The Side Hustle Show: Episode 665 Summary
The Path to $1k/mo with Mini Digital Products
Released on April 3, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 665 of The Side Hustle Show, host Nick Loper welcomes Cody Berman, a seasoned side hustler, real estate investor, and digital product entrepreneur from Gold City Ventures and the FI Show. The episode delves into Cody's journey of establishing a successful Etsy store from scratch, aiming to help listeners replicate his $1,000 monthly revenue achievement.

Starting a New Etsy Shop in a Crowded Market

Addressing Skepticism and Embracing Challenges

Cody Berman addresses common skepticism about replicating past successes in today's saturated Etsy marketplace. Responding to criticisms that success achieved in 2018 cannot be duplicated due to increased competition, Cody took on the challenge by launching a new Etsy store without leveraging his existing audience.

[00:39] Cody Berman: "I started a brand new shop, didn't tell anybody about it, didn't post it on social, didn't market it to my email list... and was able to get that shop up to $1,000 per month in revenue in 116 days."

Strategy for Product Creation and Keyword Research

Leveraging Existing Resources vs. Creating from Scratch

Cody emphasizes the importance of utilizing existing resources for product creation, especially for entrepreneurs already engaged in side hustles. By white labeling and templating tools and resources they already use, entrepreneurs can efficiently create sellable products on platforms like Etsy.

[02:19] Cody Berman: "If you're already a side hustler, look at what you already have and what you're already using... you can very easily just white label it, templatize it, and flip that."

Utilizing Keyword Tools like Erank and Everbee

To identify profitable niches, Cody utilizes keyword research tools such as Erank and Everbee. By inputting a vast list of product ideas, he assesses both search demand and competition, aiming to find balanced opportunities where demand exists but competition is manageable.

[05:39] Cody Berman: "I would just brainstorm a giant list of potential ideas... once I have that monster list, that's when I start to plug them into like a keyword research tool."

Product Types: Static Printables vs. Customizable Spreadsheets

Cody discusses the merits of selling static printables versus editable spreadsheets. While customizable products can command higher prices due to their perceived value, they require more time to create variations. Consequently, Cody favors simpler printables that allow for rapid scaling and multiple product variations.

[07:26] Cody Berman: "You could definitely charge more with editable printables... but for me, I lean on the side of simpler printables just because I can pump out so many different variations."

Scaling the Etsy Shop: Listings, Volume, and Ads

Optimizing Listings for Clarity and Conversion

Cody highlights the importance of clear and attractive listing images, akin to YouTube thumbnails, to serve as gatekeepers for sales. A well-crafted main image can significantly influence a buyer's decision to click and purchase.

[21:24] Cody Berman: "Clarity is key. You want your title to be exactly what the person is going to get... your main listing image to be very clear on what that person is going."

Implementing a Volume Strategy

Cody adopted a high-volume listing approach, adding 20 to 30 products weekly. This "shotgun" strategy was instrumental in generating consistent sales, with his first sale occurring on day three after listing only five or six products.

[12:44] Cody Berman: "I was putting up about 20 to 30 products per week. I actually got my first sale on day three."

Leveraging Etsy Ads for Revenue Boosts

After reaching his initial revenue goal, Cody experimented with Etsy ads, particularly during high-traffic periods like the holiday season. His strategic ad spend resulted in a significant return on investment, demonstrating the effectiveness of well-executed advertising campaigns.

[27:15] Cody Berman: "With this new shop, I spent just over $900 in 10 days on ads, and that ended up bringing in an extra $2,200 in revenue."

Conversion Metrics and Benchmarks

Cody targets a conversion rate between 3% and 5%, using Etsy's provided metrics to monitor performance. Achieving this benchmark ensures that even products with modest search volumes can contribute meaningfully to overall revenue when scaled across numerous listings.

[28:16] Cody Berman: "I like to be anywhere between 3 and 5% conversion rate on visitors... to hit my goal of $1,000 per month, I needed to get somewhere between like 175 and 200 visits a day."

