perfect for Hard-to-Value Products: eBay allows both auction and "Buy It Now" options, ideal for items with uncertain or fluctuating value.
- Protection for Buyers and Sellers: eBay offers comprehensive protection mechanisms for both buyers and sellers, mitigating risks.
- Built-in SEO: eBay has a dedicated SEO team to help drive traffic to your shop from search engines, improving organic visibility.
Cons:
- Hard to Customize Without Knowledge of HTML: Customizing your eBay shop often requires HTML coding knowledge, presenting a barrier for those without tech skills.
- Clunky Interface: Listing items on eBay can be a cumbersome and time-consuming process.
- High Percentage Commission: eBay charges a final value fee on all sales, which includes a percentage of the product price plus shipping costs.
- Removal Fee: If you need to end an auction early, you may be charged a fee.
Making the Right Choice for Your Side Hustle
Choosing the right platform for your side hustle depends on your unique circumstances. Etsy is a great option for sellers of handmade, vintage, and craft-related items, offering a focused and engaged audience. eBay is a better choice for selling a wider range of products, including hard-to-value items, and for reaching a larger global audience.
For me, Etsy was a great fit. It offered a specific niche market, a relatively simple setup process, and the potential to generate a passive income stream with minimal effort. But, if I had chosen to sell items that were not handmade or vintage, I might have been better off going with eBay.
My $10,000 Side Hustle: A Personal Takeaway
My journey to $10,000 in sales on Etsy taught me several valuable lessons:
- Start Small and Build Gradually: There's no need to overwhelm yourself by trying to create the perfect shop or product line from the start. Build your shop incrementally, adding new products and features as you go.
- Focus on Your Strengths: Identify what you're good at and leverage those skills to create a successful side hustle. I knew about PDFs and had already been creating some, so I used those skills to create printable products that I could sell on Etsy.
- Study Other Successful Sellers: Take the time to study other successful sellers in your niche. Analyze what they're doing well, identify trends, and learn from their successes.
- Be Patient and Persistent: Building a successful side hustle takes time and effort. There will be ups and downs, but stay focused and consistent, and you'll eventually achieve your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much money can I expect to make selling products on Etsy or eBay?
A: There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Your earnings will depend on various factors, including the type of products you sell, your marketing strategy, your pricing, and the time and effort you invest. It's best to focus on building a sustainable business rather than chasing quick profits.
Q: How long does it take to start making money on Etsy or eBay?
A: Again, it varies. Some sellers see results within a few months, while others may take longer. Consistency and effort are key, but you can also start small, gradually build your business, and learn as you go.
Q: What are the pros and cons of selling on Etsy or eBay?
A: We've already covered those in the blog post. Remember, the best platform for you depends on your specific needs and goals.
Q: Are there any other platforms I should consider for selling products as a side hustle?
A: Besides Etsy and eBay, other platforms you might explore include Amazon Handmade, Shopify, and even Facebook Marketplace. Each platform has its advantages and disadvantages, so research carefully before deciding which one is right for you.
Q: What are some of the best tips for selling products online?
A: Here are a few tips:
- Create high-quality products: Focus on producing products that meet a need and are well-made. Pay attention to detail.
- Take clear and appealing photos: Your product photos are crucial for capturing attention. Invest in professional-looking photos.
- Write compelling descriptions: Your descriptions should be engaging and informative, highlighting the benefits and features of your products.
- Set competitive prices: Research your competitors and price your products accordingly, but don't undervalue your work.
- Provide excellent customer service: Respond promptly to customer inquiries and address any concerns they may have.
- Market your products effectively: Promote your products through social media, SEO, and other marketing channels.
- Stay consistent and persistent: Building a successful side hustle takes time, effort, and a commitment to learning.
Remember, you are not alone in your journey. If you have a passion for creating products and a desire to build a successful side hustle, don't be afraid to take the first step and start selling online. There are resources available to help you every step of the way. Just remember to keep learning, adapt to the ever-changing world of online marketplaces, and never give up.
