Ever wondered how to turn your expertise into a profitable digital product empire? Selling digital products is about creating value and connecting with your audience.
In this article, I’ll explain exactly how to sell digital products, drawing from my own experience of selling millions. You’ll get actionable tips and strategies based on real success so you can start your own journey with confidence.
Step 1: Figure out what product to sell
Looking to find the best digital products to sell? I’ve narrowed down the top picks that can help you succeed and generate substantial revenue.
Online courses
Online courses are an amazing digital product to sell. I’ve seen firsthand how a well-crafted course can transform not just my business but also the lives of my subscribers. In fact, my own programs have been the cornerstone of my business, allowing me to share deep insights and strategies that have helped thousands of people.
To create your own online course, think about what knowledge or skills you have that could benefit others. The easiest way to start is to teach what you already do for work professionally. Whether it’s a deep dive into a niche topic or a broad overview of a field, there’s an audience out there eager to learn from you.
eBooks and PDF products
eBooks and PDF guides are great entry points into digital products. They’re relatively easy to create and can be a valuable source of passive income. My eBooks and guides have allowed me to expand on topics that I’ve covered extensively in my books and Netflix series. For example, check out my:
If you have expertise in a particular area, consider compiling it into a well-designed eBook or PDF. It’s a great way to provide value and build your reputation as an authority.
Also, don’t be afraid to look into other books while you brainstorm ideas and gather motivation for your future eBooks and PDFs. For some inspiration, watch my YouTube video on the five books that’ll make you rich.
Memberships
Memberships offer ongoing value and can generate a steady stream of income. They work well if you can provide continuous content or support. Through membership programs, you can provide exclusive content and community access, creating a space for ongoing engagement and learning.
Software & mobile apps
While software and mobile apps are not my main area of expertise, they can be a fantastic way to generate income. Many successful creators have built software or apps to solve specific problems, and these tools can be highly lucrative. It might be worth exploring if you have a great idea for a tool that addresses a common issue or streamlines a process.
There are numerous platforms and developers who can help you bring your idea to life (even better if you are skilled in software development). If you’re passionate about tech, this could be a great avenue to explore.
Digital arts & graphics
If you have a knack for design, creating digital art, or graphic design, you can tap into a growing market. Some examples are designing templates, creating custom illustrations, or selling downloadable artwork.
As you build your portfolio and reputation, you might even be able to expand into offering custom design services or collaborating on larger projects.
Step 2: Choose a platform that works for your product
Once you’ve decided on the digital product you want to sell, the next step is choosing the right platform to host and deliver it.
Keep in mind that there are hundreds of digital platforms and product-hosting sites. You’ll need to do some groundwork to find the best fit for your digital product(s).
While I don’t endorse any one platform as the ultimate solution because things are different for different services and strategies, here are some popular ones that you might consider for your digital products:
- Easy Digital Downloads: This versatile platform integrates with WordPress, making it a solid choice if you’re familiar with that environment. It’s designed to handle digital product sales, with features like customer management and discount codes.
- SendOwl: Offers a straightforward approach to selling digital products. It provides tools for secure file delivery and integrates with various payment gateways, making it easy to get started without a lot of technical fuss.
- Gumroad: This is user-friendly and ideal for creators looking to sell directly to their audience. It handles product delivery and payments and is particularly useful for those who want a simple, no-frills solution.
- Thinkific: If you’re focusing on online courses, Thinkific is a popular choice. It offers robust features for course creation, including video hosting, quizzes, and certificates, which can help you deliver a professional learning experience.
- Sellfy: This versatile platform supports digital downloads, subscriptions, and even physical products. It’s designed to be easy to use, making it a good option if you’re looking to get started quickly.
Step 3: Create valuable content and identify your audience
Creating valuable content and identifying your audience is crucial to successfully selling digital products. Here’s how to tackle both:
Content creation
Now that you’ve decided what digital product you want to sell and chosen a platform, it’s time to focus on content creation. This is where you can share your expertise and connect with your audience.
High-quality content doesn’t just inform—it engages and builds trust. Think about what unique insights or skills you can offer. For instance, my online courses and eBooks are built on the idea that valuable content should both educate and inspire. Whether you’re writing a blog post, recording a podcast, or producing a video, aim to provide actionable advice that resonates with your audience’s needs and interests.
If you’d like a deeper dive into content creation, you can get my Ultimate Guide to Remarkable Content below:
Audience identification
Understanding who your audience is and what they need is key to crafting content that sells. Start by defining your ideal customer:
- What are their pain points?
- What solutions are they seeking?
- What are their goals or aspirations?
- Where do they spend their time online? I.E. reading blogs, watching YouTube, listening to podcasts, etc.
Use surveys, social media insights, and analytics to gather data and refine your understanding. My approach has always been to engage with my audience directly—whether through email newsletters, social media, or YouTube—to get real feedback and tailor my content to their preferences.
