Let’s talk digital products, my friends.
Now, before you roll your eyes and think, “Yeah, yeah, I know about courses and eBooks,” hang tight because we’re diving deeper.
Whether you’re a small business owner, a YouTuber, or someone looking to share their hobby with the world, digital products might just be your golden ticket.
So, why should we all care?
Because they are infinitely scalable. Unlike physical products, which have to be shipped and stacked in some storage corner, digital products are all about effortless magic once created.
People love immediate gratification, and digital products offer that. (thank you, dopamine!)
1. The Power of Scalability
Here’s a little mind-boggling stat from HubSpot to get things started: digital products like eBooks and online courses account for a massive 38% of online creator revenue. That’s nearly half of what creators are earning right now, not from ads or sponsorships, but from selling knowledge wrapped up in pixels!
Digital products account for 38% of online creator revenue.
The beauty? No need to worry about manufacturing or shipping delays—it’s all click, pay, and download. Done.
Imagine creating a course once and selling it hundreds (or even thousands) of times without additional production costs!
The bottom line?
Your digital product can be sold to one person or 100,000 people without requiring you to lift a finger after it’s built.
2. Psychology Behind the Appeal: Why Digital Works
It’s not just about ease and scalability.
The psychology behind buying digital products is fascinating.
People love immediate gratification (thank you, dopamine!), and digital products offer that.
A study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that buyers are more likely to spend money on digital products because the fulfillment is instant, triggering the brain’s reward system in the same way instant messaging or social media does.
No one wants to wait weeks for a package when they can have a beautifully designed eBook or a masterclass in their inbox in seconds.
It’s all about the now.
Moreover, the personal connection creators have with their audience plays a huge role.
When you offer a digital product, your audience feels like they’re investing in you, not just a product.
They trust you, they know you, and they’re willing to pay to learn more from you.
That’s a loyalty loop you can’t ignore.
Buyers are more likely to spend money on digital products because the fulfillment is instant, triggering the brain’s reward system in the same way instant messaging or social media does.
3. The Freedom of Low Overhead
Have you ever had a room full of inventory? Neither have I, but I’ve heard the horror stories.
Piles of boxes, returns, shipping fees, damaged goods…
It sounds like a logistical nightmare. With digital products, you sidestep all of that.
It’s basically the minimalist’s dream income stream—no inventory, no shipping, just pure digital freedom.
And let’s talk profit margins.
A study by Podia found that creators selling digital products enjoy average profit margins of 70-90%.
That’s because once you create the product, the production cost is zero—unlike physical goods, which require you to constantly buy new stock.
It’s like building a money machine that keeps on going, – and unlike YouTube and Social Media Income – YOU OWN IT.
70% of creators who diversify across multiple platforms report higher overall income stability
4. Multiple Streams of Revenue: The Creator’s Dream
Now, the magic here is diversification.
By creating digital products, you’re not putting all your eggs in one basket.
Yes, YouTube ads can be a great income stream, but the algorithm changes, ad rates fluctuate, and sometimes… YouTube is moody.
With digital products, you’re building something that’s completely yours.
Whether it’s an online course, a design template, a photography guide, or a music track, it’s your asset to sell on any platform—your blog, Etsy, Gumroad, or even social media.
You’re creating multiple streams of income that work together. Imagine running a YouTube channel and mentioning your eBook or course in your videos.
Or writing a blog post that leads readers to your digital product page. Your audience is already there—they love your content. Offering them something they can buy instantly gives them value and boosts your income.
5. How to Get Started With Digital Products
Alright, you’re convinced, but where do you start?
Here’s a no-fluff, simple plan to take your idea from dream to digital product:
- Research the wants of your niche: What do you know that people want to learn or use? Whether it’s your photography skills, writing expertise, or even how to manage a garden, there’s someone out there who needs your knowledge. (Fun fact: The online gardening niche has grown by 250% in the last five years!)
- Create valuable content: Start with something bite-sized. Maybe an eBook, a checklist, or a beginner’s guide. People love tangible, actionable knowledge that they can use immediately. (Check out what products already exist, create something similar, put your touch on it and optimally, add extra value, maybe a video, extra inspiration, link list or maybe an in depth tutorial to go with the product – those make good reasons to pay for your product!)
- Set up your digital storefront: Use platforms like WordPress with a simple e-commerce plugin, or even a service like Gumroad to host your products. Make the buying process seamless. Check out my blog post on popular digital storefronts that you can use to sell your products – or take a look at this post, showing ways to sell digital products on your wordpress blog.
- Create a landing page on your WordPress site: A landing page is powerful, it’s a distraction free page that’s dedicated to selling your product. It can lead to either a blog purchase or an external selling platform. What’s powerful about a landing page is the possibility of paid advertising, that can bring in a lot of sales for a quality product in your niche.
- Leverage your audience: Promote your product on all your platforms. Whether through blog posts, YouTube videos, or email newsletters, constantly remind your audience about the value you’ve created for them.
Quick Tip: Use storytelling to sell your product. Share your personal journey and why you created this product—it builds trust and emotional connection with your audience. People buy with their hearts first and their wallets second.
Inspirational Creator Stories
Still not sure? Take a note from creators like Ali Abdaal, a YouTuber and ex-doctor who sells online courses about productivity and studying techniques. He built his audience with helpful, free content and then created a passive income stream by offering premium, in-depth courses. Today, his digital products make up a significant chunk of his income, allowing him to focus on what he loves: creating content.
Marie Forleo, a motivational speaker and entrepreneur, has been killing it with her online courses and digital coaching programs. Her quote sums it up:
“Digital products allow you to reach people all over the world, without being limited by time zones or physical locations.”
You’re no longer bound by where you are or how much time you have. Once it’s created, it works for you forever.
Digital products allow you to reach people all over the world, without being limited by time zones or physical locations
Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Freedom
Creating and selling digital products isn’t just about making money (though, let’s be real, that’s a sweet bonus).
It’s about building something that gives you freedom—the freedom to earn while you’re out hiking or sipping coffee, the freedom to reach people across the world, and the freedom to share your passion without burning out.
So, whether you’re a YouTuber, a hobbyist, or an entrepreneur, consider making digital products part of your journey. They’re scalable, high-margin, and can completely transform your business model.
Ready to start creating?
Popular digital storefronts to sell your digital products
How to sell digital products on your WordPress blog
