What if I told you that you could start making consistent income from a simple PDF you create — one that doesn’t need to be fancy, flashy, or perfectly designed? That’s exactly what I did, and today, I’m pulling back the curtain on how this all came together. I’m Adam Dukes, and I earn about $280.44 per day selling a $27 PDF. This post breaks down the journey, the lessons, and the mindset that helped me get here — plus why launching messy might be your best move.
The Backstory: From Struggle to Strategy
It all started back in late November last year. I began running ads but was in the red for a solid month. I didn’t hide the losses or the lessons; I shared both openly on social media. Transparency was key — I showed what worked and what didn’t. By mid-December, things started to shift. I was finally seeing more days in the black, and that caught people’s attention.
People began asking me how I was doing it. They wanted a PDF, coaching, or a course. But I kept saying, “I’m still working on it.” I was fine-tuning the process while documenting every step. January kicked off strong with ads, though it slowed down a bit after the new year hype. Still, the momentum was better than before.
Creating the “Piss Off Boss Playbook”
With consistent traction, I floated an idea: Why not put my Instagram Reels and ads process into a PDF? The response was overwhelming — people were excited and eager to get their hands on it. I set up a waitlist that quickly grew to about 175 people within a week before the launch.
On February 26th, I launched the Piss Off Boss Playbook. It was priced at $17 initially, then $27, and it’s just my simple process for creating Instagram reels and running ads on the ones that perform well. No complicated guru tactics — just what works for me.
Here’s the kicker:
The PDF is ugly. Like, really ugly. It’s a plain Google document with black text on a white background. No fancy Canva designs, no images, no graphics. Just straightforward, valuable content. I usually validate ideas with 5-10 sales before investing in design, but this time I completely forgot to make it look pretty. And guess what? I still made over $27,000 with it.
Why Ugly is Okay — In Fact, It’s Better
I talk to so many people who get stuck trying to make their products look perfect. They get overwhelmed by Canva or design tools and keep delaying their launch. Here’s the truth: you don’t need to make it pretty first. Get the product out there, get some sales, and then improve the look if you want to.
Having a simple Google Doc is enough if you’re solving a real problem and sharing your process. The Piss Off Boss Playbook is about 43-44 pages and can be read in 15 minutes. People who implement it are seeing results.
Real Results from Real People
Jacob, a LinkedIn seller with a big audience, made $2,000 in his first week using the playbook to generate passive sales alongside his higher-ticket offers.
Another guy in the fitness space started using it a few weeks ago and is now making daily sales.
The key? It works if you work it.
Launch Messy, Launch Ugly, Launch Now
A mentor once told me, “Your first version will be your worst version.” That stuck with me. Your first product will never be perfect, but that’s okay. Launch it, get feedback from customers, and improve it over time. Don’t wait for perfection or fancy design — that’s the fastest way to get stuck.
I’ve spoken to people who spent months designing their guides but never launched. Meanwhile, others sell a $2 product just to get started, build confidence, and gather social proof. One woman started selling at $2, then raised her price gradually to $27 or $37 as she gained momentum and confidence. The transformation in how she showed up online was incredible.
“Confidence and momentum are like Siamese twins. Once you start gaining momentum, confidence is right there with it. Entrepreneurship is a game of confidence. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Digital Product Creators
- Don’t wait for perfect: Launch your product as soon as you have something valuable, even if it’s ugly.
- Validate first: Get initial sales to confirm demand before investing in design or fancy branding.
- Get feedback: Let your customers tell you how to improve your product.
- Be transparent and share your journey: Authenticity builds trust and curiosity.
- Keep your process simple: You don’t need complicated strategies or guru tactics to make money.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re curious about selling PDFs, building demand before launch, or running simple Instagram ads, I’m sharing daily videos Monday through Friday. I walk around my neighborhood in Las Vegas and share wins, losses, lessons, and strategies — all in one take, with zero editing. It’s raw, real, and actionable.
Got questions or want to chat about earning a living selling PDFs? Drop a comment below or connect with me on Instagram and Threads. I’m here to help you get started and keep moving forward.
Remember: Start messy. Start now. You got this.
