Are you looking for easy Etsy side hustles you can start now?
Starting a side hustle on Etsy can be a rewarding way to earn extra income.
It can also help you express your creativity and learn valuable skills about business and entrepreneurship.
How do I know?
In 2019, I started an Etsy store as a fun little side hustle. By 2021, I quit my full-time job and took my Etsy business full-time.
Etsy is a great place to start if you’re looking for easy side hustle ideas that require minimal startup costs and can be done in your spare time.
Why Etsy?
Etsy is an ideal platform for starting a small side hustle or small business due to its numerous advantages:
- Large Audience: With millions of active buyers seeking unique and handmade items, Etsy offers a ready-made market for your products.
- Low Startup Costs: Minimal fees make listing and selling your items affordable without significant financial risk.
- User-Friendly: The platform’s intuitive interface and helpful resources make setting up and managing your shop simple, even if you aren’t tech-savvy.
- Built-In Marketing Tools: Etsy provides tools like Etsy Ads, social media integration, and discounts to help promote your products.
- Global Reach: Sell to customers worldwide with Etsy’s international exposure and tools to manage global sales.
These benefits make Etsy a smart choice for business owners looking to start or expand their side hustle efficiently and effectively.
Easy Etsy Side Hustles: Business Ideas to Consider
Here are five products you can start selling on Etsy today based on what’s trending on the platform.
1. Digital Products
Digital products are a fantastic side hustle because they require no physical inventory and can be sold an unlimited number of times. They can include digital templates for planners, calendars, business cards, and even pre-made social media graphics.
Getting Started:
- Use design software like Adobe Illustrator, Canva, or even Microsoft Word to create your templates.
- Ensure your designs are easy to customize and visually appealing.
- Offer different sizes and formats to appeal to a wider audience.
Benefits of Selling Digital Products
- Low Overhead Costs: No need for physical inventory or shipping, reducing initial and ongoing expenses.
- Unlimited Scalability: Digital products can be sold infinite times without additional production costs, providing passive income opportunities.
- Instant Delivery: Customers receive their purchases immediately, enhancing their shopping experience and satisfaction.
Free Workshop: Learn How to Sell Printables Online
2. Personalized Jewelry
Personalized jewelry is a timeless favorite on Etsy. Items like custom name necklaces, engraved bracelets, and birthstone rings are always in demand. You can create unique, personalized pieces that customers will love with a few basic jewelry-making supplies and tools.
Getting Started:
- Source quality materials such as sterling silver or gold-plated chains, pendants, and charms.
- Offer customization options like names, initials, or meaningful dates.
- Create a few sample pieces and take high-quality photos to showcase your work.
Benefits of Selling Jewelry
Selling jewelry on Etsy offers several compelling benefits:
- High Demand: Jewelry is always in demand, from personalized pieces to trendy designs, ensuring a steady market.
- Customization Options: Personalized jewelry allows for unique, custom orders, attracting customers looking for special, one-of-a-kind items
- High-Profit Margins: With the right materials and designs, jewelry can have high profit margins, making it a lucrative venture. Shipping costs are also minimal, which helps keep margins high.
3. Custom Pillows
Custom pillows are a cozy and stylish addition to any home, making them a popular choice on Etsy. The possibilities for creating custom pillows are endless, from personalized names and monograms to unique designs and fabrics. They make excellent gifts for weddings, housewarmings, or just to add a personal touch to home decor.
Getting Started:
- Choose Your Materials: Select high-quality fabrics that are comfortable and durable. Consider offering various options, such as cotton, linen, and velvet.
- Design Customization: Use fabric paints, embroidery, or heat transfer vinyl to add personalized designs, names, or monograms. You can also sew decorative elements like tassels, buttons, or appliques.
- Create a Template: Develop a few standard pillow sizes and shapes to streamline your production process. Square and rectangular pillows are the most common, but you can also offer unique shapes like hearts or stars.
- High-Quality Photos: Take attractive, well-lit photos of your pillows in various settings to showcase their versatility and appeal. Include close-ups of details and any customization options.
- Packaging: Ensure your pillows are packaged securely to prevent damage during shipping. Consider eco-friendly packaging options to appeal to environmentally conscious customers.
Benefits of Selling Custom Pillows
Selling custom pillows on Etsy provides a unique blend of creativity and profitability. Here are some key benefits:
- High Demand: Custom home decor items like pillows are always in demand, making them a popular choice for consumers looking to personalize their living spaces.
- Personalization: Offering customization options such as names, monograms, and unique designs allows you to cater to individual customer preferences, increasing the appeal of your products.
- Seasonal Appeal: Custom pillows can be tailored for seasonal themes and holidays, ensuring year-round relevance and sales opportunities.
4. Handmade Soap
Handmade soap is a delightful product to make and sell. With endless possibilities for scents, colors, and shapes, you can create a unique brand that stands out on Etsy. Many customers appreciate natural ingredients and artisanal craftsmanship.
Getting Started:
- Gather soap-making supplies such as molds, oils, lye, and fragrances.
- Follow a few basic recipes to start, then experiment with your own combinations.
- Package your soap attractively and consider eco-friendly options to appeal to green-minded customers.
Benefits of Selling Handmade Soap
- Gifting Potential: Handmade soap is a popular gift item for various occasions, including birthdays, holidays, and weddings, expanding your potential customer base.
- Eco-Friendly: Many handmade soap makers use sustainable and biodegradable ingredients and packaging, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.
- Scalability: As your business grows, you can easily scale production by investing in more advanced equipment and expanding your product line.
5. Custom T-Shirts
Custom t-shirts are always in demand, whether for personal use, events, or gifts. With the increase of print-on-demand services, you can create unique designs without worrying about inventory or upfront costs.
Getting Started:
- Sign up with a print-on-demand service like Printful or Printify.
- Create your own designs using graphic design software or hire a designer.
- List your t-shirts on Etsy, and the print-on-demand service will handle printing and shipping.
Benefits of Selling Custom T-Shirts
- Print-On-Demand Services: Print-on-demand (POD) services like Printful or Printify eliminate the need for inventory, reduce upfront costs, and simplify order fulfillment, making it easy to manage your business.
- Easy to Ship: T-shirts are lightweight and easy to pack, resulting in lower shipping costs and fewer logistics complications.
- Personalization: Offering customization options, such as names, dates, or personalized messages, makes your t-shirts more appealing for special occasions like birthdays, weddings, and family events.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for easy Etsy side hustles, these 5 ideas can be a fun and profitable way to explore your creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
Whether you make personalized jewelry, digital templates, custom pillows, handmade soap, or custom t-shirts, there’s a market waiting for your unique creations. Take the plunge, set up your Etsy shop, and turn your passion into profit today.
Still here? Check out this Blueprint for Creating a Passive Income Side Hustle on Etsy
Want to learn my secret to making your first sale on Etsy and eventually making thousands a month online passively? Check out The Shockingly Simple Guide to Selling Passive Income Products on Etsy. This free, in-depth guide is a deeper blueprint for passive income that will help you learn exactly how to start a side hustle and create digital products on Etsy!
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