What is a Digital Product?
A digital product is any product you sell online that the buyer can download or access directly to their computer, smartphone, or other digital device.
The main difference between digital and physical products is that digital products are not tangible, but they do offer a lot of value to the person who buys them.
Here are a few examples of what digital products can be:
- E-books: They are often sold on platforms such as Amazon Kindle and Google Books or directly from a company or individual's website.
- Online Courses: Consider websites like Udemy, Coursera, and Masterclass, which allow professionals to create courses for a global audience.
- Music, Podcasts, and Audiobooks: These could be songs, entire music albums, podcast episodes, or audiobooks, offering a wide range of entertainment options.
- Digital Art and Graphics: Logos, printable artwork, digital illustrations, website templates, and more.
- Software and Apps: These include complete software programs like Microsoft Office and smartphone apps, games, and add-ons.
- Photos and Videos: Includes digital photos, stock images, animations, and video clips.
- Web-Based Services: These include cloud-based software services, SEO services, social media marketing services, and more. Services offered online are also considered digital products.
Benefits of Marketing Digital Products Online
The digital world is growing fast, and so is the demand for digital products.
Here's why promoting these products online is not just a good idea, but a necessity:
- Unlimited Global Reach: You can sell digital products to anyone worldwide without physical borders.
- Lower Costs: Selling digital products is generally cheaper than selling physical products. You don't have to worry about material costs or the cost of making, storing, or shipping the product.
- Customization Capabilities: Digital products can be updated and customized anytime based on customer feedback and needs.
- Automation Potential: Many aspects of selling digital products can be automated. It's almost like continuing to make money while you sleep 😴 This includes instant delivery, payment processing, and even customer support with AI chatbots.
- Passive Income: Once a digital product is created, it can generate sales and profits over a long period without requiring constant attention, providing a good source of passive income.
- Digital Products are Growing: According to research, e-learning will be worth 840 billion dollars by 2030, and another research says that people are reading a lot of e-books. By 2027, 1.1 billion people might be reading e-books.
Market Digital Products Online: Sell & Promote Your Digital Product
Your strategy plan is ready! We'll examine specific strategies, ranging from identifying appropriate platforms and creating custom landing pages to implementing innovative techniques for lead generation, engagement, and conversion.
Let's discover how you can quickly increase your digital product sales:
1. Identify the Platform(s) That Works Best for Your Product
How you market a digital product is closely related to your chosen platform, as each one includes its own marketplace.
Each platform differs in terms of audience reach, cost, level of effort, and potential revenue generation.
You should always consider your target audience, product, and resources before choosing the right platform to sell your digital product.
Table showing on which platforms you can sell your digital product and which platform you can choose for which product:
Optimal Platforms for Selling Digital Products:
2. Create a Separate Landing Page
When you list a product on a marketplace like Etsy or Udemy, the platform automatically creates an individual page for your digital product.
This page includes information about the product you provide, such as its description, price, images, and perhaps some additional specifics, depending on its nature.
But, with your own landing page, you can control the aesthetic and branding entirely, making it a seamless part of your web presence.
Overall, when optimizing your product's landing page, you should focus on the following aspects:
- A clear, concise headline -> For example, in the image below, we can see Andrew Ng's landing page for his "Machine Learning Specialization" course on Coursera.
- A quick explanation of what the digital product is
- Eye-catching visuals representing the product
- Benefit-oriented content: How will your product solve a problem or improve the user's life? For example, Andrew Ng provides comprehensive details about the course content and its benefits to the target audience.
- Call to Action: Clear, concise, and engaging text that prompts the user to take action
- Social Proof: Reviews, testimonials, and case studies, if available. And you can see how Andrew Ng uses social proof:
3. Building a Subscriber Base with Adding a Lead Magnet
Now you have a digital product, if you sell the product on your own website, there are plenty of lead magnet ideas.
However, as I mentioned above, even if you sell your product on marketplaces such as Etsy or Ebay, creating a separate landing page is important to promote it.
A lead magnet acts as an offer from potential customers in exchange for contact information (usually an email address). This strategy is very effective because it establishes a direct line of communication with people who have already shown interest in what you offer.
Let’s take a look at a successful example from Epic Gardening: $1,000 Starter Garden Kit Giveaway
- A popular gardening advice platform cleverly uses a full-screen popup to promote their giveaway. You can explore more giveaway examples with: 20 Giveaway Ideas for Small Businesses
- They offer a chance to win a Starter Garden Kit worth $1,000, which includes essential gardening tools like raised beds and seeds.
