3 Digital Resources You Can Create In A Day
Digital Products have been all the rage lately.
And while many business owners know this is a hot market and want to create something of value, many aren’t sure where to even start. Digital products take a lot of time and technical skills, and figuring out what kind to even create can add some stress to your load.
And sure, you could just buy an MRR product and call it a day… But nowadays, consumers are getting smarter and pickier. If you’re going to do that be prepared to spend a good deal of time modifying it and making it your own.
But here’s the thing… They don’t have to take a ton of time. (And no, I will not be suggesting you let AI do all the work for you. People want to pay for your knowledge, not just see a regurgitation of standard tips ChatGPT would create.).
It’s all about having a set plan, a set strategy, a solid outline and a fabulous playlist… All of my best ideas come from a jamming playlist.
So, what are 3 simple yet effective digital resources you can create in a short time that offer immense value?
1. A simple PDF Guide or Checklist
You don’t need to create a 50-page eBook. (Don’t get me wrong, I love creating those, but you don’t have to go crazy.) Create a simple strategy, framework, concept or checklist that’s only a handful of pages and call it a day. You can still provide tremendous value, without having to pull every bit of information that is stored in the folds of your brain.
Instead, try a focused, one-topic document your audience can download and use immediately. Short is fine because then they don’t have to take a ton of time to get to the implementation. I have a freebie that is a one-page checklist. While there are a number of items they have to do on it, this works because they get to start taking action right away. Since they’re taking action right away, they’re motivated to keep going because it feels like they’re moving toward their goal quickly.
How do you decide on a topic?
Think about what people ask you repeatedly––If you work with clients or have a social media following, what are common questions or concerns they have that they come to you for? Or even people in your regular life, do you find people come to you for advice? What’s something you’ve been asked more than once? If you don’t have those, go take a quick look around social media. Find people who have large followings and take a look through their content. Do they have content that answers common questions? Take a peek through the comments. Do they have people asking questions in the comments that you could answer?
Think about a common “first-step” problem––What do you do? What do you help people with (or want to)? Keep things simple, think about the problems your clients or potential clients have, or what they are hoping to achieve. Is there a first step they need to take to solve that problem or get to their end result? You don’t have to create something that completely gets them there, but dial in on the first step. What can you teach them (in a short or compact form) that will help them take the first step they’re looking for? Sometimes all someone needs is to learn how to get started.
Solve one specific thing, not everything––You don’t have to take them all the way from point A to point Z in one small PDF. Instead of saying, let me teach you how to grow on every social media platform, you might choose how to write an Instagram caption that stops the scroll. Now, here’s the thing: Specific is definitely better than too broad; however, too specific might actually turn people away. I know most people will convince you that the more specific, the better and depending on the topic, that can be true. But sometimes people will look at an uber-specific topic and think, “I wouldn’t pay that price for only that.” It should still give enough value to feel worth people’s time.
Mine your existing content––If you’ve been creating content for some time, it could be helpful to go through your content and find posts that performed particularly well. Can you elaborate on it and turn it into a simple PDF? Blog posts also work well for this. They’re full of information. Do you have one that was a fan favourite that you could turn into a guide or take a concept to elaborate on? This saves you from having to start from scratch.
Remember, if you’re just getting started, PDF guides don’t have to be super long. Concise and actionable is a great way to make it manageable on your end. Yes, longer eBooks can be great, but those typically take longer to create. I have a free resource that is a one-page checklist that’s a huge hit.
Add examples, a framework for them to follow and enough information that they feel confident in their own ability to implement. Then, go back through it as if you were a buyer. Would you find this useful? Would you actually get something out of it? Would you be able to take action? Does the guide actually give you what the promise is? If the guide is called “How to write an Instagram bio that converts,” does it actually teach you how to effectively write a bio that could convert?
The most important consideration here is to focus on building trust by delivering what you promise to deliver. PDF guides and checklists have a huge capacity for building trust and growing your email list.
2. A Canva Template
Right now, Canva is the most popular graphic design site for online entrepreneurs because they make it easy to create stunning graphics. Especially for those of us who are not graphic designers, it’s really nice. The price is also very affordable for the pro account, and even a free account gives you a lot of options. I know some people who only have a free account and have no problem creating what they need.
But even though Canva makes it easy to create, sometimes people need a little bit extra. So, a ready-to-use, customizable template that your customers can plug their own content into is a great digital resource to create that’s easy to sell. Things like social media graphics, planners or worksheets are great options. I’ve purchased ready-made carousel posts that came pre-filled with information that I can customize and update and post as my own.
Everyone is looking to save time, and a well-designed Canva template keeps your name in front of them every time they use it. You’re like a little saviour that allows them to create something high-quality in half the time.
