Digital Products 101: How to Sell Digital Products and Build a Profitable Side Income

If you’ve ever wondered how to sell digital products online, you’re definitely not alone. Think about that moment when someone asks you a question, and you answer it sooo thoroughly that they say, “Wow, you should write a book about this!” Maybe it was about organizing a home office, planning the perfect garden, or navigating a career change after 50.

Most people don’t realize this, but that expertise living in your head could become your next income stream. And no, I’m not talking about starting over with a completely new career. I’m talking about taking what you already know and packaging it into something called a digital product.

Don’t let that term scare you off. A digital product is simply information you create once and can sell over and over again. Think of it as bottling what you’re really good at so people can access it whenever they need it, even when you’re sleeping, traveling, or spending time with grandkids.

By the time you finish reading this, you’ll understand exactly what digital products are, learn nine different types you could create, and have a simple three-step plan to get started. And you’ll realize this isn’t as complicated as it might seem right now.

What Exactly Is a Digital Product?

Remember when you used to buy physical cookbooks? The author wrote down their recipes and cooking tips, printed them in a book, and sold thousands of copies in bookstores or online. A digital product works the same way, except instead of printing books, you’re sharing your knowledge through files, like PDFs, that people download or access online.

The beauty of digital products is that you create them once, but you can sell them over and over again. If you spend a weekend writing an ebook about downsizing your home, you can sell that same ebook to hundreds of people without doing the work again. Compare that to coaching or consulting, where you trade your time for money and have to show up for every single client.

I won’t sugarcoat this though. Creating your first digital product takes effort upfront. You’ll spend time organizing your thoughts, writing or recording content, and figuring out how to deliver it to customers. But once it’s done, your digital product can generate income while you focus on other things. And it can continue to be sold for a long, long time!

Why Digital Products Are a Smart Way to Sell Online

The biggest advantage of digital products is that you’re selling your knowledge instead of your time. Right now, if someone wants your help, you probably meet with them, talk on the phone, or provide hands-on assistance. There’s nothing wrong with that approach, but it has limits. You can only help so many people because there are only so many hours in your day.

Digital products break that constraint. When you package your expertise into a product, you can help dozens or hundreds of people simultaneously. The ebook you write once can solve problems for readers you’ll never meet personally. That’s not cold or impersonal. It’s efficient and scalable.

The financial risk is also much lower than starting a traditional business. You don’t need inventory, storefronts, or employees. Your main investments are your time and perhaps some basic software subscriptions (like Canva or ConvertKit). If a product doesn’t sell well, you haven’t lost thousands of dollars in startup costs. You can use the tools you already have and create another one.

Digital products also suit many personality types, especially if you’re introverted or prefer working independently. You can create content on your own schedule, in your own space, without networking events or constant social media promotion. Yes, you’ll need to let people know about your products, but you can do that in ways that feel comfortable to you.

So, you’re probably wondering what kind of digital products can you make? 

9 Profitable Types of Digital Products You Can Sell

Let’s look at different types of digital products so you can see what might fit your expertise and comfort level. I’ll keep it simple because the goal isn’t to overwhelm you with options, but to help you figure out what you might be ready to make right away.

1. Ebooks

Ebooks are books in digital format (like a PDF or even a Kindle ebook). Maybe you’ve helped friends navigate divorce after 50, or you know everything about growing herbs indoors. That knowledge could become a 30-50 page ebook. People love ebooks because they can search through them, highlight important parts, and access them on any device. Expect to spend 2-3 weeks creating your first ebook if you’re working a few hours each week. This would involve picking a template, writing, editing, creating a cover and getting it ready for sale. Pricing typically ranges from $9-29 for your first one.

2. WORKBOOKS

Workbooks are ebooks with a twist. Instead of just reading your advice, people work through exercises and fill in worksheets. If you’re good at helping people organize their finances or plan their retirement, a workbook gives them space to apply your guidance to their specific situation. These typically sell for $15-39 and take about the same time as an ebook to create, plus extra time designing worksheets.

