How To Make Money Selling Photography On Etsy.
If you’re a professional photographer looking for other ways to use your photography skills to make additional income, you might want to consider how to make money selling photography on Etsy. Whilst there are many blogs written on how to make money selling photographs on Etsy, I doubt that all of the bloggers have actually done it. I have, and continue to do so, so I know the information that’s in this blog is correct & accurate at the point of writing in summer 2024.
BONUS PDF DOWNLOAD – GET YOUR FREE CHECKLIST ON PREPARING TO SELL PHOTOGRAPHY ON ETSY HERE!
Introduction.
Etsy is a renowned online marketplace that connects creative entrepreneurs like you with millions of buyers worldwide. With its emphasis on handmade, vintage, and unique goods, it’s a great place that offers a fantastic platform for photographers looking to sell their work. This blog is more of an introduction to how to make money selling photography on Etsy, either prints, digital images, photographic art for example, some insight into the platform, what sells well and a look at the costs you’ll incur setting up and running a successful online store. For this blog, I will assume you have an Etsy account already, you may have a shop name but are yet to set your shop up for success.
It will also introduce you to Print On Demand (POD) services and effective marketing strategies. Let’s jump straight in.
Is It Worth Selling Photos on Etsy?
Selling photos on Etsy can be highly rewarding if done right. With over 96 million active buyers as of June 2024, let’s take a moment and read that again, 96 million active buyers, wow, that’s a lot of potential eyes on your digital photos! The platform provides substantial exposure for your amazing photography.
Etsy caters to a niche market of customers who value unique, artistic, and handcrafted items, making it an ideal place for photographers like you to showcase their talent. Many photographers have their Etsy shop set up as their full-time job.
Etsy’s unique audience appreciates the personal touch and story behind each piece. As a photographer, you can leverage this by sharing the inspiration and process behind your work in your shop’s description and individual listings. This is a great way you can drive sales and create loyal customers who appreciate your artistic vision.
Let’s Look At What Kind of Photography Sells Best on Etsy.
As you’d expect, certain types of photos tend to perform better on Etsy due to the platform’s unique audience. Below are a few of the high-demand categories over the last few years and they include:
- Nature photography and landscape photography: Photos of serene landscapes, forests, mountains, and oceans are always very popular.
- Pet photography: Adorable and heartwarming pictures of pets, especially dogs and cats, have a broad appeal.
- Vintage and retro-style photos: Nostalgic images that evoke a sense of history and charm can captivate buyers.
- B&W photography: This is my favourite style of photography and one that I’ve had huge success with over the years. Classic and timeless, B&W images often attract those looking for a sophisticated aesthetic.
- Artistic and abstract images: Creative and imaginative photos that showcase unique perspectives or artistic styles.
- Custom portraits and illustrations: Personalised items like family portraits or custom illustrations can be highly sought after.
These suggestions are a good place to start but it’s good to explore more niche categories to help set yourself apart from other photography shops.
Understanding the preferences of Etsy buyers can help you tailor your portfolio to meet demand and increase sales. Consider conducting market research by browsing Etsy to see what types of photography are trending and what successful sellers are offering, all in your quest to learn how to make money selling photography on Etsy.
Over the last 5 years, there have been photographers who set up their photography business shop on Etsy to re-touch old photos or convert photos to a cartoon-type image or watercolour. The possibilities of using your skills in creative ways to make extra money on the platform depend on how much time you want to invest, the amount of passive income v’s more of a higher maintenance shop, but having your own Etsy shop is well worth considering.
Is It Profitable to Sell Prints on Etsy?
Selling digital prints or physical prints on Etsy can be profitable, especially if you manage your costs effectively and price your products appropriately. While Etsy’s fees may seem high, the platform offers access to a vast, engaged and ready-to-buy customer base, which can translate into significant sales volume, boosting your extra income for your photography business.
Profitability hinges on several factors, including: Quality of Work: High-quality, well-presented photos are more likely to sell at higher prices. Limited editions & small quantities of particular images can also command a higher price, but they also bring with the a FOMO, (Fear of Missing Out).
Pricing Strategy: Competitive pricing that reflects the value of your work and covers costs while providing a reasonable profit margin.
Marketing Efforts: Effective promotion of your shop and listings to drive traffic and sales.
Cost management: Keeping production and shipping costs in check to maximise profit margins. Etsy did some in-depth market research and found that sellers are drawn to ‘free shipping’, however, we know that free shipping isn’t actually free unless you’re selling digital files & digital downloads, so in this instance, you would factor in the cost of shipping into your sale price.
