Like most people, when I surf social media or browse news articles, I am met with ‘sponsored’ posts the almighty algorithm thinks apply to me. That in itself doesn’t bother me. Sometimes the algorithm is correct, and I get something I want to see, but other times, it’s way off.
Recently, I’ve been bombarded with sponsored articles about making “passive income” on Etsy. Stories about people making thousands of dollars in a matter of days or weeks without working hard.
You might think, “Well Jon, are you searching and reading information on passive income?” Nope, I’ve never searched for passive income. I’ve never had a passive income job. My only conclusion is that because I am the founder of a handmade platform and often engage with handmade content, the algorithm thinks these articles apply to me.
I want to make it very clear HANDMADE IS NOT PASSIVE. In fact, I believe it’s the exact opposite. Artisans take great pride in their work by making products individually with their own hands.
For many makers & artists, creating products to sell is more than just a business. It’s a craft, a calling, a stress reliever, and an art form. They do it so others can appreciate what they make and, yes, make money. They are following their passion and dreams.
Sure, some areas of art can be “passive income” when it comes to the final sale. Things like photographers, fine artists selling prints and digital graphic designers come to mind, but even those artists work tirelessly on their art form. It’s far from passive.
To be clear, this isn’t to say artisans can’t make a great income while following their heart. It’s just that there’s no way to do it passively. Being a handmade creator means making each product individually with a dedication of time. I also have no issue with people pursuing passive income since we all need to make a living. I just don’t want people to start confusing handmade with passive income because nothing could be further from the truth.
So, I’m asking the algorithm gods to stop sending me passive income posts to sell on Etsy. You are wasting your robot breath.
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.
Jon Lincoln is the founder of goimagine, the handmade marketplace focused on helping children in need. Since launching in 2020 goimagine has attracted thousands of makers & artists throughout the United States supporting their mission to create a more caring economy through handmade.
True. Even artists selling prints of our work result from passion, hard work, and the hope that a lower price range can help us continue creating original works.
Very well written. Thank you.
As an Etsy seller who has watched it turn away from practices that would benefit handmade sellers, I applaud this article and your lovely marketplace. I’ll be looking to open a shop with you soon.
I so agree!
A great read and I thoroughly agree with you!
well said!