Expert Tips on How to Create a Digital Product to Sell on Your Blog
- Written by Adam Jacobs
As the managing director of a growing talent agency, I use the company blog to not only promote my business but as a way to establish ourselves as an authority in our industry.
You see, blogs are an excellent way to advertise yourself online. They attract new traffic as visitors share content that they enjoy with their friends.
Yet blogs can also be monetised and that's what we’re going to talk about here.
You'll learn how to create a digital product and sell it on your blog. I'll even explain how to produce an ebook and promote it on your site.
Best Digital Product Ideas for Your Blog
Did you know that roughly 409 million people read a post on a blog every month?
That's a huge number of potential customers to sell to if you have the right product.
I don't mean a physical product that has the issues of shipping and stock — I’m talking digital.
But what types of digital products can sell well through a blog?
You're probably thinking of an eBook and you'd be right.
Ebooks are easy to make and they sell really well. Profit margins for the right topics are huge and they don't cost much to host.
I'll explain ebook creation shortly, but what other digital product ideas work to make you money?
- Online courses - either live or recorded webinars
- Knitting and craft patterns - sell digital illustrations of your knitting and sewing patterns
- Business templates - share your business or legal expertise with pre-formatted templates
All you need to do is think of what you're good at or what your company is known for, then digitise it and sell it.
Tips on How to Create a Digital Product
How do you create an ebook to sell on your blog?
Below is a simple 3-step guide to creating an ebook for your site. The process is straightforward and won't cost you a fortune.
1. Producing the Right Content
I know how to manage and promote talent. Bubblegum Casting and Hunter Talent are successful because it's what I know best. So I used that knowledge to create an ebook which I initially sold and then later repurposed as a guide on Bubblegum Casting’s blog.
So what do you know best?
When you realise your talents, write about them! An ebook doesn't have to be the length of War and Peace, but it must be interesting and offer value. So write what you know and make it both enjoyable and of high-value for the reader.
2. Convert to a Digital Product Format
Many ebook authors use Word or Pages to create their masterpieces. But to sell them on your blog you need to convert them to the correct format.
An easy way to do this is to check out one of the many websites that allows you to create and convert your files into a professional looking ebook.
There may be a cost involved, but you’ll make that back once you’ve sold your first few copies of your ebook.
3. Upload and Sell
Finally, upload your files to your website but don't link to them from your blog. Remember, you want people to pay to read them!
WordPress lets you add 'buy now' buttons that integrate with PayPal etc. to accept money. Customers pay and the files are automatically sent to their inbox.
Now it’s your turn
I've explained how to create a digital product and the best way to sell and promote it through your blog. While ebooks remain a popular choice, there are many blog products available that don't require you to write a book. All you need to do is to tap into something that you know and that you’re relatively sure there’s an audience out there for.
Adam Jacobs is the incredibly busy Managing Director of Bubblegum Casting, and Hunter Talent. He works with some of Australia’s biggest brands, media properties and agencies to secure talented children to work in Television, Film and Modelling roles. They’ve recently launched an office in LA too.