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Costs of Setting Up and Running an Etsy Shop
Before diving into selling, it’s essential to understand the costs associated with running an Etsy shop. These costs are correct at the time of writing, June 2024, but I strongly advise you to do your due diligence and research the cost at the time of looking at opening a shop and in your local currency.
| Fee Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Listing Fee | $0.20 USD per listing |
| One-Time Set-up Fee | $15 (or equivalent) Not always applicable |
| Transaction Fee | 6.5% of listing price + shipping |
| Subscription Fee (optional) | Etsy Plus at $10/month |
| Offsite Ads | 12%-15% of sale price |
As I’ve previously mentioned already, whilst these fees may seem on the high side compared to setting up a shop on Shopify or your website, Etsy has over 96 million active buyers, all coming to the platform with the intent of buying; if you set up a standalone website or Shopify store, you need to factor into the equation a good marketing budget and strategy on how you can drive traffic to your online shop.
Listing Fees
Each time you list a product on Etsy, there’s a $0.20 USD fee. This fee is charged per item listed and is valid for 4 months or until the item sells. If the item doesn’t sell within that period, you’ll need to renew the listing, incurring another $0.20 fee.
One-Time Set-Up Fee
In addition to the listing fee, you might be required to pay a one-time set-up fee of $15 or the converted equivalent in your currency. I’m based in the UK & I’ve had several shops over the last 20 years and never had a set-up free, so it’s worth checking out if this would be applicable to you.
Transaction Fees
Etsy charges a transaction fee of 6.5% on the sale price of each listing, plus any amount you charge for shipping and gift wrapping. This fee is deducted automatically when a sale is made.
Subscription Fees
Etsy offers an optional subscription called Etsy Plus, which costs $10 per month. This subscription provides additional tools and features to help grow your business, such as advanced shop customisation options, discounted custom web addresses and bonus listing and advertising credits.
Offsite Ads
Etsy’s offsite ads program helps drive traffic to your listings from external websites like Google, Facebook and Instagram. If a sale is make through an offsite ad, you will be charge a fee of 12% or 15% of the total sale price, depending on your annual sales volume. Sellers making less than $10,000 per year on Etsy are charged 15%, while those making more are charged 12%.
Auto-Renew Features
Etsy offers auto-renew options for listings, ensuring your products remain visible without manual intervention. This feature can be particularly useful for busy sellers who want to maintain a consistent presence on the platform. Auto-renew ensures that your popular items don’t go offline, potentially missing out on sales.
Print On Demand (POD) Services
Print On Demand (POD) services allow you to expand your product range without significant upfront investment. POD companies handle the printing, packaging, and shipping of your products, enabling you to focus on creating and marketing your photography.
How POD Works:
- Upload Designs: Upload your photographic designs to the POD platform of your choice, (more about that shortly).
- Choose Products: Select the products you want to offer, such as prints, canvases, or merchandise.
- Set Prices: Determine your pricing, factoring in the POD company’s base cost and your desired profit margin.
- Fulfilment: When an order is placed, the POD company handles production and shipping.
Popular POD Companies:
There are many POD companies, and many of them ship globally, many have their own specialities or USP, so below is just a few of the top ones, but please explore these in detail before committing to one.
- Printful: Offers a wide range of products and easy integration with Etsy. Known for high-quality prints and fast shipping.
- Printify: Known for competitive pricing and a large network of print providers, allowing for flexibility in product offerings and fulfilment locations.
- Gooten: Provides diverse product options and reliable fulfilment services. Known for excellent customer service and quality control.
- Apliiq: Specialises in custom apparel with on-demand printing. Offers unique customisation options like patches and embroidery.
- Gelato: Focuses on international shipping and high-quality prints. Great for reaching a global audience.
- SPOD: Known for fast production times and a variety of products. Ideal for sellers who need quick turnaround times.
- Teelaunch: Offers unique products like custom home goods and accessories. Known for innovative product offerings.
- CustomCat: Provides a large selection of apparel and merchandise. Known for high-volume printing capabilities.
- TPop: Eco-friendly POD service based in Europe. Focuses on sustainable and ethical production.
- JetPrint: Specialises in watches and unique accessories. Ideal for niche markets.
- AOP+: Offers a range of products and easy Etsy integration. Known for its user-friendly interface and quality products.
Using POD services, you can offer a wide variety of products, such as framed prints, canvases, greeting cards, and even merchandise like t-shirts and mugs, without having to manage inventory. This flexibility allows you to test different product types and find what resonates best with your audience.
I always advise anyone who is looking into using POD services to design and buy some samples of what you intend to offer for sale in you Etsy shop. This is for 2 reasons.
1. Check the quality, order, and shipping times for yourself and test the customer service if needed. This is invaluable for your business and can help to identify the right POD fit for your Etsy shop.
