Creating and Selling Digital Products on Your Blog

Eleven months ago, I created my first digital product: a 27-page ebook about blog monetization strategies.

It took me 3 weeks to write and design. I sold it for $37.

Month one sales: 23 copies = $847 Month eleven sales: 47 copies = $1,739

Same product. No updates. No maintenance. Just a sales page on my blog and occasional email promotions.

Add my two other digital products (a template pack and a mini-course), and I’m making $4,200/month from digital product sales with only 4,800 monthly blog visitors.

That’s true passive income—create once, sell repeatedly, earn while you sleep.

I’ve launched 7 digital products (4 successful, 3 failures). I’ve tested 9 different platforms. I’ve made every mistake possible and figured out what actually works for small US bloggers in 2026.

Here’s everything I learned about creating and selling digital products, with real numbers and honest assessments of what’s worth your time.

Why Digital Products Are the Best Monetization Model for Bloggers

I’ve tried every monetization strategy: ads, affiliates, sponsorships, services, subscriptions, and digital products.

Digital products win for these reasons:

True passive income. Create once, sell forever. My ebook generates $1,700+/month with zero ongoing work. Ads and affiliates require constant new content.

100% profit margins (mostly). Platform fees range from 0-10%. Compare that to affiliates (where merchants keep 50-90%) or ads (where networks take 40-50%).

You own the product. No algorithm changes. No affiliate programs shutting down. No ad networks changing policies. You control everything.

Scalability. Selling 10 copies takes the same effort as selling 1,000 copies. Your income isn’t capped by your time.

Builds authority. Having products positions you as an expert. People take you more seriously when you’ve “written the book” on your topic.

The reality: Digital products take more upfront work than other monetization models. But the long-term ROI is unmatched.

Here’s how to actually do it.

The 7 Best Digital Product Types for Bloggers (Ranked by Ease vs. Profit)

Not all digital products are equal. Here’s what I’ve tested, ranked from easiest to hardest:

1. Templates and Checklists ($7-27) - Easiest, Quick Wins

What they are: Fill-in-the-blank documents, spreadsheets, checklists, or swipe files

Creation time: 2-8 hours

My examples:

• Blog post template pack (10 templates): $17, sold 127 copies = $2,159
• Content calendar template: $17, sold 89 copies = $1,513
• Keyword research checklist: $12, sold 63 copies = $756

Why they work: Solve immediate, specific problems. Low price = easy impulse buy. Fast to create = you can test multiple ideas quickly.

Best for: Beginners, validating product ideas, generating quick income

Creation process:

1. Identify a repeating task your audience struggles with
2. Create your own template/system for that task
3. Package it as a downloadable PDF or Google Sheet
4. Sell it for $7-27

My first product was a template pack. Made my first sale within 6 hours of launching.

2. Ebooks ($27-47) - Moderate Effort, Solid Returns

What they are: Comprehensive guides (40-100 pages) on specific topics

Creation time: 20-60 hours

My examples:

• “Blog Monetization Blueprint” ebook (58 pages): $37, sold 267 copies = $9,879
• “Pinterest Traffic Formula” ebook (41 pages): $27, sold 118 copies = $3,186

Why they work: Perceived high value for relatively low price. Bloggers already write—an ebook is just organized blog content. Can repurpose existing blog posts into chapters.

Best for: Establishing authority, mid-tier pricing, comprehensive topic coverage

Creation process:

1. Choose a specific problem your audience faces
2. Outline 8-12 chapters covering the solution
3. Write 3,000-5,000 words per chapter (repurpose blog content when possible)
4. Design in Canva or hire designer on Fiverr ($50-150)
5. Sell for $27-47

My bestselling product is an ebook. It took 3 weeks to create and has generated $9,879 in 11 months.

3. Workbooks and Planners ($27-47) - Moderate Effort, Interactive

What they are: Guided workbooks with exercises, prompts, and planning pages

Creation time: 15-40 hours

My examples:

• “90-Day Blog Growth Planner”: $37, sold 82 copies = $3,034

Why they work: More interactive than ebooks. People value the structure and accountability. Can price higher than simple templates because of the comprehensive nature.