How to design for your niche:
First, think about what your audience creates or does repeatedly––What would be most useful to them? Social media posts, weekly plans, client-facing documents, etc. What’s something that’s necessary for them, but a little bit annoying to have to create by hand?
Then, choose a format that fits that task––Would it be an Instagram graphic, a worksheet, a planner page, a media kit, a digital resource outline, etc.? If they’re likely needing social media posts, starting with a graphic properly sized for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc., is the way to go.
Finally, stick to a clean, simple design––The idea is for your customer to visualize what they can do with the graphic. Simple is definitely better, so they can customize it their own way. It can be a little overwhelming to try to modify something that’s really busy.
What should you include?
Placeholder text and labelled sections so it’s clear what goes where. This becomes like a diagram for your customers. They’ll get a sense of the flow and how to go about creating what they need in the easiest way possible.
Your branding in a subtle way. Include a small logo or brand colours that work well without being overwhelming. I purchased carousel templates, and they included their Instagram handle on each page as an indicator of where you would put your handle in its place. It was a subtle way of reminding me who had created them, so I could go back and purchase more if I wished.
A brief instruction note and/or introduction inside the template. If there are multiple moving parts or steps, this can help give your customer a clear starting point or show them how to get in touch with you if they have any questions.
3. A fill-in-the-blank copy template
Now, this one is a good one. People love copy templates. My 5-minute email welcome sequence template is my top seller. These can be any pre-written, customizable text templates that your audience can adapt for. their own business (e.g., emails, social media hooks/captions, landing pages, checkout pages, bio templates, etc.).
People love low-ticket, easy-to-implement copy templates. Yes, even in this time of AI, there is still a hot market for templates. The most strategic business owners who want support and ease, but don’t want to put out AI slop, are using templates to speed up their work and keep it human. These are a win-win. I’m a content writer, and even I have bought copy templates before. But these can be tricky to create if you aren’t sure where to start.
How to choose a format your audience wants
No one wants to create a template that an audience has no desire to buy. So a little bit of forethought, research and prep is required here.
Think about the writing tasks your audience dreads or puts off –– Look around the internet, what are your people complaining about? What is something they have to write a lot, but is a pain, and they dread it? A PR pitch deck, a media kit, a landing page, a welcome sequence, etc.? What would be something they dread, and if they saw your template while scrolling, would make them stop and immediately buy because it would be a lifesaver?
Pay attention to what they ask for help with the most often –– Go into help-based communities and check out what people are asking for help with. Do people comment on your posts or DM you with questions, or looking for help on something that you could create a copy template for? Give them exactly what they’re asking for!
Choose a format with a clear, repeatable structure –– Templates work best for tasks that follow a predictable pattern that can be replicated. This could be like a welcome sequence, a checkout page, a social media hook or CTA. Something that they could keep coming back to your template for every time they create this particular thing. How can you create something that solves their issue, but also is a replicable process?
Aim for something tied to a result your audience is actively chasing –– It’s easy to sell something that supports them landing a new client, growing their list or even making a sale. It will feel far more valuable than a general-purpose one, and something we like to call… a no-brainer.
How to structure it so it’s genuinely plug-and-play
First, break the template into clearly labelled sections. This way, your customer will always know what goes where. Think of it this way: you’re selling your templates to non-writers. Sure, some writers or people with writing ability might purchase it, but the people who need it most or are most likely to buy are people who aren’t writers. Make it really easy for them to use and make it their own.
Use simple, intuitive placeholders. [Your Name], [Main Benefit], [Call To Action], etc. If you keep things simple and clear, you set your customer up for success. If they are able to use it easily and get results again and again, they’re way more likely to rate your template highly and keep coming back for more. Vague or overly clever labels are really annoying and will leave them moving on to something easier.
Include a brief example or sample line for any section that might be confusing. For my welcome sequence template, I have the structure with the labelled sections and placeholders, and then right below, I have a sample email written using the exact structure. I kept it short and simple without a bunch of embellishments, so they could see it section-by-section. Sometimes, this helps them get started with their own.
Keep the instructions minimal. If you’ve made it intuitive and easy, the template should already feel self-explanatory. With templates, people want to buy them and then immediately take action. Don’t make them have to jump through hoops first.
The best digital resource is the one that actually gets made…
If you’re struggling to get your digital product created, you don’t have to go it alone. A ghostwriter can help you turn your ideas into something magical for your customers.
Imagine launching your next offer with:
✔️ Custom copy written for your audience
✔️ Beautiful, strategic design
✔️ Zero Canva chaos
✔️ Something unique and on brand
Your next digital product should feel as powerful as the transformation you deliver.
Let’s build it together.