3. TEMPLATES

Templates save people time by giving them a starting point. Think about processes you’ve streamlined over the years. Maybe you’ve perfected a system for meal planning, organizing digital photos, or tracking medical appointments. Those systems could become templates others can customize for themselves. Templates are often the quickest to create (1-2 weeks to create and package them for sale) and typically sell for $7-19 each, or $19-49 for bundles.

4. MINI-COURSES

Mini-courses are like taking a day-long workshop and breaking it into bite-sized lessons. You might create five short videos about container gardening or seven email lessons about starting a side business. Mini-courses work well because they’re not overwhelming to create or consume. Depending on how detailed you want to be, plan on 2-3 weeks for creation and pricing between $47-97.

5. FULL ONLINE COURSES

Full online courses go deeper than mini-courses. These might include multiple modules, worksheets, and community access. They’re more work to create (you can expect to take 8-16 weeks minimum), but they also command higher prices ($197-497 or more). Don’t worry about this option yet, unless you’re ready to commit significant time to course creation.

6. TOOLKITS AND RESOURCE BUNDLES

Toolkits and resource bundles combine different types of helpful materials. You might package checklists, templates, and guides all focused on one topic, like “Everything You Need to Downsize Successfully” or “The Complete Guide to Caring for Aging Parents.” These typically price between $27-67 and could take 2-4 weeks to assemble. My Workbook Kickstart System toolkit has six tools and took me about 3 weeks to complete.

7. AUDIO TRAINING

Audio training appeals to people who prefer listening while they walk, drive, or do housework. You could record yourself explaining topics you know well. The technical setup is simpler than video, but your voice needs to be clear and engaging. Most audio trainings sell for $19-47 and can take 2-3 weeks to produce.

8. PODCASTS

Podcasts are ongoing audio shows rather than one-time products. While they’re typically free, you can sell access to them or even create a private podcast that you charge for. Starting a podcast requires consistency, but it’s a great way to establish yourself as an expert.

9. MEMBERSHIP SITES

Membership sites give people ongoing access to you and helps you to build a community around your topic. Members might get new content monthly, participate in discussions, or attend live calls with you. This model creates recurring income ($19-97 monthly) but requires regular content creation.

How to Choose the Right Digital Product for You

Deciding which type of digital product to create first can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Instead of overthinking this decision, let’s match your natural preferences to the right product type.

Here’s a simple decision table that cuts through the confusion:

If you…	Then try this product…
Love writing and feel confident with words	Ebook, guide, or workbook
Prefer speaking and hate writing	Audio training, podcast, or mini-course
Enjoy being on camera	Full course with video lessons
Already have checklists, templates, or resources	Turn them into a toolkit or bundle
Help people solve one specific problem	Mini-course or guided workbook
Have limited time (under 5 hours/week)	Templates or simple guides
Want ongoing income month after month	Membership or subscription content
Feel overwhelmed by technology	Start with templates or PDF guides
Have friends constantly asking the same questions	Whatever format you use to answer them now
Learn best by doing rather than reading	Create workbooks with exercise

Pick ONE. Simplicity wins.

I know it’s tempting to try everything at once. You might think, “Well, I could do an ebook AND a course AND some templates.” That’s a recipe for never finishing anything (trust me, I have a few unfinished courses that I thought were great ideas).

Your first digital product is about proving to yourself that you can do this. It’s about getting that first sale, learning how the process works, and building confidence. You can’t do that if you’re juggling multiple projects and feeling scattered.

Choose the format that feels most natural to you right now. If you love writing emails to friends, start with an ebook. If you’re always creating lists and systems, begin with templates. If people call you for advice and you end up talking for an hour, consider audio training.

The “perfect” choice doesn’t exist. The right choice is the one you’ll actually complete. Once you’ve created and sold your first digital product, you’ll have the experience and confidence to tackle other formats if you want to.

Don’t spend too long deciding. If you’re spending more than a few days, you’re thinking too long! Pick something, write it down, and move forward!

How to Sell Digital Products as a Beginner Step-by-Step

Let’s walk through this together, step by step. I know the whole “create a digital product” thing can feel overwhelming, but I’m going to break it down into three manageable pieces. 