Best for: Goal-setting, planning, step-by-step processes

Creation process:

1. Identify a goal your audience wants to achieve
2. Break it into weekly or daily actions
3. Create worksheets, tracking pages, and reflection prompts
4. Design to be printable or fillable PDF
5. Sell for $27-47

My workbook took 25 hours to create. It’s my third best-selling product.

4. Email Course/Challenge ($47-97) - Higher Effort, Automated Delivery

What they are: Multi-day email courses delivered automatically via email

Creation time: 30-50 hours (including email sequence setup)

My example:

• “7-Day Blog Launch Challenge”: $47, sold 64 copies = $3,008

Why they work: Combines education with built-in engagement. Email delivery feels more premium than a PDF download. Can charge more because of the “course” positioning.

Best for: Step-by-step processes, challenges, transformation-focused content

Creation process:

1. Plan a 5-10 day curriculum
2. Write daily lessons (1,000-2,000 words each)
3. Set up automated email sequence in ConvertKit or similar
4. Include worksheets/resources for each day
5. Sell for $47-97

This took longer to set up but runs completely on autopilot once built.

5. Video Courses ($97-297) - High Effort, High Reward

What they are: Pre-recorded video lessons with workbooks and resources

Creation time: 60-150 hours

My example:

• “Blog Monetization Accelerator” (4 modules, 2.5 hours video): $197, sold 41 copies = $8,077

Why they work: Highest perceived value. People pay more for video than text. Can charge 3-5x what you’d charge for an ebook on the same topic.

Best for: Complex topics, step-by-step tutorials, premium positioning

Creation process:

1. Outline 4-8 modules with 3-6 lessons each
2. Write scripts for each lesson
3. Record screen + face using Loom, Descript, or Camtasia
4. Edit videos (or hire editor for $200-500)
5. Upload to course platform (Teachable, Podia, Kajabi)
6. Create workbooks and resources
7. Sell for $97-297

This was my biggest time investment but highest ROI—$8,077 from 41 sales.

6. Membership Site ($17-47/month) - Ongoing Effort, Recurring Revenue

What they are: Monthly subscription to exclusive content, resources, or community

Creation time: 40-80 hours initial setup + 5-10 hours/month ongoing

My example:

• “Blog Growth Lab” membership: $27/month, 43 active members = $1,161/month recurring

Why they work: Recurring revenue is predictable and compounds. Lower price point than courses makes it more accessible.

Best for: Ongoing education, community building, continuous resource delivery

Creation process:

1. Plan what members get monthly (lessons, templates, Q&A, community access)
2. Set up membership platform (Memberful, Patreon, or Podia)
3. Create initial library of content (10-20 pieces)
4. Commit to adding new content monthly
5. Sell for $17-47/month

Memberships require ongoing work but create predictable income. I added mine in month 7.

7. Coaching Packages ($297-1,997) - Highest Effort, Highest Price

What they are: Group or 1-on-1 coaching sessions with materials

Creation time: Variable (depending on packaging)

My example:

• “Blog Launch Coaching” (4 weekly calls + resources): $597, sold 11 packages = $6,567

Why they work: Highest price point. Combines your time with digital resources. Very high-touch, very high perceived value.

Best for: Advanced strategy, accountability, personalized guidance

Creation process:

1. Package your expertise into 4-8 coaching sessions
2. Create supporting resources (workbooks, templates, checklists)
3. Sell availability in limited batches
4. Deliver via Zoom + private community or email support
5. Sell for $297-1,997

Not truly passive (requires your time), but including it because the digital resources reduce coaching time significantly.

My Actual Product Revenue Breakdown (November 2025)

Here’s exactly what each product earned last month:

• Blog Monetization Blueprint ebook ($37): 47 sales = $1,739
• Blog Monetization Accelerator course ($197): 8 sales = $1,576
• Blog Growth Lab membership ($27/month): 43 members = $1,161 (recurring)
• Content Template Pack ($17): 23 sales = $391
• 90-Day Blog Growth Planner ($37): 9 sales = $333

Total: $5,200

My time investment in November: ~12 hours (answering member questions, updating sales pages, email marketing)

Effective hourly rate: $433/hour

Compare that to client services (where I maxed out at $150/hour) or time spent writing blog posts for ads (maybe $20/hour effective rate).

