How to Make Money on Etsy in 2024?
Unique product ideas
If you are looking for a way to make money online, and you are a creative person, Etsy is still a popular market place in 2024. Over the years, many smaller alternatives popped up, but none of them were able to catch the wave Etsy did.
Back in the day, Etsy was a great alternative to Ebay, and in some cases, it still is, although nowadays it is filled with wholesalers.
I have been an active seller on Etsy ever since they came to existence. I joined them only 4 months after they started. I sold various different things there and I currently have one store that is doing well and keeping me busy enough.
If you watch YouTube videos, trying to collect ideas on what to sell there, you will find that almost every single video is telling you the same things over and over.
Print on demand, wedding invitations, daily planners, mugs, etc. All of these people are just repeating each other. The truth is, these are highly saturated markets, most of the top sellers in these categories are wholesalers, and as an individual, let's be realistic, you can't easily compete with them if you don't have a good enough capital to fork over for professional photos, mockups, advertisements, and all that jazz.
So forget about all of them. I will give you ideas that might give you a better headstart. However, this is not for those who are looking for a get rich quick, or make 6 figures in one year type of article. Instead, this is for those who are thinking of a profitable side hustle, and an additional source of income, and let's be realistic, a five-figure income.
COLORS
First thing's first. Let's start with colors. This year, Etsy is focusing more on peach and berry tones. In addition, anything that is denim colored will be in.
So keep this in mind when you want to design something. Last year, for instance, earthy and muted tones were highly promoted on their first page. This year is another story. They are going for a blend of berries and blues mixed together, or peaches and denim, along those lines.
Muted tones are always trendy and popular, sure. Because they are easier to blend with other household objects. Colors are crucially important, no matter what you design. So your focus also should be on creating items that are easy to blend with multiple styles.
DESIGNS
Etsy likes things that are simple and easy to match with other objects around the house. You would barely see something with a busy design or pattern promoted on their first page. Of course, there are many sellers who successfully sell patterns and seamless tiles in all shapes and forms, and there is also a market for that. However, in general, simple and minimalistic designs are always the winners.
BE CAREFUL WITH THE MOCKUPS
Etsy did some changes to their policies recently. Many sellers saw their listings pulled down without any notice due to the mockup photos they used. Mockups are still allowed if you are using a print on demand service. However, Etsy now wants you to use the mockups provided on these sides, internally, meaning, if you are using a third party service for the mockups, you are at risk of losing your listing.
This being said… What to make and what to sell?
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE BATHROOM…
When you think of home decor, bathroom might not be the first thing that comes to your mind. Most people focus on living room or kitchen decor ideas. However, bathroom is an important area of the house, and once you have guests, it becomes a focus.
Etsy is looking for punchy, bold bathroom decor ideas for 2024. A bathroom that makes a statement. What can you create?
- Bathroom posters
- Bathroom wall stickers
- Unique bathroom tiles
- Bathroom light fixtures
- Bathroom mirrors or frames for mirrors
- Bathroom towels
- Shower curtains
Some of these are obviously going to be handmade, and if you are a crafty person, then you are lucky. If you trust your graphic design skills, you can focus on creating wall decals or posters, tile patterns, and sell them through a print on demand site like Gelato, Printify, Printful, etc.
Yes, I said print on demand is a saturated area, but if you choose your niche carefully, meaning if you niche down properly, you might get noticed much faster.
DENIM IS IN
This year might be the right time for you to repurpose your old blue jeans. Remember those you kept in the closet for the unforeseen future you will be more fit? Yes, those. You can repurpose them in various ways such as:
- Handbags or pouches
- Pillow cases
- Placemats
- Creative frames covered with denim
- Coasters
- Pins
- Part of a collage
- Or embellish them or bedazzle them and resell them
NAUTICAL THEMES
One of the trends this year is nautical decor. This is an ocean (pun intended) to dive into. There is lots of creative space here. Sea life, beach decor, these themes are not only for summer seasons, they are as elegant for winter as well. You can use the denim here with earthy tones, or different shades of blue mixed with soft light browns and cream tones. Here are some ideas:
- Wall art with sea life or beaches
- Pillow cases
- Table runners
- Candle holders
- Hand painted glass bottles
- Tiles
- Coasters
- Wristlets
- Purses or tote bags
- Bathroom posters
- Toothbrush or spoon containers
FOCUS ON SPECIAL DAYS AND SEASONS
This last one should be your focus whether it is trendy or not, because these are the occasions that bring people to Etsy more than anything. For instance:
- Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving
- Halloween
- Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day
- Birthdays, anniversaries
Some stores are entirely focused on seasonal products, some stores have sections dedicated to these, whatever fits you.
The most important thing is to niche down and specialize in that area. As I said before, the competition is fierce and in most cases you will be competing against wholesalers. That's why it's important to be unique and stand out.
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Good luck, and thank you so much for reading!