The idea of creating passive income with digital products (like online courses, PDF guides, templates, etc.) is easy in theory, but can be hard for many to implement. Sound familiar?
But it’s really not out of reach! Anyone can do it. You just need a roadmap. Here it is!
Literally, here’s a checklist of the step-by-step process to create and sell digital products on Instagram on autopilot (using ManyChat). There are over 2 billion users on Instagram, so there is definitely space for you to get in and sell yours!
It has never been easier to get started and to make limitless income online doing what you love.
Plus, all you need to get started is:
Laptop and a smartphone
Internet
A few hours per day (you can work when you want, where you want!)
Something you're passionate about and can talk about all the time!
(bonus below: after the checklist is an essential list of tips to be successful in selling digital products for passive income on autopilot!)
Here's a snapshot of the concept of how to sell digital products on autopilot:
And here's a more detailed overview of the passive income funnel:
Step-by-Step Checklist for How to Create & Sell Digital Products for Passive Income:
Choose a digital product that will sell like hotcakes (you don’t want to make something people don’t want to buy!) in a niche that you love (basically a topic that you can talk about all the time, and that people want to learn more about)
Decide on the format of the digital product (e.g., online course, PDF guide or bundle, audio recordings, webinar, templates, bundle of different formats, etc.)
Solve a very specific, niched down problem with your digital product (you don’t need your product to help people with a million different issues; you need to pick a specific niche and solve a problem for a specific audience, so you can have dialed in messaging that speaks directly to them!)
Make your digital product (using the tools you have, and keeping it affordable and easy for you to follow through on)
Price your product to sell like crazy (if it’s too expensive, people won’t buy it; if there’s not enough value for the price, people won’t buy it regardless of the price)
Name your digital product so it’s highly desirable (and doesn’t confuse people, trust me, I’ve been there!)
Set up simple tech flows to make the sales journey easy for customers and keep the backend tech simple for you (complex fails, simple scales!)
Make a sales page and/or check out page that converts (turn those viewers into buyers!)
Create Instagram content that sells without being salesy (and inspires people to follow through on your Calls to Action (CTAs))
Set up Instagram automations to get people to engage with your content and send them to your sales page (I use ManyChat for this purpose, and it’s literally the best thing since sliced bread!)
Post on IG regularly and consistently to get traffic to your sales page and make passive income! (the secret here is to keep going, stay consistent, and show up!)
And if you want the step-by-step process on how to do all of the above, you can get that here.
Here's a List of the Most Profitable Niches for Instagram Content Creators + Examples of Digital Products You Can Create and Sell
The most profitable niches for Instagram content creators to make and sell digital products typically align with areas of high demand and audience engagement.
Here are some top niches with examples:
Personal Development & Wellness
Digital Products: E-books, online courses, guided meditations, habit trackers, and wellness challenges.
Why It's Profitable: People are always looking to improve their mental health, productivity, and overall well-being.
Fitness & Health
Digital Products: Workout plans, meal prep guides, fitness challenges, and nutrition guides.
Why It's Profitable: Fitness enthusiasts are willing to invest in products that help them achieve their goals.
Business & Entrepreneurship
Digital Products: Pre-recorded webinars, e-books on scaling a business, marketing strategies, and financial planning templates.
Why It's Profitable: Aspiring entrepreneurs are eager to learn how to start and grow successful businesses.
Photography & Videography
Digital Products: Lightroom presets, editing tutorials, and videography courses.
Why It's Profitable: Content creators and influencers are constantly looking for ways to enhance the visual appeal of their content.
Art & Design
Digital Products: Printable artwork, design templates, and online art classes.
Why It's Profitable: There's a growing market for digital art, DIY projects, and custom designs.
Travel
Digital Products: Travel guides, itinerary planners, and packing lists.
Why It's Profitable: Travel enthusiasts are always on the lookout for tips and resources to enhance their experiences.
Fashion & Beauty
Digital Products: Style guides, beauty tutorials, and wardrobe planners.
Why It's Profitable: Fashion and beauty are evergreen niches with a dedicated following.
Home Decor & DIY
Digital Products: Interior design guides, DIY project plans, and home organization printables.
Why It's Profitable: Home improvement and decor have surged in popularity, especially with more people focusing on home aesthetics.
