The session covered a step-by-step guide to starting a passive income business selling Canva templates on Etsy, including planning, branding, shop setup, product research, design, listing, and promotion.
The speaker emphasized starting simple, treating it like a business, and staying consistent, with actionable tips for each phase from ideation to launch.
Key strategies involve researching proven products, optimizing listings for Etsy SEO, leveraging Pinterest for free traffic, and using available tools/resources.
Attendees were offered free templates to help get started and informed about an upcoming product vault with resources for Etsy sellers.
Action Items
Daily – New Sellers: Allocate at least 30 minutes per day to business setup and learning, splitting tasks by day (e.g., Monday: brand board; Tuesday: shop setup).
Upon Shop Creation – All Sellers: Prepare bank account info, ID, branding materials, and set up shop security (two-factor authentication).
After First Product Design – All Sellers: Test templates as a buyer for usability before listing.
After Listing Product – All Sellers: Promote listings on Pinterest or initiate Etsy ads for visibility.
Ongoing – All Sellers: Continue product research, add variations, and update shop branding as needed.
All Sellers: Download the 10 free resellable Canva templates from the description box and join the email list for updates on "the vault."
Business Planning and Preparation
Start with a simple business plan, outlining goals (side income vs. full-time), target market, niche, and branding vision.
Pick a memorable, niche-relevant business/shop name.
Define branding through colors, fonts, and a consistent visual style using a Canva brand board.
Schedule and break down tasks into manageable daily actions to avoid burnout.
Branding Materials
Create core assets: logo, shop cover/banner, order receipt banner using Canva.
Ensure visual and tonal consistency across shop for professionalism.
Use existing Canva templates as a starting point and customize as needed.
Etsy Shop Setup
Gather all required materials: bank info, ID, branding assets.
Open shop at etsy.com/sell; create a listing (can be a placeholder) to enable shop launch and bank verification.
Complete payment details, identity verification, and security setup; fees and process may vary by region.
Be prepared for possible temporary shop suspensions—appeal if necessary.
Product Research and Selection
Focus on solving buyer problems (organization, branding, event planning) with template solutions.
Investigate demand by searching Etsy for similar products; note bestsellers and reviews for inspiration.
Do not copy competitors; instead, improve or differentiate based on what works.
Use tools like Sales Samurai for keyword/product research, but avoid getting stuck in "analysis paralysis."
Designing Canva Templates
Seek design inspiration (Pinterest, Etsy, social media) to spark ideas while ensuring originality.
Create multiple product types and variations to increase listing volume and discover what sells.
Use free fonts/elements so customers with free Canva can edit easily.
Prioritize visual cohesion and simplicity in design; test usability before listing.
Product Listing Preparation
Create appealing product mockups using Canva’s mockup features; include slides highlighting features/benefits.
Record a short demo video to show usability, if possible.
Prepare a professional PDF delivery file with template link, instructions, and optional bonus content (FAQ, thank you note).
Listing Your Product on Etsy
Select the appropriate category and indicate digital product status.
Use SEO-optimized titles, descriptions, and 13 tags—front-load important keywords.
Set clear descriptions, pricing, and organize products into shop sections for easy browsing.
Feature best listings and set renewals to automatic before publishing.
Promoting and Marketing Your Shop
Utilize Etsy ads with a minimal daily budget to gain initial visibility.
Use Pinterest as a free long-term traffic source by creating keyword-optimized pins linking to listings.
Understand that early visibility is critical; combine value with promotion for sales growth.
Final Encouragement and Additional Resources
Start imperfectly but consistently; learning and improvement come with practice.
Treat the business seriously from day one and keep up with new trends and learning.
Download free templates offered; get on the email list for "the vault" with more resources.
Stay motivated and persistent, as consistent effort is key to success.
Decisions
Start business with a minimalist, actionable plan and iterate — To prevent overwhelm and enable steady progress, breaking the process into small, daily steps is recommended over perfectionism.
Offer free templates and upcoming resource vault — Rationale: To support beginners with ready-made assets and fast-track shop setup, increasing early success rates.
Open Questions / Follow-Ups
Will there be a specific launch date announced soon for "the vault" resource package?
Are there any country-specific hurdles in Etsy shop setup not yet covered (besides the Canadian fee example)?
Will there be additional training material on advanced marketing or scaling strategies beyond the initial launch?