Ready to start your own business? Have you considered selling digital products online?
Delving into entrepreneurship has never been easier, thanks to the advancement of recent technology. With the internet, setting up a business, especially one that revolves around digital products, is a cinch as you need not worry about finding a brick and mortar store, inventory, or even shipping. Wherever you are in the world, you can allow your audience to access your products or services with the simple click of a button.
And that’s not all. When selling digital products online, you won’t have to be concerned about a hefty start-up capital. You can take things slow, starting part-time, and then build as you grow. Your profit margin will be higher than if you sold physical products, as there are no shipping costs involved or raw materials needed with digital products.
So if you are ready to take the plunge, the most essential thing to remember is what particular product you need to create. But if you still have doubts, take a cue from our list of digital goods.
1. eBooks
Gone are days when writers would hop from one publisher to another to have their books published. Electronic books are all the rage these days as they provide easy access to reading materials. With the rise of devices like Kindle and Kobo, readers won’t find it hard to read all their favorite books. Furthermore, the upsurge of eBooks have exceeded traditional books. So if you enjoy writing and want your content to reach a wide audience, working with eBook is the way to go.
2. Apps
There are plenty of app designers who have taken advantage of the app market in the hopes to create the next Snapchat. One obvious reason is that app purchases have soared and years from now, app sales would net billions. Though most apps can be sold on app stores like Google Play and Apple’s App Store, those who have developer capabilities can sell their apps in other forums. One thing to note is it’s not only apps that sell fast, you can also sell databases, templates, WordPress, and other downloadable products.
3. Podcast
Podcast hosting services like Blubbry and Podbean have made it easier for consumers to learn information by listening to their favorite shows. If you are interested in selling your podcast, increase your online exposure first. Start by setting up a website and social media networks around it. Then give out your content for free to attract new listeners. You can even create some products around it to use for extra sales or promos. But remember, make sure every podcast you release is effective and engaging.
Also, make your podcasts even more entertaining by providing downloadable vocabulary lists or worksheets from your website. Start a forum to encourage listeners to participate in discussions and share information with others. If you’re ready to start charging for your podcast, make sure you producing top-of-the-line content and including promos, contests, and giveaways in it. To further boost your sales, offer a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
4. Online Courses
While traditional schools and brick-and-mortar establishments are still spinning their tires, the avenue for innovative digital learners and thinkers is selling products online. Those who are ready to compete in the online world can make it big by selling online courses. Now creating an online course is not just about putting up PDF files for sale, it’s also about producing high-level content and having it accessible to the audience. So whether you are an expert in entrepreneurship, finance, technology, lifestyle or in the health industry, selling online courses will give you a solid ROI.
5. Music
If you’re a struggling musician and you want the world to hear your music (or just happen to know a lot of musicians you’d like to help), you can distribute your music to platforms like Amazon or iTunes. But before that, you need to establish your our audience. Create your own website and build your name through social media so you could reach a wide variety of music lovers. Consistently sharing your music on social media platforms will help you boost your brand, attract customers and retain them in the long run. When you are ready to sell your work, remember to meet Apple’s format specifications as it’s one of the heavy hitters you’ll be distributing to.
6. Photography
Are you a photo nerd? Then this is your chance to showcase your photography skills and make money at the same time. The number of photos sold on websites like Shutterstock and Dreamstime rise every minute. Got a DSLR? Well then, you’re ready for business. Apparently, as in any industry, building your brand takes time and a lot of effort. But if you stay consistent and are willing to improve your photography skills, your earning potential is unlimited.
7. Clipart
This term may sound a bit old but people are still raking in cash for creating patterns, pixelated images and digital designs even up to this day. Clipart sales haven’t stopped for years which clearly shows that clipart is still on the upswing. Contrary to what most people say about the death of clipart, it still has a wide audience — from interior and web designers to party consultants and grade-school teachers. This industry will be around for while.
Now that you’re in a business state of mind, this list of profitable digital products should give you some food for thought. Start thinking about your interests, honing your skills, and preparing to compete in the market. Choose one of these digital products, begin creating it today, and make it stands out from the crowd. Pair it with the best eCommerce platform and you surely got a business!