Parenting & Family
Digital Products: Parenting guides, activity planners for kids, and meal plans for families.
Why It's Profitable: Parents are constantly looking for resources to make their lives easier and more organized.
Tech & Digital Marketing
Digital Products: SEO guides, social media strategy courses, and website templates.
Why It's Profitable: The digital marketing space is booming, with entrepreneurs needing tools to build and scale their online presence.
Choosing a niche that aligns with your expertise and passion is key to doing well in the long run because you will have to talk about this topic all the time.
By focusing on a profitable niche with a highly engaged audience, you can maximize the potential of your digital products on Instagram. Yay!
Here’s a list of popular digital product types that sell well on Instagram:
1. E-Books and Guides
Description: Comprehensive written content that provides in-depth knowledge on a particular subject.
Examples:
"Ultimate Guide to Instagram Growth for Content Creators"
"Healthy Eating Recipes for Busy Moms with Toddlers"
"Mindfulness and Meditation for Beginners"
2. Online Courses
Description: Structured learning experiences, often including video lessons, quizzes, and assignments.
Examples:
"Mastering Social Media Marketing"
"Yoga for Flexibility in Your Golden Years"
"Photography Basics for Beginners"
3. Templates
Description: Pre-designed, customizable tools that save time and help users with specific tasks.
Examples:
Instagram Story Templates
Business Plan Templates
Budgeting and Financial Planning Spreadsheets
4. Presets and Filters
Description: Pre-configured settings for photo editing software (like Lightroom) that give a consistent look to photos.
Examples:
Travel Photography Presets
Moody Lightroom Filters
Instagram Feed Color Schemes
5. Printables
Description: Downloadable files that users can print at home, typically designed for organization, planning, or creativity.
Examples:
Meal Planners
Goal Setting Worksheets
Printable Wall Art
6. Memberships and Subscriptions
Description: Access to exclusive content or a community on a recurring basis, often with ongoing updates.
Examples:
Monthly Social Media Content Calendars
Access to a Private Fitness Community
Subscription to Exclusive Stock Photos
7. Stock Photos and Graphics
Description: High-quality images, illustrations, or graphic elements that can be used in content creation.
Examples:
Lifestyle Stock Photos
Vector Icons and Illustrations
Background Textures for Design Projects
8. Webinars and Workshops
Description: Live or recorded sessions that provide valuable insights or hands-on learning experiences.
Examples:
"How to Start an E-commerce Business"
"Live Q&A on Instagram Marketing Strategies"
"DIY Home Decor Workshop"
9. Fonts and Calligraphy
Description: Custom-designed typefaces or calligraphy scripts that can be used in design projects.
Examples:
Handwritten Fonts
Calligraphy for Wedding Invitations
Modern Serif Typeface Collections
10. Digital Art and Illustrations
Description: Artistic creations that can be used for personal enjoyment or in digital design projects.
Examples:
Custom Illustrations for Social Media Posts
Digital Stickers for Journaling
Printable Coloring Books
11. Music and Sound Effects
Description: Audio files that can be used in videos, podcasts, or as background music.
Examples:
Royalty-Free Background Music
Podcast Intro and Outro Templates
Sound Effects Packs for Video Editing
12. Journals and Planners
Description: Digital or printable planners and journals designed to help users organize their lives.
Examples:
Daily Gratitude Journals
Business Planning Templates
Fitness and Wellness Trackers
13. Canva Templates
Description: Customizable templates created for use on Canva, a popular graphic design platform.
Examples:
Social Media Post Templates
Resume and Portfolio Layouts
Presentation Templates
14. Educational Workbooks
Description: Interactive PDF workbooks designed to complement courses or self-study.
Examples:
Social Media Strategy Workbooks
Financial Literacy for Entrepreneurs
Personal Development Journals
15. Customizable Planners
Description: Digital planners that can be used on tablets or printed, often with customizable sections.
Examples:
Daily/Weekly Digital Planners
Habit Tracker Templates
Project Management Planners
16. Cheat Sheets and Infographics
Description: Concise, easy-to-digest visual aids that summarize important information.