Step 1: Create Your Digital Product (Start Where You Are)

Remember this: if you’ve explained it more than twice, you can sell it. That thing people keep asking you about? That’s your first digital product waiting to happen.

The biggest mistake I see women make is trying to solve every problem for every person in their first product. Please don’t do this to yourself. Pick one specific problem that you can solve for one specific group of people. Not “how to organize your whole life,” but “how to organize your kitchen pantry so you can actually find things.”

Let’s figure out your ONE clear problem to solve. Think about the last three conversations you had where someone asked for your advice. What was the common thread? What did you find yourself explaining step by step? That’s your starting point.

For example, maybe you keep helping friends figure out how to downsize from a four-bedroom house to a condo. Instead of creating “The Complete Guide to Life After 50,” focus on “How to Decide What to Keep When You’re Moving to a Smaller Home.” See the difference?

Now, let’s talk about the tools you’ll actually use. I know this is where you may get stuck if you don’t feel “techy” so I’m going to give you specific recommendations based on what type of product you’re creating.

• For ebooks and guides: Start with Google Docs. It’s free, you probably already know how to use it, and you can create perfectly professional-looking guides. Just write your content, format it nicely, and export it as a PDF. If you want something prettier, Canva has beautiful ebook templates that you can customize with your own content. As I covered in more detail in my guide about workbook creation tools, Canva is fantastic for beginners because it’s drag-and-drop simple, though it can feel overwhelming at first.

• For workbooks: Google Docs works great if you want something functional. Use tables to create fillable sections and your clients can type directly into the document. If you want it to look more polished, Canva has workbook templates that are gorgeous. PowerPoint is also surprisingly good for workbooks if you already know how to use it. Each slide becomes a workbook page, and you have total control over where everything goes.

• For courses: Keep it simple with Teachable or Thinkific. As I detailed in my course platform guide, if you’re just starting out, these platforms handle all the technical stuff while you focus on creating content. Click here to check out my course platform guide.

• For audio content: Your smartphone will work just fine. Find a quiet room, use the voice recorder app, and start talking. You can always upgrade to fancier equipment later, but don’t let “perfect” stop you from starting.

Start here if you’re feeling overwhelmed: Create a simple PDF guide about something you explained to someone this week. Don’t worry about perfect formatting or fancy graphics. Focus on solving one problem clearly and helpfully. You can always make it prettier later.

Step 2: Set Up Your Platform (Keep It Simple)

Now that you’ve created something helpful, you need a way for people to buy it and access it. Don’t get stuck here because you think you need some complicated system. You don’t.

Let me walk you through your best options with honest pros and cons:

• Gumroad is perfect for beginners selling simple digital products like ebooks, templates, or even courses. Here’s why I recommend it for your first product: setup takes about 10 minutes, it handles all the payment processing and file delivery automatically, and you don’t need any technical skills. The downside? They take 10% plus transaction fees from each sale, and if your product gets featured in their marketplace, that jumps to 30%. But for testing whether people will buy your expertise, it’s ideal.
• Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is another beginner-friendly option, especially if you want to build your audience while you sell. Unlike Gumroad, Kit gives you an easy way to collect emails from your buyers so you can grow your list and connect with them again later. That means every sale doesn’t just earn you income, it also builds a community of people who are interested in what you do. Kit has a free plan that lets you get started without spending a dime, and you can upgrade later once you’re ready for advanced features. If your long-term goal is to create multiple products or stay in touch with your customers, this is a smart place to start.

The basic setup process is similar everywhere: upload your files, write a simple description, set your price, and publish. Most platforms walk you through this step by step.

Part of your set up on your chosen platform will be to create sales “copy” or a description of what you’re selling.  What your “good enough” sales page needs is a clear headline that tells people what problem you solve, 3-5 bullet points about what’s included, one paragraph about who you are and why you’re qualified to help, the price, and a buy button. That’s it. Don’t spend weeks perfecting copy or hiring designers. You can improve it after you get your first few sales and see what questions people ask.

Here’s a tip: Before you launch, buy something small from the platform you choose so you understand the customer experience. This helps you spot potential issues and feel more confident recommending the process to others.

