The Journey to Earning $1k per Month with Mini Digital Products

      Side Hustle Nation focuses on enhancing your personal profitability. To achieve this, we frequently collaborate with companies that have a similar goal. If you register or purchase through one of our partners’ links, we may receive a commission—at no additional cost to you. Learn more. Cody Berman is well-acquainted with selling digital products. Known in the side hustle community as the “printable guy” and co-founder of Gold City Ventures, Cody was undeterred by Internet skeptics who claimed that the Etsy market was “too saturated now” compared to when he entered in 2018; instead, he took it as a challenge and proved them mistaken. He achieved $1,000/month in just 116 days with a brand-new Etsy shop, starting from scratch—no followers, no email list, and no marketing, just his skills and data-informed choices. (If you'd like to expedite the learning process, check out his course: sidehustlenation.com/etsyprintableslaunch.)

      In Episode 665 of The Side Hustle Show, you'll discover:

      - How Cody created a new Etsy shop that reached $1K/month in merely 116 days.

      - His keyword research approach to identifying low-competition, high-demand niches.

      - The reason printables serve not only as passive income but also as effective marketing tools.

      Mint Mobile — Reduce your wireless bill to $15 a month!

      Indeed — Start hiring NOW with a $75 sponsored job credit to enhance your job post!

      OpenPhone — Get 20% off your first 6 months!

      Gusto — Enjoy 3 months free from the leading payroll, benefits, and HR provider for modern small businesses!

      Round 1: Printables

      Where Ideas for Digital Products Stem From

      Cody advised, “Examine what you already possess and use.” If you're involved in personal finance, perhaps you've created a debt repayment tracker, a net worth spreadsheet, or a side hustle income log. Convert that into a template and list it on Etsy. Cody has done this with his podcast's media kit, originally created in Canva. Becky employed AI, and Debbie utilized her home decor plans. A printable designed for a single use can transform into a recurring income source, with thousands of similar opportunities waiting to be discovered.

      Spreadsheets vs. Printables

      While spreadsheets may hold a higher perceived value, Cody favors simpler printables. They are quick to create, can easily be varied, and are perfect for experimenting with different ideas. But what if you’re starting from scratch without any tools, templates, or a clear idea of what to sell? Don’t overlook ChatGPT. Cody used it to generate 250 product ideas, which helped him gain traction despite the mixed results.

      Keyword Research for Digital Products

      Cody refrained from starting any projects until he processed those 250 ideas through keyword research tools. You don’t need to excel at graphic design; "You can be a 5/10 designer as long as you grasp keyword research and SEO," he acknowledged. His preferred platforms for Etsy were eRank and EverBee. He emphasized the importance of asking, “Are people actually searching for this product, and what is the level of competition?”

      eRank provides a highly useful color-coded overview:

      - Green: high search volume, low competition (unicorns!)

      - Yellow: moderate demand, still promising

      - Red: fewer searches, excessive competition

      Cody generally aims for a minimum of 50 searches/month with yellow demand and green competition.

      The Riches Are in the Niches

      Here's where the strategy becomes intriguing. Generic printables face intense competition; so how do you avoid being generic? Instead of marketing a standard "thank you card," consider creating:

      - Thank you cards for first grade teachers

      - Thank you cards for soccer coaches

      - Thank you cards for ballet instructors

      These specific micro-niches are not only easier to rank for, but they also see better conversion rates. If someone is shopping for a gift for their child's ballet teacher and your product is labeled “Ballet Teacher Thank You Card,” it's much more likely to attract buyers because it's relevant and doesn't compete with thousands of others.

      Why People Buy: Convenience Over Skill

      Even as platforms like Canva simplify design, people still opt to pay for ready-made templates. They value convenience and time savings, with many not knowing how to use Canva. While they could make their own printables, much like hiring someone to mow the lawn or assemble furniture from IKEA, most would prefer to pay for the service. That’s where your opportunity lies.

      For Cody, it was a numbers game. He uploaded 20 to 30 new products each week. His first sale occurred on day three—despite having just 5 or 6 products available. That sales momentum continued to build from there.

      Deliverables: What to Sell

      Your product is typically a PDF, but editable versions are often more appealing. Cody’s suggestion: include a link