- To enter, visitors simply need to provide their email address.
4. Create & Send Email Drip Campaigns
Once you’ve set up your digital product on the right platform, crafted an attractive landing page, and implemented a lead magnet to collect emails, the next crucial step is to engage your subscribers with an email drip campaign.
This is a series of emails sent out automatically on a schedule to educate, nurture, and eventually convert your leads into customers.
- Email 1 | Welcome: Thank subscribers for joining, introduce your brand. You can invite them to follow you on social media.
- Email 2 | Value Proposition: Provide helpful tips or information about your product.
- Email 3 | Show Proof: Highlight product benefits with customer testimonials.
- Email 4 | Soft Sale: Offer a limited-time discount or special access. Now you can direct them to your product page.
- Email 5 | Urgency: This is a reminder that the offer expires. Summarize the benefits. Encourage immediate purchase with a direct purchase link.
5. Run Pre-Launch Campaign
Generating some hype before you officially launch your product can be a great way to create an initial burst of interest and sales. This can be done with a pre-launch campaign.
Here's how you can set it up:
- Start by sending an email to your subscribers announcing the launch date of your digital product.
- Tease them with details about the product and its benefits. Let them know that something exciting is coming their way.
- Consider offering early access to your subscribers or loyal followers. This will make them feel valued and increase the chances of getting early reviews and feedback. It could also be a part of your lead magnet strategy, think "Sign up to get early access to our new product."
The "Diablo IV Early Access" campaign effectively uses its design and content to create excitement and attract potential players. In terms of content, the campaign announces that early access to the game is available, which adds a sense of urgency and makes the offer feel exclusive.
6. Leverage Micro-Influencers
You don't necessarily need to target big names for your digital product, even partner with smaller but highly engaged micro influencers.
These influencers often have a more personal connection with their followers and are more trustworthy than more well-known figures.
Once you find the right influencer, implement one of the lead magnet strategies by offering them free access to your e-book, online course, software, mobile app, or any other digital product, as well as unique discount codes or special offers they can share with their audience.
6. Create a Useful Free Tool
Develop a free, simple tool related to your digital product that visitors can use in exchange for their email.
For example, if you offer a fitness course, offering a diet plan builder for free will attract your audience to your core product.
For example, in the example below, heynadine offers a free content planner on its website in addition to its paid travel e-books.
Another example is from Popupsmart. They provide 20+ free digital marketing tools like Popup ROI Calculator and SERP Preview Tool to engage its audience.
By using these free tools, marketers develop familiarity with Popupsmart's core product and are more likely to purchase.
7. Get Involved in Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing involves partnering with individuals or businesses who promote your digital product to their own audience. In return, they receive a commission for each sale made through their referral link.
Implementing an affiliate program for your digital product can effectively boost your product's reach and lead to increased sales.
For example, the image below shows a web page promoting a books and e-books using an affiliate marketing strategy effectively.
It is stated below these links that the website may receive a commission from purchases made through these links.
8. Utilize Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Reviews and testimonials serve as social proof of a product's value and reliability, playing an essential role in influencing potential customers' purchase decisions.
This persuasive tool helps to build trust, increase conversion rates, and drive long-term customer loyalty.
Just like in the image, ensure that positive reviews are easy to find and read on your landing page.
Feature them prominently so that new visitors can see what others have to say about your digital product immediately.
9. Create a Referral Program
How to cake it which offer e-books and courses about "how to cake :)" offers referral program clearly outlines the benefits for both the referrer and the referee. Each party receives a $5 off coupon, which is an attractive incentive that encourages people.
Referral programs encourage existing customers to share your digital product with their network in exchange for rewards.
This can be a powerful tool for organic growth as it leverages word-of-mouth, which is highly trusted among consumers.
So, let's see how you will implement this:
- Offer Attractive Incentives: Provide incentives for the referrer and the referee, such as discounts, freebies, or special access to new products.
- Make Sharing Easy: Integrate easy sharing options into your website and product interface. Tools that create one-click referral links or allow sharing via social media can increase participation rates.
- Tracking and Rewards: Use software that tracks referrals and distributes rewards automatically to ensure the process is seamless for users.
