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26 Legit Ways To Make Money From Etsy in 2024

Gravatar for Enoch Omololu
Written by Enoch Omololu
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Are you looking for a way to turn your creative passions into a source of income? Look no further than Etsy!

Etsy is an online marketplace where you can sell handmade, vintage, and unique goods to a global audience. It helps you to easily set up an online shop and market your products.

In this article, you will learn how to sell on Etsy and some legit ways to make money from Etsy in 2024.

Things to Sell on Etsy

One of the great things about Etsy is the wide variety of items you can sell. The possibilities are endless.

Below are some popular items to sell on Etsy, including craft kits, stickers, beauty products, and more.

1. Handmade Jewelry

Handmade jewelry is a popular item on Etsy because it allows customers to purchase unique and one-of-a-kind pieces. You can create your own designs and use various materials to make your jewelry stand out.

2. Subscription Boxes

Subscription boxes are a great way to offer customers a curated selection of products regularly. You can create themed boxes and offer them on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Your potential earnings for selling subscription boxes on Etsy can vary depending on the contents of the box and the frequency of delivery.

3. Gift Boxes

Gift boxes are similar to subscription boxes, but they are typically one-time purchases. You can create themed gift boxes for occasions such as birthdays, holidays, or just because. How much you earn selling gift boxes on Etsy depends on the content of the box.

4. Craft Kits

Craft kits are another popular item to sell on Etsy. This is because they allow customers to purchase all the supplies they need to complete a project in one convenient package.

To sell craft kits, you need to create kits for various crafts, such as knitting, painting, or jewelry-making.

5. Stickers

Stickers are an enjoyable and simple product to market on Etsy. By using your own creations or authorized pictures, you can produce stickers that attract a broad range of customers.

Depending on the design’s dimensions and intricacy, your possible income from stickers may differ.

6. Merchandise

Merchandise such as t-shirts, hats, and tote bags are other examples of popular items to sell on Etsy. In selling merchandise, you must create your own designs or use licensed images to create merchandise that appeals to a wide audience.

The amount you can earn from selling merchandise on Etsy varies depending on factors such as the type of merchandise you sell, its price, and how well you market your shop.

7. Handmade Cards

You can also sell handmade cards on Etsy. Cards can be sold any time of the year for various occasions. Therefore, customers are also endless.

To design your cards, you can use different techniques such as stamping, embossing, or watercolor painting.

8. Paper Products

Paper products such as notebooks, planners, and journals are other great stuff to sell on Etsy. You can design customized paper products depending on your client’s preference.

You can also use in-demand or trending designs and themes to attract more buyers. Some examples of these are minimalist, aesthetic, pastel, KPop, and more.

9. Digital Art

If you are a digital artist, you can make money on Etsy selling your art. You can market your art either as a printable or for digital uses.

You will need to have online tools, apps, and software that will help you create your digital art. Some examples are Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office.

You can price your art depending on the efforts you have put into each of them.

10. Handmade Clothing

Unleash your dress-making skills and make money with them by selling handmade clothing. You can sew, knit,  or crochet clothing items for all genders, ages, and shapes.

Price your clothing based on the technique you use, the quality of the material, and the intricacy of your design.

11. Party Supplies

One secret on how to make six figures on Etsy successfully is to cater to the needs of your potential customers and to make their lives easier.

For example, if your target buyers are party lovers, you can help them have great parties by selling party supplies. You can create banners, party poppers, themed party supplies, cake toppers, and more.

You can also make supplies for all types of parties, such as bachelorette parties, birthday parties, family reunions, school parties, and more.

12. Accessories

Another item you can sell on Etsy is accessories such as scarves, hats, and bags. Create your designs through different techniques such as sewing, knitting, or crocheting. You can also make accessories for all ages and genders, worthy as collections.

13. Beauty Products

Homemade beauty products are trending items nowadays. Therefore, it is great to go with the trend and sell beauty products on Etsy.

You can sell soaps, lotions, bath bombs, and more. Organic beauty products sell best, so make sure to use natural, organic, and cruelty-free materials.