In fact, one of my most popular YouTube series is when I react and dissect my subscribers’ finances. People love to be personally involved with the creators they follow, so make the time to engage with them on this level.
Remember, the more you know about your audience, the better you can create content that speaks directly to them and addresses their specific challenges.
Step 4: Sell and market your product
Now that you’ve created a fantastic digital product and identified your audience, it’s time to get the word out and drive sales.
Content marketing
Content marketing is more than just promoting your product—it’s about providing value that resonates with your audience. Start by creating content that aligns with your product and addresses the needs and interests of your target market. This could be in the form of blog posts, videos, podcasts, or social media updates.
For example, if you’re selling an online course on personal finance, you could write blog posts with practical financial tips, produce YouTube videos explaining common financial mistakes, or share quick tips on social media. Each piece of content should be designed to educate, inform, or entertain your audience while subtly highlighting the benefits of your product.
Distribute this content using your existing platforms, such as your blog, YouTube channel, or social media accounts.
What are the advantages of selling digital products?
If you’re still on the fence about whether digital products are the next big move for you, consider these advantages. Selling digital products has many benefits that make them an appealing choice for entrepreneurs looking to maximize their impact and income.
Low Overhead Costs
Unlike physical products, digital products don’t require inventory, warehousing, or shipping. This means you can start and run your business with minimal upfront costs. Once created, a digital product can be sold repeatedly without additional production costs.
Scalability
Digital products can be scaled effortlessly. Whether you’re selling 10 or 10,000 copies, the process remains largely the same. This scalability allows you to reach a global audience without worrying about logistical constraints.
Passive Income Potential
After the initial effort of creating your product, digital products can generate passive income. You can continue earning from your creations even when you’re not actively working on them, providing financial freedom and flexibility. Your customers get instant gratification, and you can spend your time working on even more game-changing projects.
Once your business idea is off and running, it’s crucial to stay on top of your finances. In episode 116 of my podcast, we met a couple who aren’t on the same page about money—Carrie and Taylor have been together for eight years and they still have not figured out the basics of managing their money (i.e who pays for what), and it’s become a problem.
[00:04:09] Ramit: Okay. Taylor, the reason that I was struck by this was the severity and seriousness of the words that Carrie wrote. “I’m a 33-year-old woman who has been in an eight-year long relationship with my partner, and we still can’t figure out how to talk about money together, and I’m at my wits end. I have been ready to get married for the last three or so years, and now that he makes more, he’s starting to express his desire to take that step too.
[00:04:41] “However, in the back of my head, I feel hesitant to say yes because I am so frustrated with his lack of care or desire to talk about financial concerns, plans, etc. I’M SO TIRED OF VENMO REQUESTS AND FIGURING OUT WHO PAYS FOR WHAT.” I’d like to pause there. Carrie, you remember writing that?
[00:05:10] Carrie: Mm-hmm. The wits end part was I feel like I’ve tried a lot of different avenues to make it exciting, or to ask a question, or to draw him in, and he gets really excited about the dream planning. We love to talk about the dreams, and what could it be? But then when I start delving into the details, it’s a complete shutdown and block.
[00:05:38] Ramit: Thank you. Taylor, hearing what Carrie wrote, how do you receive that?
[00:05:50] Taylor: Me being me, uh, sucks. I don’t want to say, though, that it hurts because it doesn’t. I don’t care. She’s the one that’s feeling this way, so it just sucks. Yeah. It just sucks to hear. Because I should be better and should, I don’t want to say be more of a man in this situation, but be, um, just more communicative and a better partner in general. Uh, I don’t care about what I’m feeling. I care about what she’s feeling.
[00:06:37] Ramit: But I care what you’re feeling. So what are you feeling right now?
[00:06:45] Taylor: Oh, man. Uh, probably the one emotion I hate feeling.
[00:06:53] Ramit: Tell me.
[00:06:54] Taylor: Uh, disappointment.
[00:06:55] Ramit: At who.
[00:06:57] Taylor: Myself.
As you can see with Taylor and Carrie, it’s too easy to stop paying attention to finances. Even when you get to a stage where passive income rolls in, you should make it a point to stay on top of your finances.
Flexibility and Reach
Digital products enable you to work from anywhere and offer your product to a global market. This flexibility can lead to a more balanced work-life schedule and the opportunity to connect with a diverse audience.
How I’ve sold millions in digital products
Selling millions of digital products isn’t just about creating a great product; it’s about connecting with your audience through valuable content.
For example, my podcast, YouTube videos, and blog posts offer free, valuable information on personal finance that draw people in. By making my free content at such a high value, I build trust with my audience, and can slowly shift them towards signing up for my newsletter.
In my newsletter, I share exclusive content that’s not available on the blog, like breakdowns of my readers’ Conscious Spending Plans and tips for starting your own online business. If you’d like to join over 800,000 readers who get my Insider’s newsletter, you can sign up below:
