Learn how to use social media to make $5K per month with tiny digital products
Are you ready to start making money online? In this blog post, I’ll share a simple, 3-step process that has helped me make over $200,000 in the last year. If you’re just starting out, this method is designed to get you on the path to earning your first $100—and then scaling from there.
Let’s dive into the exact steps that you can follow to achieve your first online income.
Step 1: Identify What You Want to Be Known For (Your Niche)
The first step to making money online is identifying your niche. This is what you’ll focus on and what people will recognize you for. Choosing a niche is crucial because it lays the foundation for everything that comes next.
Here are a few ways to identify your niche:
- Your interests, hobbies, or passions: What do you love doing? For example, my hobbies include cooking on the Blackstone, coaching my kids’ sports teams, and finding new ways to make money online.
- Problems you’ve solved: Think about challenges you’ve overcome. One example for me is teaching my son how to fish—this is a niche in itself.
- Your past experiences: Who were you 5 years ago? I had three kids under three while working full-time and building an online business. That experience could resonate with others in a similar position.
- Daily activities: What do you do all day? Your profession or expertise can be a source of niche ideas.
- Recent purchases: Every purchase solves a problem. I recently bought Pokémon trading cards because my boys love them—this could be a niche for someone else.
Pro Tip: Don’t overthink this step. Spend 20 minutes brainstorming, narrowing down, and choosing one niche. If you’re wondering, “Can I have more than one niche?” The answer is yes—but not to start. Focus on one niche until you’re making $3,000 per month, then expand.
Step 2: Create and Sell Your First Digital Product
Once you’ve chosen a niche, the next step is to create a digital product that solves a specific problem for your target audience. Digital products are a fantastic way to start making money because they can be created quickly and with minimal upfront costs.
Here’s why digital products are a great option:
- They can be created over a weekend.
- You can use free tools like Canva, Google Docs, and Gumroad.
- You collect payments instantly, unlike affiliate marketing where you might have to wait months for commissions.
Examples of digital products:
- Templates
- Planners
- Workbooks
- Ebooks
- Online courses
- Guides and cheat sheets
My First Digital Product Example: My first digital product was the 60-Second Business Blueprint, which helped people learn how to drive traffic and earn affiliate commissions. It was just a simple PDF created in Google Docs and Canva, but it led to thousands of dollars in sales!
To get started, write down 10 problems that your target audience might experience. Then, decide what kind of digital product can solve those problems. Keep it simple, and remember that your product doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be done.
Step 3: Get Attention for Your Product (Content Creation)
Now that you’ve created your digital product, the final step is getting attention and driving traffic to your product. This is where content creation comes in.
You can get attention through platforms like:
- YouTube
- TikTok
Each platform has billions of users, but choose one that aligns with both where your audience hangs out and where you feel most comfortable. For example, if you don’t like being on camera, platforms like Pinterest or blogging may be better for you.
Your content should follow a simple formula: Hook > Story > Offer.
- Hook: Capture attention with an engaging title or thumbnail.
- Story: Share your experiences, solutions, and the journey of creating your digital product.
- Offer: Guide your audience to your digital product or service.
Remember, the key to eliminating competition is sharing your personal story. Even if the product is similar to others, your unique experiences will make it stand out and build trust.