14. Snack Boxes

Snack boxes are similar to subscription boxes, but they contain a curated selection of snacks from around the world. You can sell themed snack boxes and offer them on a monthly or quarterly basis.

The potential earnings for snack boxes can vary depending on the contents of the box and the frequency of delivery.

15. Pottery

Pottery is not just a therapeutic activity but also a great item to sell on Etsy and make money. Create anything through pottery, such as vases, pots,  mugs, and plates. Add your design and some protective layer, and your items can be the best-selling items on Etsy.

16. Vintage Items

Vintage items are great items to sell on Etsy. Want to purchase unique and hard-to-find pieces from the past?

You can source vintage items from estate sales, thrift stores, or your own collections. Based on the age and value of your items, you can earn a significant amount selling vintage items.

17. Candles

Candles also sell well on Etsy. Additionally, they are easy to make.

You can create your candle recipe using natural ingredients such as beeswax or soy wax. Aside from unique shapes, you can do to your candles, you can also add different scents and colors your customers can choose from.

18. Phone Cases

Another popular item to sell on Etsy is phone cases. It is popular because everyone has phones and they need cases for them.

You can design phone cases that can fit different phone models. You can use materials like resin, plastic, rubber, clay, paper, cloth, etc.

19. Mugs

Decorative or functional, mugs always sell. Sell your designed mugs on Etsy and make money.

You can create your designs using techniques such as screen printing, decal transfer, or hand painting. You can also make a set of themed mugs, such as couple mugs, named mugs, movie-themed mugs, and others.

20. Pet Supplies

Pet supplies such as toys, beds, and collars are another popular item to sell on Etsy. Pet lovers are always looking for new things their pets can enjoy.

You can sew pet clothing, make pet toys, create soaps and shampoos for pets, and even make food pets can enjoy.

21. Plants

If you have a green thumb, you can turn your love for plants into income by selling plants on Etsy. You can sell indoor plants, flowering plants, herbs, spices, succulents, and rare plants.

To successfully sell plants on Etsy, plan how you can ship them without damage.

22. Seasonal Gifts

Gifts are one of the best selling items on Etsy. Selling seasonal gifts for all occasions can be a great way for you to make money.

Make sure to look up your calendar for the up and coming seasons, occasions,  and holidays. Then, sell items related to these occasions. For example, you can fill your Etsy shop with birthday gift ideas, Valentine’s Day gifts, wedding gifts, Christmas gifts, and more.

Related: Best Things to Buy and Sell to Make Money

How to Make Money on Etsy With Digital Downloads

If you are looking for a way to make money on Etsy without having to worry about shipping physical products, digital downloads might be the perfect solution for you.

To make money on Etsy with digital downloads, you can sell your creative designs and ideas in the form of printable files, graphics, or other digital content. Here’s how you can make money on Etsy with digital downloads:

  1. Create your digital products. The first step is to create your digital products. This could be anything from printable art and invitations to digital graphics and fonts. Use your creativity and skills to create unique and high-quality digital products that will appeal to your target audience.
  1. Set up your Etsy shop. Once you have your digital products ready, it’s time to set up your Etsy shop. Make sure to fill out all the necessary information and create a visually appealing shop banner and profile picture. Use keywords in your shop title and tags to help customers find your shop.
  1. List your digital products. Now it’s time to list your digital products for sale. Make sure to include high-quality photos and detailed descriptions of each product. Set a fair price for your products and consider offering bundle deals or discounts to encourage customers to purchase multiple items.
  1. Promote your shop. To make money on Etsy with digital downloads, you need to promote your shop and products. Share your listings on social media, join relevant Etsy teams and forums, and consider running ads or offering promotions to attract new customers.
  1. Deliver your digital products. When a customer purchases one of your digital products, they will receive a link to download the file immediately after payment is confirmed. Make sure to provide clear instructions on how to access and use the digital product.

How to Make Money on Etsy With Canva

Canva is a popular graphic design tool that can help you create beautiful and professional-looking designs that you can sell on Etsy.

It offers a wide range of templates and design elements that you can use to create anything from invitations and business cards to social media graphics and printable art.