2. Having the actual products shipped to you will enable you to use them to create great images for your Etsy shop, something many POD users never do. This will help potential customers get a better feel for your product. It can also be invaluable as it can set your shop apart from others, you can use them to create unique images and use those high quality images on your social media platforms.
Advertising and Marketing Your Etsy Shop.
Effective marketing is crucial to driving traffic and increasing sales on Etsy. Here are some best practices for you to consider:
1. Social Media Marketing:
- Instagram: Share high-quality images of your work, behind-the-scenes content, and customer testimonials. Use relevant hashtags to reach a broader audience and engage with followers by responding to comments and messages.
- Facebook: Create a Facebook page for your shop and join photography and Etsy-related groups. Post regular updates, and promotions, and engage with the community.
- Pinterest: Create visually appealing pins linking to your Etsy listings. Pinterest is a powerful tool for driving traffic to your shop.
- Twitter: Share updates and interact with followers. Use relevant hashtags to increase visibility.
2. Email Marketing:
- Build an Email List: Encourage visitors to your Etsy shop and social media profiles to sign up for your newsletter. Offer incentives like discounts or exclusive content to attract subscribers. Etsy prohibits you from taking your Etsy shop customers and adding them to your email marketing list. Whilst you can mention your website within your shop, it’s only in your shop’s About section. A way around this is to have a QR code on your Etsy Shop’s banner linked to a landing page where users can input their email address in exchange for a gift.
- Send Regular Newsletters: Keep your audience informed about new products, sales, and special promotions. Personalise your emails to make them more engaging.
- Exclusive Discounts: Offer exclusive discounts and promotions to your email subscribers to encourage purchases and build loyalty.
3. Etsy’s Built-In Tools.
- Etsy Ads: Utilise Etsy Ads to promote your listings within the platform. Set a daily budget and choose which listings to promote to increase visibility. I have over the years used offsite ads and had some good results, I would urge you to monitor your 30-day sales, clicks, views & spend to ensure it’s a financially viable option for you.
- Sales Events: Participate in Etsy sales events and promotions to increase visibility and attract bargain hunters.
- Coupons and Discounts: Offer coupons and discounts to encourage purchases and reward repeat customers.
4. Collaborations and Influencers:
- Collaborate with Other Sellers: Partner with other Etsy sellers or complementary businesses to cross-promote each other’s products.
- Influencer Marketing: Work with social media influencers who align with your brand to promote your products. Influencers can help reach a broader audience and build credibility.
Keyword Research for Listings in How To Make Money Selling Photography On Etsy
Etsy is a keyword-heavy platform, so it’s essential to conduct thorough keyword research when creating your listings. use tools like Etsy’s search bar, Google Keyword Planner, and third-party SEO tools to identify relevant keywords that buyers are searching for. Proper keyword usage can significantly improve your listings’ visibility and drive more traffic to your shop.
Steps for Effective Keyword Research:
- Brainstorm Relevant Keywords: Think about the terms potential buyers might use to search for your products.
- Use Etsy’s Search Bar: Start typing keywords into Etsy’s search bar to see suggested searches and popular terms.
- Analyse Competitors: Look at successful listings in your category and note the keywords they use in their titles and tags.
- Utilise SEO Tools: Tools like Marmalead and eRank can help identify high-performing keywords and provide insights into search trends. I use eRank, they have a free or tiered paid subscription. I pay for a subscription and find it a huge help in identifying possible trends and markets both 12 months prior & in the future.
- Test and Optimise: Regularly update your listings with new keywords and track their performance to see what works best. If you have a listing that is selling well, never, never tweak that listing, always make a copy of the listing and make your edits to the copy.
- Google Trends: It’s always good to keep an eye on Google Trends and see if there are any high demand trends that you could capitalise on.
For a more detailed guide on conducting in-depth keyword research for Etsy, check out my comprehensive blog post on the topic. I have a blog post which goes into much more detail on how to set up and run a successful Etsy shop.
This blog is intended to give you an idea of the possibilities of how to make money selling photography on Etsy & what your photographic skills can help you achieve, on the platform.
Successful shops selling photography on Etsy can be a profitable venture if you understand the costs involved, leverage POD services to expand your product range, and implement effective marketing strategies. By focusing on popular photography styles, conducting thorough keyword research, and utilising social media and email marketing, you can increase your changes of success and make the most out of Etsy’s extensive buyer base.
Remember, success on Etsy requires patience, persistence, consistency and continuous learning.
Thanks for reading. Please reach out if you need help to grow your photography business to success.
Nicky x
BONUS PDF DOWNLOAD – GET YOUR FREE CHECKLIST ON PREPARING TO SELL PHOTOGRAPHY ON ETSY HERE!