Remember, done is better than perfect. Your first setup doesn’t need to be flawless. It needs to work well enough that people can easily buy and receive your digital product.

Step 3: Share Your Digital Product With People

You’ve created something valuable, set up a way to sell it, and now you need to tell people about it. I get it. This feels scary and promotional and maybe a little pushy.

You don’t need a big launch. Start with 5-10 people and grow from there.

Let’s start with specific places you can share without feeling like a walking advertisement:

• Email signature: Add a simple line like “P.S. I recently created a guide about [topic] that you might find helpful. Let me know if you’d like the link.”

• Social media bio: Include a link with something like “Creator of [your product name]” or “Helping women [solve specific problem].”

• Existing conversations: When the topic naturally comes up, mention your resource. “Actually, I just put together a guide about that exact thing. Would you like me to send you the link?”

• Friends who’ve asked before: Send a personal message like, “Remember when you were asking about [topic]? I finally put together everything I shared with you into a guide that might help other women facing the same situation.”

Here are some ways you can mention your digital product naturally:

Instead of: “Buy my new ebook!”
Try: “I put together a guide about the thing we were discussing last week. I think it covers the questions you had.”

Instead of: “Check out my course!”
Try: “I created a mini-training about [topic] based on all the questions I keep getting. Let me know if you’d like to take a look.”

What To Expect As You Start Selling Your Digital Product 

First, I want to address the fear of “bothering people.” If you’ve created something that solves a real problem, you’re not bothering people by sharing it. You’re helping them. The key is focusing on being helpful rather than salesy.

Think about it this way…when a friend recommends a great book or restaurant, you don’t feel like they’re bothering you. You appreciate the recommendation. Your digital product is the same thing, a recommendation for something that might help.

Another common stumbling block you might find yourself struggling with is wanting everything to be perfect before sharing, expecting immediate success, and overthinking every social media post. Remember, you’re building momentum gradually. Each person who buys from you might recommend you to someone else.

You might only sell 3-8 copies of your first digital product in the first month. And it might  to friends or family members who want to support you. Don’t let this discourage you. These first sales are incredibly valuable because they prove people will pay for what you’re offering, and you’ll get feedback to improve the next version of your digital product.

Keep track of questions people ask before and after buying. This feedback is gold for improving your current product and ideas for your next one.

The key is starting with people who already know and trust you, then expanding gradually as you get more comfortable. You’re not trying to become famous overnight. You’re trying to help people solve problems using knowledge you already have.

Your Next Small Step

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty. That’s normal. Most good opportunities come with that combination of emotions.

I want you to do something today: pick one idea from this post that resonated with you. Maybe it was the herb-growing ebook, the career transition workbook, or the digital photo organization guide. Write that idea down along with who it would help and what problem it would solve.

That’s it. Don’t worry about platforms, pricing, or marketing strategies yet. Just capture one specific idea while it’s fresh in your mind.

Tomorrow, spend 15 minutes brainstorming what you might include in that digital product. Don’t write the actual content yet. Just make a list of topics or sections you could cover.

The day after that, do a quick online search to see what similar products already exist. This isn’t to discourage you, but to help you understand what’s out there and how you might make yours different.

By the end of the week, you’ll have a much clearer picture of whether this particular idea excites you enough to pursue it.

Remember, your first digital product idea should be simple and focused. You’re not trying to create the definitive resource on any topic. You’re trying to solve one problem for one group of people, using knowledge you already possess.

The path from expertise to digital product isn’t always smooth, but it’s completely doable. You have knowledge that others need. The technology exists to help you package and sell that knowledge easily. The market is full of people looking for solutions to problems you’ve already solved!

You don’t need to quit your job, invest thousands of dollars, or become a tech expert overnight. You just need to start where you are, with what you know, and help one person solve one problem.

That’s how all successful digital product creators began. They had an idea, took one small step, then kept moving forward. You can do the same thing.

Now you have the tools and a plan to help people more intentionally, and get paid for it. The question isn’t whether you’re qualified—you are. The question is whether you’re ready to start.

Have any questions about this post? Please contact me.