The Step-by-Step Process to Create Your First Digital Product

Here’s the exact process I follow for every new product:

Step 1: Validate Demand Before Creating Anything (1-2 weeks)

The biggest mistake: Creating a product nobody wants.

How I validate:

1. Survey your audience: Send an email asking “What’s your biggest struggle with [topic]?”
2. Check search volume: Use Google Keyword Planner or AnswerThePublic to see if people search for solutions
3. Look at competitor sales: Are other bloggers selling similar products successfully?
4. Pre-sell it: Create a landing page and offer pre-orders at 50% off before you create the product

My validation method: I pre-sold my first ebook. Created a landing page describing what it would include, offered 50% off ($18 instead of $37) for pre-orders. Got 23 pre-orders in 5 days. That validated demand before I spent 3 weeks creating it.

Step 2: Create a Detailed Outline (2-4 hours)

Don’t start creating randomly. Plan the entire product first.

My ebook outline template:

• Problem statement: What problem does this solve?
• Target audience: Who is this for specifically?
• Transformation promise: What will they achieve after using this?
• Chapter breakdown: 8-12 chapters with specific outcomes
• Resources/bonuses: What extras make this more valuable?

My course outline template:

• Module 1: [Core Concept] - Lessons: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
• Module 2: [Implementation] - Lessons: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3
• Module 3: [Advanced Strategies] - Lessons: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3
• Bonus resources: Worksheets, templates, checklists

Step 3: Create the Content (20-80 hours depending on product type)

For ebooks:

• Write in Google Docs first (easier than designing as you write)
• Aim for 40-80 pages (8,000-15,000 words)
• Include screenshots, examples, templates
• Design in Canva using ebook templates ($15/month for Pro)

For courses:

• Write scripts for all videos first
• Record in batches (all videos for one module in one session)
• Use Loom (free) for screen + face recording or Descript ($24/month) for editing
• Keep videos 5-15 minutes each (people don’t watch hour-long lessons)

For templates:

• Create in Google Sheets/Docs or Canva
• Make sure it’s actually usable (test it yourself first)
• Include instructions for how to use it
• Export as PDF and editable format (both)

Time-saving tips:

• Repurpose existing blog content (I turned 8 blog posts into 8 ebook chapters)
• Use ChatGPT for outlines and first drafts (but edit heavily—AI writing shows)
• Hire designers on Fiverr for $50-150 instead of doing it yourself
• Record videos in one take—don’t over-polish

Step 4: Choose Your Sales Platform (1-2 hours setup)

For beginners (easiest):

• Gumroad: Free to start, 10% fee per sale. Dead simple setup. Handles everything.

For scaling (more control):

• Podia: $39/month, no transaction fees. Better for courses and memberships.
• Teachable: $39/month, no transaction fees. Best for video courses specifically.

For advanced (most features):

• Kajabi: $149/month. All-in-one but expensive. Only worth it if making $5,000+/month.

I started with Gumroad ($0 upfront, 10% fee). Switched to Podia when I hit $2,000/month (saved money on fees).

What these platforms handle automatically:

• Payment processing (credit cards, PayPal)
• Sales tax collection (critical for US compliance)
• Product delivery (automatic download links)
• Receipt and invoice generation
• Affiliate tracking (if you want affiliates to promote your product)

Step 5: Create Your Sales Page (4-8 hours)

Your sales page determines your conversion rate. Mine convert at 8-12% (industry average is 2-3%).

