730: $1,000 a Month with Passive Digital Products
The Side Hustle Show Podcast Recap
Published:
Guests: Chelsea Shelton
What Happened
Chelsea Shelton, a former teacher and mom of three, has successfully transitioned into a digital products coach with Gold City Ventures. She made her first sale with a spring cleaning checklist on Etsy just five days after listing it. This initial success set the stage for her to explore and create over 700 digital products, focusing on what works based on data and trends.
The episode emphasizes the importance of niche markets in the digital products space, encapsulated by the phrase 'the riches are in the niches.' Chelsea discusses how high search, low competition keywords, termed as 'unicorns,' are ideal for product creation. Tools like Erank, EverBee, and Insight Factory are recommended for keyword research and trend analysis, with an ideal search volume for product creation being between 4,000 and 6,000.
Chelsea has found success in bundling products to increase perceived value and sales on Etsy. Etsy's platform is described as a visual search engine, where the main listing image plays a crucial role in attracting buyers. Sellers are advised to use Etsy's search autocomplete feature to identify trending products and can utilize up to 20 images and a video to showcase their products, though not all slots need to be filled.
Teachers Pay Teachers serves as another platform for selling digital products, especially educational resources. While Etsy accounts for approximately three-fourths of Chelsea's revenue, Teachers Pay Teachers contributes one-fourth, with pricing often higher due to the convenience for teachers. Sellers do not need educator credentials to list products on Teachers Pay Teachers, and the platform's search bar offers real-time data to eliminate the need for external keyword research.
Chelsea's business model allows her to focus on learning about Print on Demand and helping students in the Gold City Ventures community. Despite not having a design background, she learned to create digital products using tools like Canva and advises new sellers to start immediately without comparing their journey to others. Her passive income model offers her the flexibility to expand her business as her youngest child starts kindergarten, providing more time for her ventures.
Key Insights
- Chelsea Shelton's journey into digital products began with a spring cleaning checklist on Etsy, leading to the creation of over 700 products. Her focus on data-driven trends has been key to her success.
- Niche markets are vital for digital product success, with 'unicorn' keywords offering high search volumes and low competition. Tools like Erank, EverBee, and Insight Factory assist in identifying these opportunities.
- Bundling products on platforms like Etsy can enhance perceived value and boost sales. Etsy acts as a visual search engine where effective use of images is crucial in attracting potential buyers.
- Teachers Pay Teachers complements Etsy in Chelsea's business, providing a platform for educational resources without requiring educator credentials. Real-time search data on Teachers Pay Teachers aids in product optimization.