{Don’t Stop Believing by JoyfulSongGraphics on Etsy}
If you, in a daring and wishful moment, share your dream of making your living online with another person, you’re likely to get some less-than-helpful negativity.
Dream on, they say. Not gonna happen. Too good to be true. Even you supportive BFF might come back with a “helpful alternative suggestion”.
Too good to be true? Don’t believe it. Making a living through your Etsy Shop, or your blog, or any combination of the gazillion ways of making money online is totally and completely possible.
We’ve done it. Our work is entirely online for about two years now.
All the people in Etsy’s “Quit Your Day Job ” series have done it.
I heard from a blog reader recently who, after only two years, is looking at huge sales online. How huge? Approaching $100,000.00 per year huge . That’s pretty darn good. Especially after only two years.
Can you do it in two years? Maybe, maybe not. Can you do it in five? I’d bet on you. Can you do it in ten years, if you keep trying and don’t quit? I know you can. It’s a sure thing .
Compare that to your current situation. If you’re working for someone else, what are the chances they’ll be paying you six figures any time soon? I’m guessing not good.
So while it is true that some things really are too good to be true, such as the slightly unbelievable sale price in the picture above, be careful not to be to quick to throw that label on your incredible future. It is possible. It’s not even that complicated.
Here are the steps:
- Start
- Try hard
- Learn from your mistakes
- Try hard some more
- Repeat steps 2-4 until you find a formula that makes money
- Be open, learn, pay attention, stretch, reach.
- Don’t Quit!
Over-simplified? Not so much. Those really are the steps. The trick is doing them!
Go get em!
~ Kim
What a great article! I have dreamed about selling my artwork online for some time and just started doing it full time this week. For my family, we know it’s going to be a little rough until I get my business rolling, but I have nothing but support from my significant other and parents. I still get looks from some that think I am nuts. Thank you for this word of encouragement.
First of all, Holly, I love your shop! Keep going. I am trying very hard to get my shop going, but life keeps getting in the way. I know some day that I will be successful and this will be my dream.
Thank you Lisa! Just stopped by yours and such cute bags! I know what you mean by life getting in the way. Keep up the good work!
I never respond to articles – but this has triggered something in me and I’ve actually printed out your 7 steps to keep by my desk!!
I needed to read this to get inspired to keep going. I’ve been procrastinating about chasing wholesale opportunities…I guess today is time to start with those steps
thanks Kim
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I was reading through your blog and got the one-two-punch from you and Etsy at the same time. Their email gave great tips on how to photograph and make new shop listings using your smartphone, and then reading this email. I’ve been struggling with my shop for a while – I’m in this limbo period of “do I even bother continuing?” but you helped me through, once again. Thanks, everythingetsy! You guys know just what to say to cheer a girl up 🙂
Thank you for this great little article. It would seem that it has come just at the right time for me, so thank you for the reassurance and the inspiration to just keep going!
I love that you put encouraging posts in your framework of your blog. I believe everyone has the potential to succeed. The trick is never to give up on what your dream is! Thanks so much
It really can be done, the keep trying part is the most important! I tell people all the time, the hardest part is getting up the nerve to try.
So True!!! I have helped several friends join Etsy and they all see that I am selling and for some reason everyone thinks that it must be soooo easy!
I tell everyone that it takes a lot of hard work and you have to keep at it! That is the secret, hard work and determination. Great article! I too, believe that anyone can run an Etsy shop. It’s too bad that so many people give up after only listing 3 or 4 items; never fully giving it a chance.
I just made this dream come true this past month…I still can’t believe I left my job but this is all going so, so well……between my orders on Etsy and shows I am doing every weekend it just seemed like something had to go and so now I am DOING IT!! I love your steps and I am going to print them out and place them on the wall above my painting desk. <3