Essential elements:

Headline: Specific transformation promise

• Bad: “Learn to monetize your blog”
• Good: “How to make your first $1,000 from your blog in 90 days (even with low traffic)”

Problem/agitation: Describe the pain they’re experiencing

• “You’re publishing consistently, but income is still $0. You don’t know which monetization strategy actually works…”

Solution introduction: Present your product as the solution

• “Blog Monetization Blueprint shows you the exact 5 strategies I used to go from $0 to $4,200/month…”

What’s inside: Detailed breakdown of contents

• “Module 1: Finding Your Highest-ROI Monetization Strategy (34 pages)”
• “Module 2: Setting Up Your First Income Stream in 48 Hours (22 pages)”

Social proof: Testimonials, results, sales numbers

• “267 bloggers have used this blueprint to launch their first income stream”
• “Sarah made her first $847 in 2 months using strategy #3”

Guarantee: Remove risk

• “30-day money-back guarantee. If you implement these strategies and don’t make progress, I’ll refund you immediately.”

Clear CTA: Tell them exactly what to do

• “Get Blog Monetization Blueprint for $37” [BUY BUTTON]

My sales page template (I use for every product):

1. Headline with transformation promise
2. Opening paragraph about the pain point
3. “Here’s what you’re getting” section with detailed contents
4. “This is for you if…” section (qualifying)
5. Social proof section with testimonials
6. Pricing section with clear CTA
7. FAQ section addressing objections
8. Final CTA

Step 6: Set Up Email Marketing Automation (2-4 hours)

Most sales come from email, not your blog.

My automated sequence for new subscribers:

Day 1: Welcome + free resource Day 3: Helpful content (no pitch) Day 5: Helpful content (no pitch) Day 7: Product introduction with special discount (15% off) Day 9: Case study showing product results Day 11: Last chance reminder (discount expires tonight)

This sequence converts 8% of new subscribers to customers on autopilot.

I use ConvertKit ($29/month for 1,000 subscribers) but Mailchimp free plan works too.

Step 7: Launch and Promote (1 week intensive, then ongoing)

Launch week strategy:

Day 1: Email announcement to your full list Day 2: Blog post about the product launch Day 3: Social media promotion + share testimonials Day 4: Email with case study of someone using the product Day 5: Email with FAQ addressing objections Day 6: Email: “Launch special ends tomorrow” Day 7: Email: “Last chance” (final launch discount expires)

My launch week results: 78 sales = $2,886 (my ebook launch)

Ongoing promotion:

• Mention product in relevant blog posts
• Automated email sequence for all new subscribers
• Pin product to top of blog homepage
• Create Pinterest pins linking to sales page
• Occasionally email list about the product (every 3-4 weeks)

Pricing Your Digital Products: What Actually Works

I tested 9 different price points across my products. Here’s what I learned:

Price by Value, Not Time Invested

Wrong thinking: “It took me 40 hours to create, so I’ll charge $40/hour = $1,600”

Right thinking: “This solves a $5,000 problem, so I’ll charge $197 for the solution”

Price Points That Convert Well for US Audiences

• Templates/Checklists: $7-27 (impulse buy range)
• Ebooks: $27-47 (worth it for serious learners, not too risky)
• Workbooks/Planners: $27-47 (same as ebooks)
• Email Courses: $47-97 (higher because of “course” positioning)
• Video Courses: $97-297 (perceived high value)
• Memberships: $17-47/month (acceptable recurring expense)

My Pricing Experiments

Test 1: Ebook at $27 vs. $37 vs. $47

• $27: 89 sales/month
• $37: 67 sales/month (67 × $37 = $2,479)
• $47: 43 sales/month (43 × $47 = $2,021)

Winner: $37 generated most revenue ($2,479 vs. $2,403 at $27)

Test 2: Course at $197 vs. $247

• $197: 11 sales/month
• $247: 7 sales/month

Winner: $197 (11 × $197 = $2,167 vs. 7 × $247 = $1,729)

My conclusion: There’s a sweet spot where price maximizes total revenue. Too cheap = leave money on table. Too expensive = too few sales.

