How I Made $22,000 In 12 Months From Creating Digital Products (Anyone Can Do This)

5 simple steps anyone can use to create a product to sell

I used to think making money online was just a scam.

A pyramid scheme cooked up by fake gurus, preying on our hopes for a better life. I didn’t know anything about CTAs, lead magnets, or sales funnels. Honestly, I was just an old guy who started writing on the internet because I was bored.

But in the last 6 months, I’ve made $22,000 sharing what I’ve learned. If you’ve solved a problem for yourself, you can make money helping others solve it too.

I’ve got a relentless curiosity, so I threw myself into writing. In 19 months, I went from being invisible to growing a following of 19,000. Then I took everything I’ve learned and turned it into digital products. Now, I’m making so much money that I’ve gone part-time in my 9-5.

I want you to experience the same sweet success. So, let me show you how to create your first digital product in 5 simple steps.

1. Pick one problem

Creating a digital product is about making an offer.

You share a solution that solves a problem. And, in return, you get paid. It can be in any format. Course, ebook, templates. But don’t do this too early.

First, build trust with your audience. And get to know their needs. I set up a coaching page when I had 1000 followers. It failed because I didn’t have enough credibility. Once people you have trust. Here’s how to identify a problem.

Pay attention to comments

Notice questions people ask. And what parts of your content resonates. If you are small. Look at what people say on bigger accounts.

Engage your audience

Find a way to talk to people.

When people sign up for my newsletter. I promise personal advice if they email me their biggest writing challenge. This strengthens the relationship and keeps my retention stats high. But also gives me precious insights about my potential customers.

Do some testing

Don’t spend months creating a product. Test it first.

Post content that addresses the challenges people are facing. Offer your solution. Notice the reaction. Refine your message. Keep testing. All the content in my courses has been tested.

2. Build your product

You have so many options.

You can offer templates, ebooks, email courses or a video course. packaging affects the price. People value them differently. Even if the content is the same. So go up the value chain. For example, don’t sell an ebook. Make it an email course and charge more.

Take a long view. And focus on your reputation more than the revenue. This means overdelivering. Add as much value as possible. Don’t hold anything back.

People buy the result not the amount of content. So keep it focused. Ever read a book that could have been a blog post? Don’t pad out your content to make it worth more. This doesn’t work. Padding reduces the value.

Make it the best quality you can. It’s cheap to buy software that makes your product look impressive. I use Thrivecart for my video courses. And Kit to craft email courses. Both are worth the cost.

3. Market before you sell

The easiest way to sell is to talk about what you’re creating. As you create it. In your newsletter and social media. Share:

• you’re thinking of creating your first product

• what problem you’ve decided to solve

• gives updates on your progress

Keep sharing your excitement. Share the product name. Invite comments. Ask questions. If you involve your audience in the process, they’ll be in your corner cheering you on. Don’t offer these as disguised sales pitches. People will see through that. And you’ll ruin your reputation.

Be honest and real.

4. A landing page that sells

Take time to craft a compelling landing page.

Use these 3 tips to sell more.

Social proof

Social proof is a superpower for persuasion.

I hate to break it to you. But people distrust you. They’ll listen to others though. So find ways to include what others think. I use Senja to collect testimonials. I offered the product to my affiliate partners first. And used their feedback on the landing page.

author’s screenshot from Senja

And don’t neglect numbers.

Use everything you have. Number of followers. Course sign-ups. Drop in metrics everywhere.

Gather and use social proof to persuade people to buy.

Compelling benefits

The classic marketing mistake for newbies is selling features not benefits.

Features are what your product does:

• This course has 5 modules about nutrition

• This ebook has chapters on email marketing and how to set up your landing page.

This doesn’t sell. Instead, share what results you’ll give.

• This nutrition course will reduce the odds of cancer

• The 3S framework will minimise injury risk so you can run your first marathon

Focus on what will be different for people if they buy. Look at the course content below. Notice I tie each item to a specific result for the buyer:

author’s screenshot

Once you’ve got a stunning landing page it’s time to promote it.

5. Promoting your product

I’ll cover your email campaign in the next section. But let me give you 2 powerful promotion techniques.

Affiliates

Offering people commission to promote your product is a potent tool.

I provide 50% of the sales price for each affiliate sale. This sounds a lot. But you still gain 50% you wouldn’t have had. Plus your name will be put in front of 1000’s of new people. This is free brand awareness for you.

Scarcity offer

Find a way to offer something extra during the launch. That you remove later. I offered 30 days of email support. You could offer a bonus or a discount. Scarcity is a well-proven sales technique.

Scarcity doesn’t manipulate. It helps them say yes.

Launch an email campaign

I sent 7 emails in 7 days promoting my product.

But one email won’t be enough. Aim for each email to offer some value on its own. Be entertaining. Or offer a lesson. Mix up the types of emails you send. Don’t send 7 ‘please buy my product’ emails

Feature these types of emails:

• your personal story

• outcomes you’re promising

• a sneak peek into the product

Then drop it into the PS for your regular newsletter.

Follow these 5 simple steps to start making money from your first product. There’s no better feeling.

Derek

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