Crickets to Cha-Chings - Episode 188: Surprising Dog Products that are a Goldmine on Etsy
Release Date: October 7, 2024
Host: Julie Berninger, Gold City Ventures
Introduction to the Dog Product Opportunity
In Episode 188 of Crickets to Cha-Chings, hosted by Julie Berninger of Gold City Ventures, the spotlight is on the burgeoning market for dog-related products on Etsy. Julie emphasizes the untapped potential within the pet niche, particularly focusing on dog products that combine high demand with low competition. She opens the discussion with a compelling proposition:
"I really think we should all just quit our shops right now and only sell dog stuff on Etsy based on what I'm about to share with you."
[00:00]
High-Demand, Low-Competition Dog Products
Julie delves into specific dog products that are currently trending on Etsy, supported by data-driven insights.
Dog Stairs and Ramps
Julie highlights the significant search volume for dog furniture accessories:
"Dog stairs and ramps for dog beds... had high searches, like 500 searches per month each, but very, very low competition on Etsy."
[00:45]
She suggests that sellers in the furniture space explore creating dog-specific items, such as:
- Dog ramps
- Dog stairs
- Bed steps
Dog Food Scoops
Another lucrative product is the dog food scoop, which boasts:
"738 searches per month... [with] only 147 listings at this time use the keyword dog food scoop."
[02:30]
Julie encourages entrepreneurs to innovate by offering aesthetically pleasing and functional dog food scoops, potentially serving as thoughtful gifts:
"What about a cute scoop? Like, that's a great gift for somebody and it's just so smart."
[03:10]
Modern Dog Crates
Modern and stylish dog crates are also in demand:
"Mid-century dog crate... people want their dog crate to be cute and match the rest of their house."
[04:20]
Julie advises integrating dog crates into existing product lines, especially for those in the furniture sector.
Personalized Dog Bowls
In the dog bowl category, personalization is key:
"One with name and shamrocks on it that didn't have a lot of competition... that might be something for you to look into."
[05:15]
Personalized dog bowls cater to pet owners seeking unique and customized items for their furry friends.
Targeting Dog-Lovers' Identities
Understanding the diverse identities of dog enthusiasts can unlock new market segments.
Dog Mom, Dog Dad, and Beyond
Julie identifies various customer personas:
"Dog mom and dog dad. Obviously I know dog grandparents... service dogs, remembrance and memorial things for dogs that have passed on... childless dog lady."
[06:40]
Each persona represents unique needs and opportunities for specialized products.
Childless Dog Lady Niche
This emerging niche shows promising potential:
"Childless cat lady has become a thing recently, but the dog lady obviously is another spin-off of that."
[08:10]
Products targeting this group can include themed apparel, accessories, and home decor.
Halloween-Themed Dog Products
Halloween presents a seasonal surge in demand for dog costumes and accessories:
"Witch hats for small dogs... maybe 100 searches per month with very low competition on Etsy."
[09:55]
Popular seasonal items include:
- Crochet ghost walking dog patterns
- Halloween costumes
- Themed decorations
Wedding Pet Products
Integrating pets into wedding themes is another profitable avenue.
"Cocktail napkins with dogs, koozies with dogs in the favor space, cocktail menus with dogs, bar signs, favor stickers with dogs on it, dog attire for the wedding."
[11:30]
Julie shares her personal experience, underscoring the emotional significance pets hold during weddings:
"People love their dogs. So weddings and pets... If you're selling in the wedding space and you haven't added any pet things to your line, definitely keep that up."
[12:05]
Personalized and Customized Items
Personalization drives higher engagement and sales.
Dog Ornaments
Highly personalized dog ornaments are skyrocketing in popularity:
"Ornaments that are making an estimated $14,000 a month... where you could see the animal, the name, and then the person would put like a Santa hat or something on the dog."
[13:20]
Custom Pet Phone Cases
Another standout product is custom pet phone cases:
"Custom pet phone cases that they were selling for estimated $20,000 a month, which was totally wild to me."
[15:45]
These products resonate deeply with pet owners looking to showcase their pets in everyday items.
Vintage Personalized Dog Shirts
Vintage-style, personalized dog shirts have seen explosive growth:
"There was one... it was a 90s vintage personalized dog shirt... it had 23,000 sales."
[17:10]
Julie notes the success of the original listing and its numerous profitable copycats, indicating strong and sustained demand.
Lessons and Takeaways
Julie distills the episode's insights into actionable strategies for Etsy sellers:
-
Diversify Product Lines: Incorporate dog-related items into existing product ranges, especially if you are in compatible niches like furniture or apparel.
-
Leverage Personalization: Customized products, such as personalized bowls, ornaments, and apparel, tend to perform exceptionally well.
-
Target Specific Identities: Cater to various dog lover personas, including dog moms, dads, grandparents, and niche groups like the childless dog lady.
-
Capitalize on Seasonal Trends: Holiday-themed products, particularly around Halloween, can drive significant seasonal traffic and sales.
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Expand into Event-Based Markets: Integrate pet products into event-related niches, such as weddings, to tap into dedicated customer bases.
Conclusion
Julie concludes by reinforcing the immense opportunities within the dog product market on Etsy. She encourages sellers to explore and integrate dog-related items into their shops, emphasizing personalization and targeting specific customer identities as key drivers of success.
"Those of us that don't have any dog stuff in our Etsy shop... we're totally missing out... can I put any dog or cat things, related things in my Etsy shop and make them somewhat personalized? And what does that do for revenue and shop?"
[19:30]
Julie invites listeners to share their ideas and experiences, fostering a community of innovative Etsy entrepreneurs eager to capitalize on the pet product goldmine.
Stay tuned to Crickets to Cha-Chings for more insights and strategies to elevate your Etsy shop and grow your handmade or digital business!