Etsy for artists | Digital downloads for artists

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

What kind of digital download products would you love to create? 😃

[@sergio_tellez]

Hello Ness, thanks a lot for the video. I think I'm going to try my luck with printable bookmarks because I love books, I love to read, and I always wanted a cool bookmark myself. Cheers!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

@@sergio_tellez Ohhh that sounds like a great idea! I love to change my bookmarks often :) Printable bookmarks would be easy and efficient. Good luck!

[@chadandkara]

I literally want to walk in your footsteps! 😍I've watched every video of yours 3x and have been moving forward with your guidance! I am working hard towards picture books and re-doing my portfolio now. I then plan to have a 1:1 portfolio review with you! (I Cannot wait!) Meanwhile, I just had to get into this digital download game! I just made my first sticker set of a unicorn and some fun moons and stars yesterday and posted it to Etsy. I then went to Facebook to research some groups to introduce myself and my work and possibly see what kinds of content people are looking for. Though, I'm a little confused about the tactic of going into groups and how it's done. Can you clarify a little? Do I search for "Sticker groups" or "digital download groups"? Or is it more about searching the theme of your art- so for me in this instance, should I search FB for "unicorns and celestial friends" or something? Thank you so much Ness! I love your personality, your energy, your art, your work ethic, and your brain!! Keep being you and inspiring us all, please!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

@@chadandkara Oh Kara, you're going to make me cry and blush all at the same time! You're so nice!!

[@DaniLimaArt]

Planners

[@bwarwick1]

I do love drawing colouring pages. I think that would make a good downloadable product

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

That would be a great product!

[@chungusmychungus]

Thank you for the guide!!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Happy to help!

[@marianalohinova3831]

Great tips! Thank you so much for useful videos

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Glad it was helpful!

[@diaryofdaksha]

Wow this is awesome. I’d love a shop update video and what you learned from selling products!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

That's a great idea, Daksha!

[@DaniLimaArt]

Wow, I'm loving your videos. Could you give some tips on how to make a planner to sell? just a suggestion

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Thank you for stopping by, Dani! That's an idea, I could do that! I wasn't sure people would like to see those kinds of videos because it's not really illustration. But if you'd be interested, then I'll see about it!

[@letiziafarisato8780]

You are SO cool!! I love both your analytic mind and your creative artwork!! Thank you so much for posting these videos.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Awwww you're so so sweet, thank you!

[@claytonarnold4961]

Thanks again for all you tips and your 101 Etsy Product Ideas. Quick question; If I wanted to start with digital coloring pages, what is a good number of pieces to start with?

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

My pleasure Clayton! A store needs around 10 products at launch to look and feel "full". You can includes bundles too though! Like.. 8 individual coloring pages, plus a bundle of 3 of those together and a bundle with all 9 in it = 10 products and you're good to go!

[@humphrey_bear_MDC]

Stickers or clipart.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Those are great and fun ones to create!

[@Mariposa-rgb]

Great tips! I have considered doing digital downloads but I have been very unsure about it, this motivates me to give it a try! A question, since digital files are so easy to copy and duplicate (vs a physical product where the client gets only the 1 item they purchased), is there a way to prevent people reselling your items? Or is kind of an unavoidable issue, but the number of sales you have compensate for it? Thanks again for all your excellent videos!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Art theft does happen and it's very hard to stop, however it's not as common as people think. Everyone I talk to is worried about art theft, but from my experience (15+ years posting my hundred of my pieces on the internet) it's been stolen only once and was easy to fix by reporting it to Etsy and sending DMCA take down notices. All my content on Etsy is labelled as strictly personal use only and if anyone steals it, they are on the wrong side of the law so there are possibilities to get the upper end. At the end of the day, I don't want to let fear of art theft prevent me from using my own art how I please, you know? :) I've met artists who refuse to make a living from their art in order to prevent others from doing so. I'm definitely not someone that would do that!

[@Mariposa-rgb]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess thank you for such honest response! That is really motivating, as it has been a big worry for me that has kept me from even considering digital sales, so far only tried pod kind of products with my drawings but haven’t got much luck, so now, thanks to you I will be thinking about what digital products I can create ❤️

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

@@Mariposa-rgb I'm happy to hear my answer was motivating for you :D

[@mustafanihat]

When uploading digital files, should it be jpeg or pdf, which is better for buyers?

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

It depends on the product. My digital stickers are offered as PNGs and Goodnotes files. For printable products, PDF is often a good format. Each product is different!

[@ahmedabdelmohsen5168]

Thank you Ness for the very helpful tips and also for sharing your revenue from the shop, which is really motivating. I just have one question about the work around you made for the files limitations , is the Pdf link can be used more than once? i mean if the buyer has the link, does he/she can share it with others who didn't buy your product?!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I do mention in my shop policies and in the product instructions that my planners and stickers are strictly for personal use and it's forbidden to share them with friends, online, whether for money or not. I monitor in the digital planning community to make sure my products aren't being used or distributed when they shouldn't be. But of course, I can't be sure 100% that everyone follows my rules. It's like how some people share their Netflix password or stream Netflix shows for free outside the platform. It's not ideal, and Netflix do what they can to stop it, but they can't stop everything. Ultimately we have to decide if can take that risk or not. Netflix makes SO much money that they don't sweat it that much if a few bad apples pirate their shows. Of course I'm not making as much money as Netflix LOL, but I too have decided I can't let a couple badly intentioned people win, and I'm not willing to not make a living with my own dang art just to stop others from doing so :) It's a personal choice you'll have to make to if you share your art on the internet or open a shop, no matter the nature. Anyone can buy an original from you, then scan it and resell it. You can only trust that most people will prefer to not be shitty people and not break the law /shrug/

[@ahmedabdelmohsen5168]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess just the perfect answer as usual. Thank you Ness!!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

@@ahmedabdelmohsen5168 Awww that's kind!!

[@joshuadages6997]

Hi Ness! This is a great video, thank you! I am going to start adding digital products to my current Etsy store soon and these tips will help so much. A quick question: Do you think that having physical and digital products in the same store will hurt sales? Most of my customers come from searches and not my storefront, so I'm hoping that I can just add "Digital Products" as a Section (and include "digital" in the product name) and still get traffic to my listings. I'm interested to know your thoughts! Thanks again!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

It depends on your types of products :) The most important part is that it has to be coherent. All the products have to appeal the same target audience. If you have different products for completely different customers, that's where it starts to fall apart. A lot of shops have physical and printable versions of their products together (for instance, physical prints and printable at home prints). You just have to make sure it's really clear in the listing photo and description which one it is so your customers don't get confused between the 2 and purchase the wrong one :)

[@joshuadages6997]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess Thanks! Those are great points and something I need to think about. Much appreciated!

[@LynxArcane]

Me: Cool! Gonna try this Etsy since i currently use a rival platform

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Oh noo!! D: I'm so sorry!!