Managing Listings: Clarity and Effective Presentation

Effective Presentation of Products

Cody advises against abstract or overly cluttered listing images. Instead, product mockups should clearly depict the printable in context, enhancing buyer understanding and reducing purchase hesitation.

[25:30] Cody Berman: "So it's not just the piece of paper... it's a whole mockup... you're still showing exactly what the printable is or what the digital product is."

Consistent Listing Templates

By using consistent Canva templates for listing images and duplicating successful listings for new products (e.g., converting a Father's Day card to a Mother's Day card), Cody optimizes his workflow, saving time while maintaining brand consistency.

[21:24] Cody Berman: "I can duplicate the listing and then I just go back into Canva... it would take me like 15 to 20 minutes total."

Business Idea Donation: The Hub

Cody introduces his business idea donation, "The Hub," an all-in-one business service tailored for entrepreneurs. This platform would offer vetted legal, accounting, development, marketing, and HR services, eliminating the hassle of sourcing and vetting individual professionals.

[37:03] Cody Berman: "It's called the Hub, and it is an all-in-one business service for entrepreneurs... different tiers, maybe a new entrepreneur is paying $100 a month, the more developed businesses are paying $10,000 plus a month."

Triple Threat Segment

1. Marketing Tactic: Digital Downloads as Lead Magnets

Cody underscores the effectiveness of using digital downloads and printables as lead magnets or low-ticket offers. These products serve as entry points, building trust and rapport with customers, which can be leveraged for upselling higher-value offerings in the future.

[41:19] Cody Berman: "Digital downloads as lead magnets or low ticket offers... it's a great way to get people exposure to what you've got to offer."

2. New Tool: Custom GPTs

Cody shares his enthusiasm for Custom GPTs—a feature in ChatGPT Pro that allows users to create tailored AI models for specific tasks. He uses them for generating blog posts, researching Etsy product ideas, and preparing podcast guest questions, enhancing efficiency and productivity.

[44:10] Cody Berman: "I have custom GPTs for a couple different use cases... one for generating and researching Etsy product ideas... another for researching a guest for my podcast."

3. Favorite Book: Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Cody recommends Thinking Fast and Slow, highlighting its profound impact on his understanding of human psychology and decision-making processes—crucial insights for marketers and entrepreneurs aiming to influence consumer behavior.

[46:52] Cody Berman: "It's all about human psychology and why people tend to make certain decisions... there's a lot of really good stuff in there."

Conclusion: Future Plans and Closing Thoughts

Cody reveals his focus on scaling Gold City Ventures and enhancing community engagement. He hints at upcoming projects aimed at improving content quality and accessibility, reflecting his commitment to continual growth and value delivery.

[47:58] Cody Berman: "Most of the new stuff for me is Gold City Ventures... continuing the podcast, the Financial Independence show, and that's the main focuses for me right now."

Nick Loper encourages listeners to explore Cody's insights and consider venturing into the Etsy marketplace themselves, emphasizing the actionable strategies discussed throughout the episode.

Key Takeaways

• Start with What You Know: Utilize existing tools and resources to create sellable digital products.
• Keyword Research is Crucial: Use tools like Erank and Everbee to identify profitable niches with balanced demand and competition.
• Clarity in Listings Drives Conversions: Clear, context-rich listing images and precise titles enhance buyer trust and sales.
• Scale Through Volume and Efficiency: High-volume listings and consistent template usage can rapidly increase revenue.
• Leverage Digital Products as Lead Magnets: Build trust and an initial customer base through affordable or free digital offerings.
• Innovate with Tools like Custom GPTs: Enhance productivity and creativity by integrating advanced AI tools into your workflow.
• Continuous Learning: Invest in resources like Thinking Fast and Slow to deepen understanding of consumer psychology.

For more detailed strategies and insights, visit SideHustleNation.com and explore Cody Berman's offerings at Gold City Ventures.