Etsy Printables: $10,000 a Month Selling Digital Products on Etsy (Greatest Hits) - The Side Hustle Show Recap

Podcast: The Side Hustle Show

Published: 2026-03-23T09:00:00.000Z

Duration: 3612

Guests: Rachel Jones

What Happened

Rachel Jones has achieved remarkable success by selling downloadable printables on Etsy, generating over $10,000 a month while maintaining a full-time job and raising two young children. Rachel began her Etsy journey in 2018, and by 2021, her side hustle had become a full-time endeavor.

Rachel's strategy involves identifying profitable niches on Etsy by examining bestseller tags and seasonal trends like Mother's Day or graduation season. She initially focused on budgeting products in the personal finance niche, later pivoting to wall art and business templates, including popular COVID forms. Her approach is to price printables at $5 or more, ensuring profitability.

Rachel employs tools such as e-rank for competition tracking and keyword research, which guide her product creation decisions. She uses Canva and Microsoft Word for designing printables and underscores the importance of design in certain niches. To differentiate from competitors, Rachel emphasizes superior customer service, offering extras or freebies, and employing effective marketing strategies.

The podcast discusses the significance of creating attractive listing images to form an emotional connection with potential buyers. Additionally, Etsy allows videos in listings, which Rachel uses to demonstrate how digital products function. She advocates honesty in product listings, as revealing more of the product can increase sales despite the risk of competitors copying her designs.

Rachel plans to transition to working solely on her Etsy shop, aiming for a revenue goal of $1,000 a day. Her shop currently features 114 products, with efforts to increase this number. Hiring a graphic designer has assisted her in product development, though listing and researching products remain time-consuming tasks.

The episode also highlights the importance of market research, using tools like e-rank to find low-competition opportunities. Rachel's experience demonstrates that even average designers can succeed on Etsy with proper keyword research and niche market identification. The discussion touches on the potential of AI in creating listing images and adding value to products.

Rachel's story serves as an inspiration to those seeking passive income through digital products. Her success underscores the value of going where demand exists and continually adapting to market trends. She shares insights on balancing personal interests with business opportunities for sustained success.

Key Insights