I earn a living selling “silly” PDFs on the Internet.
It wasn’t always like this, as I rode the struggle bus for years (not recommended)
I broke my process down to 9 shockingly simple steps. It’s not easy, but it can be this simple. The 6 inches between your ears will be the biggest hurdle. It certainly was my biggest obstacle.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your existing process, these steps will guide you to success and help you save money on unnecessary courses.
Table of Contents
- Step 1: Find a Problem You Enjoy Solving
- Step 2: Create a Solution
- Step 3: Commit to Daily Sales
- Step 4: Gather Customer Feedback
- Step 5: Improve Your Product
- Step 6: Request Testimonials
- Step 7: Increase Your Price
- Step 8: Continue Conversations with Customers
- Step 9: Develop New Products
- The Importance of Promotion
- Overcoming Sales Resistance
- Conclusion
Step 1: Find a Problem You Enjoy Solving
The first step in this journey is identifying a problem you enjoy solving. This isn’t about chasing trends or popular topics; it’s about your passion and expertise. Think about something you’ve accomplished recently that you could teach others. It doesn’t have to be monumental—perhaps you lost a few pounds, or your children are particularly well-behaved. These experiences can resonate with others who face similar challenges.
For example, a PDF I created was based on my rapid growth on Instagram Threads. After launching a PDF that explained my strategy, I made over $1,000 in just one month. The key is to find a niche that excites you, as your enthusiasm will shine through in your product.
Step 2: Create a Solution
Next, develop a solution to the problem you’ve identified. This could be a roadmap detailing how you achieved your goal or a step-by-step guide. Aim for a 20 to 40-page document—nothing too overwhelming. Use Google Docs to write this and save it as a PDF.
Once your content is ready, upload it to a platform like Stan Store. It’s user-friendly and costs only $29 a month, which is reasonable considering it simplifies the selling process. Additionally, invest in a professional cover design on Fiverr. First impressions matter, and a well-designed cover can significantly boost your sales.
Step 3: Commit to Daily Sales
After creating your PDF, commit to selling it every day for 90 days on a single social media platform. This consistency is crucial. Share your audience’s problems, desires, and your own proof of success. Social proof can come from various sources, such as direct messages, emails, or positive comments on social media. This will help build trust and credibility around your product.
Step 4: Gather Customer Feedback
Once you’ve made a few sales, engage with your customers. Ask them for feedback—this is invaluable. You might need to reach out multiple times, but their insights are essential for improving your product. Understand what they liked, what they found confusing, and where you can enhance the content.
Step 5: Improve Your Product
Using the feedback you receive, make necessary improvements to your PDF. This might mean clarifying certain sections, adding more detail, or even reformatting chapters for better flow. Remember, these suggestions come from individuals who have already invested in your product, so their opinions are worth considering.
Step 6: Request Testimonials
As you gather feedback, don’t shy away from asking for testimonials. Reach out to your customers and request their honest opinions. Even if you only receive three to five testimonials from ten requests, these can be powerful tools for building credibility. Testimonials act as social proof, encouraging new customers to purchase your product.
Use a tool like Senja to capture your customer’s testimonials, and house them in one spot. I display my social proof EVERYWHERE.
Here’s how it displays on my websites:
Step 7: Increase Your Price
Once you’ve made improvements and gathered testimonials, it’s time to increase your price. For instance, I launched my product at $10 but increased it to $17 after gaining more social proof. This not only reflects the value of your improved product but also positions it as a premium offering in the market.
Step 8: Continue Conversations with Customers
Maintain ongoing conversations with your customers. Ask them about their current challenges and problems. If you notice common themes, this may be a sign that you can create additional products to address these new issues. Engaging with your audience keeps you informed about their needs and helps you adapt your offerings accordingly.
Step 9: Develop New Products
Finally, use the insights gained from customer interactions to create new products. If you’ve identified a common problem that you know how to solve, don’t hesitate to develop a new PDF or digital product around it. This iterative process will help you build a portfolio of products that cater to your audience’s evolving needs.
The Importance of Promotion
Many entrepreneurs struggle because they underestimate the importance of promotion. After launching your product, it’s crucial to keep promoting it. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate sales; persistence is key. Make offers regularly, and don’t shy away from pitching your product. If you believe in your offering, you have an obligation to share it with others.
Overcoming Sales Resistance
If you feel uncomfortable promoting your product, it may be a sign that you need to refine your offer. Your product should feel like a gift to your audience—a solution to their problems. If you can get to that point, selling will become much easier.
Conclusion
Following these nine steps has allowed me to earn a consistent income selling PDFs online. It’s not always easy, and results won’t come overnight, but with dedication and the right approach, you can achieve similar success.
If you’re struggling to find your niche or have questions about selling PDFs, feel free to reach out. I’m here to help!