The steps on how to make money on Etsy with Canva are similar to the steps on selling digital downloads on Etsy. Make sure to use the Canva App to create unique and high-quality designs that will appeal to your target audience.

How to Make Money on Etsy Without Selling Anything

You can also make money on Etsy without having to create or sell your own products. Two ways to do that are through dropshipping and flipping items.

Here’s how to make money on Etsy without selling anything:

1. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a business model where you sell products without having to keep any inventory. Instead, when a customer places an order, you purchase the item from a third-party supplier, who then ships it directly to the customer.

You can use this model to sell products on Etsy by finding a reliable dropshipping supplier, then listing their products in your shop. When a customer places an order, you simply forward the order details to the supplier, and they take care of the rest. Make sure to communicate with the supplier to ensure the order is processed and shipped on time.

To make money through dropshipping, you’ll need to set a price for each product that covers your costs and provides a profit margin. Make sure to factor in the cost of the product, shipping fees, and any Etsy fees or taxes.

Here’s a complete guide to starting a dropshipping business.

2. Flipping items

Flipping items involves buying products at a low price and then reselling them at a higher price for a profit. You can do this on Etsy by finding underpriced items on other marketplaces or at thrift stores and then listing them in your shop at a higher price.

This requires some research and knowledge of the market, but it can be a profitable way to make money on Etsy without having to create your own products.

Etsy Fees

Here’s what you need to know about Etsy fees:

  • Listing fee: Etsy charges a listing fee of $0.20 for each item that you list for sale on the site. This fee is charged regardless of whether or not the item sells and is automatically added to your payment account when you publish an item.
  • Transaction fee: When you make a sale on Etsy, you will be charged a transaction fee of 6.5% of the total order amount in your designated listing currency. This fee applies to the total cost of the item, along with shipping and gift wrap (if you charge your customers for those).
  • Payment processing fee: If you use Etsy Payments to process payments from your customers, you will be charged a payment processing fee. This fee is a set rate plus a percentage of the total sale price and varies by country.

In addition to these fees, there are other optional fees associated with using certain services on Etsy, such as advertising and promotional fees.

Pros and Cons of Selling on Etsy

Aside from learning how to sell on Etsy, it is also important to know its pros and cons. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons before deciding if it’s the right choice for your business.

Some major advantages of selling on Etsy are:

  • Large customer base
  • Easy to use
  • Seller support, including educational materials and seller forums.

The disadvantages include:

  • Fees
  • Competition
  • Limited customization

Conclusion

Etsy offers a wide variety of opportunities for creative entrepreneurs to turn their passions into profits. With 26 legit ways to make money from Etsy in 2024, there’s something for everyone on this platform.

Whether you’re selling handmade goods, digital downloads, or offering services, Etsy provides a user-friendly and supportive environment for sellers to grow their businesses.

FAQs

How much does the average Etsy seller make?

According to a statement made by Josh Silverman, the CEO of Etsy, during a 2020 investor presentation, the average Etsy seller makes around $2900 a year.

Is it worth trying to sell on Etsy?

It can be worth trying to sell on Etsy because many people have found success doing it. However, it’s important to understand the fees associated with using the site and the level of competition on the platform. It’s also important to have a solid business plan and marketing strategy in place to increase your chances of success.

Who is the highest-paid seller on Etsy?

Alicia Shaffer is the highest-paid Etsy seller. She makes $70,000 in sales in a month alone. Her shop has earned her almost $1 million off Etsy.

What is the most profitable thing to sell on Etsy?

The most profitable thing to sell on Etsy may vary depending on factors like market demand, competition, and production costs. Some popular and potentially profitable items to sell on Etsy include handmade jewelry, digital art, craft supplies, and vintage items.

Related: Alternative Sites to Etsy.

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Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

Enoch Omololu

Enoch Omololu is a personal finance expert who has a passion for helping others win with their finances. He has a master’s degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School and has been writing about money management for over a decade. Enoch has been featured in several leading personal finance publications including MSN Money, The Globe and Mail, Wealthsimple, and the Financial Post.

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