Short blog series (part84) Selling digital products

Selling digital products is a scalable, low-cost business model that turns knowledge or skills into automated, high-margin online income.

Selling digital products can be a highly profitable business model—low overhead, no inventory, and scalable worldwide. Here’s a clear breakdown to help you get started and grow.

1. What Are Digital Products?

Digital products are intangible goods delivered electronically. Examples:

• 📘 E-books & guides

• 🎓 Online courses

• 🎨 Design templates (Canva, Notion, website themes)

• 💻 Software, apps, or plugins

• 🎵 Music, beats, or sound effects

• 📊 Spreadsheets & planners

• 🧠 Memberships or premium communities

2. Why Sell Digital Products?

Pros:

• No shipping or manufacturing costs

• High profit margins

• Sell globally

• Automated delivery

• Scalable income

Cons:

• Requires upfront effort

• Competitive markets

• Need marketing skills

3. Where to Sell Digital Products

Here are popular platforms:

• Etsy – Great for printables, templates, planners

• Shopify – Build your own branded store

• Gumroad – Simple platform for creators

• Teachable – Ideal for courses

• Kajabi – All-in-one course + marketing

You can also sell directly via your own website.

4. Steps to Start

Step 1: Choose a Profitable Niche

Examples:

• Fitness programs

• Budget planners

• Social media templates

• Coding tutorials

• AI prompts

Pick something that:

• Solves a real problem

• Has demand

• Matches your skills

Step 2: Create the Product

Keep it simple at first:

• Solve one clear problem

• Make it actionable

• Focus on results

Example: Instead of “Instagram Guide,” create “30-Day Instagram Growth Plan for Coaches.”

Step 3: Price Strategically

Common pricing:

• $5–$29 → impulse buys (templates, planners)

• $30–$99 → courses, bundles

• $100+ → premium programs

Tip: Start lower, raise prices after proof of demand.

Step 4: Market Your Product

Traffic sources:

• TikTok

• Instagram Reels

• YouTube

• Email marketing

• Pinterest

Content idea formula:

1. Identify problem

2. Show solution

3. Offer product

5. How Much Can You Make?

Example:

• $27 product

• 5 sales per day= $135/day= ~$4,000/month

Scale with:

• Ads

• Affiliate programs

• Bundles

• Upsells

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Creating before validating demand

• Targeting everyone

• Weak marketing

• No email list

• Underpricing forever

7. Fastest Way to Start (Simple Plan)

1. Pick one problem

2. Create a small solution (PDF/template)

3. Sell on Gumroad

4. Promote daily with short-form content

5. Improve based on feedback

Here are the main types of digital products you can sell, organized by category so you can quickly see what fits your skills:

📚 1. Educational Products

• E-books

• Guides & workbooks

• Online courses

• Webinars

• Masterclasses

• Study notes

• Certification prep materials

Best for: Experts, teachers, coaches, professionals

🎨 2. Templates & Tools

• Canva templates

• Notion dashboards

• Resume templates

• Business proposal templates

• Website themes

• Spreadsheet systems (budget, CRM, trackers)

Best for: Designers, marketers, business owners

💻 3. Software & Tech Products

• Mobile apps

• SaaS tools

• WordPress plugins

• Website scripts

• Automation tools

• Chatbots

Best for: Developers, tech-savvy creators

🎵 4. Creative & Media Products

• Music beats

• Stock music

• Sound effects

• Lightroom presets

• LUTs

• Stock photos

• Video transitions

• Graphic design assets

Best for: Creators, photographers, musicians

📊 5. Business & Finance Products

• Business plans

• Marketing swipe files

• Sales scripts

• Investment spreadsheets

• Budget planners

• Financial calculators

Best for: Entrepreneurs, consultants

🧠 6. Memberships & Subscriptions

• Private communities

• Premium newsletters

• Monthly templates

• Coaching groups

• Exclusive content access

Best for: People with growing audiences

🎮 7. Digital Entertainment

• Video games

• Printable board games

• Digital comics

• Interactive PDFs

• Mobile game assets

Best for: Game developers, artists, storytellers

🏋️ 8. Health & Lifestyle Products

• Workout programs

• Meal plans

• Habit trackers

• Meditation guides

• Self-improvement journals

Best for: Trainers, coaches, influencers

🧾 9. Printable Products

• Planners

• Calendars

• Wall art

• Kids activity sheets

• Wedding invitations

• Coloring books

Best for: Designers, Etsy sellers

The most profitable type of digital product isn’t one specific format — it’s the one that:

• Solves an expensive problem

• Delivers a clear result

• Targets a niche with money

That said, some categories consistently outperform others.

💰 Most Profitable Digital Product Types

1️⃣ Online Courses (High-Ticket Education)

Examples:

• Business growth programs

• Coding bootcamps

• Career transition courses

• AI training

Why profitable:

• Can sell for $200–$2,000+

• High perceived value

• Scalable

Example platforms:

• Teachable

• Kajabi

Best if you have expertise.

2️⃣ Software / SaaS (Recurring Revenue King)

Examples:

• Marketing automation tools

• AI tools

• Scheduling software

• CRM systems

Why profitable:

• Monthly subscriptions ($20–$200/month)

• Recurring income

• High company valuations

Example:

• Canva (subscription model)

• Notion

Best long-term wealth builder.

3️⃣ Memberships & Paid Communities

Examples:

• Stock trading groups

• Fitness coaching communities

• Business mastermind groups

Why profitable:

• Monthly recurring revenue

• Low production once built

• High lifetime value per customer

Can be hosted on:

• Patreon

• Kajabi

4️⃣ Digital Templates (High Volume Model)

Examples:

• Notion dashboards

• Resume templates

• Social media kits

• Website themes

Why profitable:

• Easy to create

• High margins

• Sell in volume

Often sold on:

• Etsy

• Gumroad

Lower price, higher quantity strategy.

5️⃣ Niche Financial & Business Tools

Examples:

• Investment calculators

• Real estate deal analyzers

• Tax spreadsheets

• Sales scripts

Why profitable:

• People pay more to make/save money

• Clear ROI

• Strong demand

🏆 The MOST Profitable Overall?

SaaS / Subscription-based products win long-term because:

• Recurring revenue

• Predictable income

• Scalable

• Sellable business asset

But…

If you want fast cash → high-ticket course If you want steady income → membership If you want low barrier entry → templates

Conclusion on Selling Digital Products

Selling digital products is one of the most powerful modern business models because it combines low overhead, high margins, automation, and global reach.

Unlike physical products, you don’t deal with inventory, shipping, or manufacturing. Once created, a digital product can be sold repeatedly with minimal additional cost — making it highly scalable.

Key Takeaways

• ✅ Low startup costs – Often just your time and skills

• ✅ High profit margins – No production per unit

• ✅ Scalable income – Sell to unlimited customers

• ✅ Automation potential – Platforms like Shopify, Gumroad, and Teachable handle delivery automatically

• ✅ Global market access – Sell worldwide 24/7

However, success depends on:

• Solving a real problem

• Targeting a specific audience

• Strong marketing

• Consistent improvement

Final Thought

The most profitable digital products are not just “products” — they are solutions.

If you focus on delivering clear value, validating demand before building, and marketing consistently, selling digital products can grow from a side hustle into a scalable online business.

Thanks for reading!!!!!