Examples:
SEO Cheat Sheets for Bloggers
Social Media Posting Schedules
Infographics on Nutrition Facts
17. Social Media Caption Packs
Description: Ready-made captions that content creators can use to save time and enhance engagement.
Examples:
30-Day Instagram Caption Pack
Engaging Questions for Audience Interaction
Seasonal Caption Ideas
18. Legal Templates
Description: Pre-drafted legal documents that can be customized for specific needs.
Examples:
Influencer Collaboration Contracts
Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
Freelance Client Agreements
19. Virtual Consultations
Description: Personalized one-on-one sessions with clients over video calls.
Examples:
Business Strategy Sessions
Personal Branding Consultations
Fitness Coaching Calls
20. Virtual Events and Conferences
Description: Online gatherings that bring together experts and enthusiasts for learning and networking.
Examples:
Virtual Wellness Retreats
Online Entrepreneur Summits
Digital Marketing Workshops
These digital products cater to a variety of niches and are particularly effective on Instagram due to the platform’s visual nature and its strong community-driven focus. By offering these products, content creators can monetize their expertise, creativity, and influence effectively.
Bonus Tips to be Successful Selling Digital Products on Instagram for Passive Income:
Commit to the business model (honestly, you can make any business model work for you! But no business model will work if you hop around from one thing to the next without going all in; stay the course and do it with absolute commitment and consistency.)
Know that competence creates confidence (meaning, you probably won’t feel confident when you first start out; you’ll build your confidence as you do the work and get better over time! You just have to show up, do the work, and be consistent. With that, confidence will come and imposter syndrome will soon disappear)
Don’t focus on vanity metrics (most people get caught up in the numbers. The truth is, the numbers at the start are going to be low. Your followers, views, likes, comments and saves will be low. Your sales will be low. Your efforts will compound over time, and the numbers will eventually go up!)
Ditch the idea of a $10k launch (yes, these are possible, but not likely if you’re brand new and if you don’t already have an audience; in rare cases some people will have a massive launch that brings in tons of cash, but that’s not going to be most people. And because we’ve all heard of someone having a $10k+ launch, we get sucked into the idea that we’re supposed to have one too, and if we don’t, we must be a failure and so we give up. Don’t do that!)
Don’t give up (in continuing the last point, don’t give up. People who stick out the hard beginning are the ones who will see success. Just keep going, and get better, push on, learn more, grow, level up, and you’ll get through the hard stuff to see success as you’ve defined it for yourself)
Post content every single day (take this advice from someone who has built an IG account with nearly 450k followers; I didn’t miss a day of posting for nearly 3 years on my zero waste collective account, and it grew like crazy. I get that sometimes it feels overwhelming to post every single day. But if you treat your business like a hobby, it will pay you like a hobby. If you treat it like a business (and prioritize publishing content) it’ll pay you like a business. The other option is to run ads, or do both! Either way, you need to get people to your sales page, and the way to do that is to generate traffic, and to generate traffic you need to create content or run ads. Simple as that.)
Pitch and sell every single day (okay this might make someone throw up in their mouth just a little bit, but pitching doesn’t have to be salesy. I teach 2 ways to sell on Instagram without being salesy in my course)
You are your own competition (worried about your competition? Don’t be. People will come and people will go, but your biggest competition is you. Your procrastination, motivation, discipline, follow through, work ethic, etc., these are the elements that will determine your success or lack thereof; not your competition. Choose to get out of your own way, get out of your own head, and go be amazing!)
Do the inner mindset work (often we have a fear that we are not good enough. But who said we aren’t? Who decided that? Interestingly, being an entrepreneur requires most people to get over their own stuff. Because the state of your emotional world impacts the outer world around you. I’m currently reading the book You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay, and I’d say that’s a great place for people to start. Personal development, and investing in yourself in your own growth, are essential for success as an entrepreneur. But let me just say: YOU ARE ENOUGH. You are good enough. And worthy enough. You just need to know that deep down and believe it on a subconscious level. Let’s do this!)
Be sure to share this with friends! (if you know anyone else who wants to learn how to make passive income with digital products and growing/selling on Instagram, then please -- and thank you! -- share this with them. We need more people who are empowered to have limitless income potential and to thrive with freedom in business and in life! Plus, it’s fun to share this journey with people who are doing what you’re doing, too!)
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