The Best Digital Products for Beginners

With the surge in online platforms and tools, it's never been easier to design, distribute, and promote digital products. Whether you're a prolific writer, an adept graphic designer, or someone with expertise in a particular field, there's a niche for you.

Starting with resources like Canva templates, which cater to the graphic needs of over 50 million users, or instructional content that can guide others in your field of knowledge, the digital landscape is ripe with possibilities.

Selling digital products isn't just about what you create, it's also about understanding the needs and wants of potential customers.

Identifying a gap in the market or an audience's pain points can guide you toward products that will sell.

Tools and products that ease workflows, or items that entertain and educate, are just a couple of examples of digital products that can attract interest and generate revenue.

As you embark on this digital journey, remember that adaptability and customer insights are as crucial as the product you offer.

Printables

Starting your digital products venture can be thrilling, and printables offer a perfect entry point.

These digital files, which customers can download and print themselves, blend creativity with simplicity. They're diverse, ranging from planners and trackers to wall art and education materials.

Here's a quick guide to tap into the printable market:

• Planners and Schedules: Keep yourself organized with everything from daily to-do lists to detailed monthly planners.
• Trackers: From monitoring fitness goals to budgeting finances, trackers help maintain discipline in various aspects of life.
• Educational Materials: Include worksheets for students of all ages and coloring pages that entertain while they educate.
• Templates: Resumes, invitations, or business cards, templates allow for personal customization.

You don't need advanced graphic design skills; many creators use free software to design their products.

With printables, your focus should be on creating items that add value to customers' everyday lives. Remember that simplicity and usability are key.

Popular Printable Types	Uses
Trackers	Monitoring personal progress
Planners	Organizing daily tasks
Educational Materials	Learning and development
Templates	Customizable documents

To sell your printables, platforms like Etsy provide a marketplace with an active customer base.

Success often comes from understanding what your customers are looking for and delivering high-quality products that meet those needs.

Canva Templates

When you're starting out with digital product creation, Canva templates are a goldmine for quick and professional designs. You can use Canva's array of templates for various projects:

• Zoom backgrounds: Impress your audience with custom virtual backdrops.
• Infographics: Convey complex data in a visually engaging way.
• Book covers: Attract readers with eye-catching front pages.
• Letterheads: Establish brand consistency with professional stationery.
• Photo collages: Showcase memories or product images in a creative layout.
• Tickets: Design attractive tickets for events or raffles.

Starting from scratch isn't necessary; you can customize existing templates to fit your needs. The key to selling these designs is ensuring they are unique to you.

By adjusting elements like color schemes, fonts, and images, you transform a generic template into something uniquely yours.

Canva offers a variety of tools even with the free version, so you can begin without any upfront investment.

Just make sure if you are using any Free or Pro Content in a design you intend to sell, it must be original and not a direct copy of Canva's templates.

Online Course

If you're aiming to step into the digital world, starting with an online course can provide you with the foundation you need.

There's a wealth of beginner-friendly courses available that cater specifically to newcomers. These courses often cover the essentials that beginners need to get started in whatever topic your course covers.

Popular options in the marketing niche:

• Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce: This course is great for grasping the basics of digital marketing and online sales.
• Foundations of Digital Marketing and E-commerce: Also by Google, this course dives deeper into the fundamental strategies of digital sales and promotion.

For a structured learning path, you might consider certification programs. They're designed to systematically build your knowledge and skills over time.

Certification Courses:

• Digital Marketing Specialization: Coursera offers this multi-course program that takes you from beginner to proficient.
• Digital Product Management: Learn how to manage digital products effectively, a course offered by the University of Virginia.

The digital landscape is constantly evolving; the best course for you keeps pace with the latest trends and gives you practical tools.

Look for courses with hands-on exercises and real-world applications to reinforce learning. Joining a community of learners can also support your journey, providing networking opportunities and peer feedback.

Courses vary in length and commitment – from weeks to a few months – fitting different schedules and learning styles.

Choose a course that fits your learning style and schedule, and you'll be on your way to mastering the digital market.

Ebooks

Ebooks are an excellent entry point for you to step into the world of digital products. They're versatile, cost-effective to produce, and there's a broad market of eager readers spanning across numerous genres.

Getting started is as simple as having a computer and a topic you are passionate about.

Formats & Reading Devices:

• PDF: Universal format, easily accessible
• EPUB: Flexible, reflowable, suitable for smartphones, tablets, e-readers
• MOBI: Preferred for Amazon Kindle devices

You can create and sell ebooks on platforms that handle everything from distribution to payments.

Begin by writing your content and formatting it per the chosen platform's guidelines.

Here's a brief guide on the steps to publish:

1. Write your content using a text editor.
2. Choose an ebook format (PDF, EPUB, MOBI).
3. Design a compelling cover.
4. Set up an account on an ebook distribution platform (e.g., PublishDrive).
5. Upload your book and metadata.
6. Set a price and publish.

Your ebooks can also be an avenue for sharing your expertise or storytelling creativity. Educational content, how-to guides, or immersive fiction are popular categories.

You can monetize your knowledge or craft stories linked to what you're already good at.

Optional Strategies:

• Leverage SEO for better visibility.
• Offer the first chapter free to entice readers.
• Bundle ebooks with related digital products.

There's an audience for nearly every niche, and with ebooks, you can reach them globally without the need for physical distribution.

