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So, you want to make an extra $500 a month, huh? Not a million. Not “retire on a beach in Bali” money. Just a simple five hundred bucks to help with bills, build savings, or finally treat yourself to something other than ramen noodles. Respect. Let’s talk about how digital products can help you get there without losing your mind or selling your soul.
Spoiler: it’s way more doable than you think.
Why Digital Products Are the GOAT of Side Hustles
Before we dive in (yeah, I said it 🙄), let’s get this out of the way—digital products are scalable, low-maintenance, and profitable AF.
Here’s why they rock:
- Zero inventory: No garage full of junk.
- Automated delivery: No midnight post office runs.
- Low startup cost: Literally a laptop and Wi-Fi.
- Unlimited sales potential: Sell 1 or 10,000—your cost stays the same.
Still not sold? Okay. Ever heard of someone making $500/month flipping socks? Didn’t think so. But a Canva template? Or a $9 eBook? Yep.
Step 1: Choose the Right Digital Product for You
First things first—you need something to sell. Shocking, I know.
Popular Digital Product Ideas
- eBooks – Short guides, how-tos, or niche tips.
- Canva templates – Social media posts, resumes, planners.
- Online courses – Teach what you know (even if it’s just how to win at Mario Kart).
- Printables – Budget trackers, meal planners, chore charts.
- Digital planners or journals – Especially gold on Etsy.
- Stock photos or presets – Great if you’ve got a creative eye.
Pick What You’re Good At (or Can Learn Fast)
You don’t need to be a guru. You just need to be one step ahead of your audience. That’s it.
Ask yourself:
- What do people ask me about?
- What skills do I use at work or school?
- What could I make in a weekend?
IMO, start small. No one’s asking you to create a 10-hour masterclass on astrophysics. Just something useful that solves a tiny problem.
Step 2: Build Your Product (Without Losing Your Mind)
Now that you’ve picked your golden goose, it’s time to actually make the thing.
Tools You’ll Love (and Won’t Hate)
- Canva – Free and amazing for templates, eBooks, printables.
- Google Docs – Easy for writing and formatting eBooks.
- Notion – Great for digital planners or workbooks.
- Loom – For screen-recording mini-courses.
- ChatGPT – 😉 For outlining, copywriting, etc.
Keep It Simple, Genius
Your first product doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to exist.
Start with:
- One template
- One 15-page guide
- One mini-course
Done is better than perfect. Perfectionism kills paydays.
Step 3: Price It to Sell (Without Undervaluing Yourself)
Ah yes, pricing. The eternal headache.
Here’s the real tea:
- Under $10: Great for impulse buys (eBooks, simple printables).
- $17–$27: Sweet spot for templates, bundles, or planners.
- $57+: Courses or high-value offers.
Pro Tip:
Start low, get testimonials, then raise your price later. Don’t stress if you start at $7. Those first sales will give you life. 💃
Step 4: Choose a Platform to Sell On
You made a product? Congrats! Now let’s put it somewhere.
Best Platforms to Sell Digital Products
- Stan Store – Perfect for creators, easy checkout.
- Gumroad – Clean, free to start.
- Payhip – Easy setup + EU tax handled.
- Etsy – Built-in audience for printables.
- Shopify (with a digital download app) – Better for when you scale.
IMO, start simple. Don’t let tech stop your bag.
Step 5: Promote That Thing Like a Boss
This is where the magic happens. Nobody buys what they don’t know exists.
5 Ways to Market Your Digital Product
- Instagram Reels or TikTok – Quick demos, before & afters, or value tips.
- Email list – Build it with a freebie, then sell gently.
- Pinterest – Huge for templates, planners, and printables.
- Facebook Groups – Share value, not spam.
- Your blog or website – Great for SEO and long-term traffic.
FYI: You don’t need a massive audience. You need an engaged one.
Try This:
- Post 3–4 times a week.
- Show the product in action.
- Talk about how it helps.
- Use call-to-actions (“Grab yours in bio”).
Ever bought something just because someone explained it really well? Exactly.
Step 6: Track Your Income Goals Like a Hustler
Let’s math this out real quick:
Want to make $500/month?
- Sell a $10 product = 50 sales
- Sell a $25 product = 20 sales
- Sell a $50 course = 10 sales
See? Not that scary.
Break it down weekly:
- $125/week
- That’s 4 sales of a $30 product
Totally doable, right? Especially if you stay consistent.
Use Tools to Track:
- Google Sheets – DIY style.
- Notion – Make a goal tracker.
- Stan Store or Gumroad dashboards – Auto tracks for you.
Celebrate those mini wins. $20 here, $40 there—it stacks fast.
What If No One Buys? (Real Talk)
Okay, let’s get real. What if you launch and… crickets?
First of all, welcome to the club. It happens. You’re not broken. You’re just tweaking.
Ask Yourself:
- Did I explain the value clearly?
- Is the product solving a real problem?
- Am I actually promoting it?
Tweak the product. Tweak the messaging. Tweak the visuals.
Just don’t quit. One product flop doesn’t mean YOU flop.
Bonus: How I Made My First $500 (And Didn’t Cry Doing It)
Okay, personal story time:
I started with a super basic Canva template pack—literally 10 Instagram quote templates. I priced it at $17 and thought, “Eh, let’s see.”
I promoted it on Instagram stories and sent it to my (tiny) email list. Crickets for a week. Then BOOM—my first sale.
I legit happy-danced in the kitchen. Two weeks later, I hit $512 from that one pack.
Lesson? Start small. Keep showing up. $500/month isn’t magic—it’s momentum.
Final Thoughts: Start Scrappy, Stay Consistent
Making $500/month from digital products isn’t a fantasy. It’s totally doable—and honestly, kind of fun.
- Pick a product you can create fast.
- Sell it on a simple platform.
- Promote it consistently.
- Tweak and test until it clicks.
You don’t need fancy tech. You don’t need 100k followers. You just need a bit of hustle and a product that helps people.
So what are you waiting for? Your $500/month hustle isn’t going to build itself 😉
Go make that bag. You’ve got this.
