Emily McDermott tells us through her writing on Medium about her success in making more than $200,000 by selling simple spreadsheet designs on platforms like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. She makes it clear that deep knowledge in these tools isn't necessary to start earning money. McDermott outlines the steps she took to reach her impressive income, emphasizing that anyone with basic skills can replicate her success.
McDermott's tale captures attention because she views herself as far from a spreadsheet wizard. Yet, her knack for spotting online goods that attract crowds is undeniable. She further polishes these items until they fit just what the buyers seek. Her sharp observation led her to discover a thick interest in ready-made spreadsheet models among users. Fuelled by this realization, she ventured into crafting these models herself, aiming to offer them up for sale.
McDermott might not think she's great at making spreadsheets, but she's certainly good at selling things online. She shared her journey in a Medium post back in September 2022. There, she detailed how, in under two years, she made $280,000 just by selling her spreadsheet designs on Etsy.
McDermott noticed many Etsy shoppers were looking for spreadsheet templates, yet there weren't many sellers providing them. She found this out through eRank, a tool she suggests for spotting popular digital items. After that, McDermott picked out search terms linked to spreadsheets that attracted a lot of interest from possible customers.
After pinpointing the essential phrases, McDermott crafted multiple spreadsheet designs grounded in these phrases. She didn't stop at merely an accounting blueprint; she branched out, defining various models across a range of sectors. By adopting this dual approach, McDermott could observe which designs captivated more interest and simultaneously boost her presence on Etsy, attracting a broader audience to her creations.
McDermott recommends opting for simple spreadsheet designs aimed at enhancing efficiency for users. She points out that individuals lean towards user-friendly templates, steering clear from the clutter of extensive columns or intricate charts. The key, she suggests, is to craft templates, be it on Excel or Google Sheets, that cleanly incorporate only the pivotal and pertinent elements.
McDermott suggests pinpointing a specific area of interest, like accounting, to gather a dedicated audience likely to keep coming back for more products. She experienced great success with this approach, managing to make $800 in just one day through a single email blast to her subscribers.
McDermott recommended focusing on niche themes that could seamlessly blend into spreadsheet tools, covering areas such as wedding organization, financial bookkeeping, managing debts, and tracking investments. Despite her initial lack of expertise in these fields, she sought out and leveraged complimentary learning materials online. This approach enabled her to acquire the essential knowledge and capabilities required. As a result of this strategy, McDermott successfully generated $280,000 in revenue from selling her spreadsheet templates in under two years.
To excel in using Microsoft Excel for work, learning its various formulas is essential for maximizing its full potential. For novices, numerous apps and websites offer tutorials to master Excel. Upon gaining these skills, one could adopt McDermott's method to start making money through the sale of spreadsheet templates.
McDermott focused her sales efforts on a niche market, specifically targeting professionals in accounting, which helped her cultivate a dedicated customer base that repeatedly sought her spreadsheet solutions. This approach of narrowing down to a specific audience and maintaining a direct email list catered to that group paid off significantly. It enabled McDermott to achieve a remarkable feat: earning $800 in a single day by promoting her product to her tailored email list. This strategy underlines the effectiveness of specialized market targeting and personalized communication in driving sales and building customer loyalty in the digital product space.