Stock Photos and Graphics/Illustrations

When you're starting out in the digital product space, selling stock photos and graphics can be a game-changer. They help people create professional-looking content without the need for expensive shoots or equipment.

Free Graphic Design Software

As a beginner, you might not be ready to invest in premium design software. Luckily, there are high-quality free options:

• Krita: Ideal for illustrators with a focus on painting tools.
• Inkscape: Great for creating vector graphics.
• GIMP: Offers a range of functionalities for aspiring professionals.

Graphics and Illustration Sites

If you need specific illustrations, free resources can be a treasure trove:

• Look for sites that allow commercial use without fees.
• Always double-check the copyright and license agreement.

By utilizing these resources, you can enhance your digital products with visuals that captivate and convert. Just remember to respect the content's licensing agreements to keep everything above board.

Stock Video Footage

For anyone kick-starting your YouTube channel, having access to quality stock video footage can be a game-changer.

With the right stock videos, anyone can enhance the visual appeal of their content even if on a tight budget or don't have the means to shoot the footage yourself. And you can sell that stock footage to them.

Audio Files

When starting with selling digital audio, understanding the different types of audio files people buy is crucial. That includes things like sound effects and music tracks, each with varying file formats.

Sound Effects

These are essential for adding depth to projects. They typically come in formats like WAV or AIFF, which are lossless and retain the original quality. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• WAV: Widely used, compatible with most software.
• AIFF: Similar to WAV, with slightly different features, often used on Apple devices.

Music Tracks

For music tracks, you can sell MP3s or FLAC files:

• MP3: Compressed format, strikes a balance between quality and file size.
• FLAC: Lossless compression, keeping the quality high with smaller file sizes compared to WAV.

Here's a simplified guide:

File Type	Usage	Pros	Cons
WAV	Professional editing	High quality, no compression	Large file size
AIFF	General use, Apple users	High quality, native to Apple	Larger size than MP3
MP3	Streaming, downloading	Small file size, decent quality	Lossy compression
FLAC	Hi-Fi audio	Reduced size, no quality loss	Not universally supported

Stick to WAV or AIFF for editing sound effects. They give the best quality for fine-tuning. For distributing music, MP3s are still king due to their balance of quality and size.

WordPress Themes and Plugins

Since so many people have WordPress-based websites, selling themes and plugins is a great way to start with digital products.

With an array of themes and plugins to sell, buyers can customize their website to fit their brand and showcase products effectively.

Custom Products

When you’re starting out with digital products, consider offering custom services that cater to specific client needs. Custom products can range broadly, but some of the most accessible for beginners include:

• Nutrition Plans: Tailor-made nutrition guides based on individual dietary requirements and fitness goals.
• Artwork: Personalized digital art like portraits, prints, or pattern designs.
• Logos: Craft unique logos that capture the brand essence of a business.
• Voiceovers: Offer your vocal talents for adverts, podcasts, or explainer videos.
• Explainer Videos: Create custom, engaging videos that break down complex topics or showcase products.

When you’re making custom products, remember to:

Do's	Don'ts
Understand the client's needs	Overpromise on what you can deliver
Communicate clearly and regularly	Ignore the importance of your time
Keep refining your skills	Undercharge for the value you’re providing
Use contracts for clarity	Skip getting feedback to improve

Offering custom digital products allows you to use your skills to solve real problems for your clients. This personal touch not only adds value but also builds your reputation as a reliable digital creator.

Keep honing your craft, value your time, and don't forget to leverage feedback for continuous improvement.

Paid Newsletters and Membership Programs

Paid newsletters offer you a unique chance to monetize your expertise and connect directly with your audience.

Think of them as exclusive clubs where members get more than just updates—they get specialized content that adds real value to their lives or work.

Why Choose Paid Newsletters?

• Consistent Revenue: Once subscribers sign up, you receive a regular income.
• Niche Markets: They are perfect for targeting specific interests.
• Flexibility: You can adjust content frequency and style to suit your schedule and your audience’s preferences.

Popular Platforms:

• Substack: A favorite for its user-friendly interface.
• Patreon: Not just for newsletters, but a robust membership platform.
• ConvertKit: Great for those who already have a mailing list.

When starting your newsletter, the platform you choose makes a huge difference. Here's a quick breakdown:

Platform	Pros	Ideal for
Substack	No startup costs, easy to use	Writers starting from scratch
Patreon	Multiple membership tiers	Creators with diverse content
ConvertKit	Advanced email marketing features	Creators with existing audience

With these platforms, you can share your content through text, video, or a combination of mediums. Tailor your content to what your audience loves, and they’ll be happy to pay for the value you’re giving.

Remember to keep your content engaging and valuable to maintain and grow your subscriber base.

Conclusion

Embarking on the journey of selling digital products can be both exciting and rewarding. You've learned that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, but certain digital products stand out as particularly suitable for beginners.

These include eBooks, online courses, and stock photography, due to their relatively low barriers to entry and potential for passive income.

Stay open to exploring various platforms for selling your products. The key is to start simple, learn the ropes, and then gradually expand your digital offerings as you grow more confident in this space.

Keep in mind that customer needs and digital trends shift over time, so keep learning and adapting.

Your dedication to understanding the market and refining your products will help ensure your success in the dynamic world of digital sales.