How socialmoneygirl got started
Introduce your Etsy shop and tell us your story. How did you begin and decide on what to sell on Etsy, and how do you create your products?
My Etsy shop, SocialMoneyGirl, specializes in digital products, primarily offering courses, videos, and stock images. I originally started selling physical candles in 2021, but I quickly realized I wanted a more passive income stream rather than spending hours making candles by hand.
I’ve always been a curious, goal-driven person who loves to learn new things, and that mindset has fueled my journey into digital entrepreneurship. Since childhood, I’ve had a passion for creating—whether it was art, photography, or business ideas—so transitioning into digital products felt natural. I love that I get to combine my creativity with strategy, helping businesses and entrepreneurs grow through my designs and educational resources.
To make the shift, I conducted in-depth market research using various SEO platforms—Alura being one of my favorites, as it provided valuable insights into trending searches. I create my digital products using Adobe InDesign and Canva, and I personally edit my photos and videos to ensure unique, high-quality content.
I discovered a strong demand for digital products, particularly in the B2B space, where small businesses and content creators need stock images, website assets, ad creatives, and more. What sets my Etsy shop apart from free stock image platforms? Every photo and video is professionally edited and optimized for Instagram, websites, and YouTube, making it easier for creators to streamline their content. In addition to stock assets, I also offer business and industry-specific courses for those looking to expand their knowledge.
My target audience includes small business owners, influencers, and marketing professionals between the ages of 24-45. My products are competitively priced to sell while reaching a global market on Etsy. Creating digital products isn’t just a business for me—it’s something I genuinely enjoy because it allows me to blend creativity, strategy, and education while supporting fellow entrepreneurs in their journeys.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
My favorite items in my shop are the NYC Reels and Europe Reels, which have been top performers. These reels are particularly popular among influencers, content creators, and small business owners who use them to enhance their social media presence and streamline their marketing efforts. The Europe Reels are especially popular among customers from Europe, and I’ve noticed a strong demand from those in the travel industry, as they often seek high-quality content to showcase destinations and experiences.


Getting sales on Etsy
How long did it take for you to earn your first sale and how do you currently attract customers to your Etsy shop?
I received my first sale rather quickly. I would say it took about 1 week. I asked my family to order a few items first and leave positive reviews which helped gain traction. I only use organic marketing right now such as Pinterest and Instagram to get sales. I currently do not pay for any marketing.
Managing socialmoneygirl
How do you manage your shop? Are you running solo or do you have any team members? What tools or services do you use to run your shop and how do you handle fulfillment?
It is mostly me. During the summer months I utilize an intern to assist me with marketing and helping to post on socials. My products are all digital right now so there is no shipping involved!
Tools we use
Alura: A research tool designed for Etsy sellers. It helps with keyword research, competitor analysis, and listing optimization by providing insights into trending products and SEO strategies to improve shop visibility.
QuickBooks: A leading accounting software for businesses, used for bookkeeping, invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, and financial reporting.
Canva: A user-friendly graphic design platform that allows you to create social media posts, presentations, videos, and other visual content.
Adobe Photoshop: A powerful image editing and graphic design software used for photo manipulation, digital painting, and content creation. It offers advanced tools for retouching, layering, and compositing, making it ideal for creating high-quality digital products, stock images, and social media content.
Adobe InDesign: A professional design tool primarily used for creating layouts, brochures, eBooks, and other print/digital publications. It offers precise typography control, grid-based designs, and high-quality export options.
Microsoft Office: From excel to word - Microsoft office is always utilized for keeping track of email lists, ideas, and more!
G-Suite: Email marketing and Google Drive to save files.
The future of socialmoneygirl
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
My goal is to scale my shop to 4-5x its current size. I understand that, like any business, success takes time and patience. Additionally, I plan to launch a website where customers can place orders directly, outside of Etsy.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
Don't put too much pressure on yourself or set rigid expectations. Mastering eCommerce, SEO, Etsy algorithms, and social media marketing takes time and dedication. Many people assume it’s easy and quit too soon, but in reality, significant growth can take years. Don’t let that discourage you! If you enjoy the process and start your business as a side hustle, the journey can be exciting, and time will fly by.
One day, you’ll look back at everything you’ve built and feel incredibly proud. Focus on enjoying the process—creating, learning, and growing—rather than just chasing the end result. If you don’t love the journey of building your business, it might be time to explore something else that truly excites you and keeps you motivated.
Some sellers really get inspired by hearing numbers. Feel free to share these if you like.
Question: How much is your monthly revenue?
Answer: It varies with the season
Question: What is your average profit margin?
Answer: 90%
Question: What is your shop’s conversion rate?
Answer: 5%-6%+