10. Use Social Media Advertising
Social media platforms offer powerful tools for targeting and retargeting potential customers. Advertising on these platforms can drive traffic, increase sales, and build brand awareness.
- Targeted Advertising: Use the demographic, geographic, and psychographic targeting tools available on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to reach your ideal audience.
- Retargeting Campaigns: Implement retargeting campaigns that show ads to users who have visited your site but have not made a purchase.
- Engaging Content: Create ads that tell a story, demonstrate the value of your digital product, or offer a compelling visual experience.
11. Start Online Classes and Workshops
Here's another idea that fits perfectly with digital product sales! Organise online classes and workshops. This is a strategy with more than one good side.
Use online classes to explain your product, what it does, and why it's perfect. Online classes offer a chance to talk directly to customers. You can answer questions then and there, live FAQ sessions :)
Since you are not limited to a physical location, you can reach customers wherever they are. They don't even have to be in your country, as long as they speak your language!
To get people to your webinar, start by reaching out to your email list with a catchy invitation. Next, promote your event across social media platforms using eye-catching posts. Don't forget to highlight it on your website or blog for all visitors to see.
12. Bundle Products for Added Value
Bundle products can provide higher perceived value and encourage purchases that may not occur when sold separately.
- A suite of products that complement each other to enhance the user experience. For example, bundle an e-book with a related online course.
- Create limited time offers to create urgency and increase sales.
- Offer packages as special deals to make customers feel like they're getting special treatment.
For example; how to cake it clearly shows the savings available with each level of bundling—25% off for buying 2 classes, 30% off for 4, and 35% off for 6 or more.
This tiered discount structure incentivizes larger purchases, boosting overall sales.
For those looking to leverage these strategies effectively, creating a visible and engaging popup is crucial.
Below is a video tutorial that guides you through setting up your first popup in just a few minutes, ensuring that your offers are immediately noticeable and enticing for all site visitors:
To Sum Up
Effectively promoting digital products involves strategies that highlight your product's value and appeal to your target audience's needs and preferences.
It's crucial to choose the right platform for your products, create engaging landing pages, and use methods like email campaigns, social media ads, affiliate marketing, customer testimonials, and many more.
Regularly reviewing and adapting your strategies based on your performance data is crucial to maintaining and improving your success.
Always aim to build trust and provide real value to your customers; because this will not only encourage them to buy and repurchase, but will also encourage them to recommend your products to others.
Ultimately, the success of your digital product sales depends on understanding your target audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to Promote Digital Products on Social Media?
Firstly, imagine your ideal customer. Are they scrolling through Instagram for inspiration or checking LinkedIn for professional tips?
Tailor your content to their hangouts and interests. Post things that are not only trendy, but also useful.
Think tutorials, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes. And if you can afford it, invest in targeted advertising on social media. Don't forget retargeting ads to attract back those who browsed your site but didn't buy.
And of course, engage with your followers by responding to comments and messages. Hold giveaways or challenges to keep the conversation going.
2. How to Sell Digital Products Without a Website?
You don't necessarily need a personal website to sell digital products. Here are a few strategies:
- Third-Party Platforms: Sell on platforms that already have an existing customer base. This includes Amazon KDP for eBooks, Udemy or Skillshare for courses, Etsy for digital art, and App Store or Google Play Store for software/apps.
- Social Media Channels: Facebook Marketplace, Instagram Shop, or Pinterest are good platforms for selling digital products, especially visual ones like digital art and templates.
- Email Marketing: Build a strong email list and sell your products directly to your subscribers. Provide them with exclusive discounts or early access to new content.
- Affiliate Marketing: Collaborate with bloggers, influencers, or industry experts and ask them to promote your product on their platforms for a commission.
3. What is the Best Platform to Sell Digital Products?
The best platform depends on your specific product and target audience.
Etsy, Amazon, or Udemy are good for general items like ebooks or online courses.
If your products are more unique, you might want to make your own website using something like Wix or Shopify.
Social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook are good for selling image-based items. You can share articles and music on platforms like Medium or SoundCloud.
If you're a developer selling apps, use places like the Google Play Store or the App Store. Substack's good for exclusive content or newsletters.
For training courses, try using Skillshare or LinkedIn Learning. For live events, consider using platforms like Zoom or Google Meet.
Where you sell your product really depends on what it is and who's likely going to buy it.
Choose a platform where your target audience is most likely to look for or stumble upon your product.
A multi-channel approach can ensure maximum visibility.