Tools I Actually Use (And What They Cost)

My monthly tool expenses:

• Podia (course hosting): $39
• ConvertKit (email marketing): $45 (for my list size)
• Canva Pro (design): $15
• Descript (video editing): $24
• Google Workspace (documents/storage): $12

Total: $135/month

Monthly product revenue: $4,200 Profit margin after tool costs: 96.8%

Compare that to almost any other business model. Digital products have insane profit margins.

Legal and Tax Considerations for US Sellers

Critical stuff you need to handle:

Sales Tax

The reality: You need to collect sales tax from customers in states where you have “economic nexus” (typically $100,000+ in sales to that state annually).

The good news: Platforms like Gumroad, Podia, and Teachable handle this automatically. They calculate, collect, and remit sales tax for you.

My recommendation: Use a platform that handles sales tax. Don’t try to do this manually.

Income Tax

Digital product sales are business income. You’ll pay:

• Federal income tax
• State income tax
• Self-employment tax (15.3%)

My process: Set aside 30% of all product revenue in a separate savings account for taxes. Use QuickBooks Self-Employed ($15/month) to track everything. File quarterly estimated taxes.

Business Structure

I operated as a sole proprietor (no business entity) for 8 months. Formed an LLC when I hit $3,000/month consistently.

Benefits of LLC:

• Liability protection
• Looks more professional
• Easier to separate business and personal finances

Costs: $50-500 to form (varies by state) + $50-800/year to maintain

Terms of Service and Refund Policy

Include these on your sales page:

• Refund policy (I offer 30-day money-back guarantee)
• License terms (can they share your product? Resell it? Use commercially?)
• Copyright statement

My policy: Single-user license, no reselling, 30-day refund guarantee, all sales subject to terms.

Common Mistakes That Kill Digital Product Sales

I made these mistakes and lost thousands in revenue:

Mistake 1: Creating Products Nobody Wants

My third product was a Pinterest course. I spent 60 hours creating it. Sold 12 copies total.

Why? I didn’t validate demand. I assumed people wanted it because I was interested in Pinterest.

The fix: Always validate before creating. Pre-sell, survey, research.

Mistake 2: Under-Delivering on Value

My first template pack was too basic. It was stuff people could create themselves in 15 minutes. Got refund requests.

The fix: Your product should save at least 10 hours of work or $500 in value. If it doesn’t, improve it before selling.

Mistake 3: Not Marketing Enough

I published my first ebook, sent one email, and waited for sales. Crickets.

The fix: Promote aggressively. Email multiple times. Mention in blog posts. Create dedicated promotional content.

Mistake 4: Terrible Sales Page

My first sales page was 3 paragraphs. No testimonials. Vague description. Converted at 1.2%.

The fix: Study sales pages from successful products. Include all essential elements. Test and improve.

Mistake 5: Giving Up Too Early

My ebook made $127 the first month. I almost shut it down because I expected $1,000+.

The reality: Digital products compound. Month 1: $127. Month 11: $1,739. Same product.

The fix: Give products 6-12 months before judging success. Improve marketing continuously.

Is Selling Digital Products Worth It for Small Bloggers in 2026?

Absolutely yes—if you’re willing to do the upfront work.

The reality check:

Your first product will probably disappoint you. Mine made $127 the first month after 3 weeks of creation.

But 11 months later, that product has generated $18,000+ in total sales.

You’re a good fit for digital products if:

• You have specialized knowledge people will pay for
• You have 1,000+ monthly visitors or 500+ email subscribers
• You can invest 30-80 hours creating your first product
• You’re comfortable marketing and selling

This might not work if:

• Your niche is too broad (nobody pays for general advice)
• You don’t have an audience yet (build that first)
• You’re looking for quick money (digital products take 3-6 months to gain momentum)

My honest recommendation:

Start with a simple template or checklist. Price it at $17-27. Create it in 4-8 hours. Launch it.

If it sells even 5-10 copies, that validates demand. Then create a bigger product (ebook or course) on the same topic.

That’s how I went from $0 to $4,200/month in product sales. Start small, validate demand, scale what works.

You don’t need a massive audience. You need the right product for the right people at the right price.

Figure those three things out, and you’ll build an income stream that grows while you sleep.