Is it worth starting an Etsy shop for low-priced digital items quickly?

Hi! For low-priced digital items, it can be realistic to earn a small amount in 1–2 months, but it’s usually not “set it up and Etsy will send traffic tomorrow.” Most new shops don’t hit consistent sales that fast unless you (a) already have an audience you can drive to your Etsy listing, (b) list a decent number of products quickly, or (c) sell something with clear demand and strong Etsy SEO. Also, with very low prices, Etsy fees can take a big bite out of each order, so your “small amount” goal may require more sales than you expect.

A couple important “don’t-get-shut-down” notes based on what you want to sell:

• Fanfiction downloads: selling fanfiction based on someone else’s characters/world is often an intellectual property risk. Even if lots of people do it, it can still be reported and removed, and repeated IP issues can put your shop at risk. If you don’t own the rights (or have permission), I wouldn’t build your plan around it.
• Tarot readings: these can be allowed on Etsy, but they must include a tangible deliverable (for example: a written reading, photos of the spread, or an audio/video file). And you should avoid advertising guaranteed metaphysical outcomes (like “I will bring you money/love/court win”)—that kind of promise is where sellers get into trouble.

If you’re trying to hit a short-term earnings goal, here’s what usually determines how fast you get traction:

1) Price point vs. fees (and why super-cheap can be rough)
Etsy charges a $0.20 listing fee per listing, and a transaction fee (a percentage of the order total), plus payment processing fees (these vary by country and can change). When your item is $2–$5, those fixed/percentage fees can mean you keep a surprisingly small amount per sale. So “I only need a little money” can still translate into “I need a lot of orders.”

2) How long it takes to get “consistent” sales
There isn’t one timeline, but a realistic pattern looks like:

• First sale: could be days, could be weeks, could be longer—fastest when you bring your own traffic (TikTok, IG, Reddit communities that allow promo, email list, etc.).
• Consistent sales: commonly takes a few months of listing, improving keywords, and building proof (photos, reviews, conversion rate). Some shops get lucky quickly, but it’s not something I’d count on in 30–60 days.

3) Digital works best when you have volume or a strong niche
If you only have 3–5 listings, it’s hard to get momentum. Digital sellers who do best usually have either:

• a lot of listings (so Etsy has more chances to match searches), or
• a tight niche + a very “searchable” product (templates, planners, specific spreads, etc.).

If your goal is “earn a small amount quickly,” the most practical approach is:

• Don’t rely on fanfiction as your core product (too risky). Put your energy into original work you fully own.
• For tarot, sell it as a digital deliverable (written PDF + spread photo, or audio recording), and keep your listing language grounded (entertainment/reflection, no guaranteed outcomes).
• Consider raising your average order value: bundles, tiers (mini reading vs. full reading), add-ons, or multi-pack digital downloads. A $2 item might require tons of sales; a $12–$25 item can hit the same goal with far fewer orders.

If you tell me your rough target (like “I want to net $100 by the end of March 2026”) and what price range you’re thinking (ex: $3 downloads, $10 readings), I can help you sanity-check how many sales you’d likely need after fees and what product mix is most realistic.