Introduction
You don’t need to be a celebrity or a seven-figure influencer to make money from digital products.
You just need a clear process, a valuable idea, and the discipline to execute without overcomplicating it.
Most creators get stuck because they try to build everything at once: the perfect course, a complicated funnel, a polished launch strategy.
You don’t need perfection to start. You need a blueprint you can actually follow.
This post is about how to create, launch, and sell your first digital product—without drowning in options or burning out before you ever hit publish.
Choose the Right Product for Your Audience
Start by identifying the problem your audience will pay to solve. Not every good idea is a viable product. Focus on an outcome your customer wants enough to spend money on.
Ask yourself:
What questions do people ask me repeatedly?
What mistakes am I tired of watching them make?
What shortcut, tool, or framework would genuinely make their life easier?
Good products don’t just share information—they deliver a clear result.
Examples:
A self-paced course that teaches freelancers how to price services
A template pack for busy entrepreneurs
A workbook that guides someone through a specific process
Start with one core problem and build from there.
Decide on a Format
You don’t have to create a huge, expensive course. Small, focused products often sell faster because they feel manageable.
Common formats:
Video training (recorded lessons)
Ebooks or guides
Workbooks and templates
Audio workshops
Mini-courses
Pick the simplest format you can deliver with quality. Complexity can come later.
Map the Customer Journey
Before you build, define the path:
How will people discover this product?
What happens after they buy?
How will you deliver and support them?
A basic journey:
- Discover you via blog, podcast, or social media
- Opt into your email list with a relevant free resource
- Receive nurturing emails that build trust
- Get a clear offer with an easy way to buy
- Access the product immediately
Clarity reduces buyer friction—and your own overwhelm.
Create a Minimum Viable Product
Don’t spend six months perfecting your offer before testing demand.
Start with the minimum version that delivers the promised result.
If you’re making a course:
Record lessons with clean audio and simple slides.
Skip fancy editing.
Use a basic platform like Teachable or Podia.
If you’re making a guide:
Write it in Google Docs, export to PDF, and design a simple cover.
Iterate after you have real feedback.
Set a Timeline and Stick to It
Without a deadline, perfectionism will creep in.
Decide:
How many hours per week can you realistically spend on this?
When will you pre-sell or launch?
What’s your definition of “done?”
Hold yourself to these decisions. Action beats endless planning.
Price Based on Value, Not Fear
Most creators undercharge because they’re worried no one will buy.
Ask:
How much is this problem costing your customer if they don’t solve it?
How much time or money does your product save?
What comparable solutions cost more or deliver less?
Set a price you can stand behind, then communicate the value clearly.
Launch Simply
You don’t need a huge campaign to sell.
Start with:
A few emails to your list
Posts on your primary platform
Direct outreach to warm contacts
Focus on clarity:
Who is this for?
What does it help them do?
How do they get it?
You can layer complexity later.
Refine After Real Sales
Once you’ve sold your first batch, ask:
Where did buyers come from?
What questions did they ask before purchasing?
What hesitations did they share?
Use this insight to improve your messaging, pricing, and delivery.
Final Thought
Digital products don’t have to be overwhelming.
Start small. Ship something imperfect. Learn from your audience.
Over time, your library will grow—and so will your revenue.
Simplicity is a strategy. Use it.
— Sloane MacRae
