My Etsy shop runs completely on autopilot — but it didn’t get that way overnight. It took planning, hard work, and patience. I can teach you exactly what I did, so you can start your own digital downloads Etsy shop, too.
Maybe you’re curious about trying Etsy, but not sure how to stand out in such a big marketplace.
Maybe you’re still new to online business, but you’re ready to make your digital footprint right off the bat.
Maybe you’ve got a service-based business, and you feel restricted by the demand on your limited time and resources.
Maybe you sell physical products, but are looking for more cushion in your finances and schedule.
Or, maybe you’re wanting more free time to spend with the ones you love most, without sacrificing your income.
How do I stand out on massive search results pages, and on such a huge platform?
How do I know my digital product idea will do okay on Etsy?
How do I make sure my customers actually want what I create, and how do I get them to buy it?
What if I want to sell custom digital products, how do I do that on Etsy and what are the logistics?
What do I do if no one is buying my digital product on Etsy?
How often do I add new products, and how many should I have in my shop? (spoiler = it doesn't matter!)
How do I grow my audience and brand my shop?
I've already seen 100 other digital products like mine on Etsy, so what's the point?
Actually my first few shops weren't doing so hot. After years of my own Etsy failures (which all started around 2007), I found myself searching Etsy for a meal planner that would help me save time and money. Instead of finding a meal planner that I truly loved, I discovered something even better. I was introduced to a whole new way to do business online: digital products! From printables to design templates, there was a whole new stream of revenue in front of me, in a space I was already familiar with: Etsy.
As I scoured the search results pages, I saw huge holes in the market for digital products and printables that carried my design aesthetic. There was no shortage of printables — but there was an enormous gap between function and beautiful design. Armed with my design skills, unique aesthetic, and the planning systems I grew up with (Thanks, Mom!), I called in sick at my 9-5, did some hefty research on what was already out there on Etsy, and spent the whole day creating my first printable kit.
Three years later, after a fresh divorce and with a baby on the way, I fiercely focused on growing my Etsy income with digital products, in order to stay home with my daughter once she was born. I carefully planned, created and strategically listed almost 40 listings in my Etsy shop and, within the next year, my Etsy income replaced my full-time 9-5 salary (granted, I do live in a very cheap town in the Midwest!).
Sales totals from my Etsy shop in 2014; I started selling printable planners in 2013.
Sales totals from my Etsy shop in 2015; I started focusing on other aspects of my business during this year, and didn’t add nearly as many new products as the previous year, thus a dip in sales.
An extra lesson on shop branding + design, plus interviews with 3 other successful digital product Etsy shops
Introduction to digital products and passive income, introduction to Etsy, and setting up the backend of your Etsy shop.
Analyzing the competition on Etsy, inspiration vs. plagiarism, gauging interest in your product idea, swipe copy of survey questions to ask your audience, and validating your product idea
Logistics of offering semi-custom vs. universal digital products, organizing your content, designing for digital products, and basic file prep standards.
Digital product standards, best practices for selling on Etsy, swipe copy of disclaimers for digital product listings, pricing your product, elements of great product mockups and thumbnail images, publishing your first Etsy listings, and choosing tags + keywords
Inside Etsy's search algorithm, advanced SEO on Etsy, promoting within your own shop, seasonal marketing on Etsy, sales, coupons, and return customers, promoted listings + ads, plus an Etsy ads experiment planner, content marketing for your Etsy shop via blogging, email + social, and a case study on how to launch new products.
Customer service etiquette on Etsy, confronting copycats on Etsy + email swipe copy, 3 ways to automate your Etsy shop, snippet / canned response swipe copy for Etsy convos, shop upkeep checklists, keeping your shop relevant, and building your brand outside of Etsy
You recently started selling digital products on Etsy, but are struggling to create a sound strategy that helps you make sales, and you'd still consider yourself a beginner.
You're already selling physical or service-based offerings on Etsy and looking to break into digital products and/or passive income.
You're totally new to Etsy with a desire to maximize its optimized platform for selling digital products on autopilot.
You're new to online business and wanting to start a passive stream of income with minimal overhead and oversight.
You're desiring less demand on your time to make money.
You're not sure if your product is viable in your niche.
You're not sure where to even start with digital products.
I’m already on Etsy and struggling with my sales. Will this guide be beneficial for me?
Yes and no. While some content may be things you already know (like getting set up on Etsy, navigating the site, and setting up listings), Etsy on Autopilot talks a lot about choosing the right product (one that your customers actually want), and promoting it across multiple avenues – which could be the reasons you're struggling with sales. We’ll make sure your product is desirable in your niche and prepared to sell, and you’ll finish the guide with a plan in place for marketing strategies + future products that keep your shop sustainable for the long-haul. From start to finish, my goal is to help you come up with a profitable idea, turn it into a product, and develop a long-term plan to stand out on Etsy.
I’m a service-based business and I’m struggling to see how digital products can work for me. Can Etsy on Autopilot help me?
Yes! I’ll walk you through brainstorming and validating your digital product idea before you ever start creating it. Not only will you learn how to create an additional stream of revenue, but successful digital products can help you assert yourself as a leader in your field.
I'm looking to start selling on Etsy with physical products. Can Etsy on Autopilot help me?
Yes and no. While I walk you through the basics of setting up your Etsy shop and getting familiar with the back-end functions of your shop, Etsy on Autopilot is designed specifically to help you create and sell digital products on Etsy’s platform, not so much physical products.
Do I already need to have a business, an Etsy shop, or other offerings before I go through the Etsy on Autopilot guide?
No! I’ll walk you through everything from digital product basics to publishing your very first listing on Etsy. You’ll need a minimal understanding of how online business works but, other than that, no products, services, existing Etsy shop or experience are necessary.
What if I hate it?
I'm pretty sure that won’t happen. But, just in case, if you decide within 7 days of purchasing this guide that it’s not useful for your business, shoot me an email and I'll refund every penny. I want Etsy on Autopilot to teach you a specific set of skills and systems, not collect dust on your computer. I will, however, ask you lots of questions, so I can make sure this guide is the best it can be.
Is this a course or an ebook or what?
This is a PDF ebook file only. There are 133 pages total , formatted to US letter size. It includes written tutorials + strategies, screenshots, swipe copy, and homework for each lesson. Etsy on Autopilot used to be a full video-based online course, but has now been condensed down into an ebook format for a more budget-friendly + accessible experience. Your PDF will be emailed directly to you upon purchasing.
Can I ask you something else?
Yes! Ask away — send it to kelsey@paperandoats.com, and I’ll respond as soon as I can. If you're curious about my Etsy shop, click here to pay it a visit.
