Maybe you’ve heard the hype. People talk about digital products like they’re some kind of magic trick. You build it once, sell it over and over, and the money just… shows up. That sounds nice. Unreal, almost.
But also, kind of doable?
Let’s take a step back and see how someone with zero experience—and I really mean zero—could actually pull this off.
So, What Is a Digital Product?
It’s basically anything you can sell online that isn’t physical. No shipping. No boxes. No “oops, wrong address” emails.
Think:
- An ebook
- A Notion template
- A fitness journal
- An online course
- Even a PDF checklist
Once someone pays, they download it. That’s it. Which means you don’t deal with stock, packaging, or delays. Some people are even using AI tools now to make these products—without spending a dime.
There’s something really appealing about that.
Picking a Topic… Is Weirdly the Hardest Part
If you don’t know what you’d sell, you’re not alone. I’ve stared at a blank page more times than I want to admit.
The trick? Don’t try to be the best at something. Just think about what you know a little more than the average person. Maybe you’re good at organizing your day. Or editing photos. Or finding cheap flights. Whatever it is, someone out there probably wants help with it.
I once saw a guy selling “deep conversation starters for couples.” No joke. It was just a list of questions, but it worked.
Start there—somewhere personal, maybe a bit random. That’s okay.
Building It Is Easier Than It Feels (Mostly)
You don’t need fancy tools.
Write your ideas in Google Docs.
Use ChatGPT if you want help shaping it.
Design it in Canva using one of their free templates.
Honestly, it’s less about how it looks and more about whether it helps someone. Still, putting a bit of effort into the design does make it feel more “real.” And that helps build trust, I think.
As for selling? Shopify is good. So is Gumroad. Both let you upload your file, set a price, and share a link. You can probably get it live in a few hours. Maybe even faster.
Getting People to Buy Is… The Tricky Part
Just making something won’t do much if no one sees it.
You’ll need to talk about it. Post a reel. Share a screenshot. Mention what helped you make it. These little behind-the-scenes moments matter more than you’d expect. People don’t just buy the product—they buy into you.
And if you’re not ready to show your face? That’s fine. Plenty of faceless TikTok pages make it work. Use screen recordings. Add captions. Stay consistent.
It won’t be perfect. You’ll change your mind. That’s normal.
But it’s a start.
And starting is the one thing you can’t skip.