A Beginner’s Guide To Creating & Selling Digital Downloads
Ever thought about creating a digital download or product to sell online, but didn't know where to start? If you're a coach or consultant, you may have considered creating a course or group coaching program, but these can take a lot of time and effort to create. That's where digital downloads come in – they're a quick and easy way to start selling digital products online.
What are digital downloads?
Simply put, digital downloads are a type of digital product that can be downloaded and accessed online. They can take many forms, such as e-books, worksheets, templates, checklists, and more. Also, they're typically priced lower than courses or coaching programs, making them more accessible to a wider audience.
Want to turn your knowledge into a Digital Download and have it ready-to-sell in less than 7 days? Check out our mini-course Digital Downloads Made Easy.
Some examples of digital downloads you could create and sell:
Canva Template
Design a specific layout in Canva that users can modify with their own colors, text, and images. For example, I designed a Brand Kit Canva Template that buyers can easily modify with their brand information.
Editable Word Doc
You can use Google Docs to create a digital download document template for a specific scenario. For example, I created a 30-60-90 Day Action Plan template that I fill out with my VIP Day coaching clients. Buyers can download a copy of this template to help them with goal-setting for their own projects.
Editable Spreadsheet
Create a digital download spreadsheet with formatting and formulas that auto-calculate specific values for the user. For example, I designed a Revenue Goals Calculator that helps entrepreneurs estimate realistic revenue growth numbers by inputting metrics from the previous year.
These are just some ideas to inspire you!
Why should you create a digital download to sell?
Low overhead & fast turnaround: Unlike courses or coaching programs, digital downloads don't require much overhead and are much faster to implement. You don't need to host live sessions or create video content – all you need is to create a downloadable file and find a way to sell it.
Expand your reach: Digital downloads expand your reach beyond your local community. Anyone with an internet connection can purchase and download your product.
Passive income: Once you create a digital download, you can sell it over and over again without any additional effort. This means you can earn passive income while you focus on other areas of your business.
Now that you know why you should create a digital download, how do you get started?
4 Key Phases To Create & Sell Your Digital Downloads
Choose a topic and digital download type. Think about what your audience needs and what you're an expert in. What kind of information or resources can you provide that would be valuable to them? Then decide what format you want to deliver the information in (PDF, audio or video file, ebook, template, etc.).
Create your digital download. Free online tools are available to create your digital download depending on which format you choose. For example, Canva is a free online tool where you can design checklists, workbooks, slide decks and more. Make sure to brand your digital download with your logo.
Sell your digital download. You’ll need a sales page to showcase your product and make it easy for people to purchase. You can sell your download on your website and use your website’s built-in shopping cart if available. (For example, my website is built on Squarespace and I use their Squarespace Commerce feature.) Or you can sell your download on marketplaces like Etsy or Shopify.
Either way, you’ll need an e-commerce platform that can process payments and automatically deliver the digital download to the buyer. Platforms usually do this by emailing the buyer a download link.Promote your digital download: Once your product is live, promote it on your website, social media, and email list. Encourage your audience to share it with their networks as well. By consistently mentioning your digital download to new and existing members of your audience, you’ll gradually build a steady stream of passive income - without having to create anything new.
Make Passive Income With Our Mini-Course:
Creating Digital Downloads to Sell Made Easy
Turn your knowledge into several types of Digital Downloads and have it ready-to-sell in less than 7 days! This step-by-step mini-course helps coaches and consultants translate their expertise into a Digital Download from scratch!
About the Author
Hi, I’m Klara Cu, CEO of Conquer the Digital Empire, a creative studio for coaches and consultants who want to launch their own digital products.
A digital download is the easiest digital product to create that generates a passive income stream. It also serves as an excellent way to build trust with your audience by showcasing your expertise and helping them achieve a quick win.
The best part?
A digital download can lead to buyers wanting to invest in a higher-priced course or coaching program in the future!
For more in-depth guidance about digital downloads, check out the mini-course above!
